The one thing Dan Campbell refuses to believe about Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone

The Detroit Lions officially have no holdouts. Second-round pick Tate Ratledge got signed on Thursday night, and linebacker Alex Anzalone reported to training camp this week. Although there are still questions about whether or not there are looming contract concerns with Anzalone. 

"Not that I can really talk about." Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Sunday. "He's here, reported, did great on conditioning test, weights good and ready to go." 

Even though Anzalone is in Allen Park and he seems to be healthy by Campbell's account, he did not practice during the Lions' first day of training camp on Sunday. That resulted in some wondering if, instead of a holdout, Anzalone was doing a hold-in. 

A hold-in is essentially the same thing as a holdout, except the player is in the building but refusing to practice until he gets a contract. Campbell believes that is not the case. In fact he's vehemently against the idea. 

"No way, right? I refuse to believe that. I refuse to believe that."

I was asked a similar question in a mailbag a few weeks ago, and I have to agree with Campbell. I find it hard to believe that Anzalone, who is such a strong team guy, would hold out or hold in. It just doesn't seem in his nature. 

With that said, you can understand why he wants a new deal. His current contract has no protections for him. There are no guarantees, and he's just kind of hanging out in the wind with it. Azalone has demonstrated time and again how important he is to this defense and this team. The Lions would be wise to take care of him.