Allen Park — Mohamed Ibrahim enjoys running people over.
So naturally, the undrafted rookie had a smile on his face coming off the Detroit Lions’ practice field on Wednesday. With Craig Reynolds out of practice and Jermar Jefferson leaving early because of an injury, the opportunity for Ibrahim to show what he can do was plentiful — and he made the most of it.
“It’s something different. We didn’t do this in college and I was in college for six years, so the last time I scrimmaged somebody in fall camp was in high school,” Ibrahim said. “So, it brings different juices; it refreshes the atmosphere. Going against our defense for two weeks and then going against somebody else, it kind of feels different.”
To close a practice that saw him break off a couple of nice runs, Ibrahim barreled over Giants safety Alex Cook in the hole, then met him again at the goal line after a 7-yard run two plays later, then scored a touchdown on the next snap.
“I love (trying to run people over),” Ibrahim said. “In that red zone, it kinda gets tricky. I’m trying to (not hurt anybody) and they’re trying to take care of me, but also, I gotta protect myself. That’s what I did out there.”
At 5-foot-8, 203 pounds, running people over and playing physical is a large part of Ibrahim’s game. But it’s one he didn’t necessarily get to show before the pads went on.
“I’m a hardworking guy. I’m gonna go out there, you know what you’re gonna get out of me,” Ibrahim said. “I’m gonna finish every day. I’m gonna chase the ball.
After Ibrahim ran Cook over, nobody was more fired up than Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery. Ibrahim said guidance from the first-year Lions coach has gone a long way.
“He brings the energy every day. You go in that meeting room, if you’re half-asleep, he’s gonna fire you up, he’s gonna wake you up,” Ibrahim said. “You’re gonna learn every time you’re in that meeting room, so I’m taking in all the little pieces that he gives us, even all the smallest things.
“It might be nothing to somebody else, but it might click a bell in my head, so I’m just taking in everything he says and listening to all his coaching points.”
Governor’s ball
With all the hype surrounding the Lions, plenty of local celebrities and national media have made their way through Allen Park in recent weeks. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was the latest to make an appearance at Lions practice, stopping by Wednesday.
Whitmer, a native of Lansing, said she used to attend the annual Thanksgiving Day game with her family when she was growing up.
“You can just feel the momentum. You saw the hard work pay off; they’ve got a great team,” Whitmer said. “They’ve been really strategic in terms of building the team, the roster. I just think it’s gonna be a great year. You can feel the enthusiasm as I get across the state.”
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @nolanbianchi