Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Fists were flying in the Detroit Lions' training camp Sunday morning.
Offensive tackle Jeff Backus and defensive end Dewayne White had two skirmishes in practice. The two incidents occurred minutes apart. The second one appeared to be more serious, and lasted longer.
Players and coaches separated the players. Practice continued without another flareup.
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White and Backus practice against each other regularly. They commented briefly as they left the practice field.
"Just training camp, man," White said. "It happens."
There were no lingering effects, White said.
"No -- we let it go," White said. "Leave it on the field. He said his piece, I said my piece. It's over. It's going to be a good battle. That's what happens. You get heated. One play, I tripped him up. He came back. It happens."
"Training camp -- stuff that's going to happen," Backus said. "Ask Dewayne White what started it. I'll talk to you guys later."
Coach Rod Marinelli talked to the team after practice and reiterated to the players that he does not condone fighting because players who fight in games will be penalized.
"It's a lack of self control," Marinelli said.
