ALLEN PARK — While the Lions have been working out since March 16, today (Tuesday) was the first day of official Offseason Training Activities where both the offense and defense were on the field.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who was signed as a free agent from Tennessee, said it’s too early to really gauge where the defense is, but he likes what he sees.

“I was really surprised at the talent level, and like I said, the attitude. You wouldn’t know the difference if this team won two games last year or if this team was in the playoffs last year,’’ Vanden Bosch said. “Everybody has a real work-like attitude, there’s excitement and everybody is ready to get going.’’

Vanden Bosch has been working exclusively at right end. He’s well aware that the Lions defense has been among the worst in the NFL the past few years.

“I’m surprised — statistically not being a very good defense last year — I’m surprised at the talent level on this team and how good we look,’’ Vanden Bosch said. Since he played at Nebraska, he watched as many Cornhuskers games as he could last season to see DT Ndamukong Suh. Like everybody else he was impressed, but he'll leave the decision making up to the Lions personnel folks.