Another question at training camp for the Lions defense will be at linebacker. There is no question that DeAndre Levy and Julian Peterson should be solid, but there’s an open end spot because Larry Foote left and Ernie Sims was traded away.

That brings us to Zack Follett, a seventh-round pick out of Cal in 2009.

His motor never quit in his rookie season. He was disappointed to start it on the practice squad, but didn’t get down about it. His work habits and gradual improvement put him on the roster where he played mostly special teams. Toward the end of the season, he got in a few times at linebacker mostly to see how he would do.

He’s a tough guy. He’s a guy that defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham loves and expects to compete for the open starting spot. He was given that chance during OTAs.

Training camp will be crucial for Follett’s chance of earning the starting role. Landon Johnson and Vinny Ciurciu could be in the mix along with rookie Caleb Campbell who is probably more of a longshot at this point.

With his hard-hitting style along with Facebook and Twitter, Follett has become a fan favorite. But it will be his work in training camp that determines how much of a role he will have this season.

(This is part of a series of 20 Lions to watch in training camp which starts July 31. Follow me on Twitter.com @PaulaPasche.)