Five things Lions fans have to look forward to this week.

1. After Friday, fans will no longer have to see references to OTAs. The 10  organized team activities wrap up on Friday. It’s a valuable time for any NFL team to get new players acquainted with old. But it’s not really a good time to evaluate players (unless they really stink) because there is no contact allowed. Also, no one-on-one drills with defensive backs going against receivers are allowed. Often those are the highlight of training camp.

2. Mandatory minicamp is next week so we’ll get a better idea of just what talent this team possesses and where some of them will line up at least to start training camp.

3. Saturday is the big charity celebrity softball game with captains Nate Burleson and Stephen Tulloch as captains. It starts at 2 p.m. with a homerun derby at King Boring Field  in Dearborn (corner of Greenfield and Michigan Avenue).  Admission is $10 with kids under 5 free. It will benefit the Stephen Tulloch and Nate Burleson foundations. Calvin Johnson, Louis Delmas and Jahvid Best are set to participate, along with former Lions and Pistons. 

4. My live chat on the Lions is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday. Check my blog at OPLions.blogspot.com for the link. Had a great discussion going last Thursday. Bring your questions or just read along.

5. This would be the perfect time for Father’s Day (June 16) shopping. 

May I suggest my book, “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ It’s also available at bookstores or on Amazon.

(Paula Pasche covers the Lions. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)