For several years our Lions front office has been selling us fans that a dominate defensive line can make a secondary better. One could make a case that they were right. Detroit ended up 8th and 11th in DVAO according to football outsiders against the pass and run respectively last season. Considering all the injuries we suffered, that is one fine season of defense from our boys.
Our problem, the interior and stunningly obvious strength of our defensive line bolted like a prom queens virginity. All that draft capitol we spent building up the interior of our D line took a swan boat the fuck out of town. Now we are left with scraps from other teams and yes, those scraps include Haloti "four game PED suspension" Ngata.
In response it seems that our front office has decided, for a lack of other options, to try to build our defense from the other end up. We have a disgusting level of competition in our secondary. But can a surplus of secondary, not exactly full of studs, really make a weaker defensive line look better than they really are?
This is one of the beautiful things about football. Unlike the other "major" US sports. In the NFL, everything hinges on those that play next to you. It appears the Lions have tied their boat to the idea that they couldn't possibly replicate their interior defensive line performance from last year and in response they have decided to attempt to make up the difference with their secondary.
So, I ask you. Can the hopeful talent in our secondary make our defensive line better?
I think it can, but I am not sure this secondary can
ReplyDeleteif guys progress as much as Slay, there's some hope but there's a lot of questions. Being young with a few draft picks, the odds of all them turning out great is hard to say. As it is Bentley and Lawson still have big questions and they've played.
If Alex is moved to safety by training camp, I'll be bummed just because they said they drafted him to play outside, but I'll be less bummed about it if he's a fantastic safety
I agree, a strong secondary can make a D line better but I do not believe we have the talent in the secondary to make it happen.
DeleteIMHO, the Lions pass rush is going to be better this year. Yeah, GJ is now in Tampa, but LW is poised to take his place.... Yes, Fairley is gone... Walker, who was argueably better last year, is a great replacement..... Which leaves us to Suh.... yes, he cannot be replaced... however, does he need tobe? Ngata will be a 2 down player, don't assume he'll be more than that. Reid, Jones, the new rookie, will make a good rotation on the DL.
ReplyDeleteSo all that being said... shouldn't the question be... How much better does the Secondary have to be this season?
First, they will be better... this is the best and deepest group of talented DBs the Lions have had since the 90's. Specifically, the Nickelback position... which will be the most exciting position battle in Training camp.
ALL THAT being said.... I am of the belief that the offense is going to explode this year... taking the run game out of 2nd half of games.
I am looking forward to a great competition for the slot CB position. Someone has to rise to the top right? who is it going to be? Anyone dare to make a guess?
DeleteInteresting topic. I will start off by saying this team was built for the interior line to create pressure. Suh was the best in the NFL last season with 37 QB hurries and believe it or not but Fairley had the best "pressure percentage" (sacks, hits, and hurries per snap) than anyone else last season, Tyrunn Walker was 17th. That will not be duplicated with this d-line.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Lions' DE goes, Ansah was 3rd in the NFL in creating pressure the next best Lions was George Johnson at #12. Interesting stat while Ansah primarily did his damage from the right side (83% of his snaps) Johnson could do it from both sides nearly a 50/50 split in his snaps.
So what I am getting at is that IMO the way the NFL is trending now with the NFL spread offensives and rules that protect WRs a strong secondary needs a d-line that can get consistent pressure on the QB. I like the job Mathis did last season but lets be real, his age could catch up to him. Slay is a solid #2 and could be the guy, but we will see how this guys hold up with d-line that gets less pressure on the QB.
That is my concern. We lost a ton of middle of the DL generated QB pressure. Who is making up for that loss? I just don't see it on the roster. That is why I hope a deeper and potentially more talented secondary can give the D line a split second or two more to get their jobs done. We will see.
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