Defensive line must dominate in 2016
By Matt Urben
The Detroit Lions had the most dominant front four in all of football during the 2014 season, finishing with the second-overall ranked defense. The team gave up just 17.1 points per game and while their passing defense was very good, their rushing defense was even better. The Lions were virtually impossible to run on in 2014.
Last season, the production dipped significantly, falling from 20 interceptions in 2014, to just 9 last season.
The defense fell back to average last season, after losing the best defensive tackle in the game, in Ndamukong Suh, to the Dolphins in free agency. The falloff was expected, but what may have been overlooked was the negative impact it would have on the defensive secondary.
The Lions finished with 20 interceptions in 2014, not because they had a great secondary, but because opposing quarterbacks had about a second to get rid of the ball before Suh and company were in their faces with pressure. Last season, the production dipped significantly, falling from 20 interceptions in 2014, to just 9 last season.
Safety Glover Quin was able to maintain his impressive production, but the defensive line wasn’t able to mask the secondary’s deficiencies, as it had the previous season. The proof was in guys like James Ihedigbo – who’s production fell off last year – after he had 4 picks in 2014.
The same can be said for Stephen Tulloch, who thrived with that ferocious pass rush in front of him. Last season, both Tulloch and Ihedigbo were exposed in the secondary, having to cover for an extra few seconds. A secondary’s best friend is an elite front four that allows them to take chances. Neither player will be back next season.
The Lions gave up 24.6 points per game in 2015, a full touchdown worse without Suh and Nick Fairley pushing the pocket in the middle. They couldn’t do anything drastic in free agency and are counting on their young players to improve. The Lions used the draft to add one of the best defensive tackles in college football last season, in Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson.
Nobody is confusing Robinson with Suh coming out of college, but he is a talented, pro-ready prospect that should contribute. His fall to the 2nd-round was a result of a very deep class at the defensive tackle position. He has the ability to step in right away, but will likely battle it out with Caraun Reid and Tyrunn Walker for that second defensive tackle spot alongside Haloti Ngata. Walker, Reid and Ngata all fought injuries last season, contributing to their ineffective play while adapting to their new roles.
The silver lining to last season was that the entire defense, including the defensive line, played better down the stretch. They partially fell victim to a putrid Lions offense to start the year. At the very least, the Lions should have a deep, talented group of defensive tackles next year.
Another positive in the Lions’ favor is Ezekiel Ansah developing into one of the most talented, young defensive ends in the league. He finished last season with 14.5 sacks and is a much better player than he was in 2014. Devin Taylor has earned himself a shot at the starting lineup, after a 7-sack season as a rotational defensive end.
Ansah and Taylor are both over 6-foot-5, with excellent speed for 4-3 defensive lineman. They should stabilize the outside rush. The team’s main concern should be finding the right group of tackles to play in between them. While nobody expects a return to 2014-form, an improvement should be expected if they stay relatively healthy. As we saw last season, their play up front affects the entire defense and the team’s success as a result.