Detroit Lions Midseason Grades: Defensive End Report Card
By Dean Holden
Israel Idonije
Sep 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass while under pressure from Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) and defensive end Israel Idonije (77) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Production
Idonije is playing in a rotational role at defensive end, but he’s still been in on 200 defensive snaps. The result of that is four tackles and no sacks. He doesn’t bring much value to the pass rush, but he bills himself as a run stopper. But he’s not very good at that, either, with a PFF rating of -0.6 in the run game.
Grade: C+
Impact
It doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but Idonije has been abysmal against the run. For a veteran who considers run-stopping his job, he does an atrocious job of keeping contain. Assume that every time you see a Lions opponent break a big run off-tackle, Idonije got caught out of position on the play. It won’t be 100 percent accurate, but it’ll be close enough.
Grade: D-
Vs. Expectations
Idonije wasn’t supposed to be a star in the Lions’ defense or anything, but he was at least supposed to bring a veteran presence. That usually means steady play with minimal mental mistakes. Idonije has not brought that. He has been a relative liability in the run game (primarily because of mental/positioning errors), and hasn’t gotten after the quarterback with enough consistency to justify it.
Grade: D
Overall
Idonije is not playing poorly enough that the Lions could pluck somebody off the street to do his job better, but there are plenty of people they could find in next year’s offseason that could.
Grade: D