Detroit Lions: Preseason Game 1 Film Review
By Nick Pursel
Aug 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA;Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) tackles New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
First Team Defense
The Detroit Lion’s had the number one rushing defense in the NFL last year, with the loss of Ndamukong Suh this offseason the entire world predicts them to take a massive step backwards. Thursday game agains the Jets will only strengthen that narrative. The Lions first team defense looked bad against the Jets, they got ran all over and couldn’t stop the Jets strong rushing attack. They were missing Haloti Ngata who is one of the best run defenders in football but still its not a good sign to see the team getting ran over. Caraun Reid and Tyrunn Walker started inside and both had very up and down performances.
With Suh gone the Lions need another player to step up and penetrate verse double teams. If this game is any prediction for the future, Tyrunn Walker and Caruan Reid are not that guy. They both get sealed on double teams on the run above and are completely taken out of the play. They lose at the point of attack and get turned away from the play allowing Chris Ivory a easy five yard gain. Plays like this aren’t acceptable and you can find dozens of a couple against the Jets. Neither player shows the ability to split double teams or the strength to push them back into the pocket consistently.
The run defense wasn’t all bad, this run stuff shows some great discipline and penetration on run defense. The Lions linebackers help fill the inside gaps while Ihedigbo and the defensive ends crash inside hard to seal the edge. The result is a run for no gain and its good to see this group can be stout in the run game when they play disciplined football.
The first team defense only played one series and allowed the only points of the night on defense. Hopefully Haloti Ngata returns quickly so we can see what the defensive line will really look like but until then there is some cause for concern.
Next: Who will Start Alongside Haloti Ngata