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Lions Player Spotlight Week 11: Tahir Whitehead

By Matt Urben

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) lines up against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) lines up against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tahir Whitehead has played well in a middle linebacker role that he’s still growing into.

Whitehead
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

When Tahir Whitehead was drafted, former head coach Jim Schwartz raved about him, but many weren’t sure where he fit exactly. Like DeAndre Levy before him, Tahir has been asked to move back and forth from inside to outside linebacker as needed by the Lions due to injuries and scheme adjustment. Also like Levy, he’s made the move each year without complaining. This season, he’s playing what looks like his long-term position — middle linebacker. Fortunately for the Lions, Whitehead has played his best football at middle linebacker.

Whitehead is still developing his instincts but has been impressive in coverage, particularly without DeAndre Levy. The Lions re-signed Whitehead to an extension as one of several low-key moves made by 1st-year GM Bob Quinn. Quinn also extended Darius Slay, Sam Martin and Theo Riddick — core young players — in his first NFL offseason. Quinn released fan-favorite Stephen Tulloch, who held down the middle linebacker position for years and replaced him with Whitehead, who stepped in when he was injured and played extremely well in 2014.  According to NFL.com, Tahir is currently is tied with his career-high in tackles with seven games remaining.

Whitehead will only get better if DeAndre Levy — who was reportedly practicing with the team on Wednesday — can return to his dominant self. He still needs to improve in some areas, such as getting off of blocks and staying with bigger tight ends, but his stats show he’s made significant strides. He has moments where he is pretty damn good in coverage and his 5 pass deflections show that.

Whitehead
Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) carries the ball. Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) defend in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

The Lions’ back seven hasn’t been very strong mostly because injuries at corner and linebacker have held them back. Levy is one of the best linebackers in the league against both the pass and run. But he’s essentially played in 2 games over the past two years. Couple that with changes at strong safety and injuries all over and you have a group that really lacks chemistry.

Just how much Levy will be able to contribute this week or going forward this season, in general, is certainly unknown by even those closest to the team. Being at practice doesn’t mean Levy is all the way back to starting shape. Whitehead’s play, in the meantime, has been one of the few bright spots for a Lions defense that is still in transition. At just 26-years-old, Tahir is just going to continue to improve. Having the defined role at middle linebacker has been an integral part of that improvement. Watch out for Whitehead as one of the future leaders of this Lions defense.

Follow Matt Urben on Twitter @MattUrben88.

Next: 5 Things Stafford must do to win MVP in 2016.

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