The addition of long time Green Bay Packers’ veteran guard T.J. Lang to the Detroit Lions’ offensive line this season helps inject experience into a young unit.
Retooling the offensive line was a major focus for the Detroit Lions this offseason. Following the losses of both offensive guard Larry Warford and right tackle Riley Reiff to free agency, the Lions’ front office spent a lot of monies signing their replacements.
In March, Detroit inked former Baltimore Ravens right tackle Ricky Wagner to a five-year, $47.5 million contract, making him the second highest paid player at his position in the league.
The Lions also signed former Green Bay Packers’ veteran guard T.J. Lang in free agency, landing the long-time divisional foe for three years at the price of $28.5 million.
Lang, a fourth round selection out of Eastern Michigan in 2009, won a Super Bowl with the Packers his second year in the NFL. Despite being in the league for eight seasons now, the 29-year old was named to his first Pro Bowl just last year.
According to the Lions’ brass, Lang’s addition to the offensive line brings some much needed veteran experience to a relatively young positional group.
"“We have a pretty young offensive line when you look at who is in that room right now. I think to add a veteran [Lang] that has some personality, that’s been through some wars, been through a lot of playoff games, is something that is really important,” Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn told the Detroit Free Press. “…you can’t have all rookie and second-year offensive lineman. You need some guys in there that can kinda lead those guys and show them how to do that.”"
The Lions current offensive line includes fourth-year center Travis Swanson, second-year center Graham Glasgow, and rookie center Leo Koloamatangi. At guard along with Lang are third-year players Brandon Thomas and Laken Tomlinson.
And at tackle are second-year Taylor Decker, who is currently out due to a shoulder injury, third-year Corey Robinson, fourth-year Greg Robinson, rookie Storm Norton, fourth-year Cornelius Lucas, third-year Cyrus Kouandjio, Wagner in his fifth season and Tony Hills in his ninth.
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The Detroit Lions appear to have a nice mix of veterans and youth along their offensive line this season. Training camp should go a long way in determining just how quickly this group and come together as a unit in 2017. The veteran presence of a player like T.J. Lang should only aid in that effort.