The Detroit Lions will help me prove my buddies wrong
My buddies think that Detroit Lions haven’t improved this offseason. I — with the Lions’ help– will prove that I am smarter than they are.
I’ve been arguing with my buddies quite a bit over the past week or so as the Detroit Lions new regular season is about to kick off this Sunday. They are of the mind that the Lions defense is just a notch above “dumpster fire.”
While it is hard to argue their points, it is my belief that Detroit’s “D” will be much improved over last season, and will actually make a few key stops. Let’s take a look at both sides of the argument as I will explain why I believe the Lions’ will ultimately prove my buddies wrong.
Their Argument: The Lack of Pass Rush
My friends’ key argument is the obvious: who will rush the passer? With the season ending injury to defensive end Kerry Hyder during the first preseason game, this is a legitimate area of concern. He’s not wrong—the pass rush is a glaring weakness.
My Answer: My Ansah
To prove my point, though, I point to last year’s pass rush. Hyder was our sack leader, with eight. The rest of the team got to the quarterback a grand total of 18 more times—not a number worthy of a great defense.
To further prove that I am smarter than them, though, I make note that our BEST pass rusher—defensive end Ziggy Ansah—was a shadow of himself last year due to injury. If we trade Hyder’s success for an equal performance from Ansah—who will most likely be better than Hyder was last year, in my estimation—the pass rush improves, even if only a little bit.
Their Argument: Linebackers Defending the Pass
The next biggest weakness on last year’s defense has been addressed, to a certain extent. In the Lions’ week two loss to the Tennessee Titans—among other games—our linebacking corps proved that they could not cover tight ends and running backs in underneath coverage.
I won’t name names on the Lions’ defense, but someone turned Titans tight end Delanie Walker into a household name—and managed to repeat that performance again and again throughout the year.
My Answer: Jarrad Davis
To fix this issue, the Lions hit the draft, and brought in rookie Jarrad Davis. While we have yet to see him in real game action, he is obviously much faster than what the team was throwing in the middle of the defense last year.
Just be being a step faster, he will undoubtedly be able to cover better than the linebackers last year. If he makes one stop or cover underneath, that’s one more than the linebackers did last year. That, too, is an upgrade.
Their Argument: Secondary…Skill?
Finally, the Lions secondary was not very good last year, either. Though not a glaring weakness like the pass rush or middle of the defense, the back-enders weren’t ball hawks, either. Safety Tavon Wilson– who couldn’t lock in the starting job at the start of the season- ended up leading the Lions with two interceptions. Yes, that’s right: two.
My Answer: Well…
This is the area that I cannot offer up a clear solution to the problem. The Lions drafted corner Teez Tabor, but he’s a work in progress, as is fellow rookie Jamal Agnew. D.J. Hayden, a fifth year vet brought in from the Raiders, hasn’t shown anything that inspires tremendous confidence, either.
Someone will need to step up on the back end of the Lions’ defense if the team is going to return to the playoffs this year. I just can’t point out who that is going to be.
Next: Is the Detroit Lions roster actually better in 2017?
While these small improvements won’t turn the “Silk Curtain” defense (that’s from my brother) into the league’s best unit, it is my strong belief that the Detroit Lions defense will be better than last year’s unit. Here’s hoping that Sunday proves me right.