The Detroit Lions offensive woes can be traced back to the Minnesota Vikings game. The answer? Get this rookie on the field!
If you’ve been watching the Detroit Lions the past few weeks, you know that offense has been downright abysmal when games are still in contention. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a punching bag for opposing defensive linemen. The line seems to have forgotten that they are supposed to get in the way of anyone.
There are no holes for the ground game. It’s almost like the team has been swapped out with the ghosts of former Lions quarterback Joey Harrington and company, when the team was on the way to becoming the first winless team in NFL history.
When did this happen? Having added offensive linemen in the offseason to protect the franchise was supposed to clean up the Lions’ only glaring weakness. If you can’t see it yet, don’t worry—I’ve got it pinpointed for you. Just hang on.
The only real downgrade on offense coming into this season was losing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Anquan Boldin to old age. That should pinpoint the problem, though: Boldin’s strength was his strength. If a team tried to bully him at the line, some poor corner (or even safety) would end up on his rump.
Boldin abused defensive backs in press coverage. On all those second or third and shorts, when the Lions knew teams were going to blitz and try to press the receivers outside, it was Boldin who would make the big catch. Why? He could beat press coverage.
That brings us to today.
Marvin Jones has shown that he cannot beat press man, often disappearing for long stretches as defenders get right in his grill and pummel him at the line. Golden Tate’s ability is almost totally reliant on speed and quickness; if he can’t get that first quick step on someone, he’s as good as blanketed.
Eric Ebron is big and strong enough to get open, and he’s actually done it a few times. Sadly, we know what happens when Stafford throws his way. Third stringers T.J. Jones and Jared Abbrederis don’t seem to be able to create any separation, either.
The answer to the Lions offensive woes go back to the Minnesota game. That was the first game rookie Kenny Golladay sat out injured. If you’ve forgotten, Golladay played against the Falcons in week three– the game that launched the franchise into relevance this season.
Golladay tweaked a hamstring either during that game, or early in the week immediately after. He sat against the Vikings, who played…press coverage…the whole game. He sat against the Panthers, who played press coverage the whole game. He sat against the Saints, who played press until they got up five—FIVE touchdowns.
Here’s the problem, then: teams aren’t scared of our receivers getting open, so they jam everything at the line. If they aren’t getting open in time for a quick strike—which they aren’t—the line can’t block long enough to allow for double moves, much less for a big play to develop down the field.
The big rookie from Northern Illinois has the size and strength to beat corners at the line. And once he gets a step on you, he’s got the speed to make a huge gain. And once that happens, safeties have to back off a step, and defensive coordinators have to think twice about pulling their entire secondary up to the line of scrimmage.
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Mark my words: if Golladay plays against the Steelers next week, the offense improves, even against a pretty talented Pittsburgh defense.
Get healthy, Rook. Your team needs you.