The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team

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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 13: Free safety Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after an interception returned for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on September 13, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Safeties

Yale Lary: DET 1952-1964

Lions Career Stats:

50 interceptions, 3 touchdowns, 22,279 total punt yards, 44.3 yards per punt
3x All-Pro (1956, 1958, 1962)
9x Pro Bowls (1953-1962, 1964)
3x NFL Champion (1952, 1953, 1957)
1950s All-Decade Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1979)

Case for making the team: Yale Lary was such a good player that he was able to miss two full seasons of his career due to military service and come back without missing a beat!

A game changer on defense as a starting safety or on special teams by flipping field position as a punter, Lary was the type of player any coach/general manager would love on their team.

Glover Quin: DET 2013-current

Lions Career Stats:

273 tackles, 19 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, 2 touchdowns
1x Pro Bowl (2014)

Case for making the team: GQ’s football IQ is off the charts. He doesn’t get the Pro Bowl love that his contemporaries do, but the Lions definitely know his worth.

His game preparation is meticulous and he is also able to share that knowledge with his teammates. Under the tutelage of Glover Quin, Darius Slay truly lived up to his “Big Play” moniker by leading the league in interceptions, which culminated in a 2018 Pro Bowl nod. Quin’s guidance was a big help in getting Slay to the next level.

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