The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team
Specialists
Kicker- Jason Hanson: DET 1992-2012
Lions Career Stats:
327 games played
82.4 field goal percentage
98.8 extra point percentage
52 field goals from beyond 50 yards
2,150 points scored
2x Pro Bowls (1997, 1999)
Case for making the team: Hanson is the Lions’ all-time leading scorer with 2,150 points scored. The team was mocked after drafting him in the second round of the NFL Draft in 1992, but his career definitely made his high draft position a worthwhile risk.
Punter- Sam Martin: DET 2013-current
Lions Career Stats:
46.5 punt average
15,005 total punt yards
Case for making the team: In five seasons with the team, Martin has the four greatest statistical punting seasons in team history. Enough said.
Punt Returner- Jack Christiansen: DET 1951-1958
Lions Career Stats:
1,084 punt return yards
8 punt return touchdowns
1,329 kick return yards
22.5 yards per kick return
3,393 all purpose yards
6x All-Pro (1952-1957)
5x Pro Bowls (1953-1957)
3x NFL Champion (1952, 1953, 1957)
1950s All-Decade Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1970)
Case for making the team: Though Christiansen twice led the league in interceptions, he makes this team due to his prowess in the return game.
Christiansen’s eight career punt return touchdowns are still good to be in the top four statistically in NFL history.
Kick Returner- Mel Gray: DET 1989-1994
Lions Career Stats:
1,427 punt return yards
2 punt return touchdowns
5,478 kick return yards
5 kick return touchdowns
102 yard kickoff return
25.4 yards per kick return
7,040 all purpose yards
3x All-Pro (1990-1991, 1994)
3x Pro Bowls (1990-1991, 1994)
Case for making the team: Simply put, Mel Gray is one of the best return men in NFL history. The numbers don’t lie.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018 - Full first round
Conclusion
Going through the Lions’ history and piecing together my choices for the all-defensive team has been exciting and it was a labor of love. There are so many great players in this franchise’s history, picking the starters was truly a challenge.
Ultimately, from the trenches to the secondary, I truly feel like this defense would strike fear into the hearts of any offense that lined up across from them!
I am looking forward to switching over to the offensive side of the ball next week.