Detroit Lions: Is Bob Quinn ready to give the defense a big boost?
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions seem to have most of the final pieces in place for their offense, but will they add the big piece on defense this team needs?
This has been a busy, yet somewhat low key offseason for the Detroit Lions. They made few splashes in free agency or the draft, but as the dust settles we can start to see the team general manger Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia are putting together coming into focus.
This is a team being built to add upon the success of the passing game by solidifying the offensive line to help protect quarterback Matthew Stafford and open holes for the Lions newly acquired running backs and holdovers. A team being built to dictate to defenses what this offense wants to do.
A team that is balanced enough for the ground game to compliment the passing game and a dynamic passing game to help open up the field for a rushing attack that should actually be able to contribute.
Meanwhile, on defense, Matt Patricia will bring the multiple front match-up defense he coached in New England as their defensive coordinator for six seasons.
This means bigger athletes in the front seven who are versatile enough to play both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense effectively. It also means a front seven that is smart, hard-hitting and relentlessly pursuing the ball.
The secondary will be asked to also do a variety of things as well. Primary among them will of course be covering opposing receivers. But there will also be the demands of being able to disguise coverages, step up and stop opposing running backs and even occasionally play the role of nickel linebacker.
In many ways, to no ones surprise, this is the blueprint of the Patriots offense and defense. While this team is certainly deeper than past seasons, the question is whether they have enough talent to pull off the transition as they also face a very tough schedule?
Most Lions fans are ready to take their chances with this offense. Matthew Stafford is a proven quarterback that still needs to beat good teams and win in the playoffs, but it seems like he finally has the cast on offense that can actually help him do that. Meanwhile, the defense is where the questions marks reside.