Detroit Lions: Fixing the defense, Matt Patricia charges and roster moves
D-line
The defensive line lacks edge speed, raw pass rush ability. Also, the middle of the line isn’t very deep with the versatile kind of players that head coach, Matt Patricia, and defensive coordinator, Paul Pasqualoni, covet.
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Without too much technical explanation, the two-gap system that Detroit will switch to this year takes more physical, strong-at-the-point-of-attack defenders.
In basic explanation, a two-gap defender takes on his man, reads both gaps (either side of the player), and sheds their man to attack the gap a ball carrier is in.
One-gap players are only responsible for on side of their man (one gap), and they attack that gap to penetrate and blow plays up behind the line. They are both different philosophies or techniques of how you want your defensive line to play.
The previous regime valued, quicker, get off the ball and penetrate skills. Akeem Spence is gone and is an example of a one-gap, up field rusher.
A’Shawn Robinson, on the other hand, is from a two-gap system from his days at Alabama, and he is not leaving. Da’Shawn Hand, the rookie from Alabama, will be a 3-4 end, or a defensive tackle in four-man fronts.
Not all players are good in both systems. This is also a reason edge speed isn’t as important, because there isn’t the same focus of getting up field. In addition, the Lions look ready to sign another lineman now that such signings do not affect compensatory picks.