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Did the Detroit Lions do enough to fix their offense?

By Michael Kirkland

BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 13: The Detroit Lions offensive line prepares for the snap during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Lions 48-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 13: The Detroit Lions offensive line prepares for the snap during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Lions 48-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) /
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Crosby can protect his QB
Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on January 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Adding depth

Decker’s status aside, the line has more potential than last year on the edge. The main issue is adding some depth to back up Decker and Wagner. Tyrell Crosby is in the Motor City to do that. The Oregon product did not give up one sack in his last year in Eugene. Crosby is of a versatile size, 6-4, 309 pounds, and carries the OL designation.

After him, three more familiar faces will compete to back up Decker and Wagner: Corey Robinson, Brian Mihalik, and Dan Skipper. Skipper and Mihalik have mostly been practice squad players for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively. Mihalik played in fifteen games for the Lions in 2017, making 2 starts, though. Skipper was another former Razorback (like Ragnow) player who went undrafted and got axed by Dallas in September. Both men are mammoth, each standing 6-9 and weighing just under 320 pounds.

Lastly, Corey Robinson in going into his fourth year as a Lion. He has made some starts at right tackle, right guard, and has been the primary swing tackle for the last two seasons. I would guess that this is a big year for him to prove that he can stay healthy and be the go-to tackle after the starters. Ideally, you’d like to see him push the starters and compete for starter reps.

This group has more potential than any that I can remember in recent years. That being said, although I like the depth being built, I would’ve preferred a tackle be drafted early, and a guard or center later. What we got was the other way around. Still, improvements are improvements. If Decker returns to his 2016 form, most of this discussion becomes needless, anyway.

Verdict

The bottom line is that we see what look like good options being brought in. I applaud Bob Quinn for recognizing the roster deficiencies and taking action. The line needed depth, needed new starters, and had to get tougher. Quinn did that.

Will the group of tackles be enough? If not, it probably means that Decker or Wagner need to be replaced altogether. It would also mean another season lost. I doubt that we lead the NFL in rushing or protecting our quarterback, but the ingredients for big improvement are there as long as Decker, Wagner, and the other starters aren’t as injured as in 2017.

Next: Detroit Lions - 3 free agents that could make an impact

What do you think? Were Crosby, Ragnow, Johnson, and Wiggins enough to put this issue behind us? Sound off in the comments, below.

Follow me on Twitter, CoachKirk @mkirk2  for more Detroit sports, football, and other content. The life of a Lions die-hard is full of many quandaries.

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