Detroit Lions: Will OTA’s shed a little light on Matt Patricia’s defense?

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 06: Darius Slay #23, Glover Quin #27 and Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions combine for a tackle against Ty Montgomery #88 of the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 06: Darius Slay #23, Glover Quin #27 and Jarrad Davis #40 of the Detroit Lions combine for a tackle against Ty Montgomery #88 of the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Brett Hundley #7 of the Green Bay Packers trows a second half pass behind A’Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Brett Hundley #7 of the Green Bay Packers trows a second half pass behind A’Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions offense has made all the headlines, but will OTA’s answer some of the mysteries surrounding their new defensive philosophy?

Offseason training activities or OTA’s as they like to call them around the NFL, started this week for the Detroit Lions. This has been their first opportunity to get both their veterans and rookies on the field together and actually start laying the ground work for the ‘Matt Patricia way’.

Over the course of the last month since the Lions made their heavily run oriented draft, there has been more than enough talk about whether the Lions have done enough to improve  not only their ground game, but how it can help the passing game to greater heights as well.

We’ve analyzed every running back on the roster and how they do or do not fit into the Lions both immediate and far future.

We’ve broken down the new additions to the offensive line and pontificated about how improved this unit is, if at all. Not to mention digging into the depth they have started creating and the advantages this club should have as opposed to last season when the line went from trying to build continuity to just trying to survive.

There has been much talk about the mysteries of the tight end position and how everyone is afraid of heading into a new season without having a ‘headliner’ to rely on.

And finally we’ve examined how all the changes on offense will either help or hinder what was one of the most prolific passing games in the NFL last season. Featuring a talented group of receivers led by Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, who are accompanied by the very talented young Kenny Golladay and the workmanlike performance of T.J. Jones.

All of which orbit around Matthew Stafford the Lions clear leader and most valuable player, who hopes to spend much more of this next season on his feet rather than his back.

This has all been covered in almost every aspect possible. But the defense…

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