SideLion Report
FanSided

Detroit Lions’ Bob Quinn: “It starts in the trenches”

By Steven Mullenax

ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Since general manager Bob Quinn took over the Detroit Lions, he has committed a large amount of resources to improving the team in the trenches.

When Bob Quinn took over as general manager of the Detroit Lions back in 2016, he had a vision for how he wanted to build his new team. And it started along their offensive line.

With a franchise quarterback under center like Matthew Stafford, Quinn knew protecting him was key to the team’s future. And that meant investing heavily in the big uglies up front.

And that’s exactly what the Lions’ front office began to do. Quinn’s first draft choice in Detroit was Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker. The first rounder earned rave reviews during his rookie year in the Motor City. Last season, a shoulder injury sidelined him for eight games, stunting his growth. In his third season as a pro, the talented left tackle could be a possible Pro Bowl candidate if he’s play continues to progress.

In 2017, Quinn inked two quality free agents to lucrative contracts. Those players being T.J. Lang at right guard and Ricky Wagner at right tackle. Despite struggling with some injuries, both played well in their first season in Detroit. In fact, Lang earned himself his second straight Pro Bowl bid as an alternate.

This year, Quinn seemed to find the final piece of his offensive line puzzle. In the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Lions selected Arkansas center Frank Ragnow. The rookie figures to slot in at left guard between center Graham Glasgow and Decker.

In only three years, Quinn has assembled an offensive line that, at least on paper, rivals any of the top units in the entire league. For the young general manager, it’s all part of the master plan.

"“I think it starts in the trenches,” Quinn told DetroitLions.com after drafting Ragnow back in April. “I think it starts up front. We want to build through the middle of our team, through the offensive line, defensive line and through the middle. And that’s kind of what we believe in.”"

The next step for this front office is building up their defensive line. Quinn’s second ever draft pick was Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. He is someone Detroit is expecting big things from this year.

The Lions drafted Alabama defensive end De’Shawn Hand in the fourth round this offseason. Detroit also retained veteran defender Ziggy Ansah using their franchise tag. Ansah should lead a talented trio of pass rushers including Kerry Hyder and Anthony Zettel.

Detroit also signed defensive tackle Sylvester Williams via free agency after losing All-Pro Haloti Ngata to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year.

Next: Was the NFL’s ranking of Matthew Stafford fair?

But the biggest boost to this defensive line in Detroit will undoubtedly be new head coach Matt Patricia. The former New England Patroits defensive guru will be bringing his Super Bowl-caliber playbook to the Motor City. Bob Quinn surely hopes Patricia’s addition is enough to get his Lions over the playoff hump.

Home/Lions News