Now luckily enough, Patricia has been given the reigns to a team that isn’t exactly without talent. From franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to a talented receiving corps, to the improvements made throughout the rest of this squad, these Lions shouldn’t be pushovers.
Even though there is still more work to be done with this roster.
So, after all is said and done, ultimately the success or failure of the Detroit Lions will rest squarely on the shoulders of Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn.
Quinn has given Patricia quite a bit of say in player personnel decisions already as they are building this team with players that Patricia feels will fit what he wants to do. The offense has improved where it needs to on the line and in the backfield, but despite the changes to the ground game, Jim Bob Cooter remains in place as the offensive coordinator.
A smart move by Patricia to keep the continuity of a powerful passing attack and more or less allow him to concentrate on the area of this team that needs him the most; the defense.
Matt Patricia is an energetic, excitable guy who loves what he does and relishes his opportunity to roam the practice field and get his hands on all aspects of his team. However, having addressed the offensive deficiencies on the line and backfield this offseason in conjunction with the return of Cooter has made it much easier for him to oversee the construction of the new multiple defense that Patricia has brought with him.
In all honesty, this is most likely where Patrica will either become successful or a failure in the Motor City.
Patrica is the smartest man in the room plain and simple. He doesn’t play the role the way Jim Schwartz used to, but he is a guy that is detail oriented and knows how to teach his players to do their job.
Many of Patricia’s former pupils in New England talk about the bond they have forged with him and how he made them better players. This is exactly where it needs to show up this season in order to maximize the Lions short-term success.
Over the long haul, the hope is that the Lions will draft well and be able to continually re-stock the shelves at whatever positions they need to in order to have some long-term competitive success. Yet as Patricia lays the foundation, he is also building the coach he will eventually become.
He won’t be perfect. He will make mistakes and the Lions will not go undefeated and win the Super Bowl this year. But they should be a tough opponent, win a couple of games no expects them to win and find themselves back in the playoffs with a chance to get that first postseason win since 1991.
Matt Patricia has a very real opportunity to get his feet wet and still have success if he can maximize the talents of what players he does have on defense. If the combination of players on the D-line and linebacker can control the run and get to opposing passers, an already talented secondary has the capabilities to make plays.
This combined with an offense that should be better in all phases will give the Lions a chance to contend in a very tough division.
Next: The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team
While the Lions need to continue to add pieces to this team, the difference between becoming actual contenders or reverting back into the ‘same old Lions’, will rest on Matt Patricia’s shoulders and his ability to get everything he can out of his players.
A difference the Detroit Lions are counting on.