The perfect Detroit Lions for Matt Patricia’s defense

Much like a traditional 3-4, Patricia’s multiple front defense will rely heavily upon the linebackers to be the play-makers. They will be expected to seek out and destroy enemy ball-carriers, get to the quarterback on the blitz when called upon and execute their assignments in pass coverage flawlessly.

So having established the requirements, here are the Lions all-time Matt Patricia linebackers.

Middle linebacker would be Joe Schmidt. He was a member of the Lions last championship team in 1957 and was the type of player that could play in any era. He was smart, fast and played every facet of the game to near perfection. He was one of the early standard bearers for the position of middle linebacker and for good reason.

When the Lions are in a 3-4 front, the second interior linebacker would be Chris Spielman. In his eight seasons as a Lion he easily topped the 100 tackle mark every season except one. Spielman was a throwback who wasn’t the most gifted athlete, but was possibly the smartest. He diagnosed plays faster than they could be run and he was always at the bottom of the pile. Combined with Schmidt on the inside behind this line, there would be nowhere for backs to go.

Mike Cofer is the right outside linebacker. Cofer checks off the versatility box as well. He began his career with the Lions as an under-sized end who could rush the passer. Before long he was moved to linebacker where his athleticism was fully utilized. Cofer could play in space although he wasn’t a natural coverage man and was more comfortable and dangerous off the edge on the blitz.

Of his 10 season with the Lions he topped the seven sack mark six times and twice ended a season with double digit totals including his career high 12 sacks in 1988.

The left outside linebacker will be DeAndre Levy. Despite his career being derailed by injuries, when Levy was on the field he was outstanding. He could play outside or inside with equal effectiveness and always seemed to be around the ball. He was also excellent in coverage. When healthy, Levy was one of the NFL’s best and his ability to do everything makes him a perfect fit for Matt Patricia’s defense.

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As for the depth at linebacker, there are some nice pieces to come off the bench and certainly contribute in a variety of ways.

Mike Lucci could play in the middle or outside with equal effectiveness. He was a tough, determined player that always found ball. Whether stopping opposing runners or picking off a pass in coverage, Lucci was consistently good.

Reggie Brown’s career lasted only two season due to a neck injury, but he was quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Brown had size, speed and smarts. He played from sideline to sideline and was equally as adept at stopping the run as rushing the passer or dropping back into coverage. A healthy Brown would dominate in Patrcica’s defense.

Stan White only played three of his 11 years in the NFL with Detroit, but he was the quintessential crafty veteran that never missed a trick. White was always in the right place at the right time. He played the run and pass with equal aplomb. Despite playing his whole NFL career on the outside, he played like a middle linebacker covering the whole field from sideline to sideline.

Wayne Walker. He entered the league right after the Lions last title, but did everything the Lions asked of him for the next 13 seasons. While he was never great, he was always very good. He was another athlete that typified the smart defensive players that Patricia likes so much and can carry out any assignment given to them.

Jimmy Williams was an incredibly gifted athlete that spent eight and a half seasons in a Lions uniform. Williams could be counted on to rush the passer, play solid run defense and do well in coverage. Williams was underrated for his contributions, but for most of his stay in Detroit he was the teams most versatile linebacker.

Jarrad Davis. This is a premature pick, but the kid has a high intensity motor and plays sideline to sideline. He gets to the ball and the play is over. Period. I think he could contribute on the outside if needed as well as on the inside where he should spend his whole career. Part of this pick is that while Davis needs to develop his overall game more, I think he will excel under Patricia and I’m not bashful about being willing to throw it out there.

And last, but maybe not least, Tracy Scroggins. He came to Detroit as an outside linebacker, but after three seasons of spot duty on the outside, he was converted to defensive end to further utilize his ability to rush the passer. Scroggins will make this team because of his ability to either come off the edge or line up with his hand in the dirt. While his overall game is geared towards rushing the passer, with the group this team already has at linebacker they can afford a pass-rush specialist.

This unit rounds out a front seven that can match-up against any offensive set and dominate. They are physical, smart and play to the whistle.

Now all we need is a secondary…