Detroit Lions: Surprise depth makes the receiving corps dangerous

Last season the Detroit Lions were one of the top offenses in the NFL despite the lack of any reasonable ability to run the ball. It was almost like Jim Bob Cooter would call some running plays just to allow his franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford a chance to rest his arm and catch his breath after the latest beating he took behind a banged up and porous O-line.

Yet, despite the career-high 47 times he was sacked, he hung in the pocket as long as he could, made good decisions and got the ball to his receivers.

The best part had to be that unlike so many years before, they were holding onto his passes.

For years the Detroit Lions had been one of the worst teams in the league at holding onto passes. It was not an uncommon stat to see that the Lion receivers had dropped four, five or even more passes during the course of one single game.

Last year Golden Tate‘s outstanding hands must have become contagious because Marvin Jones, rookie Kenny Golladay, and T.J. Jones were all very reliable.

This four-headed monster seemed to have someone open on every play and even when Stafford threw the ball up for grabs, these receivers made plays. It was one of the top passing units in the NFL, even though opponents knew the Lions had to pass because they couldn’t run the ball at all.

Now one year later the Lions are banking on an improved ground game to help round out the offense. Forcing opponents to actually have to concentrate on the run as well as the pass.

If Matt Patricia’s Lions can be at least efficient on the ground, then there will be plenty of opportunities for this passing game to be… shall we say, electric? Dynamic? Feel free to fill in your own adjective if you’d like. If opponents have to think run at all, then this returning group of Tate, Marvin Jones, Galladay and T.J. Jones should feast upon opposing secondaries.

But there may be more.