For many fans, this is like the great unveiling. We will finally get to see how this defense works. We will finally see how all the hard labor of the offseason comes together in the form of what many fans hope/expect to be a tough, stingy defense.
The defense had improved under former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, but there always seemed to be something holding them back. In 2014 the Lions were the top defense in the league against the run and number two overall.
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Then after the disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, Ndamukong Suh jumped ship and signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. The result? The Lions slipped to 18th overall defensively the following season.
They remained 18th in 2016 before crashing down to 27th overall last year once Haloti Ngata was lost to injury for the season. Not exactly the direction you want your defense to be trending.
After two trips to the postseason in Jim Caldwell’s first three years as the Lions head coach, the inability to run the ball on offense and a defense that couldn’t stop the run led to a second consecutive 9-7 season and left them out of the playoffs cold.
Then general manager Bob Quinn gave Jim Caldwell the cold shoulder in the form of a pink slip.
This, of course, led to an interesting offseason. An offseason that saw the Lions hire Matt Patricia, a defensive coach, and then binge on players to improve the ground game. Not that the Lions putrid last place rushing attack didn’t need the help, because, yeah, they stunk.
The hope is that the improvement will be palpable. Also that it will make the passing game even better, which should logically happen with an improved ground game.
The real question mark is the defense. After being ranked 27th overall last year and having no ability to stop the run, there was precious little help given to this unit outside of Matt Patricia.