Detroit Lions: Should head coach Matt Patricia call the defense?
The preseason has been disappointing for the Detroit Lions defense. Is the playcalling to blame? If so, should Matt Patricia himself be making the calls?
New faces on a new defense is always a challenge to overcome. The Detroit Lions have not only different players, but there’s different coaches leading the charge. Most of the changes have come on defense. The coordinator and man calling the shots is Paul Pasqualoni.
To say he’s gotten off to a slow start isn’t an exaggeration. Perhaps head coach Matt Patricia should assume the role of leading the defense. It took until the third preseason game, against an offense with three starting lineman out, to get the Lions’ first sack. Regardless if it’s the preseason or not, that’s pitiful.
Pasqualoni struggling in his new role makes total sense. Over the past eight years, he’s served as a defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys (2010), Chicago Bears (2014), Houston Texans (2015) and Boston College (2017) as well as a head coach for the University of Connecticut (2011-2013).
The last time he was a defensive coordinator was in 2009 with the Miami Dolphins. Connect all the dots, and you’ve got a guy who doesn’t appear ready to take over play calling duties.
Patricia on the other hand called the defense with the New England Patriots since 2009 when he was a linebacker and safeties coach (2011). The following year was when his official job title became defensive coordinator. His accolades speak for themselves.
Both coaches are good but one is clearly more equipped and ready to man the defensive controls. No question, Patricia is the right choice. You name it, and Detroit have problems on all levels of the defense. Stopping the run and pass has been a tall task for the starters, against opponents’ backups mind you.
Next. The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team. dark
In a few years, that’s when the Detroit Lions should turn the reigns over to Paul Pasqualoni. Give the guy some time to acclimate to the NFL once again and learn under the careful leadership of the Beard himself.