Detroit Lions: For better or worse, it’s time for the Matt Patricia era

I think everyone in Detroit probably understands that the key to this season will be how well the defense plays. It didn’t improve at all through the preseason and the last minute personnel changes by Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia have completely put the success of this unit on Patricia’s shoulders.

Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily.

The argument can easily be made that the problem hasn’t been Patricia’s coaching. It’s just been personnel that haven’t fit his system or just haven’t been able to understand the concepts of his defense to the point of playing it effectively.

Actual game planning on defense should make this unit more effective. If the changes up front pan out, then Patricia will be hailed as a genius and the Lions will be legitimate contenders.

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If it implodes in Patricia’s beard, then the reality will be that they simply need more talent in the front seven.

If I were forced to hazard a guess, then I would say I think the defense will improve as the season wears on. The question is; how much will it improve?

Patricia’s defenses were known to sometimes bend but seldom break. They don’t tend to give up tons of points and that will be the key. The Lions should be pretty good at putting points on the scoreboard themselves, if they can limit their opponents… well, lets just that would certainly make for a successful season.

This past week, one of the local radio stations proposed the question of what will be the best case scenario for the Lions and the worst case.

With all the factors at work including one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the worst case scenario could be pretty bad. With a tough early schedule, it is possible this team could end up in a tailspin they never get out of.

However, If Matt Patricia can weave his defensive magic, that paints quite a different scenario. One that certainly would make for a very successful year and perhaps that long-awaited first playoff win since 1991.

The Minnesota Vikings look to be the clear division favorites, but even with the return of Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers aren’t world-beaters and the Chicago Bears will still have some growing pains on offense.

If Patricia can fix the defense sooner rather than later, then the Lions could make a spirited run at the Vikings and the playoffs. But if the defense can’t hold up their end of the bargain, then this season will be in severe jeopardy.

I still believe that Patricia will get the defense working at one point, but the real question is whether it will take another offseason and a full commitment to adding players to their front seven first. But we should start to get some idea Monday night.