Where do the Detroit Lions and Matt Patricia go from here?

The other question that begs to be answered is; has Matt Patricia lost his team already as some sources are claiming? That is an issue that is far harder to fix than finding players that fit a system. If the players don’t buy into what their coach is selling, then usually all hope is lost.

The Matt Patricia era began with a solid ‘THUD’ and fans are now starting to get antsy as the concerns about the players ‘buying in’ could certainly be called a possibility.

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Change is a difficult thing for anyone, but for players who are paid to abuse their bodies for big money, the virtual country club atmosphere of Jim Caldwell’s administration compared to Matt Patricia’s mandate to actually work players into shape is a big difference.

They already abuse their bodies on Sunday’s. Having relatively lighter workouts would almost certainly be an aspect they miss from camp Caldwell.

So who should assume the biggest part of the blame? Patricia bringing in a new system that has worked elsewhere or players that either aren’t buying in or just cannot process his system?

Monday night was a disaster that has left the fans more than a little irate and can we blame them? My good friend was absolutely furious that I would even speak the name of this team after that game. He vowed to not watch them again until they win.

I chose not to pontificate with him when that may be.

The saddest thing is this; Matt Patricia is right! Many of the Lions issues are correctable. While they need better personnel on the defensive side of the ball, if they played fundamentally sound basics and buy into the system, then they could pass for an NFL defense.

Maybe not a very good one, but certainly better than what we have seen so far between the preseason and the disastrous opener on Monday.

So what is the answer? Is it purely personnel that just can’t grasp a complex defense brought straight from the NFL’s most recent dynasty the New England Patriots? Is it the inability of this coaching staff to do their job and teach their system in a way these players will respond to with better results? Or is it purely players not buying into Matt Patricia and what he’s selling them?

One way or another, Matt Patricia may be sitting on the hottest seat in the NFL right now and if he doesn’t start getting some positive results real soon and players buying into this system 100%, it could get even uglier around here than last Monday night.