For the Detroit Lions the more tight ends, the merrier
By Robert Jones
Last year the emphasis was to improve the ground game. The addition of first-round pick, guard Frank Ragnow, and second-round selection, running back Kerryon Johnson, turned out to be good ones that helped the Lions abysmal rushing attack find some life.
Yet the overall offense was inconsistent under former offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Matthew Stafford had a down year. Some fans called it a horrible year, but let’s be honest, it was a handful of poor decisions that really sent the fans into a tizzy more than overall numbers.
For instance the Thanksgiving day interception the Chicago Bears returned for a score was an egregious mistake. Was it a blown play? Was it just a poor read? The truth is that it doesn’t matter. It was a mistake that helped cost the Lions the game. Or perhaps we would like to look at the momentum turning fumble against the Rams? But those are just two of a handful of bad plays that had the city of Detroit calling for Matthew’s head.
However, his overall stats for the entire season of 3,777 passing yards while completing 66.1% of those throws for 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions may have been a disappointment, yet it was the type of season many other NFL quarterbacks would love to have. But to be fair, he does need help for the Lions offense to improve.
While the Lions definitely ran the ball better last year, the pass protection was spotty and the Golden Tate trade followed by the Marvin Jones injury crippled the passing game. Especially given the fact that as well as Kenny Golladay played, he had no help. Especially from the tight end group.
A position that not only played like they had no pulse, but was pretty much buried after the season as both their top two options at the position, Levine Toilolo and Luke Willson, were quickly ushered out the door after the season. This left a position of weakness even weaker as the Lions faced the challenge of finding productive players that can make a difference this season.
Well, send in the tight ends.