The Detroit Lions offensive success starts on the line

The evolution of football has been stark over the course of its history. From the ‘flying wedge’ to the ‘wing t’ alignment to the ‘shotgun’ formation, football has been a game of change. Just look at the offensive explosions created by the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams last year. Both ran potent offenses that did everything except beat the Patriots.

However, the backbone of any offense from any era is the offensive line. If that unit is unable to establish control of the line of scrimmage, then nothing is going to work regardless of ingenuity.

Last year the Lions added Frank Ragnow with their first pick in the draft to team with former draft choices center Graham Glasgow and tackle Taylor Decker. The other two positions were manned by high priced free agents T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner.

On paper, the group looked good, but injuries to Lang took their toll and despite a much-improved ground game, as the season wore on, Matthew Stafford was afforded less and less protection. Yes, Stafford had a disappointing year, but lack of pass-protection fuels poor seasons as well.

Now with Lang retired, the Lions are piecing together this unit for next season. They didn’t use any draft picks on an offensive lineman, but did sign a few undrafted free agents to vie for a spot somewhere in the pecking order.

So the key question is; will the offensive line be improved enough to allow Darrell Bevell’s system to shine?

During O.T.A’s, Frank Ragnow has been playing center, while Glasgow has been at right guard and veteran Kenny Wiggins has been at left guard. Since versatility is one of Matt Patricia’s favorite words, we don’t know for sure if this is just allowing these players to cross train at other positions or if it is a sign of things to come.

Ragnow played very well at times and whether he plays center or guard, he seems to be a player on the rise. Glasgow started his NFL career out playing guard and has the size to battle defensive tackles. Wiggins is a journeyman who isn’t a stranger to playing time, but he didn’t exactly shine last year when he had extended minutes at guard after Lang was injured.

Decker and Wagner will be the starters at each tackle spot barring a surprise acquisition. The keys to success will be deciding on the final lineup along the line, the ability of them play as a unit consistently well and of course the individual consistency of each player.

The addition of tight end T.J. Hockenson will aid the running game since he is a superior blocker as should the acquisition of Jesse James. But even with their help, the burden still rests mainly on the shoulders of the offensive line.

If they can build upon last years success running the ball, especially given the fact that running back Kerryon Johnson is a rising star, and improve in their pass protection, then the door is wide open for Darrell Bevell’s offense to flourish, if not… well it could cause a repeat of last years offensive woes.

One thing we do know is that this unit has to play better and more consistent than last year. Otherwise, every other move that the Lions have made this offseason to improve the offense will be for naught.