Detroit Lions: Interior of offensive line becoming a team strength

Through two games, the interior of the Detroit Lions’ offensive line has performed at a high level. What’s been the difference this season?

The long and winding road that has been the Detroit Lions’ desired construction of a complete, high-level offensive line has yet to reach its apex. The inside of the unit however, has been one of the strongest facets of the team through one eighth of the 2019 season.

The offensive front as a collective unit put forth an average performance in a season-opening tie against the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Lions’ three primary interior offensive linemen – center Frank Ragnow and guards Graham Glasgow and Joe Dahl – played a big role in Detroit’s first win of the year, a 13-10 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.

Ragnow and Glasgow in particular had excellent performances against the Chargers this past Sunday. They each had critical blocks on running back Kerryon Johnson’s first quarter 36-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Glasgow’s block was especially notable; had he not sealed off defensive back Desmond King behind the line of scrimmage, the play likely would have ended in a tackle for loss.

Ragnow’s downfield wall-off of Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins was also impressive, and something that has been noticeably absent from the Lions’ offense in recent seasons. Too often lately we’ve seen Lions linemen unable to connect on second level blocks, leading to inept run and screen sets, as well as stalled drives.

The performance of these two has not gone unnoticed outside of Southeastern Michigan either; Ragnow currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) fifth ranked center with an overall grade of 71.7. Glasgow has been even better by the same measurement, also standing as PFF’s fifth ranked highest ranked player at his position with a mark of 78.7.

Not to be outdone, Dahl hasn’t looked out of place this year in a significantly expanded role. Together, the trio was a major reason why quarterback Matthew Stafford wasn’t sacked a single time against the Chargers, a team that boasts one of the league’s most imposing pass rushing tandems in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. It was also the first time that Stafford wasn’t sacked in a game since a Week 15 loss in 2018 against the Buffalo Bills.

So what’s been the difference so far this year? It’s early, but several developments have contributed to the improvement.

Ragnow was smartly moved back to his natural center spot this year after a nondescript rookie season playing at guard. Glasgow, in a contract year, has yet to receive the extension that many expected him to pocket by this point; is he playing with an extra dose of motivation?

One could also look to the unusual substitution technique that the Lions have employed with the interior of the line through two games. Typically, most NFL teams stick with the same group of five offensive lineman throughout a game, save for injuries or exceedingly poor play that would warrant swaps.

The Lions though, have been curiously rotating the two aforementioned guards with reserve Kenny Wiggins over two contests. According to Pro Football Reference, Dahl has played 81% of the offensive snaps at guard over the first two games and Glasgow 84%. Wiggins has logged 36% of the snaps at guard.

Will this trend be a season long practice? Are they still looking for a permanent solution? Is it simply a matter of trying to boost a slumbering rushing attack that is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry?

Whatever the reason, and whatever the plan is going forward, the Lions have to be fairly pleased with the progress made by this group so far in 2019. If their offensive tackles can follow suit in the coming weeks against dangerous opponents in the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the long term goal of fielding a top-level offensive front may be closer than previously thought.

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