How much of the Detroit Lions disappointing season is Matt Patricia’s fault?
By Robert Jones
No one’s getting defensive
The defense was expected to be the key to the season. They would carry this team while the Lions offense learned their new scheme. Instead, the offense has carried what has often been a moribund defense as much as they can and it has proven only one thing; while the offense has been good, they aren’t good enough to win shoot-outs because the defense has often been that bad.
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Many thought the defensive line would be the anchor of this team. On paper, it certainly looked like they couldn’t miss.
Especially given how well they were playing at the end of last season. Instead, it has been a disaster. They can’t stop the run and they can’t get to the passer.
Now the linebackers need to take some of the blame for not being able to stop the run, but a good run defense starts with the nose-tackle.
Damon Harrison was the defensive MVP last year. His arrival changed the Lions defense overnight. This year he has struggled and so has the run defense.
While the linebackers deserve their share of the blame and the secondary which played well early in the season has started to struggle over the last few weeks, the defensive line has clearly let this team down more than any other position group.
So for those who want to blame the players, the problem is in the trenches. The Lions have just not been able to control the line of scrimmage well enough on either side of the ball.
But we can’t stop there. While players do have to make plays, it is up to the front office to assemble enough talent to allow their team’s scheme to work and the coaching staff is responsible for preparing the players to succeed on game day.