Detroit Lions, fans provide blueprint for 2020 uncertainty

Detroit Lions defense

That’s not to say that the Detroit Lions defense isn’t a source of hope, as well. Okudah and Okwara are the new, rookie additions but athletic linebacker Jamie Collins has joined the crew, as well as nose tackle Danny Shelton. Desmond Trufant was signed to take the sizeable cornerback hole created by Darius Slay’s departure.

The outlook isn’t quite as rosy here, or we wouldn’t be going back and forth about our opinions. In theory, Da’Shawn Hand, a good contributor at end in 2018, is back and healthy. Hand is just one of the infirmed that need to return to their pre-2019 form for the Motor City defense to enjoy their own turn-around.

They ranked 16th in scoring in 2018, according to Pro Football Reference, but finished much improved after the acquisition of nose tackle Damon Harrison and getting rookie contributions from players like Hand.

Another x-factor is the hire of Cory Undlin which also begs the question of whether or not he executes Patricia’s defense differently than Paul Pasqualoni, the former defensive coordinator and mentor of Patricia. The team has to learn to play together and get on the same page as Undlin all while social distancing at an important juncture of the offseason.

Barring an almost complete change to their fortunes, especially in the injury department, it’s tough to imagine the Detroit Lions going from worst-to-first in the NFC North. The big thing here for us as fans is that no matter which side of the discussion you fall into, hope- starting with Stafford and the offense, or gloom- due to front office and defensive performance, you have to acknowledge the other side.

As a whole, the team needs a Detroit-sized comeback.