Detroit Lions: Improvement is overshadowed by growing pains
By Robert Jones
Progress bodes well for the future
In a season lost to the process of rebuilding there are a couple of tell-tale signs the fans need to watch for. The first is any kind of general progress.
Three games into the season is a small sample size, but consider this; the defense which is considered the Lions’ weakness has lost veteran Jamie Collins, second-year cornerback Jeff Okudah, and rookie corner Ifeatu Melifonwu, then played better last week than they did at full strength in the season opener against the 49ers.
Some may consider that an indictment against Collins and perhaps even Okudah, but the fact of the matter is that defenses don’t usually improve when the secondary is down to inexperienced free-agent cornerbacks.
That being said, there were definite communication issues in the secondary that cost them a touchdown on a third down and 18, and a first down in the closing seconds on a fourth down and 19. Those are inexcusable errors that contributed to the Lions’ loss. But even with those mistakes, the defense as a whole was better than the first two weeks of the season.
There is still plenty of season to go and we will see if they continue to improve. But this team has made strides on defense.
The other sign to watch for is the progress of the Lions’ draft picks.
Penei Sewell is starting and playing well at left tackle. His future looks very bright right now. Levi Onwuzurike and Alim Mcneill haven’t been world-beaters, but have contributed and appear to have plenty of upside.
Ifeatu Melifonwu was showing potential before his injury, Amon-Ra St. Brown is already a reliable receiver, Derrick Barnes is now getting playing time and actually making tackles, while Jermar Jefferson is the only rookie who hasn’t really had a chance to contribute yet.
Championship contenders are built through the draft and how the Lions’ draft picks fare, this year, next season, and beyond, will ultimately tell the real tale of whether Holmes and Campbell can build a contender.
The returns are still very early, but what many considered a solid draft class is living up to its billing so far. Again we will need to see how the upcoming draft classes do, as well as trade acquisitions and free agents that are signed beyond a one-year stop-gap contract.
This is a rebuilding team and the expectations should be modest for this season. Instead of watching for wins, we need to watch for progress. Especially among the rookies and young players that are part of the foundation Holmes and Campbell are building.
There will be plenty of growing pains this season that will go with the territory, but if the development of the young players is good, that bodes well for what is being built here. Even when it’s overshadowed by the Lions opponent needing a record-setting field goal to beat them.
