My PTLD (Publish-Traumatic Lions Dysfunction) is beginning to flare up with all this discuss of the Lions altering defensive scheme. Please cease.
I really like the press man that Coach Campbell discovered in New Orleans and dropped at Detroit. It’s robust, bodily and efficient when the Lions can get a modicum of cross rush to assist out the secondary bumping receivers on the line of scrimmage and operating with them. The Lions performed the third-most man protection final yr behind the Browns and Denver. These different two groups rush the passer. Why can’t we?
Please hear me out. The Lions have Arnold and Rakestraw getting back from harm, two guys drafted 1 & 2 in 3024 to play press man. McCreary is an enormous bodily DB we paid in free company who may also play press man.
Our cross rush goes to be higher. Hutch had one other yr to heal. Alim wanted extra time from his ACL and he’s had the low season to recuperate each bodily and mentally. We took Edge Derrick Moore at 2 to get strain. And Derrick Barnes must earn his huge paycheck when requested to hurry. I’d hate to see the Lions lose a few of their aggression by getting right into a tender zone protection. Play soccer! That bend, don’t break has by no means labored in Detroit.
I assume this completely satisfied zone discuss has triggered my PTLS as a result of I’ve seen the Lions abandon good schemes that had been working for them. The Lions went 12-4 in 1991 utilizing a variation of Mouse Davis’ “run and shoot” offense. It was a pass-happy scheme that unfold the sector and relied on fast slants and hooks that opened lanes for Barry Sanders. It took the Lions to the NFC championship recreation behind the deft and correct passing of Erik Kramer. We beat an awesome Cowboys staff within the divisional spherical.
Then, the Lions obtained trucked by Washington within the convention championship. And Wayne Fontes thought the Lions ought to emulate Washington with big OL and a TE to run Barry between the tackles. It was silly. Deserted what the Lions had shocked the league with. And led nowhere.
So, sure, altering my beloved press man has me involved. Our personnel is lastly at a spot to actually lock down opponents. Let’s proceed to strap it on and knock hell out of individuals. Let’s drop this foolish discuss of zone protection.
