By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
I believe we have had enough tape and stats out on the defense. That we’ve probably seen enough as Aaron Glenn driving the defensive ship, that I can say, he’s a lot more like Matt Patricia than the Rex Ryan tree that he’s from. The results were shocking!!!
In 2020 we watched our beloved Kittens fall to 32nd in the league in sacks despite having Romeo Okwara (Contract Year!) Get 10.5 sacks. The Lions Defense accidently had a whopping total of 24.5 sacks. A 10.7% Blitz Rate, and a 12.8% Pressure Rate.
This year be it 2 games, our defense looks even worse. Something does not feel right. Here are the pressure rates through 2 games.
These numbers scare me. Seeing as our pressures have been:
Aidan Hutchinson 13 pressures (League Leading)
James Houston 5 pressures
Alim McNeil 1 pressure
Alex Anzalone 1 sack
The secondary is having to cover for 4+ seconds again. Which in 2020, and 2021. We gave the secondary the pass. Because if nonexistent pass rush. So now we have to do this again. With what’s arguably one of the most talented defense and most depth we’ve seen since 2014-15 Detroit Lions? I find this unacceptable myself.
We cannot have this coupled with an aggressive coach telling the team they have to guard when we should be taking a FG or Punting the Ball!!!! It puts the pressure fully back on a defense that is absolutely failing to rush any QB. Whether the Super Bowl Champ or that guy in Seattle that couldn’t beat a defense with 1 household name in the Rams. They could have had a sandwich maker back there while they waited for the routes to develop. Whether it was man or zone coverages. Doesn’t matter. They are hanging the secondary out to dry. And I’m sick of it. It’s why they ran Okudah out of town.
Another reason the pressures could be lacking from last year. The Lions let Dline Coach Todd Wash walk out the door. Who might have been the only guy on the staff worth promoting. Because with his Dline schemes. The Lions led the league in pressures. Now he’s gone and we have almost none!
Just the opinion of a student of the game and advanced Defensive analytics. Take it or leave it
Thanks For Reading!!!
https://youtube.com/@kneecapbitingwithsmokinjer2611?si=0HlVNxdOucg6WWzs
