Dr. Davis’ diagnosis on Detroit ‘D’: The line

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, July 02, 2008  |  Comments( 7 )

Detroit Lions
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“What is going on with the Detroit Lions' defense?”

That is the vexing and perplexing question put forth before the crack corps here at the RealFootball365 clinic in this, the first of a series examining this unfortunate unit. The case before us today, patient Detroit ‘D’, appears to be suffering from a number of maladies ranging from great to small; luckily, we have much experience with such terminal cases. The doctor is in.

Problem: Defensive line near-comatose-level weakness, lethargy.

Symptoms: Below-average 37 sacks turned in (current condition may be exacerbated thanks to departures of Sean Rogers and Kalimba Edwards, who contributed 10 of those 37 sacks); general hemorrhaging in the pass rush, with average QB rating 96.8 allowed in 2007; dangerously high 27.8 points per game allowed last year.

Treatment: Unfortunately, little was done by patient to address this situation in the 2008 offseason. The Lions did pick up big Chuck Darby (6 feet, 297 pounds), but this hardly every-down Seattle Seahawks castoff cannot at all be considered adequate treatment for the full-fledged anemia here.

Andre Fluellen out of Florida State may actually be the combination of speed and strength (right now, the official book has him at 280 pounds) needed on the Detroit line, but consistency of play is definitely already an issue months before snap one. At 6-3 and just 250 pounds, Cliff Avril would appear to be another of the same undersized, quick D-linemen resulting in the Lions’ current unhealthy condition. And stuffing two untested rookies into frequent playing time reeks of desperation measure. Must the patient be killed (again) in order to cure?

Further comments: In their ongoing surface analysis of NFL teams, Detroit Lions" target="_new">the NFL Live gang recently took on the Lions, attempting to assess the team’s biggest issue entering 2008. Forced into a corner, Jeff Chadiha and Marcellus Wiley sadly had to admit that the problems Detroit faces at DL were matched only by those along the offensive line. When your defensive line can be mentioned in the same breath as an O-line that’s surrendered 110-plus sacks in two seasons, um, that’s bad. (Even worse that the objects of comparison are your teammates.)

Diagnosis: For 2008, nothing can be done. Simply put, the Lions as a team cannot be considered a viable organism with so few functioning parts along the D-line; continued lack of pass pressure may cost Detroit games this season, particularly against highly accurate quarterbacks. Potential danger spots here are already readily apparent: Week 8 vs. Washington, Week 10 vs. Jacksonville, Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay, Week 15 at Indianapolis ...

All organs of this defensive line (save Cory Redding and probably Fluellen) must be stripped away from the surface by any means necessary. Serious culling of the free agent market in 2009 must be undertaken to ensure the eventual prosperity of patient.

Next: The secondary.

On call 24/7 throughout the year at RealFootball365.com
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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CommentsComments: 7  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
08:52 AM
07/02/2008
Dr D. very well diagnosed. Defense wins football games. Detriot stands no chance with the mnay passing teams in the NFL> Over the...
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No.2
RedskinFan21ST		12:09 PM
07/02/2008
I think the defense will be somewhat better this season. Mike Martz last season had that offense begging for air when his...
No.3
01:45 PM
07/02/2008
Darby is going to be a non-factor for that D-line. Last season he only started 6 games and had 12 tackles and a half sack....
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