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

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

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

Not yet officially a rhetorical question – get back to us after another season of Millen era mediocrity, though – the plaintive cry of the Lions fan is instead good for several columns’ worth of examination by a team of football sages, straight-up gridiron Ph.Ds and MDs flown in from all corners of the US.

Unfortunately, RealFootball365.com has neither a trauma unit on call nor the resources to gather one. Instead, this Web site’s answer to Dr. Benway is set to operate. The doctor is in, so ready the plunger. Let’s have a look, shall we?

Problem: Utterly unproductive secondary allows prolific passing offense, thereby essentially crippling the patient.

Symptoms: As in such cases, evidence of the outbreak of leprosy within the passing defense manifests itself in ugly fashion throughout. Statistical measure of damage done includes

• the adjective-defying 96.8 QB rating the Lions' defense allowed in 2007;

• an incredible 70.1 percent completion rate allowed;

• just 17 interceptions against 32 passing TDs allowed (most in the NFL);

• faced 602 passing attempts (most in the league);

• showed weakened resistance to the point of 7.3 yards per pass play, tied for sixth worst in the league.

To add a further observation, numbers like this are a very testament to the patient’s hardy survival on offense. The 7-9 record achieved by the 2007 Lions may even be compared to a minor miracle, given the infectious ease with which a virulent passing game swept through Detroit defenses.

Treatment: Patient appears unfortunately apathetic about this area of need. The release of Kenoy Kennedy (and his 88-tackle, two-interception performance of '07) will prove dangerous to the already weak Detroit secondary. The application of another Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- i.e., Brian Kelly at safety -- seems like more ineffective treatment for a long-ongoing problem. Even the barest minimum of assistance at the position was not attempted during the draft, either.

Perhaps a psychiatrist should be consulted to determine whether self-destructive tendencies are apparent within, say, the patient’s front office.

Further comments: Look, the 2008 Lions may yet have a seriously high-watt offense, with the competent Jon Kitna looking at a great trio at WR in Calvin Johnson, smilin’ Roy Williams and Mike Furrey while handing the ball off to angry contract-year halfback Tatum Bell. The line about “the best defense is a good offense” just won’t be enough in Detroit yet again, however.

Diagnosis: May be terminal. As bad as the passing defense was last season, all signs indicate things will be well beyond critical condition in Michigan. Thirty points surrendered per game, anyone? Seventy-five percent completion rate, perhaps? Problems here, however, may first be manifested from a higher-up source and overall unhealthy philosophy; analysis forthcoming.

Next: The linebackers or, “In football, bigger is better.”

Attempting to staunch the bleeding 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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