Dr. Davis’ diagnosis on Detroit ‘D’: The Tampa 2

By Os Davis  |   Monday, July 07, 2008  |  Comments( 11 )

Detroit Lions
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For some time, the team of trauma surgeons has been inspecting the near-terminal case of the Detroit Lions' defense. What makes this beast tick – or, rather, keeps it from thriving? Why such a dismal performance when all signs seemed so positive not so long ago? And how did they give up that ridiculous 95-point QB rating last season? (All right, forget that last one; I’m a doctor, not a minor deity.)

In this report, a brief look at the Lions’ central nervous system itself: The Tampa 2 defensive scheme, brainchild of head coach Rod Marinelli.

Problem: Despite a system that seems perfect for most of the players drafted to play within it, Detroit's ‘D’ has ... ah, you know the rest. Suspicion that greater problem is manifest beyond the individual players.

Symptoms: Despite the many low points in last year’s defense statistically – again, we’re talking stuff like the Lions’ dead-last ranking in points surrendered, pass completion percentage allowed, and just generally a bottom-feeding performance against the pass at all – at least one positive indicator emerges: The team’s success in fumbles, both forced (a league-leading 40) and recovered (18, including five on pass plays, good for second in the NFL). This sole ground for hope would seem to indicate that the Lions had/have players with football ability, reaction time and speed to the ball, all ostensibly areas Marinelli and his Tampa 2 scheme naturally favor.

Ah ha!

Diagnosis: Desperate cases call for desperate measures; in this instance, some altogether fundamental re-thinking is required. Simply put, shouldn’t the defense emphasizing Cover 2 – and especially the Tampa 2 – be done away with in Detroit and in fact most of the league?

Even before considering that the Tom Brady-led Patriots and Peyton Manning’s recent-day Indianapolis Colts’ offenses have been built on small-balling Cover 2 defenses with long pass-heavy drives for years, the Tampa 2 has simply not proven to be a winning defense. Alongside the Lions, NFL teams currently working mainly out of the Tampa 2 include the Colts, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; excepting Indy, not exactly the most fearsome lot.

But, one may argue, consider the recent success of Tampa 2 defenses: The Colts and Buccaneers have won Super Bowls with the scheme, and Chicago took the NFC playing solid ‘D’ out of the Tampa 2. Sure. Except that the Buccaneers of Super Bowl XXXVIII were inherited by Jon Gruden from Tony Dungy, more or less the inventor of the system. The creator took his own Lombardi three years later with an offense just too good for a Bears team designed as a shadow of Dungy’s own creation.

Might it be suggested that such a defense, essentially a response to Brett Favre’s peak years and wacky offenses, has been adapted to?

Here’s the problem with Cover 2, accented in Tampa 2: A number of Pro Bowlers are required on the ‘D’. Consider the additional responsibility given the linebackers to wrap up the ball carrier, the heavy stress put on all defenders behind the line to tackle after giving up a short gain, the necessity to somehow meanwhile apply QB pressure, and speedy, yet vicious guys called for everywhere.

This may be something of a chicken-and-egg supposition -- i.e., do great players make defenses work, or do great defenses make players work? -- but it seems as though you’d be better off with guys named Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney if you’re going to give up the middle of the field for the pass. After model Cover 2 defender Ernie Sims, the Lions have a bunch of guys named Leigh Bodden.

If Cover 2 is a bend-but-don't-break philosophy, consider the Lions broken. This team has matchup problems in the zone against nearly every offense it'll face this season. With the way things look on the roster right now, even the Tarvaris Jacksons of the NFC can look forward to field days against a ‘D’ left begging for the deep pass that never comes.

Treatment: Is it too late to scrap the playbook entirely ...?

Next time: The coaching staff.

RealFootball365.com to the emergency room stat throughout the year.
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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: 11  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
denny		12:19 PM
07/08/2008
If there isn't noticeable improvement this year then I agree that this game plan won't work. I believe; however, that there will ...
No.2
FoxMulder		06:44 PM
07/08/2008
Loved the article. One quick comment As noted, the Tampa 2 has had some success. While I won't argue whether or not the players ...
No.3
BiqQ		10:52 PM
07/08/2008
You guys can put in the Tampa 13 and you guys still aren't going to win. I see another season below .500.... What is it going ...
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