Detroit Lions Weblog

“Horse Collar’ Tackling, Red Zone a focus this offseason for Lions coaches…

One of the primary rule changes the NFL wants to enact this offseason is to penalize players who use the “horse collar’ tackle. One might ask, what is the “horse collar” tackle and why is it so dubious? Well, anyone who watches Sports Center saw the replays ad infinitum of the tackle made by the Cowboys safety Roy Williams upon Terrell Owens which snapped Owens’ leg like a twig. This rule will also be forever more be referred to as the Roy Williams rule. First the NFL penalizes helmet to helmet contact. Then, they implement the five yard contact rule. Now this ruling, which will further hinder the aggressiveness of defensive secondaries throughout the league. I am all for keeping the players safe and healthy. Still, one has to wonder if the league is intentionally disabling defensive secondaries to produce a desired effect akin to that of which the long ball did for baseball. Not that the league necessarily is crying out for more success, they are incredibly successful. Still, if the game is more opened up and more points go onto the board many novice, attention deficit infused fans can derive more enjoyment. Next the league will demand that the defensive linemen wait to rush the passer until they have counted off to apples (one apple-two apple-GO!)

Scout.Com has recently produced an article Red Zone Production A Focus..which mentions that the Lions coaching staff has placed an emphasis on increasing “Red Zone” production. Well, yeah, their “red zone” performance last year is directly attributable to them losing several games. Most responsible are the dropped passes by the Lions undependable receivers. Still, the play-calling was atrocious. Their needs a total philosophical change in the play package that is used near the goal-line. Furthermore, as a lifelong Lion fan, it is apparent that when a drive has gained any momentum whatsoever that is when it is most likely that an offensive lineman will get a holding penalty or lift up their arm to early and get an offsides penalty. Even more problematic may have been the team’s inability to make large gains with big plays, eliminating the need for more much efficiency in the “red zone” I think that again, any red zone deficiencies are more of a philosophical issue, coupled with failed execution. This may be reduced with the addition of Tollner to offset the more conservative Mariucci. If there is one place the team has made improvements personnel wise this offseason, they will have several dependable targets inside the 20 yard line with the additions of Kevin Johnson, Marcus Pollard, and Mike Williams.