Detroit Lions Weblog

The Importance of the Defensive Line Highlighted as Voluntary Minicamps Begin

The Lions success and growth within the Tampa Cover-2 zone defensive system hinges upon the continued development of a strong front four entering next season.   It’s two most established components, DT Cory Redding and NT Shaun Rogers, are conspicuously absent from the current voluntary minicamps.

The Lions have to place an eminent priority upon providing Cory Redding with a contract extension.  Once Redding is on board, the Lions will boast a formidable interior to build around.  Redding is currently working out and attending classes at the University of Texas.  The Lions can’t afford for Redding to miss all of the off-season camps and pre-season games, regardless of how hard he is working out in Austin.   Redding appears headed for a legitimate break-out as a defensive performer, and the Lions can ill afford to have his growth stunted due to a prolonged absence over a contract squabble.

Rogers is missing voluntary camp so that he can continue to rehab from his off-season surgeries.   Rogers has said that he plans on attending all of the mandatory workouts and camps, although it is not clear at what capacity he will contribute due to his ongoing recovery from those surgeries.

Apparently, according to Tom “Killer”Kowalski, the Lions current plan is to use Kalimba ” The Ghost” Edwards as their right side, or pass rushing, defensive end.   They expect newly acquired DE DeWayne White to play on the more run-oriented left side.   The fact that the Lions have any reasonable expectation for consistent contribution from the enigmatic Edwards is befuddling, and worrisome, to say the least. 

Edwards has been a on-going project that should yield some fruit under Marinelli.   Last year’s performance from Edwards was far from encouraging, though.  The Lions will be dogged all year in the passing game if Edwards fails to finally emerge.

White is somewhat of an unknown commodity, at this point.  He is well-versed in the defense and has a previous working relationship with Marinelli and Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry.   If Edwards falters, White could possibly help on the right side, especially if, Ikaika Alama-Francis comes along fast as a rookie.   As green as Alama-Francis is, I actually have more faith in his development than I do in Edwards, at this point.

If you believe all of the propaganda from various media outlets, the Lions may have made some draft day steals last week.   Apparently, Alama-Francis, MLB Johnny Baldwin, and CB A.J. Davis have been quite impressive at this premature stage of their NFL careers.   The Lions also have an enticing undrafted free agent in TE Ryan Sylvan.   This current staff seems to have a knack for finding players like Sylvan (Shaun Bodiford, LeVale Ellis, and Frank Davis in example).   At the very least, Sylvan may provide a challenge, or eventual upgrade, to the inconsistent and unproductive Casey FitzSimmons.