Detroit Lions Weblog

Offensive Line Enjoys Parting Shots on Martz

The Lions offensive line were as embattled of a unit as any on the entire Lions team in ‘07. Apparently, they were not fans of Mike Martz’s logic-defying, pass first tendencies, or with the intricate design of his offense, since it too often demanded that they be asked to block with little or no assistance from their backs and tight ends.

They have been noticeably vocal with their parting shots for Martz. Jeff Backus’ stated desire for a more clearly-defined offensive identity, with more signature “bread-n-butter” plays added to the playbook, was recently echoed by free agent to be, and converted guard, T Damien Woody.
The Lions offensive line has allowed 117 QB sacks over the past two seasons. Larry Beightol, a previously highly regarded offensive line coach, and apparently now also, Martz’s former protege and new Lions offensive coordinator, Jim Colletto, were both highly dissatisfied with both Martz’s performance as offensive coordinator and with the design of his offense.

This brand of finger-pointing is typical of the Lions organization and should not be tolerated. The performance of Martz, and the terms of his leaving the organization, should be regarded as separate from the performance of the Lions offensive line over the last two seasons. They are professionals who are paid to perform a job, and have failed miserably.

The Lions offensive line has perpetually consisted of a hodge-podge, patchwork bunch during Matt Millen’s tenure. Rather than build the team around legitimate talent at the position, Millen has hung a millstone around the team’s collective neck by filling the offensive line with journeymen veterans (David Loverne, Brendan Stai, Rich DeMulling, Rex Tucker, Ross Verba et al), young projects (Jonathan Scott, Kelly Butler, Manny Ramirez, Frank Davis), and a dogged dependence upon underachievers like Jeff Backus, Stockar McDougle and George Foster.

When Millen had the opportunity this season to add a franchise-solidifying, bonafide left offensive tackle in Joe Thomas, he incorrectly, and embarassingly, decided to grab the “bright and shiny” object, yet again, and draft WR Calvin Johnson, whom the Lions promptly failed to utilize to his full capacity.

Joe Thomas, health providing, is likely a 10-15 year all-pro and potential hall of fame candidate. Johnson may eventually have an equitable resume to Thomas, but the Lions, with all of their many struggles, seemingly never fully grasp what many believe is the most obvious of NFL maxims, that you win most games in the trenches, with sound blocking, and an ability to run with the ball and stop the run.

Joe Thomas may not have become a franchise savior, but he would have given the Lions the luxury of having one less position to shore up amidst their perennial, interminable, rebuilding process. Thomas is a humble midwesterner, a trait Lions fans would have easily identified with, who even went as far as skipping the green room of the NFL Draft, which is reserved for only the highest of draft prospects, to spend the day fishing with his father. The guy would have been a veritable folk hero among Lions fans.

Instead, the Lions the are stuck with the tough, mediocre, but reliable, Jeff Backus, who may be better served playing guard or right tackle. Woody, a free agent, has stated that there is a better chance that he will return, now that Martz is gone.

Which, in a nutshell, is why the Lions front office doesn’t seem to get it. Woody, who spent the off season at a Duke University weight loss camp, has been a disappointing, costly free agent acquisition who had lost his starting job at his natural position, guard. Admittedly, Woody performed well in the team’s last 4-5 games at right tackle. That being said, I can almost guarantee, that the Lions will re-sign Woody to play right tackle, rather than truly commit to upgrading their offensive line.

The Lions will not ever improve, if they refuse to be honest with themselves. Damien Woody is not a tackle, and five games do not a solid, dependable contributor make. Until they make this admission internally, they are likely to continue to make big money commitments to personnel disasters like DAMIEN WOODY, Shaun Rogers, Kalimba Edwards, Cory Redding, Jeff Backus ad infinitum.