2010 Lions Personnel Evaluation: The Defensive Line
January 6, 2011 on 3:10 pm | In Uncategorized | 10 CommentsIf any one playing group had a larger impact than the Lions defensive line did for them, on any other NFL team during the 2010 NFL season, I would be surprised. The Lions defensive line made the Lions defense (16th in passing defense, 24th rushing defense, 21st in total defense) both imposing and viable, while presenting match-up problems that neutralized Lions opponents ability to take advantage of their undermanned back seven.
The 2010 Lions were coming off of a run of seasons where they were ranked historically among the all-time worst NFL defenses. There was little reason to expect that the Lions would have made the gains that they were able to make during this season.
The Lions made several bold strokes this off-season, in an attempt to improve their lot. Jim Schwartz actively recruited his former Titans player, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and was able to convince him to sign with the Lions at the opening of free agency.
The Lions also had the best NFL prospect of the 2010 draft fortuitously fall into their laps, DT Ndamukong Suh. Boy howdy, did Suh deliver, too. Suh, a “Shuh-In” for NFL Defensive Rookie of the year, was a true difference maker and force to be reckoned with (likely, for years to come, too).
Vanden Bosch and Suh delivered both a presence and attitude, while devastating opposing offensive lines and QB’s. Vanden Bosch, who unfortunately missed the final five games, brought an unmatched effort and toughness that seemingly brought the entire defense along with him.
Vanden Bosch Delivered Credibility, Toughness...and Crushing Blows, From Day One
If the additions of Vanden Bosch and Suh were all that the Lions front office accrued during the off-season, it would have been notable. Where Martin Mayhew truly pulled off a remarkable coup, in moves that made a huge difference for the Lions defense, was in his low cost acquisitions of DT Corey Williams (and a 2010 7th round pick for a Lions 2010 5th round pick) and DE Lawrence Jackson (6th rounder in 2011).
Run, Chubby Man, Run! Corey Williams Intercepts Brett Favre
Those improvements, along with the progress made by players like DT Sammie Lee Hill and DE Cliff “Kompared to Kalimba No More!” Avril, along with valuable depth provided by versatile DE Turk McBride and DT Andre Fluellen, made the Lions defensive front comparable with the league’s best.
Kris Kocurek Benefited From the Additions of Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Co.
One change that went highly unrecognized, was the retirement of Bob Karmelowicz (who has since deceased) and promotion of a young, fiery defensive line coach named Kris Kocurek. Kocurek had a great deal of success, with admittedly, a lot of resources to work with.
A lasting image for me of the 2010 season will always be of Kocurek, wearing a headset and sporting a chaw in his cheek, slapping his defensive linemen’s backs as they leave the field, after another big defensive stop.
The Lions defensive coaching staff seemingly willed the Lions defense to become competitive. Lions defense Gunther Cunningham, always a fiery and aggressive presence, truly utilized his defensive front four to his advantage.
Last season, Cunningham would continually dial up blitzes, out of desperation. This season, the Lions front four generated enough pass rushing pressure that often the Lions could rush four and drop seven into coverage. That being said, whenever the attacking tendencies of Cunningham were needed, he was able to more thoughtfully sprinkle in blitzes to disrupt opponents, rather than as a means of preventing opposing QB’s from picking apart the Lions defense.
The Lions were 6th in the NFL with 44 sacks. Of which, 37 were produced by the Lions front four (Lawrence “Lo-Jack” Jackson 6.0, Ndamukong Suh 10.0, Kyle Vanden Bosch 4.0, Cliff Avril 8.5, Sammie Lee Hill 2.5, Andre Fluellen 1.0, Turk McBride 5.0)!
Avril Has Become a Force, After Showing Promise
Something we are not fully capable of measureing is how often the Lions defensive line impacted (and altered) opponents offensive game plans by forcing them into third and long distances. We will never know how often opponents had fewer pass catching options due to max-protect blocking schemes (keeping tight ends and backs out of pass routes to block) or how many checked down, dump off passes were made as a result of oncoming pressure. Lastly, we will not know how many incomplete passes came as a result of poorly thrown balls that were awkwardly rushed in response to the pressure of the Lions front four.
If I were to grade the Lions defensive line collectively, I’d give them an “A-“. They could have earned an “A” grade, had they not accumulated so many encroachment and costly personal foul penalties, a season long bug-a-boo.
Kyle Vanden Bosch: B+ (A+ for effort)
Ndamukong Suh: A- (he was still a rookie, after all)
Corey Williams: A- (penalties, nearly unblockable at times)
Cliff Avril: A (for proving me wrong (the death of his Kalimba Part Deux nickname) and becoming a force…now deliver for seasons to come!)
Turk McBride: A (excellent job as a fill-in and player who made big steps forward this season)
Andre Fluellen: B (serviceable, but Corey Williams playing so well made him the least acknowledged member of the Lions defensive line, in the playing group)
Sammie Lee Hill: B+ (easily could have been starter, if not for the presence of Suh)
Willie Young: INC (a project, who may or may not have a future with the organization. “Hawaii Five-Oh”, who?)
Lawrence “Lo-Jack” Jackson: A- (as a former first rounder, had high expectations. Still excellent production from a backup)
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Comment by Tobin Vance — September 10, 2012 #
Dear Mr. Mayhew: You must trade Ndamukong Suh for the good of this Team!
*After Ndamukong Suh was involved in a fourth traffic accident in under three years as a Lion, Suh’s sister Ngum tweeted back in October 2012: “Thank u Jesus! Only 2.5 more years! #Freedom”.
*Perhaps coincidentally, Suh has two and a half years left on his rookie contract, thanks to a voidable final year.
*When asked for his thoughts about Ngum’s tweets, Ndamukong Suh initially responded with a quick “next question.” When it became a bigger deal, then and only then did Suh distance himself from her comments.
*And then there is the NFL Network alleged film footage of Suh talking about patterning his brand after Lebron James and playing 5 years (then catching himself and saying 10 years).
*I bring this up again because we have a Fiscal Cliff of our own coming with the Lions. There is no way we can keep Stafford, CJ and Suh and and also fix the OL, the Secondary including LBs and Special Teams.
*Please let us trade Suh now and get something for him while we can. He is at least worth a round 1 and round 3 pick to some team looking for a DT. They will certainly not find a better DT in this Draft!
*Of course I have said the Raiders would be the perfect fit for Suh and they have the #3 overall pick in 2013.
*We also can make salary cap room by cutting KVP, Raiola, Peterman, Titus Young and Javid Best.
*Try to resign Avril for under 7 million, he say’s no, let him walk. Let Spievey walk, let let Delmas walk if he doesn’t sign for a reasonable price. Same with Levy and Durant.
*Try to bring back Backus and resign Houston for price, if he no likey? He can walk too..
*Pettigrew for a 3rd round pick, maybe pack with another player.
*Trade Burleson for a 7th round pick.
*Trade Thomas for a 7th round pick.
*Trade Suh for rounds 1 and 3 picks to teams picking under #16 pick- rounds 1,3 and 5 for teams picking 17 to 22- rounds 1, 2 and 6 to teams picking 22 to 32 in 1st round.
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1) Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas.
2) Barrett Jones, G/C/OT, Alabama.
2) Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida.
2) Kawann Short, DT, Purdue.
3) Larry Warford, G, Kentucky.
3) Chase Thomas, DE/OLB, Stanford.
3) Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M.
4) Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA.
6) Ryan Allen, P, Louisiana Tech.
7) J.C. Copeland, FB, LSU.
7) Zeke Motta, S, Notre Dame.
2013 Free Agent Additions:
1) RB – Danny Woodhead – NE.
2) WR – Greg Jennings – GB.
3) TE – Todd Heap – ARI.
4) S – Dashon Goldson – SF.
***Look! A whole New Team and a whole new Attitude! lol
*I believe something like this can be done and must be done or all we’ll be able to say is CJ is a Hall of Famer in 12 years.
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