Is the Lion's back 7 really that bad?

I keep hearing about how bad our defensive back 7 is. I keep hearing how desperate we were in the draft to grab a corner or 6 and about 11 linebackers as we are in such dire need. So, seeing as i'm a little fuzzy on this, I wanted to check it out.




Firstly, the Lions finished 16th in pass defense and 24th in run defense. Not great, but considering they were last for the previous 2 years it is a step back to respectability. They had 14 interceptions (19th overall) and 21 forced fumbles (6th overall) That doesn't sound so bad does it?


Even though the Lions were near the top of the league at sacks and tackles for loss, a very small number of these came from the linebackers and defensive backs. A lot of the credit for the Lions having a 16th ranked pass defense is given to the defensive line harassing the QB. But didn't we just improve our D-Line to best in the league by adding Nick Fairley? So why the worry? Let's break it down further...


Case 1: Chris Houston

It kind of goes without saying that the Lions need to keep Chris Houston. A high 2nd round pick in 2007, we got him on the cheap for a 6th and 7th round trade with the Falcons who had just broke the bank to get Dunta Robinson. As a restricted free agent as things stand we will get to keep him, hopefully we can sign him long term. He only had 1 interception, but actually had 3 more wiped off the board due to penalties. Even so his lack of picks gets him criticism. He is very fast and keeps with his man well. You rarely see him beaten. Even if he is not a stud number 1 corner, he is steady and a better than most number 2. Schwartz likes his safeties to make the playmaking while his corners play the run and tackle well. Houston fits the bill for a Schwartz and Gun corner and is a great player for the Lions.


CASE 2: Alphonso Smith

Martin Mayhew should be investigated for unethical trading by the IRS for how he ripped off Denver (and Dallas, and Seattle, and just about everybody!) in trades. He plundered them for Tony Scheffler and Alphonso Smith for next to nothing (and Denver went into this draft needing to get a Tight End and Corner urgently!)
When I think Alphonso Smith I recall happy memories of this insane pick of Aaron Rodgers, and the Carlton dance in the endzone against the Rams. He made 2 turnovers in that game and had 5 interceptions before going on IR. Considering he joined the Lions after training camp it is amazing to think of what he can do for Detroit going forward. The Broncos used a 1st round pick to get him and we gained him by giving up a 7th round tight end.
Unfortunately, I also remember him being torched by Tom Brady on thanksgiving and benched in the 2nd half. He grew a little too big for his boots it seems. With solid training and work with the coaches I think he can be at least a number 2, or a standout nickleback. He has really impressive athleticism.


CASE 3: Aaron Berry

No-one should forget about Aaron Berry. The guy who beat out Dre Bly and others to get a roster spot after being a highly sought after undrafted free agent. He started game 1 against Chicago and got an interception. He later left with an injury that required him going on IR and missing the rest of the season. His injury meant the Lions picked up Nathan Vasher who was very impressive as a starter on the Lions 4 game win streak.
Berry is packed with potential and despite only getting one game last year before injury, the coaching staff believe in him. He possesses all that is needed to be a starting corner in this league.

THE SAFETIES

Last year we were living off CC Brown, Ko Simpson, Marvin White or Marquand Manuel playing safety opposite Louis Delmas. Man life has gotten better! I am really pulling for Amari Spievey to improve and become a quality safety for years but this lockout will have stolen the opportunity to have a full offseason honing his skills. Randy Phillips had a few moments last year but really this has to be Eric Coleman's job to lose. The veteran knows his craft and looks like another shrewd pickup by Mayhew. He is much better than what we were facing last year but is missing the opportunity to grow with his new teammates. But here we have 2 quality starters with young promising prospects behind them, great!

THE LINEBACKERS

I can only put up a picture of DeAndre Levy as he is the only player we know for sure will be starting. And this is a place we know will be addressed at some point. However, Schwartz and Mayhew have both stated this offseason that both Palmer and Carpenter can start, or at least compete for one spot. Doug Hogue definately looks like he can be a starter...in 2 years. But again this is better than what we faced last year and with how strong (and now upgraded) the defensive line is, this corps is going to get plenty of opportunity to make plays in the backfield and we will see interceptions and fumble recoveries aplenty.

Here are my breakout players for 2011 on defense:

Breakout D-Lineman: Cliff Avril.
If he plays a full season he passes the 10 sack mark and makes his first pro bowl.

Breakout Linebacker: DeAndre Levy
Easy call here but if he plays a full season healthy he is a pro bowl player.

Breakout Corner: Alphonso Smith/Aaron Berry
If we have a legitimate number 1/2 corner to go with Chris Houston then Alphonso Smith will destroy QBs from the nickel spot and get 7-8 interceptions. Otherwise I think Aaron Berry will be the breakout corner this season.

Breakout Safety: Amari Spievey
I love the future of this guy. With the opportunity to develop in a full season under Delmas and Coleman and getting a share of playing time he can grow into the tackle/interception machine we want him to be. He may never get an opportunity as good as this.

So what is the prospect for the back seven this year? I think it is not as bad as people are saying. Comments to add? Please state below...

Wolves perfect, but not, in season opening kitted tournament

Wolves robbed in season opener by infamous referree decision

Considering they only won 2 games in last years British South Division the Wolves blew everyone away last weekend. After winning the opening 2 games without even conceding a point, the Wolves had the final match won only to have the winning play whistled dead by the official...for holding. On the next play, the final play, the London Warriors won the game and the Wolves were robbed of the perfect start. Despite the setback they sit 2nd after opening weekend and everyone knows the Marlow Wolves are for real.

GAME 1: WOLVES 6 LONDON BLITZ 0

The Wolves turned the Blitz over 3 times and never looked like conceding. Despite star running back George Roberts still missing due to a broken wrist, Phil Hellmuth was on fire, finishing the game with a rushing touchdown following an interception. Danny Aldridge forced and recovered a fumble and Alex Filipov had an interception in his first ever game. The scoreline was close but the Wolves controlled the match from start to finish. A welcome opening win!

GAME 2: WOLVES 15 KENT EXILES 0

The Exiles entered the game on a high after beating the London Warriors (the Warriors first divisional loss for over 2 years) but Marlow made short work of the game leading 15-0 at half time and then coasting the game out, taking the opportunity to give rookies playing time.
Phil Hellmuth ran in a touchdown either side of a fumble recovery from Danny Aldridge. The Wolves controlled the game the second half and spread out the reps to keep people fresh for the showdown ahead with the UK Champion Warriors.

GAME 3: WOLVES 21 LONDON WARRIORS 24

Rookie Nose Tackle James Honke got his first safety as a Wolf in this game which turned into a wild shootout with 3 lead changes in the final 2 minutes after a relatively quiet first half with the Wolves leading 7-6. Oli Tiliouine threw his first touchdown pass of the season to Phil Hellmuth.

The Wolves had the lead going into the final 2 minutes, then lost it, then regained it. Leading 21-18 after another Phil Hellmuth run and less than a minute to go, the Warriors drove downfield to the Wolves 20. Then the Wolves intercepted a pass (Phil Hellmuth again the hero!) and started returning it for a touchdown when the referree blew his whistle, for a holding penalty! The referree apologised for his error and after lengthy discussion as the play had been blown dead the down was replayed, with just 3 seconds left on the clock. The hail mary pass was tipped by a Wolves defensive back and caught by a Warrior for the game winning touchdown and time expired.

Needless to say the Wolves were devastated. They had rightly won the game, losing it to an officials error. But it will leave them stronger and if they play asthey did then they will succeed this year.

MVPs:
Offense: Phil Hellmuth, Danny Aldridge, Oli Tiliouine.
Defense: James Honke, Henry Wallace, Alex Filipov.

Detroit Lions 2011 Draft: Initial thoughts

This draft seems to have really split the opinions of Lions fans, whilst winning universal praise from everyone else. It is tainted severely by the fact that there has been no free agency period yet, meaning we have no idea if the needs and holes in the roster (most notably at corner and linebacker) will be addressed before the season kicks off. Mayhew is not a fool; those needs will be filled. So nobody needs to panic. And our draft is nowhere near as dubious as the Bears or Vikings drafts! The Packers sadly had an awesome draft (poo...)

Purely from a TALENT standpoint, this draft can only get an 'A' grade initially.

The picks the Lions have made are scheme perfect, talent and potential filled non-reaches. Three things you couldn't say about many Millen era picks. In a lockout dominated off-season these top 3 picks of Fairley, Young and Leshoure are 3 guys who won't need as much prep to contribute as others may have. We filled 2 large needs in a speedy deep threat receiver and a second power versatile back and in doing so have blown our offense wide open. Beautiful!

In Nick Fairley I think we immediately gained the best defensive line in the NFL. I remember Michael Irvin shouting "How they gonna run against that?!" over and over when the pick was made. Regardless of what people say about who else should have been taken, this was 100% the best pick, a no brainer, the Lions win!

I love the final 2 picks. Doug Houge will contribute well on special teams year 1 but has every potential to be a starter in the following years. He has everything you'd want and so much room to grow. As for Johnny Culbreath he is extremely underrated. The fact he can play guard as well gives him a great shot at playing too. I really believe that with Jason Fox and Culbreath growing behind the scenes we may be set at tackle for the next few years. The Lions don't waste picks (except Derek Williams)

Bring on 2011! I think we just won the NFC North. Fear no-one, Lions look fantastic!