Mailbag: Despite rought start, there are reasons for hope
Another week and another loss for the Detroit Lions and head coach Matt Patricia— nowthe 11th consecutive defeat dating back to last season.
Not tomention, the latest collapse against the Green Bay Packers was the fourth blown double-digit lead in a row, which is an NFL record.
Needless to say, optimism regarding the team and this regime is negligible.
Most of the following questions clearly demonstrate the lack of confidence.
Q: For a team that is supposed to be “multiple” on defense, they appear to be just the opposite. It’s well-documented how frequently Patricia to change -- meaning the utilizes a man-coverage attack defense is what it is. and how infrequently
However, in a scheme they blitz the quarterback. that is predicated on coverage Patricia has a philosophy : Forme personally, over pass rush, cornerbacks that he must feel very I felt like the Lions Justin Coleman strongly about, and won’t were around a .500 and Desmond Trufant coming budge on his views. team with a healthy Matthew back from injury, and Largely due to the personnel Stafford. Originally, rookie Jeff Okudah developing that Patricia and my prediction was seven as the seasonprogresses Quinn have brought in to fit wins on the season. After could help. the scheme, it almost limits the Lions finished with The return of receiver what they can do. the 31st-ranked defense in Kenny Golladay could go a Their big, powerful players 2019, I didn’t think they long way, as well, for the offense. go against the grain of could get much worse. Stafford has looked a the athletic style of today’s Even a slightly below-average little rusty in the first couple NFL. defense with offensive weeks, and having a In short, despite their defenders coordinator Darrell Bevell’s healthy Golladay could get being able to play in offense could at least the offense back on track to : What indication multiple spots, each player keep them in the playoff its 2019 form. has Patricia given has very specific roles, and hunt. In no way am I predicting that this team will turn they don’t even do those
Now, after only two playoffs. But, if the Lions it around? Why, as fans, particularly well. weeks, the defense very can fend off the injury should we have any confidence In saying that, I still possibly could be worse. If bug a little bit, they should in this team this think it’s Patricia’s stubbornness I was given a do-over final at least be competitive in season? — @therealayk to adapt that record prediction, knowing more than a few games, and makes their defense so predictable.
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what we know now, I’d go should be able tomake Sundays : It’s really tough to with five wins. The offense somewhat interesting. pinpoint any one reason Remember, I’m not an will get the job done, and of optimism regarding NFL coach, and there is no
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pull out some victories. : What are the Lions’ Patricia. doubt that Patricia knows
strengths going into He didn’t necessarily plenty more about the X’s Week 3? — @oroman96 show much last year, and and O’s than I do.
nothing seems different after From an outsider perspective,
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: Oddly enough, it two games into this season. the predictability looks like their offensive aspect just doesn’t make line. Center Frank Considering that I often much sense.
Ragnow has continued label myself as more of
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where he left off from last a glass-half-full type of individual : If Patricia and season. Left tackle Taylor and that my confidence Quinn get let go, who Decker hasn’t been noticed in this regime is shot, are your top choices for too much against some I don’t knowif I canprovide head coach and GM? — @
: What do you think the Lions’ record is going to be at the end of the season?—@JasonKhamoro
AQ: What is themost reasonable best-case scenario we can hope for this season? — @MrEasyStreet
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: To be honest, I’m at the point where I don’t think the rigid mindset of Patricia is ever going
great pass rushers -- which is a good thing for a blindside protector. Rookie Jonah Jackson is playing like one of the better first-year offensive players in the league, as well. Both starting left guard Joe Dahl and right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai are battling injuries. Vaitai is questionable to play against the Arizona Cardinals, though.
Overall, the line has protected Stafford decently well, and has opened some lanes in the run game so far.
Qmuch hope.
Trust me, I always try to find silver linings, but it’s a struggle to do so right now.
If I reach deep into the bag, I could say that Patricia has put together some decent gameplans against some of the better teams he has faced.
Outside of that, I don’t really know what to say, other than having blind faith that something will work out.
Q: Why are they so predictable on defense? — @MrBrianSchwartz
ACTyslenko
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: I will say the same thing as I always say before a new head coach or general manager is hired:
For a new head coach with no previous head coaching experience (i.e. a coordinator), it’s extremely difficult to gauge how that assistant/coordinator will translate to a head coach. Sometimes, coordinators are just good coordinators and bad head coaches.
If I had to choose one, I’ll go with the fan-favorite: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
He is someone who comes from the Andy Reid coaching tree, and his offense is very creative while using elite athletes to create mismatches.
The Chiefs exemplify what new-school NFL football is all about.
As far as a new GM, I really don’t care who it is, as long as they want to add football players with some high potential.
One of my biggest complaints since day one with Quinn has been his highfloor, low- ceiling type of mantra.
More often than not, his guys end up being nothing more than average NFL players.
He prioritizes depth pieces, high- character, blue-collar leaders— which is great — but seems to be adverse to taking some calculated risks on high-upside prospects with a red flag here and there.
I just want a regime that will target playmakers, top-notch athletes, take some swings for the fences and will ultimately cater the scheme to players’ strengths.
One last thing, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone who wants to keep talent, instead of shipping talent out to only replace the aforementioned individuals with inferior scheme fits.