The Season That Was: Defensive Line
by Latif Masud on Jan 7, 2010 2:22 PM EST
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PrintWith the season ending last week, and draft hype/talk in full effect in POD, I wanted to take some time, and actually look back at the 2009 Detroit Lions season, and see how they really did. Personally, I have to say that, even though we went 2-14, this was one of the better season for me, a young Lions fan. In my opinion, the two wins we got this season were two of the best Lions games I have ever watched. Going forward, I think we have a lot to hope for, but as most of us know, its going to be a long journey. Starting today, I am going to give my take on the units of the team: defensive line, linebackers and secondary, offensive line, and offensive skilled positions.
Defensive Ends
Stats: 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles in 13 games
Thoughts: Contrary to what most people say, I think that Avril played pretty well this season. He was benched early in the season, and missed some games, yet he produced just as much as he did in his rookie season. If he had stayed healthy the full season, I believe he would have notched 7 or 8 sacks. The problem that I see with Avril is in run stopping situations. He is more of a quick, small DE, which makes him easy to block once lineman get their hands on him. I believe if he improves on his run stopping skills in the off season, he can be a solid starting DE for us.
Dwyane White
Stats: 8 tackles in 10 games (yes that’s it)
Thougths: Dwayne White was hurt most of the season, and played sparingly, and I really haven’t seen him play enough to comment on him. Still, he signed a big contract when he came here, and really hasn’t lived up to it IMO. I would cut him this off season if I were the Lions.
Stats: 34 tackles, 5 sacks in 14 games
Thoughts: For a late offseason signing, Hunter did a lot more than expected of him. He played well against the run, and generated solid pass rush. Really, Hunter was the best pass rushing threat the Lions had this season, which tells you how badly we need a DE. I wouldn’t want to see him as a starter next season; however, I would not be surprised or discontent if that ended up happening.
Stats: 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble in 11 games
Thoughts: As a waiver wire pickup, McBride played well, particularly against the run. It will be interesting to see what McBride can do after a full off-season and training camp with the Lions coaching staff. Being a second round pick and a young player, he has some potential left in him.
Defensive Tackles
Stats: 26 tackles in 13 games
Thoughts: Its safe to say Sammie Hill was our best interior lineman, which tells you how badly we need a DT. For a fourth round pick out of a Division II school making the jump to the NFL, Hill played admirably, but struggled down the stretch. I thought that he started the season rather strong, but faded as the season went on, which is completely understandable for a rookie. If we get Suh, and Hill can get stronger and more durable over the summer, I think we could have one of the better interiors in the league.
Stats: 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble in 15 games
Thoughts: For his age, I thought Jackson played above expectation. He was pretty much the only constant in our D-line throughout the season. The fans and the coaching staff knew exactly what they were gonna get out of him: a very good run stopper with no pass rush whatsoever. If we had better DEs, I would almost consider not replacing Jackson for one more season, as he is one of the better run stoppers in the NFL, but unfortunately, he needs to be replaced, and now is a good time to do it since there are so many talented DTs coming out in this year’s draft.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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Grady played well
I say keep him one more season if he hasn’t gone on Social Security by then. I hope we aren’t going to have to ask another rookie DT to be a full time starter next year. Grady will be a good influence on the young guys and play some running downs.
I agree Hunter should stay and White should go. However, without new talent, I loathe to get rid of old. Even if they are just ham sandwiches out there.
Agree on all points, except....
That SLH was our best interior d-lineman. I didn’t expect much from him, and I wasn’t disappointed. I rarely heard his name in games, and he basically just took up space. Hopefully he can learn from Grady while he’s still here.
Avril, Hunter and Hill were the standouts
Avril and Hunter are serviceable DE’s who in rotation with a new young DE (hopefully) should provide semi-consistent pass rush. Inside, Hill is a good block-eater with potential. Suh, if chosen, would slot beside him nicely providing us with a dangerous threat on the inside, which is what our D-Line needs.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
Good post, latif...
but it seems that you had a lot more positive comments than negative. That gives me the impression that you think this group played well. For the most part, I thought they were collectively pretty bad. Avril and White were quite disappointing. I know that Avril is only a second year guy and I know he battled some injuries, but he got manhandled far more often than he beat someone. He has to work on his technique, because he’s a smaller guy and needs to learn how to use his quickness and speed better. White… meh. Better just cut him. He’s just a walking sore hamstring. Hunter was a bit of surprise, but only because I expected him to get cut… let alone contribute. I would never call him good, though. He’s a depth guy… as are Avril, White and McBride. Now all we need are two starters.
I for one, though Hill played pretty well for a rookie. Now that’s a comparative nod, because he does have a ways to go – but he got great rookie experience. I think you can pencil him in at starter for next year. He’s got loads of upside. Grady was good when not gassed or hurt or a scratch. Besides that, there was little to smile about in the middle.
Again, I thought this group was pretty bad. I think more of the rush-stop improvement came from the linebackers allowing fewer big plays (although there were still a fair share). Three new starters next year or little improvement, methinks.
Group was obviously bad
but we knew it would be bad coming into the season. Given what we had to start the season, I was actually pleasantry surprised by how they played. I thought the biggest problem for the D-line was injuries more than anything.
The beginning of the end of the misery
I agree with cutting white....
…..I like Copeland Bryan and Turk Mcbride better at his sport anyway……also you are spot on with Avril…..manhandles way to much…..To many easy runs to his side.
by BennieBladesFan on Jan 7, 2010 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Good post
I think the Lions should def keep Hunter and McBride for depth purposes. White is just another bad Millen signing.
I think that white.....
…..is gone…..I think Mcbride has some talent….also the gut From Buffalo that we picked who got a sack in the Pitt game and then got hurt….What was his name again?…..Getting Devries back will be nice too.
Just wondering...
Peterson is getting old, and avril basically fits the size of a OLB anyways, so why not move him out there and groom him to be linebacker instead
The beginning of the end of the misery
They tried that at Purdue
Avril struggled. He can’t play LB in a 4-3. He was stiff and unaware. He was much better at Purdue as a DE.
You can’t do what you can’t do. He can’t do that.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
Great Post!
This is the best post on Defense in a while. What is the opinion on Landon Cohen? I really expected more though I guess his leg strength didn’t match up to his bench, (50 reps at 225).
Just for you:
Landon Cohen
Stats: 21 tackles in 14 games
Thoughts: Cohen was a seventh round pick last year, and played sparingly in his first season. Considering the fact that the Lions were set with their starters with Sammie Hill and Grady Jackson and used them most of the time, I thought he played really well when he was on the field, especially early in the season. 21 tackles for a backup DT is quite a big number.
The beginning of the end of the misery
Good Post
Gives us a break from all of the Mock drafts…
I was disapointed in Avril, he didnt show burst from the LOS at all. And on the fake punt against STL he was in position to make the play but failed on a epic level.
I liked Hunter, and McBride. Mcbride came along very well towards the end of the season. And i’m excited to see how he comes along this off season. I was disapointed in Cohen, after all the talk about the weight he gained and the bench reps he put up. There was alot of hype surrounding him this past off season.
Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin
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