FanPost

Drawing Up The Lions' First Series: Preseason Game 1

I drew up all 7 plays from the Lions' first drive last week, the only series the starters were on the field together. Below is each play, regrettably hand drawn and amateur as hell, but I'm bored so eat it. Also, couldn't figure out how to post these images within the post, so you get links. Feel free to offer help in the comments.

Play 1: 1st & 10

The first play is a dive left with Reggie Bush on the carry. Pettigrew is lined up inline to the left along with the rest of the offensive line. Durham and Tate are split wide right with Tate in the slot. This is a one-on-one blocking scheme (block the guy in front of you) with the WRs blocking backside. At the snap, Collins peels right to clean up the backside and Bush hits the hole with that explosive hesitation of his.

Result: Run by Bush for a gain of 3.

Play 2: 2nd & 7

This play is a quick slant to Tate. Fauria is split out wide to the left, Durham to the right. They both run go routes to clear out the middle of the field. Pettigrew runs a hitch off of the left side (lined up inline next to Reiff) and Bell runs an out to the left from the backfield. This play is designed to clear space for Tate on his slant over the middle. It works.

Result: Completed pass to Tate for a gain of 14.

Play 3: 1st & 10

This is an all outs pass play. Durham and Tate are lined up on opposite sides, split wide with Tate to the right. They both run sideline posts. Bush is lined up slot left with Ebron slot right and Bell in the backfield. First thing I notice is that Lombardi is trying to spread out his speed guys (Tate and Bush). Ball goes to Bush who subsequently drops it. Bell might've had some space over the middle on his hitch route if Stafford was looking.

Result: Dropped pass by Bush.

Play 4: 2nd & 10

An off tackle to the left. Ball goes to Bell who's alone in the backfield. Fauria and Pettigrew are lined up inline side by side to the left. Reiff chips the ends to set up Pettigrew's block and does a really nice job jumping to the next level defender. Fauria handles his guy and Bell goes 5 yards before he sees a defender.

Result: Run by Bell for a gain of 11.

Play 5: 1st & 10

Trap left. Sensing a pattern? The third and final run play of the drive is also the third run play to the left. This may be complete coincidence, or it may show that the coaches are not happy with the quality of Waddle's run blocking. Warford pulls left and is met by the defender who does a good job staying inside to meet the pulling guard. This forces Bush to stop in his tracks, losing all forward momentum and he is quickly wrapped up for a loss.

Result: Run by Bush for a loss of 1 yard.

Play 6: 2nd & 11

This play has Durham lined up slot right with Bush backfield left and Ebron backfield right. Tate (wide) and Ogletree (slot) run go routes to clear the field for Durham on his trail route. Bush and Ebron both run out routes from the backfield.

Result: Completed pass to Durham for a gain of 4.

Play 7: 3rd & 7

This play may look familiar to Madden fans. All deep routes with Durham alone to the left, Bell in the backfield, the Ebron, Tate, and Ogletree to the right, respectively. Everyone's on a go, with Ebron running more of a post route. Bell runs a hitch. With the blitz coming from the right, I'm a little surprised Stafford never looked that way. Although there was a LB underneath, there looked to space enough for Stafford to fit one in to Ebron.

Result: Incomplete pass intended for Durham.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.