Willie Young on Jim Washburn: 'He brings a lot to the table'

The Detroit Lions' coaching staff underwent several changes this offseason. One of them was the addition of Jim Washburn as the team's assistant defensive line coach and pass rush specialist. The Lions saw an opportunity to bring in a veteran coach who knows the Wide 9 better than anybody, and defensive end Willie Young is quite glad they made the hire.

Young has already learned a lot from Washburn, and he recently spoke with Tim Twentyman about how beneficial it has been to have Washburn around. From the Lions' official site:

"He brings a lot to the game," said Young after going through the offseason training program and mini-camp with Washburn. "He brings a lot to the table. He's the originator of this (Wide-9) scheme, so all the little things you can tweak in the scheme of a defense, he can do it."

Young has apparently already filled up a notebook with "little hints, tips and nuances" from Washburn. This goes along with what Young later said about how Washburn has been coaching him up on "things so small" that he normally wouldn't have even wasted his time with them.

Hopefully with Washburn providing guidance, Young will actually have a breakout type of season in 2013. The Lions were expecting Young to take his game to another level last season, but he didn't end up recording a single sack. The Lions can't afford for him to be nonexistent in the pass rush this year, as he is expected to get a bigger role in the rotation at defensive end.