Notes: Taylor Decker was worth the money

Prior to the start of the regular season in September, Lions starting left tackle Taylor Decker signed a massive deal intended to keep the former Buckeye on the roster for four additional years. Along with other observers, we here at Pride of Detroit believed the extension was a necessary one, going all the way back to the 2019 season. The deal Decker ended up signing was actually somewhat more team-friendly than what cap expert Brad Spielberger told us he thought it would take, but some wondered if it would be money well spent.

More than half a season into 2020, the answer has been consistently in the affirmative. A little over a week ago, we featured a PFF item in Notes that said Decker had not given up a sack through Week 8. In the Week 9 contest pitting the Lions against the Vikings, Decker was not even marked down for a single pressure allowed. In spite of the overall team performance, his excellent play from last year continues to build.

Tim Twentyman with the official Lions team site highlighted the duel between former Ohio State standouts when Decker takes the field against Chase Young and the rest of the Washington pass rush. Protecting Matthew Stafford in this game is going to be a huge challenge for the offensive line (it was the top key to the game featured in the second segment of our First Byte podcast - around the 19:15 mark) against such a talented opposing unit, so we hope to see Decker’s streak continue through to next week.

Dave Birkett from the Detroit Free Press wrote about Decker’s sack-less streak, which now extends back to December of last year. According to Birkett, the last sack allowed credited to Decker was this one against Tampa Bay on December 15, 2019:

Per MLive’s Kyle Meinke, Decker’s current streak of 343 consecutive pass protection snaps without allowing a sack this season is the second-longest such streak in the league (Garett Bolles on the Broncos is slightly ahead at 352). Fox 2’s Dan Miller spoke to Decker in an interview posted by the station on Thursday night, breaking down the challenge in pass protection against Washington that Detroit faces on Sunday:

And now, on to the rest of today’s Notes:

• Now confirmed for the Washington-Detroit game broadcast crew as color commentary is former NFL defensive back Aqib Talib, who has some nice history with head coach Matt Patricia:

Talib, who has previously said he believes Calvin Johnson might be one of the three best wide receivers of all time, turns the broadcast into must-see TV with his on-air style:

• For no reason in particular, we would like to point out that NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted his fourth annual list of rising head coaching candidates.

• According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Matthew Stafford is facing two high safeties (read: defenses meant to take away deep throws) more than anybody else still playing quarterback this season:

• Governor Whitmer cautions everyone to be careful as they prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving the Michigan way:

• MLive’s Ben Raven wrote a piece about the next stop in the Adrian Peterson revenge tour: this Sunday against Washington in Week 10.

• The Detroit Lions are a partner of Powerhome Solar, and legendary running back Barry Sanders is featured in a new advertising spot for them: