| 22 August 2010
It's usually quite interesting to get the perspective of the opposition team's media, even more so after a victory. As I read The Denver Post's recap of the Broncos' loss, I was happily surprised to read the following...
The Lions played like bullies. For a little more than a quarter, the Lions manhandled the Broncos on both sides of the ball.
Bullies? Manhandled? On both sides of the ball?
When was the last time you read something like this about the Detroit Lions?
So I went back to the tape to confirm what I thought I saw Saturday night...a Lions team physically dominating another.
Could the Post's writer have been referring to bully-like manhandling as seen on this play?
Ndamukong Suh pancaking the Broncos' right tackle on a stunt
Did he possibly mean this play?
The Broncos' pocket collapsing around Kyle Orton
Could it be this play?
The Broncos' pocket collapsing around Kyle Orton...again (I love this shot, as the Broncos' line is looking back at both Orton and three Lions linemen)
Perhaps this play?
Jerome Felton (number 45, top left) buries a Broncos linebacker as Jahvid Best prepared to cut upfield
Perchance it was this play?
Matthew Stafford being given all kinds of time by the his offensive line
I bet it was this play!
Willie Young's sack, his giant paw coming down on Brady Quinn's throwing arm, all but ending the game on the resulting fumble
When the 1st string for each team was on the field, the "little more than a quarter" as mentioned above, the Lions were the better, more physical team...though the defensive back seven for Detroit still give me pause. Or more correctly, a bad case of indigestion.
I could have used a photo montage of Lions' cornerback Eric King, who was eaten alive by Jabar Gaffney. Which would be comparable to a Broncos' DB being unable to cover Bryant Johnson. In other words, it shouldn't happen. But it did.
The Lions' defensive line has their work cut out for themselves, having to cover for a back seven who...can't cover.
Between the red zone failures (three field goals and one touchdown in four 1st half attempts...it should be reversed) and the Lions' issues in the secondary, there's plenty to work on over the next couple of weeks.
From watching this team the past two weeks, I can be fairly confident in saying the Lions are going to be in several shootouts this season. But I can also be fairly confident in saying this is not a two win team. It's demonstrably better, though how much better will be determined by...you guessed it...the performance of the defensive back seven.
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