Detroit Lions: 5 Burning Free Agency Questions
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback
Matthew Stafford(9) reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Can Joe Lombardi fix the offense?
On paper, the Detroit Lions have a dangerous offense. Matthew Stafford isn’t elite, but he shouldn’t need to be when he has Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to throw the football too. The double-team of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell sure did look intriguing too.
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So what went wrong in 2014?
The Lions finished 19th in overall offense: 12th in passing and 28th in rushing. The main concern was on the ground.
The run game can’t take all the blame, however. The passing attack finished third in the NFL in 2013. What caused it to drop to 12th this past year? It wasn’t the free agent signing of Golden Tate; he was a solid all season as he posted a career-high 1,331 yards.
Calvin Johnson wasn’t healthy and missed three games. He was used simply as a decoy for opposing defenses in some of the games he did in fact play. It’s important that he returns to 100 percent in time for the 2015 season.
Stafford needs to step up his game, too. His main issue is against playoff teams, particularly on the road. Stafford is 0-17 in road games to teams that have reached the playoffs that season. He has to break that horrendous streak.
The personnel is almost there. The Lions need to address the running back position, of course, but they could also do with some more help elsewhere.
The offensive line needs shoring up. Stafford was sacked a career-high 45 times. They could also do with adding a third wide receiver to compliment Johnson and Tate in the passing game.
On offense, the pieces are almost there. If Stafford can be kept upright and has consistent play from his receivers, his 2015 statistics might further resemble his 41-16 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio of 2011 as opposed to the 22-12 ratio he achieved last term.
If he can do that, expect the offense to fly back up the rankings.
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