Five Reasons Detroit Lions Will Contend
By Joe Chapp
Aug 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Lance Moore (16) gets chased by New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Lions Have Depth
In an alternate universe this was true, alright it was Madden. However the Lions have depth for the first time in years.
Detroit drafted depth in the secondary, they traded and drafted depth on the offensive line and signed Lance Moore who will add to the deep position of WR.
Last year, Jeremy Ross made the roster because the position wasn’t good enough to warrant him getting cut; this year, Detroit boosts a wide receiving core that might be the most hotly contested battles this preseason for the Lions.
Last year, Detroit ran into injuries among the offensive line and secondary, it had dramatic influences on the Lions play in the later part of the season.
Cassius Vaughn who took over after the loss of Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson was a experiment gone wrong, Vaughn had the worst numbers among nickel back in the entire NFL.
Detroit’s pass defense significantly struggled as they ranked 23rd in the NFL amongst nickel pass coverage.
Detroit simply didn’t have the depth to play well, they struggled and it ultimately cost them.
In the NFL depth is the most important part of a teams chances, obviously the Lions didn’t have nearly enough and that ended up costing them.
Detroit’s deepest areas include: Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive line, Linebacker and the secondary in no particular order.
The Lions have lacked depth for a long time.
Next: The Offensive Weapons