No depth??

[tonyballs]

Forget depth... I question the 3ntire d-line.

Ngata is aging. No idea what he has left. Walker is an unknown as a starter. Wooten is a good 3-4 DE, but hasn't shown much in a 4-3. Reid is a good rotational guy with limited use. Wright is a rookie.

And those are just the DTs. Aside from Ansah there is nothing "known" about the DEs at all.

Our strongest unit from last season is our most suspect unit this season.

Depth is a good question. Starters are a bigger question.

Losing Suh is humongous. No such thing as replacing that talent, but Ngata was the best quick fix available at the time. Great job by Mayhew . Ngata is the least of our worries. Walker has shown that he can ball, just have to see how that stamina is. A rotation of Walker, Wright and Reid should be just fine.
I am a little concerned about our DEs. Ziggy needs to step up with a double-digit sack year. Taylor regressed last year and Jones worries me. I keep reading that Webster was impressing in the offseason. Lets see it.

 

[tonyballs]

Hes going back to baltimore. Their gm already tampered but mayhew is to much of a pus to do anything about it.

Quit crying, you fkn pussy.

 

[tomdalton22]

Someone asked the question "what is the the one position right now do you feel is the weakest link on the team?"


@mikerothstein: That's a somewhat difficult question because we don't exactly know what the rookie class will bring, but I'd still say the offensive line. The right tackle spot is far from solidified with LaAdrian Waddle coming off knee injury and Cornelius Lucas becoming the likely starter until Waddle's return. Center appears to be a competition between Travis Swanson and Manny Ramirez and the Lions are banking on Laken Tomlinson making a smooth transition at left guard without much veteran leadership to help. Still think there are many, many questions there. If not at offensive line, receiver depth is still a large question mark despite the signings of Lance Moore and Greg Salas. Defensive tackle is still a somewhat weak position as well because of the new roles almost every player in that group is going to have to take.

 

[inkfreq]

Someone asked the question "what is the the one position right now do you feel is the weakest link on the team?"


@mikerothstein: That's a somewhat difficult question because we don't exactly know what the rookie class will bring, but I'd still say the offensive line. The right tackle spot is far from solidified with LaAdrian Waddle coming off knee injury and Cornelius Lucas becoming the likely starter until Waddle's return. Center appears to be a competition between Travis Swanson and Manny Ramirez and the Lions are banking on Laken Tomlinson making a smooth transition at left guard without much veteran leadership to help. Still think there are many, many questions there. If not at offensive line, receiver depth is still a large question mark despite the signings of Lance Moore and Greg Salas. Defensive tackle is still a somewhat weak position as well because of the new roles almost every player in that group is going to have to take.

I was actually just now reading his mailbag and thinking about that one. As usual Rothstein misses the boat while he's at the train station.

He ignores that the Lions drafted Corey Robinson, we was actually a very well scouted and thought of right tackle. Waddle may be hurt, but I'm not sure he or Lucas will beat out Robinson, so the depth there is pretty darned solid.

Left guard he's right on. We don't know Laken will transition into that role with no hiccups, but his and the teams confidence is high, so there's no real reason to question it yet.

DT is super shaky in my mind. Veterans are 3-4 guys making a switch, younger guys aren't ready to step in and ball, it's scary for me. If that unit can't get the pressure in the middle, our DBs are going to be exposed.

 

[inkfreq]

Losing Suh is humongous. No such thing as replacing that talent, but Ngata was the best quick fix available at the time. Great job by Mayhew . Ngata is the least of our worries. Walker has shown that he can ball, just have to see how that stamina is. A rotation of Walker, Wright and Reid should be just fine.
I am a little concerned about our DEs. Ziggy needs to step up with a double-digit sack year. Taylor regressed last year and Jones worries me. I keep reading that Webster was impressing in the offseason. Lets see it.

Taylor was pretty raw when we drafted him in 2013. It was clear the change in defenses thinking was going to stunt him a bit. He's not the highest football IQ guy out there, but his physical tools are very impressive.

I saw an awful lot of his game film from college, and saw a whole bunch of attention coming his way with Clowney on the opposite side. It was obvious a lot of coaches were more worried about Taylor than Clowney, which is one of the many reasons I didn't feel Clowney was a good #1 overall pick. He had more room to make plays, and played too upright, his stats were padded by good players around him.

Anyway, I think Taylor is a 3 year project, and year four will be his breakout year, but I'm very very high on the kid. I'm also very very high on Webster. Aside from those two... well, I'm just praying for health, because none of our other DE's on that side make me happy at all.

 

[mhughes0021]

Quit crying, you fkn pussy.

whos crying? oh weird guys....tony is belligerently spewing bullshit again! weird....

#tonyisawhinybitch

 

[tonyballs]

whos crying? oh weird guys....tony is belligerently spewing bullshit again! weird....

#tonyisawhinybitch

Who's crying?! That's all you do!! Lol

 

[mhughes0021]

Who's crying?! That's all you do!! Lol

yup, I wrote that free press article. youre absolutely correct. youre such a tool.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Taylor was pretty raw when we drafted him in 2013. It was clear the change in defenses thinking was going to stunt him a bit. He's not the highest football IQ guy out there, but his physical tools are very impressive.

I saw an awful lot of his game film from college, and saw a whole bunch of attention coming his way with Clowney on the opposite side. It was obvious a lot of coaches were more worried about Taylor than Clowney, which is one of the many reasons I didn't feel Clowney was a good #1 overall pick. He had more room to make plays, and played too upright, his stats were padded by good players around him.

Anyway, I think Taylor is a 3 year project, and year four will be his breakout year, but I'm very very high on the kid. I'm also very very high on Webster. Aside from those two... well, I'm just praying for health, because none of our other DE's on that side make me happy at all.

Jones as a starting DE is a bit scary to me. He just isn't good. He offers little except for the fact he is ok against the run. Non-existent against the pass.

I absolutely love the physical tools both Webster and Taylor bring to the table. But unless one of them shows signs of being able to handle an every down role in the future.......DE will be priority #1 in the 2016 off season.

Jones is bad. Just......bad. Hope he proves me wrong.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Besides Ngata aging he's been in a 3-4 for some time. I worry about that..

I think Ngata is a guy who will play at a pro bowl level in any formation. He is that good.

Like many have said on this board before.....he isn't Suh......but he was probably the absolute best replacement the Lions could have grabbed for 2015. I think it was a fuckin steal of a trade.

Below is a list of potential 2016 UFA DT's (and their current age). The problem I have with not going with DT with #23 this year is that there is only ONE potential star on the list under 26. Dareus. If we land him, the one year rental of Ngata would have been worth it. If not, and Ngata leaves, we are right back where we started after losing Suh. It's not a good situation.......ESPECIALLY if we lose Austin after this year.

Haloti Ngata DT 31
Marcell Dareus DT 25
Brandon Mebane DT 30
Nick Fairley DT 27
Sammie Lee Hill DT 28
Terrance Knighton DT 28
Henry Melton DT 28
Tony McDaniel DT 30
Steve McLendon DT 29
Letroy Guion DT 27
Ahtyba Rubin DT 28
Damon Harrison DT 26
Cullen Jenkins DT 34
Jay Ratliff DT 33
Ishmaa'ily Kitchen DT 26
Kenrick Ellis DT 27
Ian Williams DT 25
Frostee Rucker DT 31
Ray McDonald DT 30
Alameda Ta'amu DT 24
Brandon Thompson DT 25
Kyle Love DT 28
Devon Still DT 25
Josh Chapman DT 25

 

[mhughes0021]

Jones as a starting DE is a bit scary to me. He just isn't good. He offers little except for the fact he is ok against the run. Non-existent against the pass.

I absolutely love the physical tools both Webster and Taylor bring to the table. But unless one of them shows signs of being able to handle an every down role in the future.......DE will be priority #1 in the 2016 off season.

Jones is bad. Just......bad. Hope he proves me wrong.

Ngata doesn't get to the qb, jones doesn't get to the qb, other dt unproven as an every down DT.....then we have ansah that shows signs but really doesn't turn hurries into sacks.

Ansah needs to take the next step and we need some resemblance of a rush opposite him. Not sure if you bring van noy a lot from the lb spot or what.....but Austin will need to be creative. Jones wont get it done.

 

[tonyballs]

yup, I wrote that free press article. youre absolutely correct. youre such a tool.

And you're a fkn retard lol. Who's talking about the FP article, you moron? You cry about EVERYTHING. Ask around, dummy....it's all you do.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Ngata doesn't get to the qb, jones doesn't get to the qb, other dt unproven as an every down DT.....then we have ansah that shows signs but really doesn't turn hurries into sacks.

Ansah needs to take the next step and we need some resemblance of a rush opposite him. Not sure if you bring van noy a lot from the lb spot or what.....but Austin will need to be creative. Jones wont get it done.

I'm not worried about Ngata getting to the QB as much as a lot of people are. I think he is a bit better pass rusher than given credit for. I think we'll see that in a 4-3. Jones is awful, but won't be in on most passing downs, I assume.

Ansah needs to take the leap, and SOMEONE needs to step up on the other side. Austin is a fucking GENIUS bringing pressure......but it comes at a cost. The 1st half of the Cowboys playoff game shows that.

The "best O-line in football" was completely confused......looking lost most of the time......but bringing that much pressure leads to big plays......like Williams TD.

A lot of potential on the 2015 roster.......hopefully some of it shows up on gameday.

 

[inkfreq]

What makes Suh so dominant is his combination of strength and technique. He can out-finesse you on any play, but when he has to just push his way through, the man has more strength than 10 men combined.

I look back to the two handed shiver on Cutler that got him a fine, and the ONLY reason that drew a flag is the way Cutler bounced off the turf. That's just how hard Suh can move a man, a testament to his almost superhuman strength.

Ngata might be the only DT in football stronger than Suh. He just doesn't have Suh's technique, by a long shot. But I am not concerned with his ability to move people out of his way.

I'm concerned with his ability to make the adjustment from a 3-4 to a 4-3, because so few players have made that transition and done it well.

 

[mhughes0021]

Lucas is currently starting at RT for us. Depth at tackle is a problem.

Considering his experience at left tackle, it made sense his best grade of the season from Pro Football Focus came in Week 13, when he filled in for the injured Riley Reiff at left tackle. But with 2014 right tackle starter LaAdrian Waddle coming off a season-ending knee injury and his immediate status in doubt, Lucas is now the presumptive starter at right tackle to begin the 2015 season.

 

[LKP]

Lucas is currently starting at RT for us. Depth at tackle is a problem.

Considering his experience at left tackle, it made sense his best grade of the season from Pro Football Focus came in Week 13, when he filled in for the injured Riley Reiff at left tackle. But with 2014 right tackle starter LaAdrian Waddle coming off a season-ending knee injury and his immediate status in doubt, Lucas is now the presumptive starter at right tackle to begin the 2015 season.

Waddle is our starter and will be once healthy. Waddle may miss early but he could actually end up playing more than he played last year. Lucas is depth. Robinson was added for depth. Good RT and LT tackle depth.

 

[inkfreq]

Waddle is our starter and will be once healthy. Waddle may miss early but he could actually end up playing more than he played last year. Lucas is depth. Robinson was added for depth. Good RT and LT tackle depth.

We have one of the most difficult schedules I can remember, and the muscle of that comes in the first half.

Great pass rush by Denver, Seattle, Arizona.. and even the Chargers and Vikings can get to the QB.

And we have our "depth" starting the season at RT. A LT who is still learning to play out of position.

Let's hope we don't find ourselves in a hole so deep we can't climb out of it late.

 

[LKP]

Lucas played well better down the stretch last year. He can be solid in year 2 and handle those teams. We get Denver and Arizona at home.

We are a better team than San Diego and Minnesota by a good amount, even with Lucas starting.

 

[biggunsbob]

I sure hope the lovers are right and the haters are wrong. Years of Lions mismanagement and not winning playoff games taint my thoughts on them. The draft was decent. The off season moves filled some needs. We sort of replaced suh. We have a great one two punch with Calvin and Tate. Get the running game going who knows we may score a bunch.. But then the NFL fucks us over yet again with a difficult schedule.. Matt its time to deliver the Lion fans a playoff win!!!!

 

[LKP]

Ngata doesn't get to the qb, jones doesn't get to the qb, other dt unproven as an every down DT.....then we have ansah that shows signs but really doesn't turn hurries into sacks.

Ansah needs to take the next step and we need some resemblance of a rush opposite him. Not sure if you bring van noy a lot from the lb spot or what.....but Austin will need to be creative. Jones wont get it done.

Ngata can bring a good pass rush. Jones had 5 sacks last year. Walker had a very good pass rush grade. Walker is proven. We blitz well. Ansah brings consistent pressure. He's a very good DE. Lions pass rush can be better in 2015 in year 2 of the system for Ansah, Jones, blitzers. Wright is more talnted than Mosley rushing the passer. Reid/Webster in year 2. DT 2-4 upgraded since Fairley was always hurt and Mosley can't rush well, Ngata is still a good rusher and is in a good rushing scheme now. Ansah is a beast. Jones is solid and has another year in system and from injury. We blitz very well plus add more Van Noy and Tulloch to the blitzing mix.

We'll have more sacks, hits, hurries in 2015. We still have a great run defense too. Ngata is better than Suh there. Wallker was good, Jones is good, Ansah is a beast, Tulloch back, Levy is a beast, and the safeties are good in run support.

Plus the Lions coverage was still good last season even when we didn't register pressure.