Pressure

[LKP]

Detroit was 3rd in QB hits with 75 and 4th in QB hurries with 193 in 2014. The league average for hits was 55.8 and the league average for hurries was 173. Detroit was +20 in both the hits and hurries category compared to the average. Detroit was 8th in sacks at 42 which marked 4.5 sacks over the league average of 37.5. Adding all those numbers together puts Detroit at 44.5 pressures over the league average. 44.5 pressures divided by 16 games is 2.7 a game. In other words, the difference between a good pass rush and the average pass rush is less than 3 pressures per game in total (sacks, hits and hurries combined).
New England had 40 sacks, 55 hits and 177 hurries and won a Super Bowl. Patriots? sacks and hurries were very close to the league average and hits were right at the league average. Seattle was right at the league average in sacks and QB hits and had only 13 more hurries than the league average (less than one a game). Baltimore with Ngata (and Suggs, Jernigan, McPhee and Dumervil) had 49 sacks, 83 hits and 186 hurries which was more pressure than Detroit in 2014. Baltimore, New England and Seattle were all top 10 in run defense.

 

[mhughes0021]

Do it again without Suh and Austin will be the MVP of the league.

 

[jdeb]

hopefully Webster and Walker can make up the difference. Our LB's are insanely good and healthy, should be impressive D this year. I really think they will dominate as a whole unit.

 

[LKP]

hopefully Webster and Walker can make up the difference. Our LB's are insanely good and healthy, should be impressive D this year. I really think they will dominate as a whole unit.

I think we can blitz effectively. Tulloch had 2 sacks in 3 games. Levy can blitz, Van Noy can blitz. Whitehead did in college. Ihedigbo can blitz. If they hit home, it works.

Webster and Reid I keep getting more excited about each day.

Walker has a slow first step from what I read so far. We'll see once the pads come on.

 

[jdeb]

Speed kills and we got a lot of it. Walker might be slow on the first step but he is very strong. Can't wait.

 

[cheeno]

Got to cover with the Blitz, hopefully Slay keeps trending up.

 

[tomdalton22]

There are a whole lot of "ifs" with this D Line. They are depending on a 3-4 NT to make a seemless transition, expecting a 2nd year guy to play at a high level, a rookie to make significant contributions and a Saint's cast off to play at a high level. If all 4 of those things happen the DL will be very good...if not the back seven might have a long year. My guess is 2 of 4 will be successful but the defense will take a step back from last year.

 

[LKP]

Ngata and Ansah are beasts. Walker is good. Jones is good in run D and can provide some pass rush. These are not ifs.

 

[jdeb]

There are a whole lot of "ifs" with this D Line. They are depending on a 3-4 NT to make a seemless transition, expecting a 2nd year guy to play at a high level, a rookie to make significant contributions and a Saint's cast off to play at a high level. If all 4 of those things happen the DL will be very good...if not the back seven might have a long year. My guess is 2 of 4 will be successful but the defense will take a step back from last year.

I do not see "ifs" I see a solid starting line with solid depth. No doubt the Lions will be in the top 10 for run defense. I find it more interesting to see how the line performs without Suh in the area of the OP. I also am intrigued by the backup battles this coaching staff have created, it's a fierce competition and I love that!

 

[cheeno]

I do not see "ifs" I see a solid starting line with solid depth. No doubt the Lions will be in the top 10 for run defense. I find it more interesting to see how the line performs without Suh in the area of the OP. I also am intrigued by the backup battles this coaching staff have created, it's a fierce competition and I love that!

This reporter for Grantland sees 'ifs'. I think any neutral observer would.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-nfl-preview-detroit-lions-defense-haloti-ngata-ndamukong-suh/

 

[jdeb]

This reporter for Grantland sees 'ifs'. I think any neutral observer would.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-nfl-preview-detroit-lions-defense-haloti-ngata-ndamukong-suh/

Look, Suh is gonna be missed no doubt but you can find anything if you look hard enough. I guess time will tell starting game one.

 

[LKP]

DT 2-4, MLB,SAM and nickel were all upgraded.
OLBS,DEs and secondary in year 2 of the system.

Ngata is a better run defender than Suh and a good pass rusher still.

These are not ifs.

 

[grandy]

Ifs guys...ifs

 

[cheeno]

I don't think they are ifs any longer. I'm getting ready for the buts now.

 

[Mitchrapp]

See how they play when they get a home game.

 

[cheeno]

See how they play when they get a home game.

Mitch it wasn't the loss it was the way they lost. The score was not indicative of the sheer brutality we witnessed outside of the first quarter.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Mitch it wasn't the loss it was the way they lost. The score was not indicative of the sheer brutality we witnessed outside of the first quarter.

I know. I'm trying to be a little positive. My go-to move this season. Lol.

 

[cheeno]

Its a good move for a Lions fan to perfect.

 

[grandy]

Even a top 5 defense is bound to have a bad game once in a while...have faith!