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Since people think I'm crazy that I think this team can win a playoff game next year let me lay out my argument and see if people will tear it apart.
Here's the outline:
1. Great Coaching
2. QB play
3. Injuries
4. Free Agent Additions
5. The Draft
Here's the outline:
1. Great Coaching
2. QB play
3. Injuries
4. Free Agent Additions
5. The Draft
1. Coaching
Let's start with the elephant in the room.. Matt Patricia is a shit-talker. He will talk ALL the shit to his players, to his coaches, to everyone. He has an abrasive personality but that doesnt mean he's a bad coach.
Let's start with the elephant in the room.. Matt Patricia is a shit-talker. He will talk ALL the shit to his players, to his coaches, to everyone. He has an abrasive personality but that doesnt mean he's a bad coach.
The players that recognize that he can help them be great, to improve their skills and trust that he will out them in a position to succeed appreciate him and they come here FOR HIM. He's an incredible football mind and he wants what's best for his players, even if he talks shit.
The staff that he's assembled have a mix of personalities and experiences but one thing is consistent across the board, they know how to develop talent and they understand the strategic points of the game. They compliment his weaknesses, which is his personality.
Look at Bevell, he's a relaxed offensive leader that has a similar personality to Matthew Stafford. He's an incredible communicator that focuses on preparation. He hypes up his players and motivates them through positive reinforcement. Not MP's style, but it works.
Undlin is a players coach, he's a teacher who knows how to develop defensive talent. THAT is going to be a key part of this team moving forward. This defense is young, many players like Walker III, AO, Harris, Tavai, and Hand are going to have key roles in this defense next year.
Undlin is another positive reinforcement guy and he understands defensive philosophy and strategy. He's capable of acting like a buffer between the guy calling the defense and the players which is what MP needs. He needs the good cop to his bad cop and he recognizes it.
Looking at the other additions, bringing in Combs to lead the ST unit is nice. He's inventive for a ST coach. He LOVES speed and he's a firy coach that wants to set the tone and beat some ass everytime a kicker is on the field. We needed that edge after another year of Bono.
Steve Gregory is a GENIUS. He's extremely adept at the mental part of the game which is what TW3 and Harris need to take their game to the next level.
Tyrone Mckenzie is a wicked smart LB who played with the Pats and brings experiences with other teams. He develops LBs.
Tyrone Mckenzie is a wicked smart LB who played with the Pats and brings experiences with other teams. He develops LBs.
Caskey and Ryan are accomplished coaches in the own right that will soon take the next step to coordinators. Sean Ryan could even make the jump to HC.
Frailey comes in as a players coach, who played in the NFL. He's a fundamentals guy who develops talent.
Frailey comes in as a players coach, who played in the NFL. He's a fundamentals guy who develops talent.
For a team trying to build through the draft development is the key to winning. Something Lions fans had never experienced under Caldwell. I challenge anyone, tell me who Caldwell developed during his time here. We see now that Mayhew is a good personnel guy, so its on Caldwell.
2. QB Play
While Caldwell was here he enjoyed a QB that set records for 4th quarter comebacks. He had arguably the most talented team of vets we've seen since the early 90s and he lead us to an 8-8 average over the 4 years he was here. He managed it because of his QB.
While Caldwell was here he enjoyed a QB that set records for 4th quarter comebacks. He had arguably the most talented team of vets we've seen since the early 90s and he lead us to an 8-8 average over the 4 years he was here. He managed it because of his QB.
Stafford is playing the best football of his career. He was on pace for 44 TDs to 12 INTs and was looking like he could be the 2nd QB of all time to throw for 5,000 yards in 2 different seasons. Stafford is able to put this team on his back inney situation and make plays.
For a team to win a championship they need a good QB, and we have an elite one. Run game or not, OL or not Stafford is able to elevate an offense and make his pass catchers better while they are on the field with him.
3. Injuries
The best type of ability is availability is a football mantra for a reason and we found out last year. Despite having one of the best DLs in football on paper Davis, Snacks and Flowers weren't on the field together until week 15 and by then Snack's groin was shot.
The best type of ability is availability is a football mantra for a reason and we found out last year. Despite having one of the best DLs in football on paper Davis, Snacks and Flowers weren't on the field together until week 15 and by then Snack's groin was shot.
This team's DL was walking wounded with Davis, Snacks, Hand and Ashawn all missing games. We start the gauntlet of a season with 2 practice squad players taking 60%+ of the starting snaps and that continued through most of the season.
TW3 missed games, Slay missed a game and played the season with a hurt ankle...
Yes, its football and injuries happen, but the best teams build in the trenches and when your injuries are all in 1 position group, a critical one, its tough to find any defensive success.
Yes, its football and injuries happen, but the best teams build in the trenches and when your injuries are all in 1 position group, a critical one, its tough to find any defensive success.
4. Free Agent Additions
On defense this team got better. Snacks and Slay each had career worst seasons, meanwhile Collins, Shelton, and Trufant were all on pro bowl or even All Pro paces through parts if 2019. Each player we picked up has untapped potential or is ascending.
On defense this team got better. Snacks and Slay each had career worst seasons, meanwhile Collins, Shelton, and Trufant were all on pro bowl or even All Pro paces through parts if 2019. Each player we picked up has untapped potential or is ascending.
Where did we get worse on defense? Trufant had a better season than Slay before going down with the injury. I love Slay but he's better in zone than man, and after a down year wanted a pay raise. Trufant is a good player to replace him and is less of a downgrade than fans think.
Safety was improved 10x this offseason and we finally have players that can match up against TEs and have some versatility.
LB was a massive improvement with a single addition. Collins is a monster who can play every role and is the Vet mentor MP said we have lacked.
LB was a massive improvement with a single addition. Collins is a monster who can play every role and is the Vet mentor MP said we have lacked.
The addition of Collins alone should help develop our younger LBs, even if Jarrad Davis turns out to be a lost cause.
On the DL, Shelton was having a pro bowl quality season. Nick Williams brings us pass rush and an insurance policy for Hand if he goes down.
On the DL, Shelton was having a pro bowl quality season. Nick Williams brings us pass rush and an insurance policy for Hand if he goes down.
5. The Draft
The draft is the cherry on top for this team. With all of our holes filled on the roster we can take BPA and looks to upgrade spots throughout the draft rather than filling needs. With a top 3 pick we have a lot of options as well.
The draft is the cherry on top for this team. With all of our holes filled on the roster we can take BPA and looks to upgrade spots throughout the draft rather than filling needs. With a top 3 pick we have a lot of options as well.
One thing is for sure in this class we either get Chase Young or we trade back and grab more capital. One of those things will happen and we will be better off for it. No matter what we will add a difference-maker in the first and be in a great spot to add high ceiling talent.
In Conclusion:
You are what your record is, that's undeniable, but it isnt the first time a team has gone from worst to first. With great free agent additions, premium draft capital as well as coaches and players that care about building a winner more than their pay checks...
You are what your record is, that's undeniable, but it isnt the first time a team has gone from worst to first. With great free agent additions, premium draft capital as well as coaches and players that care about building a winner more than their pay checks...
we are heading in the right direction. It takes patience to build the right way, to develop draft picks into contributors. However we weren't far off last season with a healthier team and now we have a better defense to build off our 2019 weaknesses.
