Please, can we admit this isn't working?
All the reasons why the Lions perpetually flounder were on display Sunday during a dismal 42-21 loss to the Packers.
Not only did Aaron Rodgers methodically carve up the Lions' depleted secondary, but the front seven was terrible.
Jarrad Davis couldn't shed blocks -- and Aaron Jones rolled right on by him. The Lions couldn't generate a pass rush.
Anybody surprised by those developments?
Matt Patricia's scheme is absurdly bland.
There is no aggression. I'd suggest it is a read-and-react concept, except the Lions' defenders do neither. There are no creative wrinkles. None. Not only for Rodgers, but also lesser quarterbacks such as Mitchell Trubisky, it's like looking at a first-grade reader.
It's certainly not something that can be overcome by the Lions' current defensive player personnel. General manager Bob Quinn has missed badly in that regard.
Most of his draft draft capital has been presented to the offense. Quinn completely bought into the "Get-Matthew Stafford-a-great-offensive line-and-plenty-of-weapons-and-it will-all-fall-into-place" line of thinking.
It, of course, isn't that simple.
Stafford took a bad sack near the end of the first half. He threw a inexcusable Pick 6. It was after the Lions went three-and-out to start the second half on their first three possessions. Nice halftime adjustments...
Oh, and by the way, what would help Stafford more than a great defense? That's how the Lions won 11 games in 2014.
To top it off, there were typical Lion-like mistakes: personal fouls, defensive holding penalties, returner Jamal Agnew's block on a fair catch.
In the meantime, Rodgers was turning tight end Robert Tonyan, who was signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2017, into a standout. Jones had 168 yards rushing. The Packers averaged more than seven yards per rushing attempt.
Patricia's 9-24-1 record says a lot -- and more about Quinn.
Stafford's shortcomings are more nuanced. He has morphed into a source of sympathy. It's "The poor guy is stuck with the Lions..."
In truth, Stafford hasn't developed as often suggested. His performance the first two games this season prove his first half last season was overblown. Yet, Stafford has gotten somewhat of a free pass because his issues are down the list behind Patricia's poor coaching and Quinn's subpar roster building.
Changes are necessary, but it was obvious after last season, too, and the Fords did nothing.
They are often, unfortunately, the last to know.
But we know at this point. The first two games of the 2020 season weren't a revelation as much as a confirmation.
There isn't a silver lining in this cloud. Just a burst raining down disappointment.
Lions fans deserve better than what Quinn and Patricia have given them.
Enough with the false hope the Lions will magically turn it around.
