The Lions' defense under Matt Patricia was a sieve.
Was it a lack of talent? Poor scheme? Suspect coaching?
Suffice to say it was all three.
But that's the past. New defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has inherited Patricia's leftovers, been presented with a few promising pieces by general manager Brad Holmes from the NFL Draft, and some free agents.
Nobody is anticipating the Lions' defense to resemble the 2000 Ravens, the '85 Bears or last year's Bucs. Yet, it should be noticeably better.
Patricia's scheme was a disaster. It was neither read nor react, attack nor sit back. Who doesn't bring extra pressure while leaving obviously overmatched corners alone on a proverbial island in man-to-man coverage, and seldom adjusts despite being repeatedly scorched? The man with the beard and a pencil in his ear, that's who.
We can assume the Lions' defensive scheme, game plans and in-game adjustments will improve moving forward, if for no other reason than they can't possibly be worse.
As for talent, this is an exceptionally important offseason for player-by-player improvement. Cornerback Jeff Okudah and edge defender Julian Okwara produced next to nothing last season as rookies. After a full off season under a new coaching staff, should they emerge, it could accelerate the retooling of the Lions' defense. It's not just about coaching players individually, but balancing it with avoiding injury and then putting them in situations where success is possible game days.
There are other young holdovers, who fall into this category as well, most notably cornerback Amani Oruwariye, safeties Will Harris and Tracy Walker, and lineman Da'Shawn Hand.
End Trey Flowers and linebacker Jamie Collins were scheme-specific, big-money signings by the previous regime, but they should have something left in the tank. There is a need for the Lions' staff to work them into usable spots. The notion Flowers will be a stand-up linebacker seems like a reach, though. Round holes don't fit into square pegs, but with a $32 million dead cap hit the penalty, there is no way the Lions will release Flowers.
Draft picks Levi Onwuzurike (three-technique end in a base 3-4), Alim McNeill (nose or A-gap tackle), Ifeatu Melifonwu (unusually long and athletic corner or safety) and Derrick Barnes (versatile linebacker) seem to fit together logically.
It would be refreshing if the Lions' defense is unpredictable for a change. The final years of the wide-9, and whatever term you want to use for Patricia's hybrid 3-4, were often like stealing candy from a baby for QB's from Aaron Rodgers to Mitchell Trubisky.
A low bar has been set for the Lions' defense based on the recent past.
So low, it's likely Glenn and his defense will clear it in '21.
