by Shawn Sillinger
We?ve been saying this for years now, but here goes anyway: Is this the year the Detroit Lions finally break out?
Detroit lost its season opener at home to the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks; however, it wasn?t a blowout by any means. The Lions kept the Seahawks out of the end zone in a 9-6 loss, cashing in as 6-point underdogs. That kind of defensive performance could keep Detroit pointed at the pay window all season long.
The Lions were 9-7 against the spread last year despite winning just five games straight up. That team featured the No. 20-ranked defense in the league at 322.4 yards allowed per game; the Lions were even worse at No. 24 overall in stopping the run. That seems bound to change in the club?s first year under head coach Rod Marinelli, the respected former defensive line coach with Tony Dungy?s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The hire of defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson (most recently with the New York Jets) also points to a new approach in Motown.
Henderson is a proponent of the ?Cover 2? defensive scheme that Dungy favored during his and Marinelli?s tour of duty in Tampa Bay. Last year?s Jets were outstanding at pass defense, but not so hot at stuffing the run. That?s where Marinelli?s skills come into play. His reputation as one of the best defensive line coaches in the league was well deserved. It was his front four, led by Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp, who made the difference in winning Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders.
Marinelli and Henderson join new offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Detroit?s overhauled coaching staff. But after years of drafting wide receivers, the Lions were clearly intent on improving their defense in 2006, selecting linebacker Ernie Sims from Florida State and safety Daniel Bullocks out of Nebraska. Sims is already proving to be a handful; he had 10 tackles in his pro debut as the Lions held Seattle?s vaunted offense to 264 total yards, including just 51 yards rushing by league MVP Shaun Alexander.
Martz will have to work some magic with quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Josh McCown if Detroit is going to break the .500 mark this season. But with the makings of a stout defense, the Lions could be profitable to handicappers ? especially if they keep losing close games like they did in Week 1.
Article courtesy of BetUS.com
We?ve been saying this for years now, but here goes anyway: Is this the year the Detroit Lions finally break out?
Detroit lost its season opener at home to the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks; however, it wasn?t a blowout by any means. The Lions kept the Seahawks out of the end zone in a 9-6 loss, cashing in as 6-point underdogs. That kind of defensive performance could keep Detroit pointed at the pay window all season long.
The Lions were 9-7 against the spread last year despite winning just five games straight up. That team featured the No. 20-ranked defense in the league at 322.4 yards allowed per game; the Lions were even worse at No. 24 overall in stopping the run. That seems bound to change in the club?s first year under head coach Rod Marinelli, the respected former defensive line coach with Tony Dungy?s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The hire of defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson (most recently with the New York Jets) also points to a new approach in Motown.
Henderson is a proponent of the ?Cover 2? defensive scheme that Dungy favored during his and Marinelli?s tour of duty in Tampa Bay. Last year?s Jets were outstanding at pass defense, but not so hot at stuffing the run. That?s where Marinelli?s skills come into play. His reputation as one of the best defensive line coaches in the league was well deserved. It was his front four, led by Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp, who made the difference in winning Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders.
Marinelli and Henderson join new offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Detroit?s overhauled coaching staff. But after years of drafting wide receivers, the Lions were clearly intent on improving their defense in 2006, selecting linebacker Ernie Sims from Florida State and safety Daniel Bullocks out of Nebraska. Sims is already proving to be a handful; he had 10 tackles in his pro debut as the Lions held Seattle?s vaunted offense to 264 total yards, including just 51 yards rushing by league MVP Shaun Alexander.
Martz will have to work some magic with quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Josh McCown if Detroit is going to break the .500 mark this season. But with the makings of a stout defense, the Lions could be profitable to handicappers ? especially if they keep losing close games like they did in Week 1.
Article courtesy of BetUS.com
