Friday,
January 20, 2006
Lions Hire Rod Marinelli
Where does the Defense Go
From Here?
By
Francis Sabo
TLF Staff Writer
It’s been almost two months since the Lions
fired Steve Mariucci as head coach after a disappointing start to a promising
season. After weeks of interviewing former head coaches and coordinators for
the job, the search is finally over. The Lions have settled on Tampa Bay
Buccaneers defensive line coach/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli.
Marinelli has been considered as one of the
best position coaches in the NFL and has been mentioned as a candidate for other
vacant head coaching jobs. But the real question is, what’s going to happen to
the defense?
The “Tampa 2” defense requires undersized, fast and smart players at every
position to be successful. The two main principles of the Tampa 2 defense is as
simple as they sound, stop the run & don’t give up the big play. On running
downs, 1st and 10, 2nd and 7, you’ll see the SS in the box almost every time.
Only way the defense works is if you force the opposing offense in to third and
longs(7+ yards) situations. When you force third and long, you drop both
safeties back who each cover ½ of the field, at the same time dropping the MLB
so deep, almost creating a cover 3 look. With three guys deep, you have four
guys playing underneath, this is known as a "Cover 7". The "Cover 2" is when
you have two safeties deep, MLB dropping back and everyone else basically in man
coverage. Then you let the defensive line loose and wreak havoc up front. But
do the Lions have the personal to run this Super Bowl winning defense?
Lets start with the defensive line. Typically you have undersized DTs(275-310)
and DEs(250-280), you look for quickness over strength. The Lions have one true
pass rusher in Kalimba Edwards, who will probably play RE and James Hall will be
moved over to LE. I expect Cory Redding to be moved back to DT, don’t think
Devries will be retained. Kalimba can become a complete and consistent player
with Marinelli, who got good play out of average players such as Marcus Jones,
Tyoka Jackson and Steve White. None of them had half the talent Kalimba does.
It’s going to be interesting how to see if we keep Big Daddy, because he really
doesn’t fit the system at all. I think he’ll be let go. Shaun Cody will start
at nose tackle, with Shaun Rogers as the very important under tackle. Marcus
Bell will probably also be let go, which leaves us with only three DTs. Expect
at least one more player brought in to complete the rotation of Rogers, Cody and
Redding.
Linebackers are typically in the range of 220-250. Most linebackers are this
size, except for 3-4 linebackers, but you must have speed to stop the pass and
recognition to stop the run. The most important positions are middle linebacker
and weak side linebacker, who are on the field almost every play. Middle
linebacker must have the speed and range to drop back quickly, while being smart
enough to sniff out runs. Holmes is as good as gone and Rainer is nothing more
then a special-teamer. Which leaves Teddy Lehman to fill the void, who is good
against the run and excels in zone coverage. But with Lehman playing at middle
linebacker, someone has to fill in at weak side linebacker. James Davis is to
inconsistent and is more of a pass rushing LB, same can be said about Alex
Lewis. This means Boss Bailey will have to make the transition from a Sam to a
Will. I think this is the guy who is going to benefit the most in making the
switch to a Tampa 2 defense. He has great range, athleticism and pursuit. Has
really improved on his poor tackling from his rookie year, just has to find a
way to stay healthy. I think keeping Nate Wayne around is a good idea and get
someone else to compete with him for the strong side linebacker position,
whether it’s through the draft or free agency.
Say goodbye to playing 8 yards off the ball every third down from now on. One
of the most important things in the Tampa 2 is having your cornerbacks pressing
the WR and redirecting him back inside. Man-to-man skills aren’t what you
really look for, neither is blazing speed. You look for guys who can stop the
run if it comes there way, can play bump-n-run coverage, reacts quickly by
jumping on pass coming there way and most importantly, catch it. Rarely will
you see a Tampa 2 CB picked in the first round, because they aren’t huge needs.
Dre Bly will have a new role, one where he doesn’t have to man-up all game and
we might even see him play in the slot and blitzing off the edge once in
awhile. I think we might see Bryant cut or play a much reduced role, because he
doesn’t fit the scheme at all. R.W. McQuarters should be resigned. His
aggressiveness suit’s the scheme perfectly and he can also come up and stop the
run. Andre Goodman should also be considered to return, is better in zone then
he is and man coverage, also willing to come up and make the tackle. Both Keith
Smith and Stanley Wilson will be riding the bench once again, neither is really
a cover 2 corner and might only see time in certain situations.
Terrance Holt and Kennoy Kennedy are the big question marks. Kennedy should be
fine, as long as he learns to limit his mistakes in coverage and not bite on the
play-action as much as he did this year. Holt on the other hand, has great zone
skills and has a nose for the football when it’s in the air. His problem is, he
misses to many tackles and sometimes guys run right past him or beat him with a
double move. I don’t think you should get rid of him, but should look for a new
starter. Vernon Fox and Bracy Walker are both special team guys and Jon McGraw
can’t stay on the field.
OFF-SEASON OUTLOOK
2006 Free Agents
Andre' Goodman CB UFA - RESIGN (Good rotation CB)
Cory Redding DE RFA - RESIGN (Move to DT)
Kalimba Edwards DE UFA - RESIGN (Will excel under Marinelli)
Nate Wayne LB UFA - RESIGN (Possible Starter)
R.W. McQuarters CB UFA - RESIGN (Possible starter)
Terrence Holt S RFA - RESIGN (Good backup)
Wali Rainer LB UFA - RELEASE
Vernon Fox S UFA - RELEASE
Earl Holmes LB UFA - RELEASE
James Davis LB RFA - RELEASE
Jared DeVries DE UFA - RELEASE
Bracy Walker S UFA - RELEASE
2006 Main Free Agent Targets
1. John Abraham DE
2. Adam Archuleta S
3. David Thornton LB
4. Brian Williams CB
5. Will Witherspoon LB
2006 Draft Board (DEFENSE)
1. Mario Williams DE
2. A.J. Hawk LB
3. Demeco Ryans LB
4. Michael Huff S
5a. Mathias Kiwanuka DE
5b. Tamba Hali DE
