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For decades, NFL teams have built their rosters by investing significant capital in players closest to the ball and, in turn, placing less value on players farther away. This ideology corresponded to the concepts of stratagem of the time, where the execution of an attack of bruises was valued compared to the play of passes.
Currently the NFL is a passing league, but it’s only recently that we’ve seen franchises make conscious efforts to move away from old team-building strategies and move towards a more modern approach.
Earlier in the week, Chris Spielman appeared on local radio station 97.1 The Ticket to discuss several Detroit Lions topics, including how he was impressed with Shelia Ford Hamp’s involvement in team meetings and his roster-building philosophy. His approach pushes the Lions to adapt to this growing trend in the NFL.
“I’m going to have to ask Brad (Holmes) or Dan (Campbell) for this theory, but I have a theory that you sort of, back when I played… you used to build things up. ‘inside,’ Spielman said via the Free Press. “Well, today’s league, I think you are building from the outside to the inside.”
The outside-to-inside construction concept emphasizes getting the ball quickly into the hands of your playmaker on offense. In defense, coverage takes precedence over stopping the race.
“You can still create a pass rush with pressure,” an NFL coach told the Chicago Tribune. “But it’s hard to create pass cover – the ability to cover one on one. If you’ve got a guy you know who can destroy a side of the field, that’s pretty darn valuable. I would love them both, but if I have to pick one I take a cornerback.
Pro Football Focus conducted a study of coverage versus rushing pass data and their results also support this idea, indicating that both are valuable in their own ways. The ability to hedge is more important when measuring the value of a particular player, however.
This concept has led teams to change their recent draft strategies, as defensive players who can cover – linebackers Devin White and Devin Bush, as well as corner Jeff Okudah – have been drafted higher than previous trends.
Spielman’s comments could also suggest that the Lions may prioritize passing catchers and defensemen who can cover this offseason. This would fit with expectations that the Lions will model some of their defense based on the 2020 Rams, who built their defense from high school.
Shifting their defense to a Ram-influenced defense makes sense on several levels. The Lions won’t have to make any major adjustments in player personnel, the Rams’ defense was the best in the NFL in 2020, and Holmes led their college scouting department for the previous eight years, giving him an understanding unique of how to perform this transition. .
The Lions have a young secondary base to build on with corners Okudah and Amani Oruwariye developing their craft, as well as securities Tracy Walker and Will Harris both looking to improve on a tough 2020 season. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was even keen to mention them during his press conference earlier this month, noting how these players reminded him of the squad he had when he first took office in New Orleans.
But the Lions’ rear seven are by no means a complete unit. Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman are potential victims of the hat, and starting safety Duron Harmon is a free agent who may or may not adapt to the change in schema. Aside from Jamie Collins, the Lions lack linebackers who can cover.
That means the Lions may need to prioritize looking for starting safety, a nickel option and a quick cover linebacker in free agency or the NFL Draft. Keep an eye out for John Johnson (Rams safety) and Marcus Williams (Saints safety) as potential game-changer additions in free agency, as well as Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round of the draft.
On offense, it’s much easier: find as many wide receivers as possible.
The Lions will be able to rely on running back D’Andre Swift and pro bowl tight end TJ Hockenson for offensive production, but Quintez Cephus is the only wide receiver under contract for 2021 who has contributed in 2020.
This lack of recipients is why so many believe Kenny Golladay is a strong candidate for the franchise tag or to receive a contract extension in the near future – although the debate over whether to re-signing, labeling or letting go is still under discussion. locally.
Regardless of what happens with Golladay, based on away philosophy the Lions will likely look to add more free agency and / or draft receivers – and yes, that includes using overall pick n ° 7 on a catch of offensive weapon passes, such as Ja’Marr Chase (LSU), DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) and Kyle Pitts (Florida).
Based on the depth of free agency and draft talent, if the Lions are indeed adapting the exterior to the roster-building philosophy, expect them to invest significant capital – both in draft and cash – in offensive / defensive players who will help them control passing. Thu.
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