Embed from Getty Images Last season the Detroit Lions finished second in takeaways. One small problem. The Detroit Lions were second to last in the all important category. During the team first OTA’s and first mini-camp the Lions defense got back to basics. To fundamentally improve in the area of taking the ball away from offenses.
Detroit defensive coaches are putting the unit through new drills. More difficult drills in order to get them to change they’re thinking. A turnover is every bit as important as a tackle or quarterback sack.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, is looking to bolster the defenses confidence. The long-time coordinator understands that from season to season confidence does not carry over. New things come up. New offensive systems are always out there. So to combat that, Pasqualoni is starting all over again.
The odd thing about last season is Detroit had a top 5 defense even with the lack of forced turnovers. So, if the Lions can take the ball away more then the team will be looking to climb the defensive rankings even higher.
There is no secret formula to taking the ball away. The team just needs better awareness. There are times Detroit defensive backs simply did not turn in time to see the ball. That could be in part due to the fact that head coach Matt Patricia had switched the defense to his system and players were still trying to grasp it.
If the Detroit Lions defensive players can figure out what hampered the team last season, more wins will come. The Lions offense is reloaded for the 2019 season and figures to be in better position with a ball controlled offense. If the defense continues to struggle to take the ball away then the results could very well mirror last season.
So to review. The Detroit Lions defense needs to force more turnovers. This will give the defense a longer rest and it will give the Lions offense a chance to put points on the board. The Lions simply must improve in this area for the betterment of the team.
