This week’s Lions Wire Mailbag features a baker’s dozen of questions about the Detroit Lions Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Let’s jump right in.
With all of LAC’s injuries, who should we most be worried about? Would it be a combo of Melvin Ingram/Joey Bosa or Phillip Rivers/Keenan Allen? — @jaygala0317
Both duos are formidable, but the losses on the Chargers offense will likely impact them more, allowing the Lions defense to match up better. Relying on backups at left tackle, running back, tight end and possibly wide receiver, the Chargers will look to Allen to be a primary weapon on offense and that could mean he draws Darius Slay.
Injuries on defense will hurt the Chargers back-seven, but it will have little impact on Ingram and Bosa. The Lions will have to account for them every snap — the Chargers move them all over the field — and will have to have a game plan in place to counter their pressure. One of the best ways to counter a team’s pass rush is to establish an effective running game.
Where did the problems in the run game stem from last week and what do you predict will change for this week? — @TheKtothe2
Contrary to popular opinion, the starting offensive line blocked well in last week’s run game, and Taylor Decker was easily the most efficient. Their deficiencies showed up when they rotated in Kenny Wiggins at guard — who struggled in run blocking. Sticking with the same starting five would also help communication.
The running back rotation also appeared to impede momentum, but don’t expect that to change as the coaches will try to keep Kerryon Johnson healthy.
Additionally, the Lions faced a lot of stacked boxes against the Cardinals, often seeing eight to 10 defenders within five yards of the line-of-scrimmage.
This week, expect the Lions to attack the middle of the Chargers defense, as last week the Colts exposed them rushing for 203 yards — the second-worst defensive output in the league during Week 1. Less rotation at running back and on the offensive line would also help consistency.
Do you think we’ll have an increase in rushing yards and do you think we’ll see more 12 personnel on the field? — @lamos_mary
I do think the Lions will see improvement in the running game, even if it’s only because of a change in opponent. The Lions most efficient run plays this offseason have come on the front-side A-gap — rushing between Frank Ragnow and Graham Glasgow — and this coincides with a vulnerability in the Chargers defense.
Last week, the Lions used at least two tight ends on the field 33.75-percent of offensive plays and that number could increase this week. I expect the Lions to put a priority on the running game this week and duel tight ends would help them take advantage.
Although, the primary reason the Lions will likely increase their tight end usage is to aid their offensive tackles in pass blocking.
With the speed of the Chargers defense, most notably (Joey) Bosa and (Melvin) Ingram do you expect tight ends to be expected to block more or should we expect them to feature (Nick) Bawden more? — @debruin_brandon
I am expecting both the tight ends and fullback to be utilized in slowing down the Chargers pass rush. Both T.J. Hockenson and Nick Bawden were very efficient pass blockers last week, while Jesse James most important role could easily be assisting whoever starts at left tackle.
I fully expect Taylor Decker to have a better pass protection game (his run blocking seemed decent to me), how many good games does he need to have before fans leave him alone? — @JimmyRobinson7
Unfortunately, it’s probably going to take a while. Most of the time, offensive linemen only stand out when they are making mistakes — and Decker had a lot of them against the Cardinals — but when they have good games they largely get overlooked. Unless Decker makes a dramatic improvement and gets a lot of hype in the media, he may be in fans dog houses for a while, even if/when he improves.
If Decker can’t go on Sunday and Tyrell Crosby gets the start ~ who’s the backup tackle to Crosby? — @Woodentune2
Decker is listed as questionable for this game with a back injury and if he is unable to play, Crosby is inline to get the start at left tackle — he took reps there in Friday’s practice with Decker limited. If Crosby were also to go down or need to be replaced, the Lions have limited options.
Kenny Wiggins experience at tackle has come on the right side, while Joe Dahl (a left tackle at Washington State) has struggled at the position in the NFL. It’s unclear which one would play left tackle, but chances are, a Wiggins/Dahl combo would be the Lions left tackle/guard.
Any waiver wire activity/options if Decker injury significant? Our backups were less than stellar in the preseason. thanks — @tj_mazur
The Lions recently worked out tackle/guard Caleb Benenoch a former fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he isn’t any better than the options on the current roster and it speaks to how barren the free agency market is. If Lions need to add a tackle, my guess is they would likely give former-Lion Andrew Donnal a call.
Is Kenny Golladay gonna have 100 yards receiving this week? — @Mixxism1
The Chargers have a shutdown corner in Casey Hayward but opposite him, they’re hurting. Michael Davis started the season at corner, but he is doubtful for this week’s game with a hamstring injury. His primary backup is Trevor Williams, but he was placed on injured reserve this week. Now on their fourth cornerback option, the Chargers have turned to second-year undrafted free agent Brandon Facyson — who struggled last week.
If the Lions can keep Golladay away from Hayward, he should eat, and hitting the century mark should be within reach.
How does Jalen Reeves-Maybin fit when Jarrad Davis comes back? He’s looked pretty good. — @DDReese2
Reeves-Maybin has been very good this year and he’s done enough to see the field, even when Davis returns. He may not see over 50-percent of snaps, like he has in Davis’ absence, but he has a speed element to his game that the Lions will want to utilize. He will also continue to be heavily relied upon on special teams, where he can be a weapon.
How did Justin Coleman look last Sunday? And why does Darius Slay not shadow WR1s? — @kwcolin
Coleman played a lot better in Week 1 than he did in the preseason. Maybe things are starting to click, or he’s getting more comfortable with the scheme, or the matchup was just better, but he met expectations against the Cardinals.
Slay will shadow other teams top receivers when the situation calls for it. Last week, they didn’t use him as a matchup option until late in the game, but this week, he could shadow Keenan Allen, especially if Mike Williams is unable to play.
Concerned about special teams. Patricia & Quinn talk about its importance, but that unit had a really rough day. I know it’s just 1 game, so what adjustments do you think they might make personnel wise and otherwise to clean up those mistakes? — @throwjimmy
A rough day is right but things are correctable.
Will Harris made a rookie mistake by not getting his feet set in a critical situation that led to the blocked punt. Harris took responsibility for his error and it’s a simple footwork correction.
Jamal Agnew muffed a punt trying to spark the team. He needs to play within himself or he could be replaced by J.D. McKissic.
While C.J. Moore had a nice day as a gunner, at the opposite gunner spot, Dee Virgin struggled. Virgin needs to get back to the basics that earned him a spot on the 53-man team, because if he doesn’t, his replacement is also already on the roster in Mike Ford.
Why is there no talk of Ty Johnson being given a shot at Kick Returning. He’s a blazer with KR experience in college, yet when I heard conversations about who might replace Agnew if he continues to falter, I’m not hearing Johnson’s name. What gives? — @BigBitingPig
My belief is that they want Johnson to focus on being a running back first before expanding his duties. This is a typical approach for this coaching staff and how they work with young talent — keep things simple early, then expand duties as they master a skill.
I also believe this is a big reason they were aggressive in claiming McKissic, as he is their fall back option if Agnew falters.
Of all the things former Bill Belichick assistants take with them, they all seem to take secrecy, poor treatment of the media and leave the killer instinct behind. Do you think this will be a lesson learned or will we see them get uber conservative with leads again? — @KuehnObservations
The concept of running the ball with the lead to drain the clock is a philosophy that pre-dates Belichick and goes back to Bill Parcells influence on the league. You see several coaches from the Parcells-tree utilize this concept on a weekly basis.
Unfortunately, for Lions fans, this is core philosophy and one that is not likely to change for coach Matt Patricia. What you can hope for is enough coaching creativity — which may need to be inspired by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell — to recognize when adjustments need to be made.
The other key thing that coaches need to recognize is that they have a 10-year NFL veteran under center. They need to understand that sometimes he will have a different perspective on the situation and they need to trust him to make the right decision.
Trust. Matthew. Stafford.
