The 2009 Detroit Lions Positional Outlook: Defensive Line

Over the course of the next week, The 2009 Detroit Lions Positional Outlook will examine the positional changes of the current offseason: how the position has improved or weakened, the current outlook for younger players in the position, and how that position group should fare in the 2009 season.

There was a time, long ago, when defensive linemen all did the same thing. Four guys, slightly bigger than the guys behind them, tried to stop the runner. Then, with the advent of the forward pass and the subsequent removal of power running throughout the NFL, defensive linemen became very specialized.

Case in point: for the 2008 Detroit Lions, the defensive linemen had two jobs. Against the pass, they had to get to the quarterback. Against the run, they had to take on blockers and let the linebackers do the dirty work.

For the 2008 Lions, that didn't work.

Against the pass, they could touch the quarterback. The team ranked 15th in the league with 30 sacks. Five of those sacks came from non-linemen.

Against the run, the line certainly didn't tackle anyone, but they didn't take on blockers either.

Schwartz' system is different. The first change was highlighted yesterday by Jared DeVries. The defensive ends will play wider this year—shaded outside of tackles instead of over them.

This will cause one interior gap to be left slightly open—a no-no in the Tampa Two. Schwartz will cover that strong side gap in a bunch of ways—blitzing, slant blitzing, line stunts, line slants, etc. What the offense thinks will be a nice hole, will be the most dangerous spot on the field.

This scheme will also force runners toward the middle of the field rather than to the outside. Its a high risk high reward defensive plan that has worked for both Schwartz and Cunningham in the past.

Here are the defensive linemen who will be running it.

The Starters

Grady Jackson (6'2", 345): Sixth Round, 1997, Oakland Raiders

Jackson will start games at the "One-Technique" tackle position—shaded between the center and guard. He was signed to make sure 1st and 10 turns into 2nd-and-8 rather than 2nd-and-4.

He's a "starter" because games begin with a first down. I fully expect him to come out of most games after two plays for someone younger and faster. He'll probably average 10-15 plays a game throughout the first half of the season and less after that. Schwartz does not want him on the field unless he is 100 percent fresh.

Jackson was signed to take up blockers. Even at 36, teams will have to double him because he is big and disruptive. However, if he's forced to log heavy minutes, he will falter.

Chuck Darby (6'0", 297): Undrafted FA, 2001, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A holdover from the Marinelli regime, Darby had been signed because of his knowledge of the old scheme. Now, he'll shift and do his best to learn a scheme he's never played. Darby will rotate, starting games at the "three-technique"—shaded between a guard and tackle—moving over when Jackson leaves the game.

At the three, his job will be to become unblockable. If teams are forced to double the three technique, things get messy. Linebackers start flying into the backfield and defensive ends start coming around the edge.

Darby knows that his days are slightly numbered. At 33, he's got little time left as a full time player. This year will be his to prove to Lions' brass they only need to add one defensive tackle next offseason instead of two.

Dewayne White (6'2", 273) Second Round, 2003, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another holdover, White will be playing outside of the Tampa Two for the first time in his career. As a defensive end though, his job won't be terribly new, just a little different.

Under Marinelli, the DE would line up over or shaded slightly to the outside of the offensive tackle. The job was to collapse the pocket or the running lane. Now, things could get interesting.

White will be asked to stunt more, going through an interior gap while a linebacker blitzes the outside. White will be asked to give up statistics—voluntarily influencing a tackle further outside so a linebacker can take advantage.

Most importantly, against the run, White will be responsible for contain—never letting the running back outside of him. In a perfect world, White would make the tackle on every outside run or force the running back to cut back into a linebacker.

On passing downs, White may find himself playing defensive tackle if Kevin Carter is not signed.

White has the physical tools to succeed in this scheme. The mental will involve a steep learning curve. If White struggles to find his way, he will be trade bait in 2010 and the Lions will need to find yet another defensive lineman.

Jared DeVries (6'4", 275) Third Round, 1999, Detroit Lions

The second defensive end position is up in the air. For all intents and purposes, no matter who "starts" here, it will be a lot of rotational work. If Kevin Carter signs he will be the starter here. If Avril shows he can handle run support, he will get a lot more first down looks.

As things stand right now, DeVries is the best all-around defensive end after White. The former Hawkeye has been through a lot as a Lion but has steadily improved and was a surprise performer last year.

This highlights a big difference in Schwartz' philosophy. Things are much more situational, much more rotational. Just because a guy starts, doesn't mean he's any more important than the guy behind him. It just means he's better in that situation.

I don't see Schwartz ever getting rid of someone like DeVries. He will definitely find himself being used in new and inventive ways. He'll get most of his work on first downs and in the redzone.

The Reserves

Cliff Avril-Was one of the best rookie pass rushers in '08 and has a boatload of upside. Avril was perfect for Marinelli, but will find plenty of value for Schwartz as well.

Anytime the opponent is expected to pass, Avril will be on the field. In the red zone or goal line, fans should not be surprised to see Avril as the extra lineman or as a linebacker coming off the edge.

Andre Fluellen- Started two games last year and rotated between the tackle and left end positions. May find himself logging heavy minutes if Grady Jackson tires easily. His versatility will be key, but he will need to start playing as much with his strength as will his speed.

Landon Cohen- At 6'3", 274, the coaching staff would love to see Cohen add some much needed bulk. He's tough and nasty just like a defensive tackle, but he's built more like a slow defensive end. He was drafted for Marinelli so he will need to adapt. If he can find a spot in the deep rotation, he could do damage from any line position.

Ikaika Alama-Francis- His two starts in '08 were more out of desperation than out of reward. Alama-Francis was drafted for his upside not his talent. He's a volleyball player turned football who has all the athleticism in the world. Marinelli couldn't harvest it. He'll continue to get work on passing downs.

The Rest

Sammie Lee Hill-A developmental prospect out of Stillman College. He is big and very athletic—and very very raw. He's used to out muscling opponents. Coaches will work closely with him to develop a football player where an athlete currently stands.

John Gill- Rookie body out of Northwestern. Will probably be kept around—possibly on the practice squad—because of his size. If Grady Jackson gets hurt early and no other player shows to be able to play the one-technique, Gill (302 lbs) could hold down the fort.

Jason Hunter- Cut by the Packers, he was signed to play rotational end and special teams. His roster spot is not locked down though. He will need to be a solid contributor to be kept on a team full of linemen.

Rudolph Hardie- Of the returning linemen, his spot is the most in danger. Hardie spent part of last year on the practice squad and part on the active roster. He will be in a roster spot battle with...

Ryan Kees- The undrafted rookie out of St. Cloud state definitely passes the look test as a defensive end. He was signed to the roster but could be the first cut if he doesn't show flashes early. If definitely a strong candidate for end of the rotation lineman, special teamer, or practice squad player.

Overall

No one should expect the Lions to keep eleven defensive linemen like they did last year. However, with no clear cut stars on the line, expect to see more than eight.

The Lions did a good job of patching the line up with Grady Jackson, but the possible Kevin Carter signing would be even more crucial. Remember, neither of those guys are long term solutions. But with so many developmental prospects on the defensive line, veterans are needed.

Tough decisions need to be made about those developmental guys this offseason. Do not be surprised if some of those decisions are tabled for a year as players learn the system.

This defensive line should struggle—just, not as much as '08. Their success will come from being only asked to do what they're best at.

Either way, because of age and lack of overall talent, expect to see new faces on the Lions defensive line next year.

A look at the Lions' defensive backs

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/185114-the-2009-detroit-lions-positional-outlook-defensive-backs