Breaking Down the Detroit Lions' Problems at Right Tackle
Heading into the 2014 NFL season, the Detroit Lions appeared to be in great shape at right tackle. Returning starter LaAdrian Waddle impressed in his half-season audition as an undrafted rookie, while veteran Corey Hilliard provided starting-caliber depth.
Unfortunately, things have not gone as planned.
Waddle earned the starting job after a camp battle, but he was injured on Calvin Johnson's long touchdown in the first quarter against the Giants. He left the game with a calf strain, replaced capably enough by Hilliard.
Alas, Hilliard was also injured during the opener. Somehow he managed to soldier on through a Lisfranc injury suffered in the third quarter.
According to Justin Rogers of MLive.com, his inspirational effort and toughness was lauded by teammates, but now Hilliard is on injured reserve. Waddle still hasn't practiced since his injury, which casts doubt upon his availability against Green Bay this week.
That sound you hear is Lions fans everywhere praying for Waddle to get well soon, because the offense desperately needs him back in the lineup.
Garrett Reynolds and Cornelius Lucas shared the right tackle responsibilities in the loss to Carolina, with Reynolds getting the bulk of the action. It was a painful reminder why the former Atlanta Falcon couldn't make the Lions roster as a backup guard, let alone a tackle.
"Garrett Reynolds played 55 snaps (76%) at RT. Cornelius Lucas 17 (24%). Caldwell said after game it was the plan to get Lucas some snaps.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 15, 2014"
While Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Reynolds and Lucas as acceptable, my own film review revealed a more disturbing picture.
| Run Block | Pass Block | Overall | Sacks | |
| Reynolds | -0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 2 |
| Lucas | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1 |
The run-blocking woes extended beyond the right tackles. Right guard Larry Warford had an unusually poor game (minus-1.3 from PFF). It also seemed as if the Panthers were calling the correct play on Tecmo Bowl and completely stifling the running plays before they even started.
Still, here's a run where Reynolds' limitations shone.
Reynolds is initially designed to throw a shoulder into the defensive tackle and then quickly fire out to engage middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (No. 59).
Because the defensive end crashes inside, the offensive line adjusts its responsibilities. Instead of Kuechly, Reynolds now is charged with picking off the backside linebacker. The pulling guard now gets Kuechly. Detroit's linemen make the quick adjustment quite naturally, which is a very good takeaway from this play.
Unfortunately, Reynolds cannot get out to the second level. He's hung up inside and never clears the line. The man he was assigned to block, Thomas Davis, sprints across and tackles Reggie Bush. If Reynolds makes that block, Bush is in the open field one-on-one with a cornerback.
One of Waddle's best attributes is his ranginess. Pro Football Focus graded his run blocking highly, and the team rushed for over 100 yards in seven of his eight starts. They managed that feat just three times in the other eight.
It was pass protection where Waddle, as well as Hilliard, was sorely missed.
Reynolds was serviceable for most plays, but the ones where he wasn't evoke reactions that are not safe for work or children. Two of them came on consecutive snaps early in the fourth quarter, when the outcome was still somewhat undecided.
The first was a double whammy. Dwan Edwards blows off the line and immediately seizes control. His dip move quickly gets him past Reynolds' inside shoulder. The tackle grabs on for dear life, but it's too late. Edwards plants Stafford to the ground even though Reynolds was (rightly) flagged for holding.
That play was followed by a textbook case of sloppy technique and overcompensation. Beaten inside on the prior play, Reynolds overplays the potential for the inside rush.
Notice his decided lack of depth with his first step. He's almost two yards in front of where left tackle Riley Reiff (who blocked this play perfectly) is sliding to protect his edge.
This is easy pickings for end Mario Addison. He explodes up the field and quickly ascertains he's got Reynolds beaten around the edge. Contrast his form with Reiff's. It's as divergent as watching Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash shooting free throws.
As Addison drops his shoulder to bend the edge, Reynolds is desperate. He crosses his legs—a cardinal sin for tackles—and the rusher takes advantage by easily flattening his tack right to Stafford. It's a game-sealing sack, and it's all on Reynolds; Stafford never has a chance here.
Lucas had issues of his own. This comes from his very first rep in the third quarter:
"Cornelius Lucas in at RT now, he gets pushed to the ground like a rag doll.
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) September 14, 2014"
At least he has the benefit of youthful inexperience. Lucas showed some promise, but he's not ready to handle the load just yet. It's worth noting the Lions gave him less tight end help than they did Reynolds.
Week 3 brings Green Bay to Ford Field. That means Clay Matthews, one of the most feared and accomplished pass-rushers in the NFL, lining up opposite whomever Detroit lines up at right tackle. If the right side of the line doesn't play better, it could be a long and painful day for Stafford and the Lions.
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