Detroit Lions' Strong Defense in Camp Not Necessarily Good News

Training camp reports have a bit of a bipolar nature to them.

One day, the team looks great. The next, they’re weak. The defense is dominant. The offense is dominant.

Somebody is having a weak showing and might get cut. The next day, they set the place on fire with big plays and outstanding work ethic.

However, one constant in the Detroit Lions' training camp has been that the defense has performed very well every day of camp so far.

Earlier this week, I noted that the Lions’ defensive line was abusing the offensive line. Since then, the linebackers and secondary have been performing well in seven-on-seven drills, which is basically a scrimmage without front lines.

In addition, head coach Jim Schwartz has been operating under his “don’t hold things back” mantra, which means the defense is blitzing in camp scrimmages, just as they will in games this season.

So this is good news, right? The defense is doing what it’s supposed to do, and it looks improved, with more than a 50 percent turnover from last year. Maybe they’ll be strong this year, or at least middle-of-the-road, right?

Sure, it’s possible. But the problem with training camp is if the defense wins a drill, that means the offense lost it. The defense isn’t dominating opposing offenses, they’re dominating their own offense.

In other words, is the defense really better, or is the offense worse? Is the defense capable of stopping people, or is the offense incapable of scoring, even on the league’s worst defense?

There’s no way to tell at this point. There won’t be until the preseason, and probably not even then. There won’t be any sure answers until the defense gets a huge test against the New Orleans Saints to kick-off the regular season.

Sure, maybe I’m overreacting.

The offense always takes a longer time to get going than the defense in camp, and the offense is missing its projected No. 2 receiver, Bryant Johnson, due to an evil transport device.

On top of that, the offense is running a new system, with its third new offensive coordinator in as many years, a rookie quarterback—a veteran who may or may not be washed up, a draft bust who may never get the chance to show that he’s not.

Maybe it’s my disposition, and maybe I can’t help seeing things any other way after last season, but it seems like every positive out of training camp has an untold negative.

Matt Stafford looks good in a drill that heavily favors the offense.

Drew Stanton looks sharp, but probably won’t ever see the field.

The defensive line looks good when they dominate the offensive line.

The defense is playing well, because the offense isn’t executing.

Maybe someday, there will be a time when good news about the Lions isn’t accompanied by a dark undertone.