Detroit Lions Analysis: How Much of a Difference Has Alphonso Smith Made?

Detroit Lions fans seem to be confused this week. They have the blank stare people usually get when they just don’t understand. They want to be happy but are afraid to believe.

What is the source of all this confusion? The Detroit Lions secondary.

A secondary group that as recently as three weeks ago was considered historically bad has played much better than its track record indicates it should.

Has Martin Mayhew built a reliable secondary right under everyone’s noses?

The key to the secondary’s resurgent play has been the addition of Alphonso Smith.  Smith, obtained in a cut-day deal with Denver for fourth-string tight end Dan Gronkowski and a sack of footballs, replaced starter Jonathan Wade at halftime of the Green Bay game. Since then, the Lions have yet to allow an offensive touchdown.

Could one player really make that big of a difference? It really is too early to tell, but the early returns are encouraging. Defensive coordinators in the NFL will find a weakness in defenses and attack it relentlessly. Jonathan Wade was having a lot of trouble covering swing passes to his side of the field. He did OK in downfield coverage but once his issues showed up on film, short passes to his area became increasingly common.

Enter Smith, who now has three interceptions in three games.  Smith, a former second-round pick has always had the physical skills to play cornerback, but the Broncos felt he did not have the ability to locate the ball.

Thank you Broncos, you just got Mayhew-ed.   

The other player the Lions are trying to get more playing time is Amari Spievey.  Originally drafted as a cornerback the Lions have decided his skill set is better suited for safety.  He is still learning the position and can still look lost at times, but if he can learn the mental aspect of the position, his speed would be a big benefit as a safety.

If Spievey and Smith can continue to play at a high level, along with the acquisition of Chris Houston from Atlanta and 2009 draft pick Louis Delmas, Mayhew will have managed to build a competent secondary at a time when everyone else thought he was ignoring the position.

Now, who can the Lions rip off for a decent linebacker?