New Coordinators in Detroit Focus on Aggressiveness

Can you imagine having to take over the 30th ranked offense? Or for that matter, the 32nd ranked defense?  That is what new Detroit Lions coordinator's Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham will do this season. 

Both face a tough challenge but bring respectability and hope to a franchise long in need of these qualities.  They might coach on different sides of the ball but the philosophy is the same—aggressiveness.

Scott Linehan comes over after being fired from the St. Louis Rams' head coaching position.  He had mixed results with the Rams but his offensive knowledge was never in doubt.  Linehan will emphasize the run much more than the Lions have in the past. 

Kevin Smith had an impressive rookie season and Linehan will try to build upon that by giving him the ball even more.  In one season with the Rams, Linehan gave the ball to running back Steven Jackson 346 times.  I don't look for Smith to get that many carries but he should have enough to prove himself as one of the better runners in the game.  Not only does Linehan like to run his halfback, he also likes to pass to him. 

In the same year that Steven Jackson ran 346 times he also caught the ball 90 times.  Kevin Smith proved capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and should see his receptions increase as well under Linehan. 

To make sure he is getting all he can get out of Kevin Smith, Linehan will focus on using the zone-blocking scheme.  This has proved very successful for many NFL teams. 

The Denver Broncos are most famous for using it, in a span of three seasons they had three different 1,000 yard rushers.  Last year, the Houston Texans adopted the zone-blocking scheme and helped surprising rookie Steve Slaton gain 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Not only will the zone-blocking scheme help the running game, it will also help the passing game.  Calvin Johnson may be the most talented wide receiver in the league but until defenses respect the run, he won't be utilized to the best of his ability. 

By running the ball more, Linehan hopes to force defenders to bring players closer to the line, thus freeing up Calvin Johnson and other wide-outs.  Calvin's production could skyrocket from this and place him among the leaders in receiving stats. 

Matthew Stafford was selected first overall but may sit and learn the offense in his first year.  Veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper is very familiar with it having played under Scott Linehan in Minnesota.  While Linehan was the coordinator for the Vikings, Culpepper enjoyed some of his most successful years.

Gunther Cunningham comes over from the Kansas City Chiefs after being their defensive coordinator for the past five years.  Cunningham also spent time with head coach Jim Schwartz in Tennessee. 

Cunningham and Schwartz have very similar philosophies when it comes to defense.  Gone is the Tampa 2 under Cunningham and in comes the more traditional 4-3 defense.  This is an excellent move for the Lions as they never really had the personnel to make the Tampa 2 work. 

Cunningham has stated that he wants this defense to be explosive and wants to get away from the bend don't break philosophy.  Cunningham's most successful year came when he coached this way. 

Blitzing the quarterback will be done much more often this year.  Cunningham said in an interview with MLive.com: "My idea of coaching defense is explosive, it's aggressive, and it's to go after people."  This should help the last ranked defense improve upon last year. 

Look for outside linebacker Ernie Sims to be used more in pass-rush as he fits the mold of a fast aggressive player that could sack the quarterback or pressure him into throwing ill-advised passes. 

There is a possibility of the Lions running the 3-4 defense as well but the strategy will be the same—put pressure on the offense.  Second year linebacker Jordon Dizon would probably get the start if they do run the 3-4. If not, he will still be used often to keep Sims, Larry Foote, and Julian Peterson fresh. 

Cunningham has also expressed how he has been impressed with second year defensive end Cliff Avril.  Avril could be the pass-rusher on the end when Sims is kept back in coverage.  All in all, Cunningham should bring a completely new feel to the defense and, together with this personnel, could surprise some.

Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham may have a difficult task ahead of them but their focus on being aggressive could be just what the Lions needs to take a step in the right direction.