New Coaches Will Alter Detroit Lions' Playbook

The Detroit Lions’ 2009 offensive playbook will look very different than in recent years–if things go according to plan. In Detroit, unfortunately, few things go according to plan.

Former coordinator Mike Martz’ complex, pass-happy offense was supposed to be replaced by a balanced, physical, pound-the-rock approach last season, but the team fell behind too early and often to stay with the running game for long. Offensive success this season must begin with stouter defense which will permit the Lions to employ a balanced attack.

If he can carry out his game plan, history says that new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will put points on the board, as his teams did when he was the coordinator at Minnesota and Miami, and the head coach in St. Louis.

In Linehan's three seasons at Minnesota, the Vikings employed a balanced attack featuring Randy Moss as the deep receiving threat, a role Calvin Johnson fills in Detroit. But the Vikings’ offensive line was superior to Detroit’s current line. Don’t look for Minnesota-like numbers in Detroit, even with the same quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, at the controls. Look for a protection-based scheme with a variety of tools, including play action, some quick throws off of short drops, some no-huddle and a philosophy of taking what the defense gives them.

Defensively, the hiring of coordinator Gunther Cunningham was the beginning of the Lions’ de-Tampafication. Gone is former head coach Rod Marinelli’s Tampa 2 defense, replaced by a 4-3 in which the linemen will try to keep the offensive line engaged while the strength of Detroit’s defense, linebackers Ernie Sims, Larry Foote and Julian Peterson, chew up most of the tackles on running plays. Look for more man-to-man pass coverage and, most likely, a variety of blitzes. Cunningham is an aggressive coordinator who desires a strong pass rush, but the Lions lack an elite QB-hunter, so his linebackers and possibly defensive backs will need to help out.