How New Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter Can Turn Things Around Starting in Week 8

Many Detroit Lions fans' prayers were answered earlier this week when former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi received his walking papers.

The move has ignited hope that Peyton Manning's former position coach, Jim Bob Cooter, is ready to take the reins of an underachieving offense and steer it toward the end zone instead of the sideline, where it can usually be found.

While the offensive line has some problems, this unit is loaded with talent. The offense should be able to put up more points with a couple of tweaks and one large adjustment in coaching style.

Get the Calls Down

The days of Matthew Stafford being derided as soft or injury-prone are long gone. Most of us would still be in a medically induced coma after the beating administered by the Minnesota Vikings.

"

If you want to know what's like to be Matt Stafford, play in traffic during rush hour

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) October 25, 2015"

Last week Minnesota got to Stafford 21 times, including seven sacks, per Pro Football Focus. He withstood so much damage that he had to get an X-ray on his hand after the game, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.

Defenders occasionally created their own pressure by beating their man, and Minnesota dialed up some creative blitzes during the game, but the majority of the punishment was the result of poor protection schemes and calls.

"

Mike Zimmer on his young linebackers hitting Stafford: "It's pretty easy when you don't get blocked."

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) October 25, 2015"

The offensive line slid away from a blitzer twice. There were other occasions where Detroit just didn't have the personnel in the proper place to handle the pressure.

Yet the most damning sack—when Stafford was chased down from behind within a second of the snap—was the result of the quarterback not changing the protection at the line of scrimmage. Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus broke down the issue well here:

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NFL quarterbacks have to be able to run the show once they are out on the field. If they are dealing with somebody else’s play calls, they need to have the ability to change protections, adjust calls and audible out of them when necessary. If they don’t, a good defensive coach will simply find what they can’t do and exploit it with something they cannot counter. The Vikings did that in this game, and pummeled until the Lions were out.

"

Monson theorized earlier that Stafford probably didn't have the authority to alter the protection. Stafford is in his seventh year and has to be allowed this type of leeway from his new offensive coordinator.

Make Adjustments

Lombardi was a mule.

Plenty of fans would like to use a different donkey-related term, but it was ultimately his stubbornness that did him in.

"

Been thinking about it, can anyone give me 1 single example of Lombardi making a solid in-game adjustment? I can't think of a single one.

— Jason Hatch (@jasonhatch20) October 26, 2015"

He relied on his zone-running schemes to a fault, for the most part. And when Minnesota figured out how to get to Stafford, it kept picking at the scab until it bled Detroit dry.

Coaches have to adjust constantly to what they're seeing on the field. These usually aren't wholesale changes but little tweaks that parry an opponent's thrust.

However, sometimes, just maybe, you might want to throw it deep to Calvin Johnson. In fact, write it in permanent marker somewhere on that laminated play sheet, preferably over any play that requires Travis Swanson to block either Justin Houston or Tamba Hali.

Jose Juarez/Associated Press

Run the Ball with Forward Momentum

Detroit's offensive line is built with big bullies who would prefer to take the fight to the defense. It worked well against Chicago, as there were times when the running back would get two or even three yards past the line of scrimmage before being hit.

That's been a rare occurrence since Lombardi took over. He couldn't see past his stretch-play upbringing to realize that this line was better suited for a power game.

"

The Lions had visions of actually being a good run offense this season. They're ranked last in rushing. Hence the OC and OL coach changes.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 26, 2015"

The franchise spent a lot of capital to upgrade the ground attack. It's gotten minimal return, which means something has to change, and a stronger north-south element would be the ticket.

In summation, Mr. Jim Bob Cooter, you need to figure out a way to protect the passer better, rush better and adjust to what the defense is throwing at you. Or, as it's known in every other corner of the country, coach an offense.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter @BrandonAlisoglu.