Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best Bring Detroit Lions a Long-Awaited Identity

When discussing the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions game this week, a lot of the focus has been on whether the Lions' defensive line can stop Adrian Peterson and bring pressure on Brett Favre.

It wasn't until today that I realized how very exciting that is.

Not the prospect that the answer could be "yes," but the fact that we're able to ask that question at all.

Consider that for a moment. The Lions have strengths. They have elements on the team that opponents would rather not face. Example: Brett Favre has reason to fear Ndamukong Suh. He had relatively little to fear last year from Grady Jackson.

I've been saying for a long time that the Lions had to establish an identity. Something the team always can count on, week in and week out.

Sometimes that identity is an icon player.

The Colts have Peyton Manning, the Patriots have Tom Brady, the Saints have Drew Brees, the Ravens have Ray Lewis. Regardless of what happens, you almost always know to beware those players.

Sometimes that identity is a unit. The Bears have a strong defense keyed by their linebackers, the Cardinals have more wide receivers than they know what to do with, the Packers and Texans will outscore you through the air, the Titans and Steelers will grind you down with rushing and defense.

The Lions will rush the passer. The Lions will make you keep an eye on Jahvid Best. The Lions will force you to keep constant double coverage on Calvin Johnson.

See where I'm going with this?

And in case you didn't notice, all those teams with established identities are good teams.

The Raiders don't really have an identity. Neither do the Jaguars. The Panthers? Bills? Seahawks? What scares you about those teams?

\When you see those teams on the Lions' schedule, do you immediately think, "They're going to have to stop David Garrard/the Bills' pass rush/Jonathan Stewart?"

Now look at Thanksgiving this year. New England Patriots. They're going to have to stop Tom Brady and Wes Welker.

See? Instant connection between that team's name and their primary method of attack. A team that has that has a strong core, something to build around even after a down year.

What was the Lions' core in 2008? 2009? When opposing teams got on the plane to Detroit, what was the one thing they knew they were going to have to watch out for at Ford Field?

I bet it wasn't Paris Lenon or Chuck Darby striking fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. Dan Orlovsky wasn't making defensive backs sit up and take notice.

Kevin Smith might have raised an eyebrow, but Jahvid Best is dropping jaws.

It has only been two games, so there's no way to say whether the strong play of the defensive line or Jahvid Best is even a trend, much less an identity. It could just be two games of strong defensive line play against suspect offensive lines and a couple lucky long runs against a sleepy, complacent defense.

But the seeds are there. When you talk about the Lions playing the Vikings, you know what the Lions are going to bring, and you know the Vikings are going to have to do something about it if they want to win.

Counting on a strong pass rush and a speedy young running back to win football games isn't ideal. The Lions still have holes to fill. An identity crisis, if you will.

But a year ago, Detroit was wincing and hoping for some kind of miracle to beat the Vikings. This year, they're wincing when they think of what Suh will do to Favre.

That's a step in the right direction.