Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, Episode 154: Preparing for fall football

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 154: “Preparing for fall football”, is now available to download and listen.

This week on the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast, the guys discuss the changes the Lions are making to ensure a safe environment for football in the fall and dive back into the mailbag to answer listener’s questions.

The DLB podcast is a weekly conversation with Lions Wire’s own Erik Schlitt and his co-host Joe Kania.

This week, the guys discuss:

  • Lions pre-season schedule
  • Lions are able to open their facility with restrictions
  • Spring mini-camps officially shutdown
  • Training camp must happen at Allen Park only
  • No joint practices for the first time since 2015
  • NFL and NFLPA considering shortened preseason
  • Discuss the steps the organization is taking to create a safe environment
  • Answering the “Establishing the 53” mailbag, parts 1, 2, and 3
  • Jeff Okudah’s leadership on and off the field
  • What will the NFL do to accommodate fans viewing experience if the season is “fan-less”
  • How will COVID-19 impact next year’s salary cap?
  • Will the presumed cap adjustments impact potential contact extensions for Kenny Golladay and Taylor Decker?
  • What might those extensions look like and when do conversations begin?
  • Will the Lions have an elite difference-maker in 2020?
  • Will Jamie Collins and Tracy Walker’s responsibilities overlap or will they be able to co-exist?
  • Will the Lions increase their blitzing in 2020?
  • Examining the roster impact of the rookies
  • Which is the most improved position group?
  • Which position may still be addressed?
  • Will there be a surprise cut in training camp? Who?
  • Will Rick Wagner signing in Green Bay give them an advantage?
  • Can the Lions capitalize on their division rivals’ weaknesses?
  • Where do the Lions offense, defense, and special teams rank among all NFL teams?
  • Biggest perceived needs heading into the 2021 draft?
  • Kickalicious talk!

Be sure to follow the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast (@LionsBreakdown) and its hosts Schlitt (@Erikschlitt) and Kania (@JoeKania_DLB) on Twitter, with a Facebook page on the way.

The podcast is available to listen at the DetroitLionsBreakdown.com website and is also available to download and subscribe to on multiple podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher and others.

Lions defense no longer last in blitz percentage in 2019

The Chargers and Raiders now blitz less than the Lions

By now Lions fans know the familiar refrain.

“The Lions blitz less than any other NFL team.”

It’s a line that gets recited at least once in every Michigan-based sports radio show and clogs comments sections and message boards. However, it’s no longer accurate.

Over the last four games, the Lions have moved up in the blitz rate rankings. They’re still near the bottom of the league at just 10.9 percent of dropbacks, but that’s more than double the rate of the Los Angeles Chargers in the same timespan.

For the full season, the Lions blitz rate remains fairly constant at 10.9 percent. However, it dipped below 9 percent from Weeks 2-5. The NFL average for the season is 17.9 percent.

The 10.9 figure ranks ahead of both the Raiders and Chargers on the season through Week 12.

Note that blitz rate doesn’t necessarily correlate with being an effective defense. The 49ers have the NFL’s most effective pass rush and highest sack percentage despite being 29th in blitz percentage. Arizona is 4th in blitz percentage but 22nd in sack rate and has a lower sack rate than the Lions over the last four games.

All stats and tables are from NFL Inside Edge.