Week Seventeen: Detroit Lions (8-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

[NYLion]

I still think this roster is one of the most talented in the NFL but some philosophies need to change if the Lions are to take the next step. Dan has to hire real coordinators, not this old retread stuff like with Morton and Lynn with his first mistake guys that weren't even successful at their previous stops, and they should bring in a vet to help Shep because he was clearly in over his head this season.

I think the biggest issues with the player personnel is the interior of both lines. I think the one year of experience will remedy this somewhat on the offensive line and Alim being fully healthy (he's not even close now) will help on the D line, but more is needed. Need a center to replace Glasgow (maybe Frazier fills the role) and Alim needs help on the inside. The safeties are also an issue, who knows what's going on with Kerby and Branch won't be back to being Branch until '27-'28 if ever again. The team at its core still has big bounce back potential but some serious questions also need to be answered.

[lordstanley]

55 minutes ago, NYLion said:

and they should bring in a vet to help Shep because he was clearly in over his head this season.

 

I'd have been fine with that 6 weeks ago. But now? He needs to be fired. Even with injuries in the secondary, there is enough talent on the roster for the team to not be a bottom 7 defense like it has been the past 2 months. 

Edited Friday at 09:53 PM by lordstanley

[4hzglory]

22 minutes ago, lordstanley said:

I'd have been fine with that 6 weeks ago. But now? He needs to be fired. Even with injuries in the secondary, there is enough talent on the roster for the team to not be a bottom 7 defense like it has been the past 2 months. 

That’s a bit extreme IMO.  He has a lot to learn, but the injuries, especially to Branch and Joseph crippled the secondary and what their scheme is.  I give him at least another year as he had major glimpses earlier in the year.

[sagnam]

9 hours ago, buddha said:

fantastic?  he caught 15 passes all year.

most people's objections to him were giving up draft capital to move up to take a guy nobody had on their radars.  secondly, to do so at a position where you already have three star players (counting laporta as a reveiver), and when you had so many other pressing needs.

but to your earlier point, it is too early to call the class a disappointment.  i was probably too hyperbolic in that.  but for this season - other than ratledge - it didnt provide much help.

My personal objection was spending that capital then not putting him on the field to learn on the job, instead putting less talented players in his place.

[Sports_Freak]

5 hours ago, NYLion said:

I still think this roster is one of the most talented in the NFL but some philosophies need to change if the Lions are to take the next step. Dan has to hire real coordinators, not this old retread stuff like with Morton and Lynn with his first mistake guys that weren't even successful at their previous stops, and they should bring in a vet to help Shep because he was clearly in over his head this season.

I think the biggest issues with the player personnel is the interior of both lines. I think the one year of experience will remedy this somewhat on the offensive line and Alim being fully healthy (he's not even close now) will help on the D line, but more is needed. Need a center to replace Glasgow (maybe Frazier fills the role) and Alim needs help on the inside. The safeties are also an issue, who knows what's going on with Kerby and Branch won't be back to being Branch until '27-'28 if ever again. The team at its core still has big bounce back potential but some serious questions also need to be answered.

Yes to all of this. The players at the skilled positions are some of the best in the NFL. And, while Brad has his work cut out for him, I trust him to bring the Lions back to serious contention. Looking at some of the teams that were in the playoffs last season? Many are either lower seeds or out of the playoff picture all together. The Lions will be fine and there are players who not only know it, but they'll be knocking on the door to play here. In Brad We Trust.

[Sports_Freak]

4 hours ago, lordstanley said:

I'd have been fine with that 6 weeks ago. But now? He needs to be fired. Even with injuries in the secondary, there is enough talent on the roster for the team to not be a bottom 7 defense like it has been the past 2 months. 

When our safeties went down, the Lions changed their defensive scheme from man to man to a zone defense. The talking heads said thats very, very hard to do in season. Judge Shepherd on how the Lions did while healthy, thats how he'll do going forward. I say he had a very good first year of coaching.