Michael Brockers, Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions‘ defensive philosophy is completely different from the previous regime. It’s the type of philosophy that winning teams emphasize.
It’s a new year and the beginning of a new era. New general manager Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell have been busy going about business in their own way. A different way than the Lions’ previous regime.
Holmes and Campbell have taken over a team in need of some work. Actually a lot of work. The old roll up your sleeves and dive right in kind of work.
At this stage, it’s way too early to say how it will work out. But the opening stanza has been sort of positive.
The work started with the Lions’ divorce from Matthew Stafford. After last season with the imminent rebuild that would come with Detroit’s new regime, Matthew requested a trade. It left many fans in an uproar, but truth be told, Matthew deserved this separation.
This of course led to Brad Holmes sending the Lions’ all-time leading passer to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a pair of future first-round picks, a third-round selection this year, and former Rams quarterback Jared Goff.
A move that impressed many NFL insiders and has set the table for the Lions offseason. This has been followed by casting aside much driftwood from the roster and some cost-effective free agent signings along with the trade for another former Ram, Michael Brockers.
The start of the rebuild has been solid. Brad Holmes can do just about anything in the draft. In part due to the trades and free agency signings, but as much because of the myriad of needs the previous regime has left them with.
Is this roster completely devoid of talent? No, but there is still much it lacks before it can become a legitimate contender. This is especially true when we consider how poorly the defense played under the previous regime.