Detroit Lions’ D-line questions remain despite some flashes against Colts

The Detroit Lions defensive line is loaded with question marks in the wake of Kerry Hyder’s injury. Here is how the remaining players fared.

One of the biggest questions the Detroit Lions have going into the season is where their pass rush is going to come from on the defensive line. The best hope was a return to form for Ezekiel Ansah and Kerry Hyder maintaining his level of play from a season ago. That went up in smoke with Hyder’s season ending Achilles injury against the Colts.

The Lions defensive line as a whole features a lot more questions than answers. Foremost among them is where they might find some pass rush.

Defensive ends

Anthony Zettel stepped in and played very well. The biggest sign of personal growth from Zettel was a first quarter stunt where he realized the ball would be out before he could get there, and his rush lane would take him away from the passing corridor. He stopped and tipped the pass on its way to the receiver rather than blindly rushing forward. That is not a play Zettel was making in the preseason a year ago. Zettel is looking like a key component of the Lions defensive line in 2017.

The Lions rookie defensive ends also beat up on the Colts offensive tackles, but it is premature to think that the team will be fine on the edge. Each was involved in a sack, which is good.

Jeremiah Valoaga, Alex Barrett, and Pat O’Connor were all clearly better than their opposition. Where the young men failed repeatedly was in screen recognition. Barrett was the best of the three at reacting before the play was over. O’Connor showed the athleticism he possesses in chasing the play down after it was complete.

This is an issue for all young players and it will be interesting to see what the coaches are able to do to correct it for the Jets game on Saturday.

Defensive tackles

On the interior of the line, A’Shawn Robinson and Akeem Spence stood out. Robinson batted down a pair of Tolzien passes with authority early in the game. It is pretty clear that he is going to be a pass break up beast for his entire career. That’s something a player either has a knack for or does not.

That helps even if he doesn’t personally ever become a dominating pass rusher. As quarterbacks come to recognize his skills, they pump fake, and double clutch to draw him into in to action. That will give other pass rushers the extra instant they may need finish a sack.

Spence was effective both as an individual rusher and as part of the Lions stunt packages. Haloti Ngata called Spence a beast earlier in camp and praised how quickly he grasped the Lions’ relatively complex scheme. Whether eating blockers to facilitate another rusher coming free or looping around the edge himself, Spence showed the quickness he is known for.

Spence and Robinson are early favorites to take the majority of the Lions snaps at defensive tackle in 2017. Khyri Thornton and Jeremiah Ledbetter failed to make much of an impression in the first preseason game.

Next up: the New York Jets

Hopefully on Saturday we will get to see Cornelius Washington in action for the first time as a Lion. He should fill a role similar to the one Zettel performed against the Colts. He will now likely be given even more of an opportunity to take the full time starting role. Bob Quinn took a chance on Washington in the offseason. The Lions need him to reward the team for their faith.

Defensive tackle Jordan Hill also did not play on Sunday. He is another potential source of effective pass rush on the defensive line moving forward. Last time Hill was fully healthy he closed a season with 5.5 sacks in four games.

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The Jets have another relatively weak offensive line, so the unit should look good again. Watching the youngsters develop will be a treat if week one of the pre-season is any indication. Lions fans should look at what’s happening up front for what may be the most important position group on the defense in 2017.