Who are the Detroit Lions in 2017?
By Bruce Walker
A balanced team in all three phases
Offense. Defense. Special Teams. Win all three phases and you will likely win the game.
In most years since their last championship, the Lions have had an aspect of their game that fans could brag about. Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras, Dick “Night Train Lane, Dick Lebeau and Lem Barney contributed to defenses from 1960-1970 that averaged in the top four in fewest points allowed.
Unfortunately, their offenses were often nicknamed “three line plunges and a punt.” The Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys in their 1970 playoff game by a score of 5-0.
The result? Great defense. No offense. No Balance.
Billy Sims was a blast to watch. Barry Sanders was transcendent. Calvin Johnson amazed. Jahvid Best, Herman Moore, Charlie Sanders, and Brett Perriman gave hope every Sunday that the Lions could score.
They just as often could not stop anyone. Good offenses were more common. Good defenses were less common. Still no balance.
In 1967, it was Lem Barney‘s punt returns and interceptions that ignited the Lions fan within me. Then came Mel Gray, Desmond Howard and Eddie Drummond. Terry Fair even did pretty well as a returner. During the time that those players were on the field, the fans knew a touchdown was always possible. It was fun to watch.
Speaking of special teams, Herman Weaver, Eddie Murray, Jim Arnold and of course, Dr. Jason Hanson consistently ranked as some of the best kickers and punters in the NFL.
The problem was that every time one phase of the Lions game was great, or even good, another was average or poor. If the talent was good, the discipline was poor. Or the coaching was poor (“Take the wind”, anyone?). Or the depth was poor so that one injury would undermine their chances of winning.
In 1991, the team was reasonably balanced. They were ninth in scoring offense, eleventh in scoring defense. Unfortunately, the Washington Redskins were first and second, respectively and the Lions lost their playoff matchup 45-10.
That was the last time that the Lions approached having a good, balanced team.
Until now.