The Detroit Lions have serious problems at Left Guard
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions are set to host the Buffalo Bills tonight inside beautiful Ford Field. It’s the third preseason game of the season. Usually, this is considered the regular season’s dress rehearsal, but head coach Matt Patricia hasn’t mentioned how many starters are expected to play.
The fans are eager to see Matthew Stafford under center for the Detroit Lions; especially learning a new offensive scheme. Matt Patricia claims he’s healthy; his back isn’t bothering him, yet he won’t say whether the franchise quarterback will be playing tonight.
The Lions haven’t been showing much throughout the preseason. Matt Patricia likes to keep everything reasonably secretive. I’m not going to write anything about where he may have gotten that philosophy from in this article. We are sick of writing it as much as you are reading it.
I’d be ok if the Lions were reluctant to play Stafford, Kerryon Johnson, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, etc. We know what we are going to get from those players, and the team shouldn’t risk an injury that could derail the season before the season even starts. If they do play, the organization should keep it to a minimum; especially Stafford.
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The offensive line is struggling to block anyone consistently. The group could use some more work together. The Lions also need a player to solidify the starting left guard position.
It appears Joe Dahl is emerging as the top starting candidate at the moment. The former fifth-round pick out of Washington State recently signed a two-year extension totaling $3.6 million. Dahl is due a mere $720,000 this season before the extension kicks in keeping him in Detroit through the 2021 season.
Joe Dahl was a tackle in college and is better suited as the teams’ sixth lineman in my eyes. I admit he’s the best option the Lions currently have on their roster to start at LG. Dahl’s versatility makes him a valuable asset coming off the bench for the Lions; especially playing as a lineman where the injuries become frequent.
Kenny Wiggins played plenty of games last season at right guard when T.J Lang was sidelined with a concussion. Wiggins has struggled mightily at times during the preseason, especially in week one. Wiggins has the ability to play either guard position and as a tackle in a pinch. Tyrell Crosby is sidelined with a concussion, but he’s shown the inability to be consistent the times he’s been on the field.
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Other options include rookie Beau Benzschawel and Oday Aboushi. Neither will settle quarterback Matthew Stafford’s stomach as he walks to the line, preparing to bark out signals. Regardless of who starts at LG, it’s a place for the Detroit Lions opponents to place their best defensive lineman, pass rusher, etc. Stafford may be wise to keep a bottle of Pepto-Bismol next to his Gatorade.