Detroit Lions: 3 perfect landing spots for Larry Warford
By Bob Heyrman
Detroit Lions
Yes, a reunion with the Detroit Lions would be phenomenal but very unlikely. Warford would walk in and be Detroit’s top lineman. Detroit addressed their vacated right guard position through the NFL Draft, but there is no reason why the Detroit Lions shouldn’t consider bringing Warford back.
After Graham Glasgow signed a new contract with the Denver Broncos during the free agency period, it left many with an unsettled stomach. Why wouldn’t General Manager Bob Quinn spend on a proven guard that can play multiple positions?
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I can’t stand to watch teams ‘cheap out’ on their offensive line, especially the organizations that have a franchise quarterback currently in place. Not to mention, a quarterback that is aging and has been hampered with injuries over the last couple of seasons.
The first go-around with Warford in Detroit didn’t go too well. It wasn’t due to performance; it was due to scheme. Detroit wasn’t a run-first football team; under Joe Lombardi, Detroit was a verticle passing team that regularly forwent to run the football.
In 2019, under the direction of Darrell Bevell, the Detroit Lions enjoyed throwing the football down the field but never abandoned the run. Bevell likes to orchestrate a balanced attack and thrives running the football out of power formations. Don’t forget, Bevell is used to having Marshawn Lynch at his disposal.
With the Detroit Lions drafting D’Andre Swift with the 35th overall pick, management is telling us they are committed to running the football. Swift will join a backfield of Kerryon Johnson and the powerful running of Bo Scarbrough with some Ty Johnson who is no slouch added to the mix.
The Lions spent consecutive draft picks on Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg, but that shouldn’t deter the organization from attempting to strike a reunion with Warford. At this point, it appears Detroit will deploy Joe Dahl at left guard and Jackson at right, but there isn’t anything wrong with having a healthy competition for the starting left guard position after plugging Warford in on the right side.
Warford is just 28-years old, and he’s a run-blocking machine. Imagine the Detroit backs galloping through holes created by a team of Warford and Halapoulivaati Vaitai on the right side of the O-line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Warford has only had seven penalties enforced against him in his career. Unbelievable. He also earned himself an overall grade of 73.1 last season, which is very good.
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Bob Quinn needs to show some urgency with this organization still having upwards of $30-million to spend if they so choose. It’s time to solidify the right side of the line, make a splash, sign Warford.