It is difficult to find much to complain about after the Detroit Lions demolished Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears on Sunday. While there were far more positives than negatives, there were a handful of concerns, with none more glaring than the performance of rookie guard Tate Ratledge. The first-year pro continued his Week 1 struggles, failing to look the part in what was a stellar offensive showing.
Although it might seem a bit unfair to critique anyone after a blowout win, the Lions aren't going to have the benefit of playing the Bears each week. The margin for error is going to be far smaller, and to put it simply, Ratledge must rapidly improve for Super Bowl hopes to be realized. Winning in the trenches is vital to beating the league's best teams, as that means having at least five reliable, if not great starters. Ratledge simply isn't meeting either of these standards.
Lions Rookie G Tate Ratledge Continues Early-Season Struggles
Ratledge was always going to be a bit of a work in progress when he was drafted 57th overall in April. One of the most obvious concerns was poor technique on the inside that often appeared closer to wrestling when Ratledge was challenged at the college level than the polished blocking you expect from one of Kirby Smart's prospects. Regardless, the point remains that the Lions understood going in that this was going to be a project.
The results speak for themselves, with Ratledge ranking poorly on Pro Football Focus when it comes to the following areas:
- Overall grade: 56.2 (42nd/69 guards)
- Pass blocking: 49.1 (54th/67)
- Run blocking: 57.3 (30th/67)
Lions fans should have a slight level of anxiety over the situation while also understanding that Ratledge's career has only begun. Head coach Dan Campbell's staff deserves trust, already having shown an incredible ability to pivot after a Week 1 that had pundits believing the sky was falling for Detroit. Not every problem can be fixed overnight, and Ratledge is an example of this.
The young guard should continue to earn starting reps in hopes that the results continue to improve. There is little other choice with the free agent market dried up and Detroit's current bench not offering any superior answers. Ratledge will have time, but fan patience will wear thin if his struggles persist all season long.