Meet the Lions Defensive Line

It has been a few years since the Lions have had a defensive line that could put any real pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Finally, there is a coach in Detroit who understands just how important the defensive line is. After watching opposing QB's lounge around until receivers finally got open all year, Schwartz and company decided it was time to address the problem. And address it they did!

As soon as free agency started, Coach Schwartz was waiting in the driveway of Kyle Vanden Bosch. His aggressiveness paid dividends and they quickly added the defensive end to the Lions roster. They were in no way done with their overhauling plans. Through trades the Detroit Lions added Corey Williams at defensive tackle and then drafted the superstar college defensive tackle phenom, Ndamukong Suh. Let us meet the Lions new wrecking crew.

Kyle Vanden Bosch - There is a small question mark attached to this signing as Kyle's last two seasons in Tennessee were nothing to be proud of. But when one digs further, one realizes just how good this guy can be.

From 2005 to 2007 (3 seasons) Vanden Bosch was a star worthy defensive end as he raked in 200 tackles and 31 sacks. Then his numbers fell off the table, but there are clear reasons for it. In 2008, Kyle had 14 tackles and 3 sacks in his first 4 games. Due to injury, he started only 3 of the Titans next 6 games and had a combined 1 assisted tackle and zero sacks. Since he was injured, that is understandable. In the first game in his return, in week 12, Kyle had 6 tackles and a half a sack. Though he followed that with a sack in the next game, his production fell off again and only had 3 tackles in the next 2 games. Kyle did not play in the last three weeks of the season. Though his stats log says he started and played in 10 games in 2008, it is obvious that some of those games he played injured. In the 6 games he was healthy, Vanden Bosch had 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks. That would average out to approximately 58 tackles and 12 sacks. So it is obvious that he still had the talent, but injuries slowed him down. But what about 2009 you ask?

In 2009, Vanden Bosch only had 44 tackles and 3 sacks even though he was healthy. What does not show in his stats however, is that he lost something very vital to every top defensive end. A very good defensive tackle. In 2009, Vanden Bosch's teammate Albert Haynesworth moved from Tennessee to Washington to play for the Redskins. Without Haynesworth drawing double teams, the offensive lines were able to put up a better scheme to stop Vanden Bosch and company, thus the drop in his production.

So the question is not so much, Does Kyle Vanden Bosch still have it in him to play great, but simply, do the Detroit Lions have strong enough defensive tackles to give Kyle the space to get into the backfield? In comes Corey Williams and Ndamukong Suh.

Corey Williams - Corey started his career playing 4 seasons for the Green Bay Packers in a 4-3 defense. In both, 2006 and 2007, he had 7 sacks each year with 35 and 36 tackles respectively. Those are some pretty darn good numbers for a defensive tackle in the NFL. Then Corey Williams had the misfortune of being traded to the Cleveland Browns who played a 3-4 defensive scheme. As a nose tackle, he was no longer meant to drive into the backfield and disrupt the offense like he did in Green Bay, but he had to play more of a run stopper. In his first season with the Browns, his sacks feel away to only a half a sack in the season, but his tackles leaped up to 50 in the season. Williams' 2009 season fell off even more as he racked up 4 sacks with only 35 tackles.

In 2010, Corey Williams will play for the Detroit Lions and be excited to be back in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He should be able to return to form being in the 4-3 scheme once again and to make things easier for him, he will have Ndamukong Suh next to him.

Ndamukong Suh - What more can be said about this guy that has not already been said? He was the best college player on almost every experts chart if not EVERY experts! Suh absolutely dominated in college as he raked in 158 tackles and 19 sacks in his last two seasons. Just to add some extra icing on the cake, he also had 3 interceptions in that time. Two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Suh has technique and he has quickness, but he did most of his damage with strength as he overpowered the opposing offensive linemen. Before the draft, many tried to use that against him, saying that he would not be able to overpower NFL linemen like that and would need better technique and quickness. I say hogwash! If you have the strength to one arm 350 pound players out of your way in college, you will have the strength to do so in the NFL. It might take Suh a little time to adjust to the speed of the game and the quicker payers of the NFL, but once he does adjust, he will be a dominant defensive tackle.

Sammie Lee Hill - A rookie in 2009, Hill did not put up impressive numbers and did not register a single sack. Likely, he will not get too many sacks in his career. Hill is not the go get him kind of defensive tackle, but more of the big get in his way run stopping type. He will not put up the flashy stats we all love to see, but he will become invaluable in the short yardage goal line stands.

Jason Hunter - On a very pitiful Lions defense, and on a defensive line that rarely hurried the quarterback, Hunter had a very respectable 5 sacks in 2009. He is not exceptionally quick or powerful, but this could be the year he shines. With opposing offensive lines having to place so much focus on the Likes of Suh, Williams, and Vanden Bosch, Hunter should find plenty of opportunities.

The Detroit Lions will have a much improved pass rush in this years wrecking crew. On obvious pass downs, they will have Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams punching it up the middle. On short yardage downs, I would expect to see Sammie Lee Hill come in and side up with which ever of the two is the freshest. In any other down, the three of them will spell each other, to help keep the defensive line fresh for late in the games.

With the strength the Lions will pose up the middle, the defensive ends, Hunter and Vanden Bosch, should have plenty of fun pressuring the opposing quarterbacks.

With so much promise for a great defensive line, it is often hard to keep ones anxiety in check, but keep it in check we must. It will take Suh a little time to adjust to the speed of the NFL. It will take the entire defensive line a little while to adjust to each other. Williams, Vanden Bosch, and Suh will need time to truly get comfortable in the Lions scheme and play calling. Even so, the fans should have plenty of excitement to keep them cheering while the Lions are on defense this season.