With 32 NFL teams the Detroit Lions were dead last in the NFL in tackling last season. That is right, the Lions ranked 32ond in tackling. The Lions defense allowed 75 (you read that correctly) broken tackles last season. A whole six more than the next team. For defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, it seems the way to go is teaching the fundamentals and getting back to basics.
Aaron Glenn would not accept switching the Detroit Lions defensive scheme last season as an excuse for the teams woefully poor tackling. Nor is Glenn dwelling on the past, simply saying the Lions defense needs to take the next step forward this season.
To say there is nowhere to go but up is an understatement. This was an overall arc that hampered the entire defense. In other words, the tackling deficiencies was not on one group but the defense as a whole. By switching to a 4-man front that should help with the run defense this coming season.
The 4-man front will take some pressure off the linebackers. By adding the trio of DE Aidan Hutchinson, DL Josh Paschal and LB Malcolm Rodriguez, in this years NFL Draft, the Lions went after sure tacklers to help out.
Ranking dead last in a major category is a sure way to struggle to find wins. As the Detroit embarked on a rebuild winning just 3 games was a bit low. The win total was not just missed tackles lead, as the offense struggled as well. As the season went on both the offense and defense made improvements.
With the additions of guys who excelled in college tackles and aided by a new 4- man front that should help the Lions defense out at the start of the 2022-23 NFL season.
The idea is to build off of the good that happened the last 5-6 games, make improvements and move forward. That is what Aaron Glenn and the rest of the Detroit players and coach’s are hoping for.
