[h=1]How Lions' offense will shift without Megatron[/h]
Matt BowenESPN Staff Writer
ESPN INSIDER
The Detroit Lions can't simply replace the unique talent of wide receiver Calvin Johnson or the numbers he racked up during his final NFL season in 2015 (88 receptions, 1,124 yards, nine touchdowns). However, the Lions can still be a productive offense with the help of quarterback Matthew Stafford and fresh personnel additions, along with the play calling of coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Today, let's examine how the Lions will move on from Megatron in 2016, while continuing to put up points on offense:
[h=2]High-percentage passing[/h]During the Lions' dreadful 1-7 start last season, Stafford's numbers were average: 13 TD passes, 11 picks, 50.1 Total QBR. But once Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator in Week 8 and the team settled into the new scheme, Stafford took off. Over the final eight games, Stafford completed 70 percent of his passes, tossed 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. All of those figures ranked in the top three leaguewide over that span, and his 73.1 Total QBR finished eighth. Detroit finished on a 6-2 run to close out the season.
What was the secret? <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">This system under Cooter wasn't built on the deep-ball arm of Stafford or explosive play opportunities over the top of the secondary to Megatron. In fact, during that final eight-game stretch, Stafford threw 293 passes -- with only 21 true deep shots (passes thrown over 20 yards downfield). That 7.2 percent deep-pass rate was the lowest in the league among the 33 qualified starters.</offer>
Surprised? Don't be. Think high-percentage throws and quick reads under Cooter. Get the ball out. Find guys in space. Lean on the screen game and short-to-intermediate passing. Reduce the risk, really. And keep the quarterback out of adverse situations with calculated deep shots over the top.
Even with big-play threat Marvin Jones entering the lineup, this offense could be similar to the New England Patriots' system after Randy Moss left town. That team adapted and changed how it planned for the game, based on the personnel in the locker room. The Lions will, too, without Megatron's game-breaking ability over the top.
Expect Detroit to continue to work the ball underneath the safeties, attack the seams and create opportunities for receivers to run after the catch. It doesn't mean Stafford won't test the top of the defense when he has the right look or game situation, but this system puts the quarterback in a position to produce while spreading the ball around to multiple targets.
The Detroit Lions can't simply replace the unique talent of wide receiver Calvin Johnson or the numbers he racked up during his final NFL season in 2015 (88 receptions, 1,124 yards, nine touchdowns). However, the Lions can still be a productive offense with the help of quarterback Matthew Stafford and fresh personnel additions, along with the play calling of coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Today, let's examine how the Lions will move on from Megatron in 2016, while continuing to put up points on offense:
[h=2]High-percentage passing[/h]During the Lions' dreadful 1-7 start last season, Stafford's numbers were average: 13 TD passes, 11 picks, 50.1 Total QBR. But once Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator in Week 8 and the team settled into the new scheme, Stafford took off. Over the final eight games, Stafford completed 70 percent of his passes, tossed 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. All of those figures ranked in the top three leaguewide over that span, and his 73.1 Total QBR finished eighth. Detroit finished on a 6-2 run to close out the season.
What was the secret? <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">This system under Cooter wasn't built on the deep-ball arm of Stafford or explosive play opportunities over the top of the secondary to Megatron. In fact, during that final eight-game stretch, Stafford threw 293 passes -- with only 21 true deep shots (passes thrown over 20 yards downfield). That 7.2 percent deep-pass rate was the lowest in the league among the 33 qualified starters.</offer>
Surprised? Don't be. Think high-percentage throws and quick reads under Cooter. Get the ball out. Find guys in space. Lean on the screen game and short-to-intermediate passing. Reduce the risk, really. And keep the quarterback out of adverse situations with calculated deep shots over the top.
Even with big-play threat Marvin Jones entering the lineup, this offense could be similar to the New England Patriots' system after Randy Moss left town. That team adapted and changed how it planned for the game, based on the personnel in the locker room. The Lions will, too, without Megatron's game-breaking ability over the top.
Expect Detroit to continue to work the ball underneath the safeties, attack the seams and create opportunities for receivers to run after the catch. It doesn't mean Stafford won't test the top of the defense when he has the right look or game situation, but this system puts the quarterback in a position to produce while spreading the ball around to multiple targets.
[h=2]The run game[/h]Through the first eight games of last season, the Lions were atrocious running the football. This unit averaged only 69.6 yards on the ground per game. That was dead last in the NFL through Week 8. The second half of the season? Detroit improved: 97.3 yards per game, good for 19th in the league.
Do the Lions have to pound the ball to win? Nah, they don't. But after spending a first-round pick on Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker (which could allow tackle Riley Reiff to swing back to the right side) and a third-round pick on Michigan center Graham Glasgow, Detroit has made moves to build up front. And they have a back, Abdullah, who can tote the rock.
Yes, Abdullah has to keep the ball off the ground (four fumbles as a rookie), but there are some serious flashes of his potential on tape. The former Nebraska star plays with vision, his footwork is electric and he displays the burst to find daylight. And while he can run the ball out of one-back sets or the shotgun alignment, I was really impressed with his ability in the traditional two-back power schemes. He showed the patience to set up blocks and then get through the hole on off-tackle runs.
Like any offense, the term "balance" resonates with coaches. And it is believed to create opportunities in the passing game. Based on the draft, the Lions want to run the ball with much more efficiency this season, and Abdullah has the skill set to put up some quality numbers in his second year.
But the way I see it, this is still a passing offense, a system that runs through Stafford. And with Megatron removed from the game plan, the Lions will have to adjust. However, they have the personnel and the coordinator to make it work: athletic, fast and dangerous after the catch.
Watch out.
Matt BowenESPN Staff Writer
ESPN INSIDER
The Detroit Lions can't simply replace the unique talent of wide receiver Calvin Johnson or the numbers he racked up during his final NFL season in 2015 (88 receptions, 1,124 yards, nine touchdowns). However, the Lions can still be a productive offense with the help of quarterback Matthew Stafford and fresh personnel additions, along with the play calling of coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Today, let's examine how the Lions will move on from Megatron in 2016, while continuing to put up points on offense:
[h=2]High-percentage passing[/h]During the Lions' dreadful 1-7 start last season, Stafford's numbers were average: 13 TD passes, 11 picks, 50.1 Total QBR. But once Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator in Week 8 and the team settled into the new scheme, Stafford took off. Over the final eight games, Stafford completed 70 percent of his passes, tossed 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. All of those figures ranked in the top three leaguewide over that span, and his 73.1 Total QBR finished eighth. Detroit finished on a 6-2 run to close out the season.
What was the secret? <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">This system under Cooter wasn't built on the deep-ball arm of Stafford or explosive play opportunities over the top of the secondary to Megatron. In fact, during that final eight-game stretch, Stafford threw 293 passes -- with only 21 true deep shots (passes thrown over 20 yards downfield). That 7.2 percent deep-pass rate was the lowest in the league among the 33 qualified starters.</offer>
Surprised? Don't be. Think high-percentage throws and quick reads under Cooter. Get the ball out. Find guys in space. Lean on the screen game and short-to-intermediate passing. Reduce the risk, really. And keep the quarterback out of adverse situations with calculated deep shots over the top.
Even with big-play threat Marvin Jones entering the lineup, this offense could be similar to the New England Patriots' system after Randy Moss left town. That team adapted and changed how it planned for the game, based on the personnel in the locker room. The Lions will, too, without Megatron's game-breaking ability over the top.
Expect Detroit to continue to work the ball underneath the safeties, attack the seams and create opportunities for receivers to run after the catch. It doesn't mean Stafford won't test the top of the defense when he has the right look or game situation, but this system puts the quarterback in a position to produce while spreading the ball around to multiple targets.
The Detroit Lions can't simply replace the unique talent of wide receiver Calvin Johnson or the numbers he racked up during his final NFL season in 2015 (88 receptions, 1,124 yards, nine touchdowns). However, the Lions can still be a productive offense with the help of quarterback Matthew Stafford and fresh personnel additions, along with the play calling of coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Today, let's examine how the Lions will move on from Megatron in 2016, while continuing to put up points on offense:
[h=2]High-percentage passing[/h]During the Lions' dreadful 1-7 start last season, Stafford's numbers were average: 13 TD passes, 11 picks, 50.1 Total QBR. But once Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator in Week 8 and the team settled into the new scheme, Stafford took off. Over the final eight games, Stafford completed 70 percent of his passes, tossed 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. All of those figures ranked in the top three leaguewide over that span, and his 73.1 Total QBR finished eighth. Detroit finished on a 6-2 run to close out the season.
What was the secret? <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">This system under Cooter wasn't built on the deep-ball arm of Stafford or explosive play opportunities over the top of the secondary to Megatron. In fact, during that final eight-game stretch, Stafford threw 293 passes -- with only 21 true deep shots (passes thrown over 20 yards downfield). That 7.2 percent deep-pass rate was the lowest in the league among the 33 qualified starters.</offer>
Surprised? Don't be. Think high-percentage throws and quick reads under Cooter. Get the ball out. Find guys in space. Lean on the screen game and short-to-intermediate passing. Reduce the risk, really. And keep the quarterback out of adverse situations with calculated deep shots over the top.
Even with big-play threat Marvin Jones entering the lineup, this offense could be similar to the New England Patriots' system after Randy Moss left town. That team adapted and changed how it planned for the game, based on the personnel in the locker room. The Lions will, too, without Megatron's game-breaking ability over the top.
Expect Detroit to continue to work the ball underneath the safeties, attack the seams and create opportunities for receivers to run after the catch. It doesn't mean Stafford won't test the top of the defense when he has the right look or game situation, but this system puts the quarterback in a position to produce while spreading the ball around to multiple targets.
[h=2]The run game[/h]Through the first eight games of last season, the Lions were atrocious running the football. This unit averaged only 69.6 yards on the ground per game. That was dead last in the NFL through Week 8. The second half of the season? Detroit improved: 97.3 yards per game, good for 19th in the league.
Do the Lions have to pound the ball to win? Nah, they don't. But after spending a first-round pick on Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker (which could allow tackle Riley Reiff to swing back to the right side) and a third-round pick on Michigan center Graham Glasgow, Detroit has made moves to build up front. And they have a back, Abdullah, who can tote the rock.
Yes, Abdullah has to keep the ball off the ground (four fumbles as a rookie), but there are some serious flashes of his potential on tape. The former Nebraska star plays with vision, his footwork is electric and he displays the burst to find daylight. And while he can run the ball out of one-back sets or the shotgun alignment, I was really impressed with his ability in the traditional two-back power schemes. He showed the patience to set up blocks and then get through the hole on off-tackle runs.
Like any offense, the term "balance" resonates with coaches. And it is believed to create opportunities in the passing game. Based on the draft, the Lions want to run the ball with much more efficiency this season, and Abdullah has the skill set to put up some quality numbers in his second year.
But the way I see it, this is still a passing offense, a system that runs through Stafford. And with Megatron removed from the game plan, the Lions will have to adjust. However, they have the personnel and the coordinator to make it work: athletic, fast and dangerous after the catch.
Watch out.
