Martz is only the beginning of problems in Detroit

The Lions are having a lot of problems.  Losers of four straight heading into the Dallas game, the Lions have reached a crossroads.   If we predicted the Lions to be 6-6 at this point during the off-season, I’m sure a lot of observers around Detroit would have been pleasantly surprised.  But the recently slide following a 6-2 start are leaving a lot of bitter feelings around the organization. 

And leave it up to Mike Martz to be center of the lightning rod.  Martz and Rod Marinelli aren’t a good philosophical match.  This is creating a lot of tension around the team. 

The Lions have an offensive line not built for an aggressive passing game.   That hasn’t helped Jon Kitna.  Things are so bad along the offensive line that career interior lineman Damien Woody is now seeing time at right tackle. 

Martz makes very little effort to establish a consistent presence on the ground.  Granted Kevin Jones is battling soreness in his foot while trying to find a rhythm again.  If Jones can’t handle a heavy workload, why not T.J. Duckett?  Duckett has been used exclusive in short-yardage situations.  Duckett certainly is respectable enough to earn more carries if the Lions want to establish a commitment to the ground game. 

I’ll be surprised if Martz remains in Detroit beyond this season. 

But the Lions problems are far beyond Martz.  Let’s take a look at their defense.  Marinelli is a defensive guy who wants to build his team around that side of the ball. 

There just isn’t that much talent on the defensive side of the ball – especially in the secondary.  Ernie Sims is their only legitimate star in the making.  Shaun Rogers also grades at that level when he feels like playing. 

Dewayne White and Jared DeVries have been try hard guys who have been effective, but Cory Redding has looked sluggish this season. 

The secondary is terrible.  Fernando Bryant is a decent veteran, but not a playmaker.  Stanley Wilson was very ordinary in the cover-2 until recently suffering a knee injury.  Kenoy Kennedy has a lot of limitations inside.  Rookie Gerald Alexander flashes the ability to make a few plays, but is raw and grades as more of a situational type defender. 

The Lions must focus on acquiring more building block type players on the defensive side of the ball this spring. 

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