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Originally Posted by TheeTFD  I think it would be a grave mistake to fire Martz. We actually have an Offense now.
Marinelli wants to to be tougher and run the ball more. But that will just beat up your O-line more.
We could run the ball. We just didn't. But when we did good things happened for Kitna.
This offense was good enough to win 10 games. It was the D that faded. And special Teams...and the "O"... |
I disagree. Most O-lines prefer to run block than pass block. When they pass block they're moving backwards, are on their heels and are on the defensive. When they run block they're moving forward, driving the other team backwards and are on the offensive. Running blocking is harder on the defense and pass blocking is harder on the offense - especially when they don't get any help (shotgun formations, backs and TEs that occasionally stay in to chip or block, a running play called more than just once per quarter, etc.)
IMO, the offense is as much to blame as the D or special teams. Their inability to convert on 3rd downs, run the ball or score TDs in the red zone put more pressure on, and wore out, the already undermanned and undertalented D.
The offensive "skill" positions is where the Lions spend the majority of their high draft picks, while the D gets filled with late rounders and castoff free agents. I thought that the D held up fairly well this season, all things considered. Sure they sucked, but I expected them to suck even more. The problem with the 2nd half of the season was that they just weren't forcing the turnovers that they were in the 1st half. Combined that with the huge discrepancy in time of possession and they just wore down and their lack of talent was exposed.