Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry Has Work Ahead of Him

With the announcement of the firing of 2006 Defensive Coordinator Donnie Henderson, a new era has officially begun in Detroit. Henderson, who had played on a team coached by Rod Marinelli, never gelled with Marinelli's dogged faith in the Tampa-style Cover-2 zone defense. Joe Barry, in spite of being Marinelli's son-in-law, is likely one of the league's biggest proponents of the defensive scheme. Both Barry and Marinelli coached under Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, and Monte Kiffin in Tampa. They are adherents to what has become one of the more effective defensive schemes in recent NFL history. That in mind, one has to wonder if the Lions will have the personnel necessary for the scheme to be effective in 2007 and if the rest of the league has not already caught up with and adapted to the scheme.

The Lions allowed opponents to complete nearly 70% of their passes this season. The Lions were almost completely unable to generate a consistent pass rush, especially from their edge pass rushers, even though DT Cory Redding had eight sacks. The Tampa-2 is a "bend, but don't break" type of defense that is predicated on a heavy pass rush from the defensive line and excellent zone coverage from the linebackers and the defensive backs. Most Cover-2 schemes demand big, physical corners who make it difficult for receivers to get off of the line of scrimmage. The Lions never established this type of defense against the pass. The Tampa-2 also emphasizes maintaining gap responsibilities against the run, to eliminate running lanes and allow the zone defense's fast, undersized linebackers to flow to the play unabated. The Lions linebackers, aside from Ernie Sims, never flourished within this scheme this season.

The Lions do possess some of the necessary personnel from which Barry can build a stronger Tampa-Style defense. First priority is re-signing DT Cory Redding who has proven to be a diference maker since he was moved to the middle. Getting All-Pro DT Shaun Rogers fully on board with the defense may be Barry's biggest challenge but could lead to the greatest rewards for the team. The Lions can only hope that with one more season that young players like Ernie Sims, Alex Lewis, and Stanley Wilson, Jr will continue to improve under Barry's guidance. The biggest priority for the organization is finding a consistent edge pass rusher via free agency, trade, draft or internally. Kalimba Edwards continues to be a major disappointment who may finally develop under the auspices of Barry's guidance.

If Barry is successful, people will be a lot less concerned about his relationship to Head Coach Rod Marinelli and more concerned about the improvements made by the Lions defense. Until that point, accusations of nepotism and a general negative attitude will be projected toward the continued failings of the Lions organization.