I am going to stretch on my first post here, but worth a look. Levy just got an extension, and is labeled the Lions' best D player. How much of an effect did the Lions' DL have to make Levy a playmaker? Can Misi and Jenkins have that effect? If so, then our D will be a lot better than expected Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree. People keep talking about the LBs as if it's a major issue. Look at the D-line in front of Misi and Jenkins! I don't really care how the OLB competition shuffles itself out, the D-line is going to be what brings home the bacon.
So you agree that I can sleep at night knowing that Misi, Jenkins and the crew will be productive? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The major effect a defensive linemen is going to have on a linebacker is for the guy who lines up behind him/close to him. In Detroit, Levy didn't usually line up behind Suh. He was the weakside linebacker, and Suh largely played defensive left split between 1, 2, and 3-technique positions. I'm sure he benefited in situations where he had to scrape to Suh's side, but otherwise I am not sure it was a big thing. Jelani Jenkins is likely to be a big beneficiary from Suh though. In Miami it looks like he'll largely line up as a 3-technique, and in this defense that'll generally put Jenkins right behind him and in a position where he's going to get kept clean. Last year that was a problem when the defensive line play broke down late in the year. I'm not sure Misi is in as much as a position to benefit from linemen, as his position is pretty well exposed to blockers.