Walking into the second year of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell regime, you can feel major steps are being made after many lessons were learned following their first year. One of the major changes implemented in the evolving nature of the Lions defense is switching from a read-react defense to one that punches the opponent in the mouth, which surely fits what Campbell and Aaron Glenn are looking to accomplish on defense.
The Lions have done a great job in bringing players who can generate the thump and thunder to make this change successful. With the majority of the players back from last year to supplement with the infusion of draft talent that fits the mindset, the pieces are in place to make the leap.
For the attack first mentality to work, the defense needs to work in complete unison to force the opposition into what the Lions want them to do versus the other way around. Everywhere from the defensive line to the linebackers to the secondary needs to be one unified front. The Lions retained most of their coaches from last year, which led to productive seasons from unexpected players, specifically defensive line coach Todd Wash and linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard, who was promoted from outside linebacker coach last year.
