This article is part of our Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
On the heels of back-to-back losing campaigns, coach Jim Caldwell was successful in getting the Lions back to winning football in 2014, with the team finishing with an 11-5 record. Detroit came close to clinching the NFC North in Week 17, but a road loss to the Packers resulted in a berth in the wild-card round and a subsequent near upset victory at Dallas. In an interesting twist, the strength of the team throughout the year was a stout defense, as opposed to the offense, which was less explosive but avoided mistakes.The Lions' defense finished first against the run, allowing a miniscule 69.3 yards per game. Meanwhile, the unit was second in total yards (300.9 per contest), third in points per outing (17.6) and 13th in passing yards, the latter of which was in part a function of holding late leads. Such stinginess was accompanied by opportunism, as evidenced by 42 sacks, 20 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries, which pushed the Lions to a plus-seven turnover margin.
Although the season was overall a success, 2014 was something of a down year for the Lions' offense. Matthew Stafford put together his fourth consecutive season of more than 4,000 passing yards, yet tossed only 22 touchdown passes. With that said, he did throw a career-low 12 interceptions for a full season and recorded the second-highest completion percentage (60.3) during his tenure with Detroit, as the coaching staff attempted to get Stafford to play with a bit more
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
On the heels of back-to-back losing campaigns, coach Jim Caldwell was successful in getting the Lions back to winning football in 2014, with the team finishing with an 11-5 record. Detroit came close to clinching the NFC North in Week 17, but a road loss to the Packers resulted in a berth in the wild-card round and a subsequent near upset victory at Dallas. In an interesting twist, the strength of the team throughout the year was a stout defense, as opposed to the offense, which was less explosive but avoided mistakes.The Lions' defense finished first against the run, allowing a miniscule 69.3 yards per game. Meanwhile, the unit was second in total yards (300.9 per contest), third in points per outing (17.6) and 13th in passing yards, the latter of which was in part a function of holding late leads. Such stinginess was accompanied by opportunism, as evidenced by 42 sacks, 20 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries, which pushed the Lions to a plus-seven turnover margin.
Although the season was overall a success, 2014 was something of a down year for the Lions' offense. Matthew Stafford put together his fourth consecutive season of more than 4,000 passing yards, yet tossed only 22 touchdown passes. With that said, he did throw a career-low 12 interceptions for a full season and recorded the second-highest completion percentage (60.3) during his tenure with Detroit, as the coaching staff attempted to get Stafford to play with a bit more efficiency. Two big factors in the drop in offensive production were lingering injuries to Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, who each missed multiple games and were hobbled in numerous others. As result, Joique Bell took on more of a featured gig than anticipated, and while he was steady, he simply didn't offer the same home-run threat out of the backfield as a healthy Bush. However, one silver lining was the play of Golden Tate. Forced to handle the role of lead wideout at times last season, he was very productive, with 99 catches for 1,331 yards but four touchdowns. In part due to his 5-11, 195-pound stature, Tate is just not the red-zone nor home-run threat that a healthy Megatron is.
The key for the Lions is building upon 2014, despite losing one of the best defensive linemen in football in Ndamukong Suh to free agency. To fill the void, five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Haloti Ngata was acquired via trade with the Ravens, meaning Suh's high standard has a chance to be salvaged. Outside of shoring up that sudden hole, Detroit's poised to welcome back a healthy Johnson and tackling machine Stephen Tulloch, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 last season.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Key Acquisitions
Ameer Abdullah – RB, Nebraska (ROUND 2, 54th Overall)The productive collegiate back is expected to provide big-play capability to the offense.
Haloti Ngata – DT, Ravens
His addition will help ease the impact of Ndamukong Suh's notable departure.
Laken Tomlinson – G, Duke (ROUND 1, 28th Overall)
Drafted to shore up the offensive line, he's projected to start from Day 1.
Alex Carter – CB, Stanford (ROUND 3, 80th Overall)
A starting caliber cornerback who should see the field a fair amount in as a rookie.
Key Losses
Ndamukong Suh – DT, DolphinsArguably the top defensive tackle in the game, but the Lions ultimately couldn't match Miami's $114 million contract offer.
Reggie Bush – RB, 49ers
Released due to an injury-laden 2014 during which his production fell off.
George Johnson – DE, Buccaneers
Ranked third on the team with six sacks in a part-time role.
Nick Fairley – DT, Rams
After promising 2012 and 2013 seasons, he battled injuries and ineffectiveness in 2014.
TEAM NOTES
MOVING ON WITHOUT SUHIt was no accident that the Lions had a great year defensively last season, and Ndamukong Suh led the way with 53 tackles and a team-high 8.5 sacks. He was met with constant double teams, and due to his ability to eat up blocks and still terrorize opposing offenses with his nasty demeanor, other Lions defenders were enabled to rack up counting stats. Overall, Suh was terrific in 2014, aside from his occasional outbursts of reckless play, which nearly cost him active status in the wild-card loss at Dallas. Once he decided to sign a huge deal and take his talents to South Beach, the Lions compensated with the trade for the more affordable Haloti Ngata. If healthy, Ngata will help Suh's loss sting a little less.
WILL THE OFFENSE REBOUND IN 2015?
The Lions' offense wasn't the same potent attack in 2014 that was seen in previous seasons. Injuries to key cogs such as Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, a porous offensive line that gave up 45 sacks, problems finding a consistent kicker, and a disappointing showing by rookie tight end Eric Ebron were all factors in the subpar showing. However, a rebound could be in store in the coming campaign. Ebron has had a strong offseason thus far, with a commitment from offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi to utilize the tight end as the third option in the team's passing attack. Outside of Johnson returning to full health, the Lions spent a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on starter-quality guard Laken Tomlinson, which they followed with the selection of Reggie Bush clone Ameer Abdullah in the second round.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT RUNNING BACK?
Though not always flashy, Joique Bell is robust yet shifty and fits the mold of a power runner, which is the RB-prototype the Lions want from their lead ballcarrier. Bell holds the ability to play all three downs, as he's an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield and a good blocker in passing situations. After Bell, the depth chart has changed from a season ago. The Lions cut former starter Reggie Bush, as he was too expensive for being so injury prone and ineffective in 2014. Incumbent running back Theo Riddick will battle rookie Ameer Abdullah for the No. 2 role, which Abdullah should win, although both players will likely see action. Provided Abdullah can overcome his fumbling problems from college, he appears to have the most fantasy upside of any Detroit back, including Bell, so keep an eye on the situation during training camp and preseason action.
Value Meter
Rising: A more concerted effort will be made to involve 2014 first-round selection Eric Ebron in the offense, though he'll remain a third option to Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.Declining: After a breakout first season in Detroit, Golden Tate could see a slight drop in production if Calvin Johnson is healthy all year and Ebron emerges as expected.
Sleeper: Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah has the highest ceiling among Lions running backs and he can also return kicks.
Supersleeper:Corey Fuller has a ton of speed, and after sitting out his entire rookie season in 2013, he showed flashes of big-play ability when forced into duty last year.
IDP WATCH
Stephen Tulloch - LBIf he returns to full health, he's a lock for triple-digit tackles.
DeAndre Levy - LB
Looking to follow up on a 151-tackle season, his third with 100-plus over the last four years.
Glover Quin - S
The ball-hawking safety piles up interceptions and tackles on a yearly basis.
