Based on the preseason, the Detroit Lions issues in the secondary are every bit as bad as doomsayers feared.
Carson Palmer on Saturday night, a quarterback the Lions did effectively throttle last season, could have been Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Drew Brees late last season. While it is understood it was late in the game, and the Lions had many backups and players who won't even be on the team for the regular season on the field, Terrelle Pryor did a great impersonation of Vikings' backup QB Joe Webb at Ford Field in 2011. Is there something about the Lions' defensive scheme that allows for that against mobile QBs?
Part of these issues are because of injury. If safety Louis Delmas were healthy and on the field, it wouldn't be nearly the same problem. Delmas hasn't made many big plays since his rookie year, but he is an improved tackler, who provides a solid last line of defense. Safety, in my opinion, is the NFL's most underrated position in regard to importance. Erik Coleman does have experience, but it's difficult to discern how much he has left based on preseason. John Wendling is an excellent football player. He will make a surprising number of plays, but will also get burned. His forte is special teams. Playing him from scrimmage hurts special teams units. I believe rookie cornerback Bill Bentley is going to be a good NFL player, maybe even a very good one, but he is clearly being pushed too soon. Jacob Lacey is an ideal nickel back, but he may have to start. It's always dangerous when players are put into situations that are less than ideal for them to succeed based on their skill set. It's a necessity in the NFL, yet usually through in-season attrition because of injuries. The Lions will going into the start of the season in this predicament with their secondary. Suffice to say, there will be a lot of pressure on the defensive line to get home with the pass rush.
Also, it does benefit the Lions that they won't be seeing top passer such as Rogers or Jay Cutler until later in the schedule, but is there something about their scheme that allows them to get toasted by quarterbacks with speed?
After the Rams' Sam Bradford - a dropback passer - in the season-opener, the Lions will be tested in this regard. San Francisco's Alex Smith, Tennessee's Jake Locker, Minnesota with Webb (although he is the backup to Christian Ponder) and Philadelphia's Michael Vick all run exceptionally well.
My video live chat this week. Mostly on Tigers issues:

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