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My Vote for MVP of Lions D (hint, he doesn’t play D); Keep 2 QBs; Putting Bad D in Historical Rank

NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 05.24.2010/6:35PM

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There is no shortage of candidates for my offseason vote for the most valuable player for the Lions’ defense. You can throw a handful of darts at the defensive depth chart and make a case for wherever a point sticks.
Here’s a hint: my vote goes to a guy who doesn’t play defense. And having said that, the choice isn’t that hard for the MVP for the Lions’ defense.
First, let’s spell out exactly how the Lions’ defense has been historically bad – shockingly worse than anyone might have mentioned.
Most of this offseason countdown centers on quarterbacks. There – another hint for the defensive MVP.
Let’s roll:

1. Bad, bad, bad D:  It isn’t a stretch to say the defense is worse than I thought, and that   saying a lot. But research shows just how bad it’s been.
According to the statistics on NFL.com, the NFL’s official website, no team ranked last in total defense two straight seasons from 1970 through 2007. The 1970 season was the year the AFL and NFL merged into one league, with two conferences – AFC and NFC.
The Lions gave the NFL its first back-to-back worst defenses in 2007 and ’08. They were bad – horribly bad. And they outdid themselves by extending their badness by ranking last in 2009.
That’s a three-bagger of ineptitude. The Lions have been last in total defense – based on yards allowed – for three straight years. And they’ve also give up the most points for three straight years.
2. Fresh troops: Yes, they’ve upgraded the talent level, adding young and old legs. The primary new vets are Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams up front, and Jonathan Wade and Chris Houston in the secondary.
From the draft, they’ve added tackle Ndamuhong Suh and cornerback Amari Spievey. Suh, drafted second overall, can be a difference-maker. And Spievey seems in the mold of Ty Law, who played at a Hall of Fame level despite not being blessed with great speed/
Can one of the newcomers lift the defense? Yes. And so can one of the holdovers – safety Louis Delmas of linebacker Deandre Levy, both from the 2009 draft class, and linebacker Julian Peterson, a Pro Bowl alternate in his one season with the Lions.

3. My pick for defensive MVP: Matthew Stafford, the quarterback.
Any defense needs protection, and nobody provides more of it than an accomplished quarterback.
Look, nobody actually votes for an offensive player for defensive MVP. But that shouldn’t lessen the impact Stafford should have on his own defense.
In the offseason workouts, Stafford has looked like a veteran. He throws the ball with such ease, and he can make every throw with a variety of motions – deep ball off the classic drop-back setup, out patterns delivered like a laser, and quick throws with a flick of the wrist, almost in a sidearm motion.
GM Martin Mayhew has added talent to the offense in two years. The offensive line should be good enough to protect Stafford because of his ability to read and react quickly and deliver the ball.
And the assets on offense can move the chains and make big strikes – wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and running back Jahvid Best.
In his press conference with the media last week, coach Jim Schwartz was asked what impact a productive offense has on a defense.
“What’s important in the NFL now is that you can score,” he said. “It allows you to play a little bit different defensively. You can play a little bit more aggressively, knowing if you give up a touchdown, your offense can go get one back
“I think that dynamic definitely plays into it. You don’t have to be as cautious. You can freewheel a little more.”
And yes, it’s only May. Everything looks good in May.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Schwartz said. “We haven’t scored a point this year. But that’s the hope for sure. If the signs you see now come to fruition in the fall, we’re able to have some explosiveness, it definitely helps the defense.”
Everythiing a competent quarterback does helps the defense. He gets first downs, extends possessions and changes field position. It gives the defensive coordinator more latitude in calling defenses, and that should lead to more turnovers.

4. Kicker vs. passer: Here’s a vote for the Lions keeping two quarterbacks instead of three on the 53-player roster in the regular season.
Instead of having a third quarterback with no hope of being a contributor in the NFL, it would be better to sign a kickoff specialist to take some of the load off Jason Hanson.
Would you rather have Drew Stanton holding the clipboard again, or have someone with a strong leg booming kickoffs into the end zone?
It’s an easy choice. Take the kickoff specialist.
Hanson is 39 and going into his 19th season. Except for a brief slump last year, he’s still accurate. So save him for field goals and extra points.
If the Lions want a third quarterback to run the scout team, then sign a young quarterback to the practice squad.

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