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Lions see increased potential in emerging defensive lineman
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- Lions see increased potential in emerging defensive lineman
ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell called Tyler Lacy one of the two most powerful defensive linemen on the roster, and performance in this year's training camp validates that claim.
Along with second-string player Ahmed Hassanein, Lacy showed the motor, versatility, and aggression the Lions want in their big ends. After Sunday's practice, Lacy told MLive that being in Detroit's defense for a second consecutive year has helped him become more comfortable and keep stacking days, "get 1% better."
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Excited to be back in Detroit for a second year and looking forward to suiting up at Ford Field, Lacy's versatility is going to come in handy for a Lions team that lost a few key veterans due to free agency. The Lions lost D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez – who played primarily inside – during free agency along with versatile defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad .
Their departures – especially Muhammad's – have paved the way for Lacy to see an increased role in Detroit's defense under coordinator Kelvin Sheppard . Last season, Lacy suited up in 10 games with four starts, logging 21 total tackles, six pressures, six quarterback hits, and one sack.
Lacy said the Lions want him to keep developing his pass rush while sharpening his versatility along the defensive front, particularly his ability to line up and be effective at the 4-eye (4i), 5-technique, and 6-technique spots. That positioning lets Lacy move across the defensive front, take on different blocking assignments depending on where he lines up, and give the Lions more flexibility in how they deploy him.
Campbell outlined a similar progression for Lacy at the start of the preseason, praising what he already provides against the run while pointing to his pass rush as the next step.
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"He's big, he's strong, he's stout, he's physical," Campbell said. "And, so for that big end, especially big end in base, he's like the perfect big end in base. … The next step for him will be some of this stuff where, OK, now we transition to nickel, slide to the three-technique. Can you get an edge on some of this rush stuff?"
For Lacy to improve, it helps that he's having to deal with the likes of Penei Sewell , Tate Ratledge and rookie Blake Miller, who one could argue have been the perfect litmus test for the veteran defender.
"Iron sharpens Iron," Lacy said. "I feel like every time I'm out there going against them every day, I feel like I'm just getting better and better and just picking up on keys. We got some vets on the O-line, so just playing a vet, that's the savvy vet-ness, and just trying to go out there and just play. And that's good for me."
Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers has been intentional with Lacy, telling the defender -- along with those on his unit -- he is looking for them to improve on striking blocks and getting off the block and just getting a lot of penetration.
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That emphasis on improving the details of his game comes as Lacy prepares for a potentially larger role, one he knows will require him and the rest of the defensive line to embrace a next-man-up mentality.
"We got guys coming up. I mean, once somebody leaves, I mean, (it's) next man up," Lacy said. "I mean, he has to build that role and fulfill that role so we could be better. So I feel like it's just a next-man-up mentality."
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