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Detroit Lions 2015 Training Camp Profile: DT Haloti Ngata

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David Manning - USA TODAY Sports

David Manning – USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions lost one of their top players and best defensive players this offseason when Ndamukong Suh signed a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins. Suh was a big part of the Lions’ success on the defense and losing him, along with Nick Fairley, severely damages what was once a dominating strength for the Lions.

In order to try and keep a dominant defensive line, the Lions traded for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Having Ngata on the team is not a bad replacement for the departed Suh, but don’t expect a dominant defensive line like the Lions have had these past few seasons.

Essentially, Ngata will have to learn to play a different position. When he was with the Baltimore Ravens, the Ravens ran a 3-4 defense where Ngata spent a lot of time playing the nose tackle spot, but he also seen some time playing defensive end. In the Lions’ scheme, Ngata will line up as a 4-3 defensive tackle.

It will be interesting to see if the Lions decide to line him up at the 3-technique or the 1-technique, the difference being that he will be counted on as more of a pass rusher in the former, and he will be counted on improving the running game in the latter.

Don’t be surprised to see the Lions using him at both spots in different packages. Ngata is a good enough player to be able to play both of those positions at a high level, but he won’t be as dominant as Suh in the pass rushing game. He will be better at stopping the run, which is crucial in the NFC North because the Lions will have to play against Eddie Lacey, Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte for six games.

Ngata will also help provide a veteran, Super Bowl-winning leadership that the Lions have lacked in recent years. One of the reasons Jim Caldwell was hired last year was to bring stability, discipline and leadership to the organization. They also need players that can do that, and Ngata can. He comes from the Ravens, who are one of the best organizations in the NFL and one of the winningest.

The Lions’ defensive line will look different this year, but they should still be able to play at a high level with the former All-Pro defensive lineman now on board. The Lions may not have the powerful, fast pass rush they had with Suh, but Ngata will help the defensive line nonetheless.

 

 

 

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