2014 Season Preview: 5 Questions with SideLion Report
By Mike Praser
Sep 29, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions fan holds up a defense sign during the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
To preview the upcoming season we have reached out to our fellow Fansided sites to get the inside info on the 2014 Chicago Bears opponents. Today we tackle the 12th and 15th opponent on the Bears schedule, the Detroit Lions. Check out how Braden Shackelford from SideLion Report answered our infamous “5 Questions”.
What did you like and/or dislike about what the Lions did in free agency and the draft?
Jul 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate arrives at the 2014 ESPY Award show at Nokia Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
"Wide receiver was Detroit’s top need heading into free agency and they got their top target in Golden Tate. Tate is a young wide out with his best days ahead of him. He can play in the slot and out wide and he has some of the surest hands in the NFL- a huge plus for the Lions who lead the league in drops the past two seasons. I also thought the signing of James Ihedigbo at safety quietly improved the safety position."
In the draft the Lions added a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball in the first two rounds. Tight end Eric Ebron will fit perfectly into new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system and will line up everywhere on the field. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy adds an element to the Lions’ defense in terms of versatility at the linebacker position that was desperatly needed for Teryl Austin’s aggressive play calling and scheme.