Lions Need D-Line To Shine Against Vikings
Two Lions Recognized For Stellar Play
Baker was watching last season's game against Minnesota at home on videotape late Tuesday night. He saw the Lions' defensive line stalking quarterbacks Randall Cunningham and Jeff George and causing havoc in the Vikings' backfield.
"I said to myself, 'Yeah, that's the way this group can play,'" Baker said. "We had guys flying around all over the place and throwing themselves at people. We need to get back to that style of play where we're imposing our will on people."
The Lions (3-1) are off to a good start without much production from their defensive line, which was supposed to be a strength of this team.
Robert Porcher is the only active defensive end in the NFL to record at least 10 sacks in each of the past four seasons.
But the next sack Porcher gets will be the first one this season. The same is true for Luther Elliss and James Jones.
Tracy Scroggins, who was responsible for the only sack in last weekend's 21-14 win at Chicago, leads Detroit with three sacks. The rest of the team has combined for just four sacks.
"The pass rush is a big concern, and it isn't just Robert (Porcher)," Lions coach Bobby Ross said. "That's our biggest weakness on defense right now, and it should be a strength. It's always going to be tough against Chicago, because you are always watching for screens and the kid (Cade McNown) scrambling around.
"But we're barely getting a touch on anyone, and that's not good enough."
Jones agrees. He says that he and his fellow linemen have not been playing at the level that they are capable of.
"So far, we've been good enough to win but that might not be good enough anymore. We have not been aggressive and we have not been physical, and that's got to change," Jones said.
The Lions will need an effective pass rush Sunday against visiting Minnesota (3-0).
If Daunte Culpepper has time to throw, it makes it difficult for any defensive back to stay with Randy Moss or Cris Carter.
If Culpepper is flushed out of the pocket, he challenges defenses with his ability to run. The second-year quarterback out of Central Florida University has rushed for 169 yards on 33 carries.
If Baker was a college or a high school coach, he would attempt to motivate the defensive line by screaming at them.
But that sort of teaching technique doesn't work too well with grown men whose talents have earned them millions of dollars.
"You have to intelligently show them what they're not doing and what they need to do," Baker said. "When you're talking about non-technique things, like playing with emotion, that comes down to the guys being true professionals and challenging themselves.
"I know this group can do what we're looking for and I would be very, very disappointed if they didn't come out Sunday very physical and very aggressive."
Free safety Kurt Schulz is the NFC's defensive player of the week. Schulz, who the Lions signed as a free agent away from Buffalo, made three interceptions against the Bears. He has an NFL-best five interceptions.
Not to be outdone, return specialist Desmond Howard was named NFC special teams player of the month this week. Howard, a former Heisman trophy winner from the University of Michigan, leads the league with a 23.4 punt return average and also ranks seventh among kick returners, averaging 26.9 yards.
With his next punt return for a touchdown, Desmond Howard will become the all-time NFL leader in the category with nine. He is currently tied with former Lion Jack Christiansen and Denver Bronco Rick Upchurch for second-place on the all-time NFL of punt return touchdowns.
