An Unexpected Strength?

A couple days ago Tom Kowalski wrote a piece about the Lions' secondary that, well, it was like getting a song stuck in my head. He addressed the fact that over the last couple games Detroit's secondary, the same secondary that was supposedly their biggest weakness in the offseason, was inexplicably now one of their stronger, more emerging facets.

Now, from watching every game up until this point, that's actually...true. It's weird to even be writing that - before the season started it was just a mish-mash of castoffs and Louis Delmas. These guys were about as trustworthy and notable as FDR's shoes. Alphonso Smith was acquired for a fourth string tight end, Amari Spievey was looking completely lost at corner, Delmas seemed to be perpetually hobbled, and Chris Houston....well, I guess he was alright. There's also Jonathan Wade, but....blech. Later. Anyway.

ANYWAY, the first couple games, they were atrocious. Delmas wasn't himself, Houston did alright (not great, not good, not bad, not terrible just ferociously, unapologetically okay), and everyone else was just a warm body waiting to get benched. It was almost enough to wish that Phil Buchanan would stop working at the local Staples and don some pads, y'know?

And then...Delmas seemed to be healed. Houston graduated to good. Smith overtook the abortion of gameplay that was Jonathan Wade and started piling on interceptions. Nate Vasher was signed on to cover Nickel. And, wonder of wonders, Spievey's transition to safety seemed not only to be a good idea, it also seemed to be working...quickly. Suddenly, Detroit's secondary was playing well, and it seemed to compliment their amazing defensive line. Granted, this is a small sample size, but there is unexpected optimism now pertaining to the Lions' defense. And Daddy likey.

HAHAHAILOVETHIS MAN

p.s.

I'm not a Jonathan Wade fan. I was optimistic towards him when he was acquired. I thought this was his time to shine. And then? He was an automatic pass interference waiting to happen. It hasn't been this bad since Bryant Westbrook was opponents' deep threat. I'd rather have a vinegar enema than watch Jon Wade biff another pass coverage or bungle yet another arm tackle. Maybe that's why I love Smith all the more: he has rid my Sundays of gnashing teeth and impotent wailing. That, and the Carlton Banks dance. Mmmmm.