Travis Gibbs
The Detroit Lions have an issue on their offensive line.
Taylor Decker went down with a shoulder injury earlier this summer and isn’t expected to return until late in the season. General manager Bob Quinn responded by signing two free agent left tackles, Greg Robinson and Cyrus Kouandjio.
Robinson and Kouandjio haven’t looked like the answer during training camp. Many reports have come out saying that both players have struggled in drills that require them to pass block.
Storm Norton is the only player left on the depth chart at left tackle. He’s an undrafted free agent. There’s a big problem if he’s the starter going into the opening week of the regular season.
What should they do about this problem? One option would be moving Rick Wagner to left tackle. Head coach Jim Caldwell already said that wouldn’t be an option during a press conference following Decker’s injury.
He should consider the idea if Robinson and Kouandjio aren’t doing well.
Wagner proved to be a versatile player after getting drafted out of Wisconsin. He played right tackle for the Ravens even though he mainly played on the opposite side of the line for the Badgers.
If Wagner were to hypothetically move to left tackle for the Lions, who would fill the void at right tackle?
That could be done in a number of ways. Cornelius Lucas has experience starting at tackle. Joe Dahl has versatility on the offensive line.
None of these moves are exactly ideal but they are justifiable. The main goal of any kind of success this season is keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy. Protecting his blind side is more important than pressure coming from the right side.
There’s no need to start Robinson or Kouandjio if they don’t start finding any kind of consistency in training camp and the preseason. They aren’t even getting reps against Ezekiel Ansah. If they can’t stop Anthony Zettel in practice, how do you expect them to stop any one else?
I think it’s time for Caldwell to swallow his pride and go against what he said. A steady left tackle is more important than a steady right tackle.
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