2010 Lions Personnel Evaluation: The Defensive Line

If any one playing group has had a larger impact for any NFL team during the 2010 NFL season, I would be surprised. The Lions defensive line made the Lions defense (16th in passing defense, 24th rushing defense, 21st in total defense) both imposing and viable, while presenting match-up problems that neutralized Lions opponents ability to take advantage of their under-manned back seven. The 2010 Lions were coming off of a run of seasons where they were ranked historically among the all-time worst NFL defenses. There was little reason to expect that the Lions would have made the gains that they were able to make during this season. The Lions made several bold strokes this off-season, in an attempt to improve their lot. Jim Schwartz actively recruited his former Titans player, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and was able to convince him to sign with the Lions at the opening of free agency. The Lions also had the best NFL prospect of the 2010 draft fortuitously fall into their laps, DT Nda...