Lions have troubling 'chemistry' problem before playing Bears

With new offensive and defensive coordinators, the Detroit Lions looked out of sync in their 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. 

The Lions offensive line, which had been a strength under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, was exposed by the Packers. Detroit gave up four sacks for minus-25 yards and gained just 46 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune spoke with an NFL scout about the Lions offensive line. The scout thinks the Lions have a "chemistry" problem after center Frank Ragnow retired in the offseason. 

The scout called Ragnow's replacement, Graham Glasgow, at best a "league average center" for Detroit, a serious downgrade from Ragnow, who earned second-team All-Pro honors three times in his career.

“He’s in a challenging spot with inexperienced starters on each side of him from a communication standpoint," the scout said of Glasgow. "And also the inability to have experience with the guys you’re playing next to. That matters when you’re combo blocking and passing off a stunt inside. 

"There has to be chemistry built there and they don’t have that yet. That’s something I’m looking to expose if I’m Dennis Allen.”

The Detroit Lions need to prep for an attack from the Chicago Bears

The scout thinks the Chicago Bears can take advantage of Glasgow in Week 2 by getting him singled up in pass protection. The Bears can do that by loading the box and walking a linebacker up to the six-foot-six, 315-pound center.

The problem is one that Detroit offensive coordinator John Morton needs to focus on this week. Before they were gassed in the fourth quarter, the Bears defense did a good job of pressuring Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Week 1, sacking the second-year quarterback three times.

As the season progresses, Glasgow and the Lions offensive line should jell. But defenses are looking to take advantage of a known chemistry problem in Detroit until the kinks are worked out.