Back in 2022, then Detroit Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard was asked about utilizing his linebackers in a QB spy role. If you don’t know, a QB spy is basically a defender who is asked to mirror to quarterback on a play in order to prevent them from scrambling for a big game.
At the time, Sheppard made it loud and clear he wasn’t a fan of the strategy.
“You show me tape where the spy stuff works,” Sheppard said. “What you do is you waste a defender when you operate like that, and you’re playing prevent defense in a sense. Show me where a spy has tackled Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray in open space. So, to each his own. Whatever you believe in, but I’ve seen that get torched on the college level and the NFL level.”
Yet on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens, the Lions utilized a QB spy early and often. And, for the most part, it worked exactly as planned. The Lions were able to hold Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to just 35 rushing yards on seven carries—only 24 yards of which were on true scrambling plays. More importantly, the QB spy helped the Lions’ defense sack Jackson seven times for 55 yards lost.
So… what gives? Did Sheppard have a change of heart? Was he just covering for Aaron Glenn’s defensive philosophy back in 2022? Do the Lions simply have better personnel now to deploy a QB spy?
We discuss that topic—and much more—on this week’s Midweek Mailbag podcast. The QB spy conversation begins around the 10:30 mark of the podcast embedded below.
Other topics on this week’s show:
- Why no Craig Reynolds and Mekhi Wingo vs. the Ravens?
- Has Trystan Colon quietly won the backup center job?
- Explaining the Lions’ run schemes and how they changed course against the Ravens
- Does it make more sense to start David Montgomery or Jahmyr Gibbs at the beginning of games?
- Would Terrion Arnold be a better fit at nickel?
- Should David Montgomery have gone down before scoring his final touchdown?
- Dan Campbell’s aggression: chaotic or thoughtful?
- Could Campbell finally win Coach of the Year?
- What is the best strategy to get the Lions’ offense moving against the Browns’ impressive defense?
You can listen to the show below or on any of your favorite podcasting platforms. Simply search “Pride of Detroit.”
You can also watch the show with bonus content over on our YouTube page or Twitch channel.
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