Why Lions view Frank Ragnow as their ‘secret weapon’ vs. the Buccaneers
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is aware of how formidable and unpredictable the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is. However, he outlines the reasons why Frank Ragnow is the best player available this week.
Coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions began the week by cautioning about the difficulty the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense poses.
That defense has changed so dramatically because so many of the guys have been there together, Campbell remarked. Therefore, the disguises and the pressure are these things that defensive coordinator Todd Bowles believes in and that they’re really excellent at.
The Bucs defense is tied for ninth in sacks, sixth in tackles for loss, and seventh in yards per run allowed under Bowles, who is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in football.
The offensive coordinator for the Lions enjoys trying to find out how to get past this defense, which features players at every position like safety Antoine Winfield Jr., linebacker Lavonte David, and defensive tackle Vita Vea. Johnson is aware that he needs one essential component to get a good night’s sleep, though.
Frank Ragnow is actually our secret weapon, as Johnson claimed. He does an excellent job identifying fronts for the rest of the offensive line and in the protection game with the running backs and tight ends because we put a lot of pressure on him in both the run and pass games. He is therefore a vital component of what we do, and I have nothing but praise for him.
Although Bowles’ defensive style is fairly consistent from week to week, he is skilled enough as a defensive minid to create a totally original plan of attack for a different opponent each week. The Buccaneers employed a seldom-used six-man front against the Philadelphia Eagles only last week in an effort to stifle Philly’s run game and discomfort Jalen Hurts.
Johnson is aware that the Bucs’ defense is unpredictable, which makes scouting them challenging, but having an experienced player like Ragnow in control of protections and post-snap adjustments will give them a chance.
Most of the time, even when we get unscouted looks, he can find a solution for us because he’s an experienced guy with a lot of football experience, Johnson remarked.
The Lions had trouble moving the ball against Tampa in their previous meeting, managing just 40 yards on 22 carries—a season low. They were depleted of players that week due to the absence of running back Jahmyr Gibbs and left guard Jonah Jackson, as well as the rib injury that forced David Montgomery to leave the game in the second quarter.
However, the Bucs defense is deserving of much praise. They have continuously fielded a run defense in the top ten in the league under Bowles. They’re only allowing 55.3 run yards per game this year, which is a fifth-place total. They’ve also stopped opponents to 60 rushing yards or less in seven of their games.
Johnson acknowledges that the Lions are prepared with a backup plan in case Tampa gives them problems on the ground once more, but they are unlikely to give up on the running game on Sunday.
The beautiful thing about our offensive position right now is that we can change and adapt without completely shutting down, according to Johnson. We have alternative means to assault the defense if we are unable to run the ball.
That is precisely what transpired in the previous game, when Jared Goff completed 44 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns passing against the Buccaneers.
Thus, the Lions are optimistic that they can move the ball against a formidable Bucs defense this week because of their adaptable offense, which is greatly assisted by an informed player like Ragnow.
