When you're a new coordinator taking over a well-oiled machine like the Detroit Lions are (when healthy) on both sides of the ball, a showing like the one we saw from Detroit in Week 1 is always going to draw plenty of blame and criticism, no matter how outlandish that might be.
The Lions were thoroughly outmatched against the Green Bay Packers on both sides of the ball on Sunday and there was nothing to write home about when it came to the play-calling.
As a result, offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard are already under fire from fans, and some are wondering if the Lions botched the hirings of both.
Gotta love the Week 1 overreactions.
When asked about that take, linebacker Alex Anzalone said anyone who is saying that isn't "highly intelligent."
"Well, whoever’s saying that is not highly intelligent.” Anzalone said.
“This isn’t a situation where anyone’s panicking. It’s just, we’re on the road, we got our ass beat and we gotta move on," he added.
Anzalone is going to anger a lot of fans by saying that and he should have chosen better words there, but he is right in the sense that it's way too early to push the panic button like some fans are.
This was the very first game of a new season with two new coordinators and the Lions didn't play their starters during the preseason. On offense, Detroit was working in two new starters along the offensive line, also.
Major hiccups should be expected, at least early on in the season.
If fans want to put the blame on anyone, put it on head coach Dan Campbell, who decided it wasn't necessary to play his starters in the preseason.
Is it fair to be concerned over what we saw in Week 1?
Absolutely, but going scorched earth like some fans have is a total overreaction.
MORE NFL NEWS
- WWE legend Ric Flair has blunt message for Aaron Rodgers haters
- Detroit Lions tumble down NFL power rankings after Packers loss
- Broderick Jones already wearing out his welcome as Steelers left tackle
- Raiders climb in NFL power rankings after knocking off Patriots
- Bills make NFL history 4 times in miraculous win over Ravens