Ever since Joe Lombardi was hired as the new offensive coordinator in Detroit, we’ve heard about intentions of building a Saints-type offense with the Lions in 2014.
A lot of the talk has come from running back Reggie Bush, who played for the Saints when Lombardi was on the coaching staff in New Orleans, and who has been relentlessly optimistic about what the new scheme will mean for him and other skill position players. Having covered that territory pretty well, Bush has now moved on to being full of sunshine about what quarterback Matthew Stafford can do in the offense.
“There is not a lot Matt can’t do,” Bush said, via NFL.com. “I think coach Lombardi’s gonna be really good for him. A guy who coached for a great quarterback Drew Brees and under Sean Payton and they’ve done a lot of great things down there in New Orleans and I was part of that. I think it’s going to be a great offense for Matt and it’s gonna be a big year for him.”
Stafford unravelled late last season and his 2011 season still stands out as the only year that saw him both healthy and playing at a very high level, but Lombardi isn’t the only addition designed to make life better for him in 2014. Wide receiver Golden Tate and tight end Eric Ebron have joined Calvin Johnson as targets for Stafford’s passes, which sets the stage for a rebound on offense in Detroit. If it doesn’t happen, the Lions will have to ask some hard questions about Stafford after overhauling both scheme and supporting cast.