Lions' defense looks improved -- vs. inferior foes

Aug 22, 2017 - 2:13 AM ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Statistically, the Detroit Lions had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year.

They set a league record for highest completion percentage allowed, and they ranked near the bottom of the league in takeaways and sacks.

So while no one is going overboard about Detroit's 2-0 start to the preseason, especially since the wins came against the lowly New York Jets and the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts, there still are plenty of good vibes going around about what the Lions have accomplished so far.

"In my terms, I think we've done what we should do," safety Glover Quin said. "Play against an Indianapolis team that a lot of their receivers were hurt, Frank Gore didn't play, Andrew Luck doesn't play, I feel like we should be able to dominate that game.

"You play against the Jets and Matt Forte doesn't play, they're trying to figure out who's going to be their starting quarterback, I guess. I would feel like we should be able to go in there and not let Christian Hackenberg beat us or we shouldn't let their running game get going against us. So I think we've done what we should do."

The Lions have allowed just 16 points in their two preseason games, second fewest in the league, and their first-team defense has held the Colts and Jets scoreless through about four series.

The Colts, who started Scott Tolzien at quarterback in place of Luck, scored their only touchdown on the final play of regulation, while the Jets had minus-3 yards passing in the first half.

The Lions lost starting left end Kerry Hyder to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, and starting right end Ziggy Ansah remains on the physically unable to perform list with a leg injury. However, the team has gotten good play from free agent additions Akeem Spence and Cornelius Washington on the defensive line, and rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis looks at home calling plays.

Quin said he believes the Lions are doing what is necessary to extend their success to the regular season, and he said this week's third preseason game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will give everyone a good idea of how far they still have to go.

"I'm all for playing good teams in the preseason," Quin said. "I like it."

--Offensive guard TJ Lang played 18 snaps in his preseason debut last week against the Jets.

Lang has missed about half of the Lions' practices in training camp as he recovers from January hip surgery. Coach Jim Caldwell said Lang's rehab will "progressively" move forward to keep him on pace for the season opener Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.

"He's been around long enough," Caldwell said. "Some of the younger guys you got to tailor every singly detail of every single rep. Some of the older guys, you have to be able to certainly have a little flexibility there and work with them. And right now, he's progressing like we had planned, and we'll see where it goes from here."