Film Breakdown: How Za’Darius Smith Boosted the Lions’ Defense in Debut
For weeks leading up to the NFL trade deadline, fans of the Detroit Lions clamored for general manager Brad Holmes to make a move. And not just any move, something that was going to move the needle for a team with legitimate championship aspirations.
Despite it still being prior to the halfway point of the season at the time, Detroit’s defensive front had been decimated by injuries, headlined by the loss of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. As the hour approached, the rumblings got louder and just like that—defensive end Za’Darius Smith was traded to Detroit from the Cleveland Browns.
Since it would have been Smith’s bye week had he not been traded from Cleveland, Lions coach Dan Campbell elected not to dress Campbell during their Week 10 win over the Houston Texans. Having a few days off also afforded Smith the chance to return back to Florida to assess the damage caused to his home from this year’s hurricane season—a classy move no matter what some little guy from New Jersey might tell you.
The 10-year veteran made his debut during the Lions’ 52-6 thumping of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11, and he certainly did not disappoint. Let’s check out some of the All-22 and see how Smith’s first appearance in defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s defense shook out.
