Will Gunther Cunningham unveil Blitzkrieg in Motown?
The Lions’ new defensive coordinator arrives in Detroit with a well-earned reputation for being one of the league’s most aggressive play callers. The 27-year NFL coaching veteran believes in bringing pressure from all angles, and his Lions defense has the pieces in place to allow his imagination to run free. In Julian Peterson, Ernie Sims and Larry Foote, Cunningham has a trio of linebackers with the necessary athleticism and playmaking skills to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. And the “high-risk, high-reward” play caller will take advantage of their diverse skill sets by blitzing on 40 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps. Although the high number of blitzes will expose a seemingly vulnerable secondary to lots of one-on-one coverage, Cunningham believes that all quarterbacks eventually cave in to pressure and creating that fear will eventually lead to turnovers. Given the impact turnovers have on wins and losses in the game, the Lions’ move to a high-pressure approach may help
