Multiple reports state that Deshea Townsend has been hired by the Detroit Lions to serve as both the passing game coordinator and coach for their cornerbacks. This appointment adds another facet to the team’s defensive leadership. Terrell Williams is also joining Detroit as the new coordinator of the run game and defensive line coach.
What the acquisitions signify for defensive line coach John Scott and quarterbacks coach Dre Bly, who were both hired during the previous summer, is still unknown.
The Lions improved their run defense this past season, finishing second in the league, but they still had trouble stopping the pass. They were 27th in the league in passing yards allowed, while quarterbacks facing them had a 23rd-place passer rating (93.1) for the season.
Despite rookie slot cornerback Brian Branch’s fantastic rookie year, Pro Football Focus lists no Detroit outside cornerback among the top 90 players in the league. After agreeing to a large free-agent contract in the offseason, Cam Sutton had a difficult time, while Emmanuel Moseley, another rookie, was limited to just two plays before sustaining another ACL injury.
After starting the season in Moseley’s place, Jerry Jacobs was later benched in favor of Kindle Vildor, a midseason addition whose most memorable play occurred in the NFC Championship game when a pass deflected off his face and into the hands of Brandon Aiyuk for a 51-yard reception.
With new leadership in place, Detroit is anticipated to allocate additional resources to the outside cornerback position.
Townsend, 48, is a former cornerback for the Steelers who has coached in five different NFL leagues. He most recently spent the previous two years as the defensive backs coach and coordinator of the passing game for the Jaguars.
