Lions doing 'weird stuff' to find right O-line combo
Allen Park -- The Detroit Lions' offensive line is still in flux. The team solved its biggest problem this offseason by drafting offensive tackle Taylor Decker, but there's been some continued instability along the inside.
The Lions benched left guard Laken Tomlinson, the team's first-round pick last year, after six games. Rookie Graham Glasgow has been predictably inconsistent and has been battling an ankle injury the past two weeks, leading to Tomlinson being rotated back into the lineup.
"We're just still evaluating every part of that whole situation," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "We're going to play who is best. There were even some times we were subbing some guys in for a play or two here or there. We're doing all sorts of weird stuff up there."
Tomlinson played just six snaps two weeks ago, rotating in for a few plays each for Glasgow and right guard Larry Warford. But in last weekend's win over the Minnesota Vikings, the split at left guard was closer to even with the rookie out-snapping Tomlinson, 34-27.
While it might seem like a rotation might be disruptive to continuity -- something more important to the offensive line compared to other positions -- Cooter said he won't be confined to traditional approaches when trying to find the best formula for his team.
"Well, continuity is important year after year, but I don't believe you always have to stay in the boundaries of what everybody else does," Cooter said. "From time to time, you do sub a guy inside once in a while, for one reason or another."