Sam LaPorta is going through hell every time the Lions play in the red zone
We'll reflect on the Detroit Lions loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this last time and then it's time to turn the page. It was a rough one. We've all established that. The biggest problem the Lions had in this game was getting it done in the red zone. We've heard many reasons why from […]
We'll reflect on the Detroit Lions loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this last time and then it's time to turn the page.
It was a rough one. We've all established that. The biggest problem the Lions had in this game was getting it done in the red zone. We've heard many reasons why from Lions fans. There was the Lions not running the ball enough, Jared Goff tried to force his chemistry with Jameson Williams and Goff just never tried to throw it Sam LaPorta who was chronically open in the red zone all night.
It was the last one that I saw pop up the most in my comment sections. So I decided to sit down and look at the film. I've clipped all 20 passing plays from the red zone, let's see how much LaPorta was open and man this guy had a tough night.
Clip 1: Not open
You can see LaPorta at the top of your screen here. He runs up and to the right. There's a linebacker waiting there for him at the second level and then a safety right over the top. He's pretty well covered here.
It doesn't really matter though since Goff is running for his life immediately on this play. He could have maybe forced it in, but Goff never really got a chance to set his feet and throw it.
Clip 2: Designed play
This play was always going to go this way. It was set up for Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield. The ball goes right to him half a second after Goff gets the snap. So it didn't matter who was open here. The plan was for Gibbs to do something.
Clip 3: Blocking
Goff definitely forced this one to Williams without question. What Goff should have done was immediately thrown the ball to David Montgomery over the middle, who was standing pretty open in the end zone with weak coverage. As for LaPorta, he was just blocking on this one. Even if he sheds the block, there's a guy right over top waiting for him.
Clip 4: Open
LaPorta runs a stop route at the bottom of your screen and he gets fairly open. I'm not sure what he can really do with it if he catches it, but he was probably the better option over Gibbs in the backfield here. Maybe he gets an angle here and at least gets a first.
Clip 5: Not open
Top of your screen here. LaPorta runs directly into double coverage. There was no way he was getting open on this one. If I were Goff I would held onto the ball a smidge longer and then hit a wide open Tim Patrick in the end zone to the left. I don't know what he's doing here throwing it so fast with not a lot of pressure.
Clip 6: Not open
Goff was out here getting rid of the ball so quick you would think he was playing against the 1985 Bears defense or something. Ben Johnson really just gave this offense no room to breathe on Sunday night. Even if LaPorta gets open, the ball is already in Gibbs hands.
Clip 7: Blocking
This play worked out really well and it's because LaPorta blocked really well. It was clearly a designed run for Goff to get the first down and LaPorta blocked the one guy that could have ended the play.
Clip 8: Wide open
This one is played pretty well by the Bucs, but LaPorta gets left wide open when his man bites on Jameson Williams in the end zone. If I'm Goff I'm tossing it to LaPorta here and maybe he can make it into the end zone. He at least puts yardage on the field instead of an incomplete pass into double coverage.
Clip 9: Not open
At the top of your screen here. He could have maybe got open had he ran the other way, but St. Brown was actually wide open here so Goff made the right move considering St. Brown's YAC ability.
Clip 10: Screen
Another designed play here. LaPorta is lined up with two other guys at the bottom of the screen and he is here to block and that's it. The Bucs saw this one coming a mile away and they broke it up quickly. I'm not a big fan of the screen plays because I don't think they work most of the time. Here's proof.
Clip 11: Not open
He sort of looks open here, but I'm not throwing him this ball with the man over the top that can jump this route, even if he's looking the other way. As soon as Goff looks in LaPorta's direction, this guy could be right there.
Clip 12: Not open
LaPorta runs right into double coverage here. Goff is throwing a pick if he forces it into him. St. Brown was the much safer route to go here. Nice job Jared.
Clip 13: Not open
Runs right to his guy and even if he gets a little open here, you're not getting much on this play. LaPorta is more of a decoy here than anything. This play was just a mess from the word go and that's why Goff is picked off.
Clip 14: Not open
Another quick out to Gibbs. Johnson was really trying to force something to happen here with these plays. LaPorta isn't open, but St. Brown could have been if the play further develops.
Clip 15: Openish
I think if Goff throws the ball angling to the left here that LaPorta could get it and maybe turnup field. If he throws it dead on it's picked. That's why the safer thing to do here is not throw it towards LaPorta. The throw to Williams was probably the right call.
Clip 16: Could have been open in the end zone
Once again we're throwing short to Gibbs here and he can't get much to happen. LaPorta angles his way into the end zone and if this one develops just a little more, he's scoring a touchdown. The Lions may have been in just too much of a hurry Sunday night.
Clip 17: Not open
LaPorta runs right into doble coverage again. The Bucs read this offense like a book. They had two guys just waiting for LaPorta and seemingly knew what the Lions were doing everywhere else too. Adjustments need to be made.
Clip 18: Not open
These last few clips are from the final drive of the game. LaPorta had a man on him right away and Goff is impatient again. LaPorta wasn't getting anything on this play, but my god if there were ever a time to throw it Gibbs, this was that time. That's a touchdown right there. LaPorta has one man with him and Gibbs has one man to beat in space.
Clip 19: Open
LaPorta should have been the target here. He might not have got a ton of yards out of it, but he's wide open and could have at least progressed down the field a little more. Of course the issue is that you're running out of time and you're trying to play the sidelines to get someone out of bounds. Not sure how much time was left on the clock here. But you got to catch it and get some yards and clock it. You're sort of damned if you do and damned if you don't on this one.
Clip 20: Open, but it doesn't matter
The Bucs are playing high here and keeping everything in front of them. Even if Goff hits LaPorta here, he's got to contend with half the Bucs defense to get into the end zone.
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