Matthew Stafford on Lions' improved offensive line: 'It was like night and day'
Matthew Stafford led the Detroit Lions to the playoffs last season in spite of the offensive line surrendering 45 sacks, the 11th-most in the league.
Plagued by injuries and inconsistency a year ago, the team made significant upgrades to the unit over the offseason.
The Lions added guard Manny Ramirez in free agency and selected guard Laken Tomlinson with their first-round pick in the draft.
Stafford is already reaping the benefits of the team's renewed commitment to the offensive line.
"Since the week before the draft, to the week after, it was like night and day," Stafford told MLive's Kyle Meinke. "We just have so many more bodies, and so many more guys who are capable of playing well."
The Lions quarterback raved about Tomlinson's ability in particular.
"We were obviously a little thin at the position and to add a guy who's got great character, played great the last two years at Duke, I was fired up," Stafford said.
Already boasting an offense with star receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, an improved O-line could propel the Lions to a deep playoff run in 2015.
Detroit was defeated 24-20 by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC wild-card round last season.