National Football League

Detroit's Darryl Tapp hypes Lions defensive line despite losses

Published Jun. 16, 2015 1:28 p.m. ET

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Don't tell defensive end Darryl Tapp that the Detroit Lions will miss Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in 2015. In an interview with Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press, Tapp sounded plenty confident in replacements Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker, plus the depth Detroit has behind them.

"Haloti's a massive man, an All-Pro guy," Tapp told the Free Press. "He makes things happen when he's out there. T-Walk, another guy who can make a lot of plays, very athletic. He's probably the most unknown person going into the season. He's very athletic and can make a lot of things happen. We have Jermelle Cudjo, another young guy they're bringing in here, and Kerry Hyder; those guys are competing and learning the system and learning how to practice the right way.

"So, we have a lot of interesting phases and abilities at the tackle spot. And we're just trying to mesh and get the chemistry together on the D-line right now."

Tapp is heading into his 10th NFL season and second with the Lions. The veteran in the rotation is excited about the young blood Detroit has at defensive end, too. In particular, he spoke about up-and-coming players Larry Webster and Devin Taylor, according to the Free Press.

"We're deep at defensive end," Tapp said, per the Free Press. "...Between Larry and Devin, the two young ends, you're going to get a glimpse of the future. We have like a five- or six-headed monster at defensive end right now. We're going to do our best to create a lot of damage come the season."

Tapp didn't even feel the need to mention starting defensive ends Jason Jones and Ezekiel Ansah, both of whom could be huge for the Lions in 2015.

(h/t Detroit Free Press)

Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski/Contract Photographer