Rashean Mathis: 'Detroit Lions have new defense'

Detroit Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis has admitted that the team's defense will be completely different in 2014 under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

Mathis said that the best change that Austin has brought in is constant communication between the lineman, and he hopes that it can become even more effective before the season starts properly.

"It's a different defense, totally," he told the club's official website. "It's different in a good way.

"Communication has to be a huge part of it. That's something we were actually trying to get done last year, because it makes everyone's job a little easier. You know what you're doing and you trust the guy next to you because he's talking to you."

Austin was secondary coach of the Baltimore Ravens before he joined the Lions.