Looking Back at Detroit's Future.

I know it’s still very early on in the season, but let’s face it, if I don’t write this article right now, I give this self-destructive team a chance to suck the last remaining ounce of hope out of me.

After years of suffering under the inept management of the Detroit Lions, I pose the following question: Do we, the fans, even know what a good management decision looks like anymore?

I’m not talking about getting that lucky bounce in the draft and backdooring your way into a good draft pick, or buffooning your way into a free-agent signing that happens to pan out. I’m talking about shrewd dealings, luring in free agents without paying double the going rate, and thoroughly researched draft picks that spend their full contract with Detroit, giving solid contributions as actual NFL players. 

Both Tom Lewand, president of the Detroit Lions, and Martin Mayhew, General Manager, are ‘carry-overs’ from the Millen regime. Lewand has been with the organization for 15 years and is considered by many to be a creative, aggressive, and extremely talented businessman. He has worked his way up through the organization, holding many positions and responsibilities along the way. Martin Mayhew was Matt Millen’s right hand man throughout his tenure, and played nine years in the NFL as a cornerback for Buffalo, Washington, and Tampa Bay. He was also a starter on the Redskins’ Super Bowl XXVI championship team. 

When the promotions were announced concern arose from both fans and media, questioning the logic of hiring from within a losing organization, and from a front office that managed to foul up every trade, draft pick and free agent that came anywhere near this team from 2001 until 2008. After the announcements I heard whispers of Mayhew’s eye for talent, of having his ideas over-ruled by Millen, of having his draft choice recommendations ignored, all while he remained loyal to his boss. If all of that is true, I would have to say that Mayhew was a yes man under Millen. However, since being named to the GM position, Mayhew has shown a talent for the office of General Manager.

Lewand and Mayhew dove right into the deep end of the NFL business when they turned disgruntled receiver and fan favorite, Roy Williams, into a 1st round draft pick courtesy of Dallas.( Nine months later, Roy Williams has been mediocre at best, and Dallas fans still wonder how they were swindled by a ‘novice’ in Detroit’s front office.) Soon after, the duo navigated their first draft. After years of missteps, flops, and pot head draft picks, Detroit fans anticipated half a dozen wide-eyed, over matched "players" who would fill their autograph books with names of real NFL players before heading to their back-up career choices. Instead, what Detroit may have done, is pull off its best draft in two decades, while creating a solid core of players around which they can build a future contender.

We are only three games into the 2009 season, and there are already a slew of rookies that are making large contributions to this team. Matthew Stafford has been compared to a young Brett Favre . . . by Favre himself! Brandon Pettigrew has supplied solid blocking from the tight end position, and has shown hints of being a viable check down option for Stafford. Louis Delmas just become the first Lion to ever be named as Defensive Rookie of the Month in the NFL. DeAndre Levy, filling in for an injured Ernie Sims, played a huge role in getting Detroit its first victory in 20 games. Sammie Lee Hill played his way into a starting role at defensive tackle on opening day. Finally, Aaron Brown has made Detroit’s special teams . . . well . . . special again! He is lightning quick, and could find himself spelling Kevin Smith in the backfield. In case you’re counting, that makes six of Detroit’s first seven picks that are currently making large contributions to this team. (The lone ‘non-contributor’ would be Derrick Williams, who was out-played in the return game by Brown, and never seemed to show the ability to adjust to the speed of NFL cornerbacks.) When was the last time a fan had to remember the names of four Lions draft picks, let alone six? Below is a list of recently drafted players who have had memorable careers.

Some may challenge how memorable of a career so and so had, but my point is simple: The potential for this year’s draft class greatly outweighs any other draft class in the last 12 years.  If the Detroit class of 2009 continues to develop and becomes the future nucleus of this team, we may look back years from now and declare that the promotions of Lewand and Mayhew mark the exact moment that this franchise finally turned the corner.

If you enjoyed my article and would like to see more, you can find them at :

http://isportsweb.com/sport/nfl/nfc-north/detroit-lions/