Reality and the Detroit Lions

I haven't posted on here in a long time, but I do make appearances from time to time. I see a LOT of negativity on here, and whether it's rightfully placed or not, I really feel compelled to offer an unbiased opinion after today's loss on where I think we are and where we're going, so bear with me, and tell me how you feel.

#1 pick, 0-16, 50 years... A lot of numbers play into the situation we're in now. As Lions fans we want to win, and we want to win yesterday. But here we are, 0-2, with the possibility of setting a new mark of futility for the entire NFL. Our rookie quarterback hasn't performed to the expectations that many have had for him, and people are already jumping off of the proverbial bandwagon.

Let's face it folks: Matthew Stafford isn't going to take us to the places that Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan did for their teams. He's been put into the unenviable position of leading a team with no real leadership, a fresh roster, and a tough schedule. He's made quite a few poor reads that have given us fits. But, honestly, that's what 95% of the rookie quarterbacks do in the NFL. Hell, that's what half the veteran quarterbacks in the NFL do. Just like the rest of this team, Stafford is a project in its infancy. I've said it before - this will be a messy year. Being that none of us has any control over roster decisions or playcalling, we have to understand and accept that. If Stafford sat this year, I can make a pretty solid guarantee that everyone would be watching his first two games next year going 'He's terrible, why is he trying to force passes like that?' etc. etc.. The only way this young man will learn is by doing. After forcing 10 passes into double coverage, he will learn to no longer do it. After being flushed from the pocket 10 times he will learn to step up and make the throw.

I had this argument with my father during the game today - Past results are not indicitive of future performance in our case. You cannot say that the Lions are 'the same team as always', because they simply are not. Yes, this is our 10 millionth rebuilding cycle, but that is reality. The least we can do is be happy that we have a clean slate with a man at the helm who (I believe) we all feel is qualified for the job, and hope that he can shape the team up. Change does not happen overnight. Can anyone honestly say that any of the teams in the NFL achieved success suddenly and remained that way? You EARN experience. You fight through losses, and setbacks, and ultimately it decides whether you're made or broken.

Regardless of anyone's opinion of how we have been playing, our roster is VASTLY improved from many years. Look at it this way - Let's take 51 of us who are on POD, and go play football together. Assuming we have a modicum of knowledge about various positions and whatnot, try and imagine how simplistic it would be for us all to gel into one solid unit. You don't turn over the majority of the roster and expect immediate results. As I said in an earlier comment, success is achieved through continuity. And continuity does not happen quickly. We need to retain players and staff in order to give ourselves a shot to win. People will say that's impossible as long as you're losing, but it isn't. If it was, every bad team would stay bad forever, and every good team would be fantastic forever.

Basically what I'm trying to say, is that as fans, we need to look at this objectively. This is a work in progress, and with every loss and every interception, we come one step closer to our players gaining the experience they need to contend in the NFL. We have some extremely potent talent, and it will be realized eventually. I know it's hard, but we just need to be patient, and watch the maturation of not just one man, but an entire football team. As far as I see it, we have two extremely solid players in Larry Foote and Matthew Stafford who WANT to be here, and want to win. It's got to start somewhere.

I'm sure I got extremely off track, but it is 3 AM and I just got off work, so cut me a little slack. :)