Why Not Now?
by DrewsLions on Jun 7, 2010 3:09 PM EDT
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PrintSo here we sit, in the long, dreary month of June, where football news seems to lie dormant until it rouses its sleepy head in late July for the beginning of training camp. Thoughts seem to effortlessly gravitate to the hope and expectations of the coming year, while the hoopla surrounding the draft is quickly becoming like a sailing ship on the horizon - fading a little each moment as the sun begins to set. With every passing day, the 2009 season becomes little more than a fleeting memory and the grass on the side of the 2010 season looks ever greener. So with respect to the outlook of the upcoming season, I pose the question... why not now?
We Lion's fans have suffered immeasurably over the past few decades and perhaps no decade has delivered the most painful blows as the last. But all things - good, as well as bad - must come to an end, right? I mean, surely the suffering and losing cannot go on endlessly. I hold that it is logically impossible for us not to field a winner in the future... whether that be in five years or another fifty years. At some point in our future, respectability will return to this once glorious franchise. And if that return to prominence is a sure thing, then why not now? Why can't this year be the dawning of that new age, a beginning of a time where the name Detroit Lions is not synonymous with the words losing and failure? Why can't this be the year where the sins of the past are finally absolved through roster attrition and meticulous planning on the part of the new front office?
Please don't misconstrue this post to mean that we will win twelve games this season. That is not my objective. My intent is to dissolve the notion that while we all appear to be optimistic about the coming seasons, success remains to many merely an illusion where the rebuilding processes will endlessly rise and fall with nary a winner as the result. This will not happen. Like I said before, I believe it to be impossible to never again be a great franchise. If that is true, than it is guaranteed to happen. And if it is guaranteed to happen, then why not now?
I know you are all probably saying, "Yeah, but aren't you the guy that always wants to inject a dose of realism into our Kool-aid induced fun?" Yep, sure am. And this is my current dose of realism... we can and will be winners again very soon. Do I believe that it will specifically be this year? Not necessarily. But then again, I am not ruling it out. I think the foundation has been laid for the next winning Detroit Lions team (and yes, there have been others, it's just hard to remember them). I think that the pieces are in place right now and success is just around the corner. In short, I believe that the time is now (feel free to inject all of your snarky "Do You Believe In Now" slogan remarks here... lol). All joking aside, I can honestly say that have not felt this way since the mid-90's or maybe to a small extent after the 2004 draft (when we added Roy and Kevin to be the final offensive pieces with Joey and Charles). I am always optimistic in a sense, but most years, I'm simply hoping for the best case scenario to materialize. If I'm being frank, I don't always feel that our best case scenario can result in a winning season nor do I feel that we can do well without significant external factors intervening. In a nutshell, I usually feel that we are not the masters of our own destiny... regardless of the front I may wear.
So what makes this year different? Good question. It can be hard to put it in writing, but this year, I feel like we have a high(er) ceiling on our yearly best case scenario and I think that for the first time in a long time, we have enough potential or high level talent to be in control of our own destiny to an extent. I sense that our best case scenario is a winning record and possibly a WildCard berth. Remember, I said BEST case scenario... that is not a prediction of any kind. This year, I think it's not just about the other three teams in our division failing or losing a quarterback or other significant player through injury, it's about OUR talent playing to its highest capacity. If we play to what I feel our current level of talent can be, we will win significantly more games this year and take a major step towards respectability.
I think it's still fair to say that we have our share of weak spots in our roster. But in all fairness, every team in the NFC North has weak points. The Vikings have a weak secondary, very average linebackers and potentially a massive hole at quarterback. The Packers have a weak offensive line, an aging secondary and a spotty running game. The Bears have a weak secondary, aging linebacking corps, suspect receivers and a sketchy offensive line. In fact, I'll take Stafford, Johnson, Best, Pettigrew, Burleson and Scheffler against all of those secondaries any day of the week. It's been a long time since I've had the true inner confidence to bet on a Lion's unit like that. I'll also take our defensive line against all but maybe the Viking's offensive line in our division. That said, I could see us taking at least three or more games in our division this year. And if you can do basic math, that's more games than we've won in the last two years combined.
The optimism on my part is not simply from improved players. It's from a perceived organizational shakedown that has flipped this franchise on its head and back again, changing directions and putting its roots back down into better soil. Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew have gotten their fair share of lip service on this site, so I won't add to it too much here. To be honest, they haven't really achieved anything yet. But the excitement of what is coming is palpable and nearly tangible. The front office moves, especially draft choices, are undeniably better... even with little fruit at this point to show for it. I can honestly say that I have never felt so much confidence in a Lion's coach as I do with Schwartz... never. Not Fontes, Ross or even Mooch. I always felt a certain amount of hope and optimism, but not always confidence. I liked Marinelli, but I NEVER saw the image in my head of him standing on that Super Bowl platform hoisting a Lombardi Trophy. I knew in my heart of hearts that he would never win a Super Bowl. Did I think he would go 0-16... uh, no. But with Schwartz, I can absolutely see that image. It is crystal clear. I can also see Matthew Stafford, Super Bowl MVP, standing on that podium beside Schwartz with that big ‘ol "aw shucks" grin wearing a sopping wet "Detroit Lions - Super Bowl whatever Champions" T-shirt, telling Terry Bradshaw that he always knew they would get here. I can see Calvin Johnson up there with a championship hat cocked slightly to the right, big wide grin, groovin' to the stadium music realizing what he and the rest of the team has just achieved. And now there is a vision of the gentle giant Ndamukong Suh standing stoically behind Stafford like a majestic mountain in the distance. The look on his face displays the satisfaction of complete domination of his opponent and a conquest of the personal dreams he toiled so hard to achieve.
Never have these images been so vivid in my mind. It must mean something, right? Clairvoyance or maybe simple craziness? Probably the latter, but I think sometimes as a fan, you just know. Sometimes you've been around long enough to see it all and when you've watched losing as long as we have, I think it's easy to spot something that feels different. Maybe it's a lack of medication, but to me it feels like the cusp of winning. Maybe I've typed words like this before, but they have certainly never felt like they do now. Again, I'm making no predictions of any sort. I'm just putting my feelings into words and hoping to get all you crazies excited in the process. In only a few short weeks (which will feel like an eternity while we wait), the 2010 season will start to gain momentum. The long, hot drain of two-a-days will give way to the first preseason games. And in less than three months, we will enjoy our first taste of what we will in hindsight call "the beginning". As much as I try to retain a sensible composure of what is to come, I've invested far too much to be passive. Let me be the first to declare the dawning of the "Age of the Lions"!
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How
anyone that has followed the Lions for the past few years can say “why not now” is beyond me. How about this, because even with the talent influx over the last two years, they are still a bad team! Compare our position groups to those just in the NFC North. The Lions fall short in almost every category. IMO they need 2 MORE years to get this team competitive day in and day out.
I think you're missing the point he was making
He is saying that if everyone on the team plays to potential we COULD be a winning team this year. We are optimistic but, we do still have needs. I agree with what he said about the best case scenario. But on the other hand we could be at the bottom again. Have some optimism dude.
I fully
understood the point of the article. I was just pointing out the obvious answer to his question.
Obvious, hey?
Read it again and keep in mind that I am not talking about just the 2010 season. I am talking about the 2010 season being the start of a good stretch. “Now” doesn’t necessarily mean this moment in the context it was used.
And I disagree that this is a bad team. I think they are capable of 5-7 wins in a tough division. I’d rather use the term “improving”.
Me = cup half full
You = cup half empty
"What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." – Oscar Wilde
Breaking out quotes from Mr. Wilde.....I love it.....
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
(On His Death Bed)
Laying on a hotel bed
“Either the garish wallpaper in this room goes, or I do”
- Oscar Wilde
LOL
Nice.
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
Obvious?
Lets look at a fair comparison. Lets compare the 2008 Dolphins roster to the 2010 Lions roster. The Dolphins had a injury prone quarterback that only played 9 games the previous year. Ronnie Brown was far from a given, and their next best weapon on offense was Ricky Williams, who touched the ball in 2007, and didnt play for a year before that. Their receivers were Greg Cammarillo and Ted Gin Jr. On defense, they just switched to a new scheme, their safeties were far from given, and their linebackers were considered to be old and past their prime. Oh, and if you’re gonna make the division argument….well, the New England Patriots were coming off a perfect regular season.
Now compare that our roster and division. The potential of this offense is sky high. There is talent and depth at every skilled position. The offensive line maybe mediocre, but our own Green Bay Packers proved last year that you can go 11-5 with a bad o-line. Our defense might not be as good either of the above mentioned team (at least not on paper), but really we could take the exact opposite strategy of the Dolphins.
In 2008, Dolphins were able to make the playoffs by making very few mistakes on offense, and controlling opposing offenses. We could simply gun it out with every team we go up against and take pressure off our defense.
The beginning of the end of the misery
BTW
Ryan Grant was the 7th highest runner in the NFL last year, trailing AD by 130 yards and he had 32 less attempts, plus they took a 1st round LT and a SS in the draft. The Vikings added Lito Sheppard and Chris Cook to their secondary (not saying either are great, but if the Lions made these moves people would be jumping up saying we have the best secondary in the NFL). All Bears points are valid, they will stink this year.
Here
Is a good article from Pat Caputo that documents what I was saying.
http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/06/06/sports/columns/doc4c0aef2ed8228113721862.txt
LOL
I have noticed that the comments on POD seem to be much more optimistic than any other Lions board I read.
That is true actually
When I go somewhere after the Lions made what is IMO a good move, and it gets bashed, I tend to come to POD to lather myself up.
I hate cynics
Anyone who wants to be a Debbie Downer needs to go post on MLive or some other blog. We tend to look at the bright side of things here, for the most part.
Great post Drew…:o) I do not see it as even remotely unrealistic that the Lions COULD win 5-8 games THIS year, and I see no reason that the time CAN NOT be NOW for this organization to begin the turnaround that is certainly inevitable. It is a matter of simple probability, and it is mathematically impossible for the Lions to stay bad forever.
Why not now? Indeed.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Agreed
We talk about the Culture of Losing. I’ve thought for a long time that pessimistic fans, the “Debbie Downers”, are a big part of creating that Culture of Losing, and bear responsibility for it. Pessimistic media also bears responsibility. A GM can turn over the roster all he wants, but if all you as a player ever hear is pessimism and a lack of support from the media and fans, it drags you down over time like a mental boat anchor. The NFL is hard enough without having to carry that heavy load.
I’m optimistic about the future of the Lions. Why not now? Why not in the near future? We’re improving. Don’t spend all your time looking for the black clouds in the silver linings.
Go Lions!
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
I didn't say...
the Packers running game stinks, I said it was spotty… which it was. The Viking’s secondary… even with the mighty Cook and Sheppard… are not very good. Take it all in context. I’m basically saying that none of these team’s armour is without dents and holes.
I totally agree
I can say this as a Redsox fan who grew up expecting disappointment every year (and finally a change of ownership changed our fortunes as an organization), until there is a change in ownership the Lions will continue to be perenial losers. The defense for the last two years has been the worst in NFL history and a total joke and they did nothing to address the linebackers or secondary. A single damn good player like Delmas or Suh cannot change the culture. Look at the Steelers, Patriots, Cowboys, etc. They are doing everything they can every year to win the Superbowl. I hate to be a pessimist but as long as the Fords are running things this team is never going anywhere. I started following them in 1991 and they made it to the NFC championship on emotion alone; when they ran into the Skins they got whupped. The Fords just want to turn a profit and until they sell the team I watch out of my love for the team but expect nothing more.
by LionsfaninCT on Jun 7, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the pep talk coach!
Want to come beat my puppy and spit on my grandmother while you’re at it?
Geez-a-loo…. this is the single most thought-free comment I’ve seen on this site in some time. Thanks for putting it under my post….
I’ll let you in on a little secret… the Fords DO want to win.
By the way, Sunshine....
what team did more to address their holes in the offseason… the Steelers, Patriots, Cowboys or Lions? Hmmmm… that’s a tough one. I’ll give you a hint…. it’s not the Steelers, Patriots or Cowboys. Still stumped? Sorry… can’t help ya!
Good stuff, Drew!
(hides the puppy)
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
+1
I think the old man wants to win as bad as anyone, and it eats at him. Seeing the rest of Detroit teams win and not his team must be a bitch. I`m 46 and a life long fan, and i have seen us at our best and worst, and it always comes down to 5 plays- 5 for us- we win 12 games- 5 against us and we win 2 games. I AM A LIONS FAN, IT IS NOT EASY BUT I KNOW NO OTHER WAY.
1 slice, 1 beer, 5 more reps.
it's way EASIER (imo) to be a Slacker fan,
or a Bi-Queen fan, or a…
I’m 46 (soon) as well, and I’ve been waiting sooooo long for this. People tell me on the many other sites I post “my Pride” upon that I know nothing of this sport (that I love), possibly not aware that analysis and affection often do not see eye to eye. I picked this team when I was young (still living in Indiana with- which had no team at the time) and I have never stopped with the blind faith, nor balked (at this time of year, at least) to say we’re going to have a good season.
now that the analysts are (almost) growing the balls to (almost) say it, I must not seem so stupid…I’m not getting nearly the amount of ridicule…except from Bores fans, and who can blame THEM? LOL
Um...no thanks
Definately not a thought free comment, I am just pointing out that an organization’s performance comes from the top management and that leadership in that department in my opinion is lacking. Lions haven’t played for a championship since 1957, right? According to wikipedia (which could be wrong), it says WCF bought the team in 1964. So basically for 46 years he has been trying to win a championship? I seriously doubt it. Mathematically speaking, they should have won at least one by now. I want the Lions to win a championship and I just don’t think that the ownership is committed, neither did Barry Sanders. I know you guys are Tigers fans, but I am a New England Sox fan and after John Henry’s group bought the team in 2002, they have won 2 championships and are close to contention every year. Leadership matters in sports, politics, business, etc. The Lions deserve an owner that wants a championship every year like Jerry Jones, Bob Kraft. Until that time, I will watch on Sundays a team built to sell tickets, not win championships.
The reason I said "thought free"...
is that it is very easy to simply blame the guy at the top and question his fervor for the game. WCF is misguided and loyal to a fault, but not wanting a winner… nope, that’s a cop-out explanation.
If you are right and it’s all about making money, wouldn’t he do everything humanly possible to field a winner and make the Lions MORE marketable and MORE profitable? Your logic is completely illogical, therefore thought-free. Do you think WCF put more coin in his pocket or less during the many blackouts last year? If you were to think about it instead of blindly blaming WCF, you’d see why I said what I said.
Is WCF without fault? Hell, no. He is the owner and ultimately responsible for the product. But is this because he doesn’t care… no. He has just done poorly in hiring good talent evaluators. There is PLENTY of blame to go around in Detroit. Bad coaches, big time bust players, bad decision making at all levels, and the list goes on.
I agree that another owner may have done better, but you can’t say Ford doesn’t love the Lions and is not trying to win. That’s a weak response to a very loaded question. BTW… how’s Jerry Jones done since Jimmy Johnson left after building his early 90’s team for him? Yeah… that’s what I thought. Being an owner is all about hiring the right person and getting the hell out of the way.
i think the WCF hater has a point
WCF has been terrible. TERRIBLE.
but i think the lions have made more strides this year than they have in the past 18 (assuming they made strides in 1991, before i really cared about the lions)
so – evidence supports WCF has been terrible, and new evidence suggests the lions are getting better
Terrible was not the WCF Hater's point
His point was that WCF only cares about money. That infers that he doesn’t care about the Lions or we the fan. That is not accurate. He’s a piss-poor owner with respect to execution, but that doesn’t mean he’s a money hungry miser.
to think WCF doesnt want to win
Is rediculous. The man has spent money on free agency every year. His only downfall is that he knows nothing when it comes to football, leaving our beloved franchise in the hands of incompetent bafoons.
Love the post Drew, I hope the kids are doing well. And that you are hanging in there. Miss your presence on the site.
Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin
by Leapin Lion on Jun 8, 2010 11:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Love it Drew
Thanks for this – I think all your points are valid (solid even), and completely agree. Eventually we will have been taken for granted for long enough and the pieces will come together. If at any point in the last 50 years it should have happened, now is the time.
Also
Drew, don’t get me wrong, it was a great article, and I want the Lions to win just as bad as the next Lions fan. But I have been roped in before, only to be stomped on once the regular season starts.
Ahh... there it is.
We have all been roped in before. That’s why I wrote this. It just feels different to me now. I’ve been a Lions fan all my life and have endured many hope-filled preseasons (about 25 vivid ones) that were crushed by regular season letdowns. But the coming seasons, I feel, will be different and this year will be the start of it. By putting it here for all to see, I’ve kind of staked my rep on it. With that in mind, I stand by it.
I read your comment above, too. I do think you missed a little of my meaning here. You said yourself “IMO they need 2 MORE years to get this team competitive day in and day out.” Okay… isn’t that what I’m saying too? I made a point to say several times that it may not be this year that they breakout and have a winning record… only that this year will be the start of that rise. Indeed, it may take another two years, but I believe it will happen this time based on my experience with all past Lions teams. This seems like the chance we have all been waiting for.
It’s okay to be realistic, but you gotta shed the cynicism.
age of the lions lets live it
O.J. Atogwe and louis Delmas best safety duo in the league
by DetroitLions 4 life on Jun 7, 2010 4:11 PM EDT reply actions
Great post Drew
love the optimism… If House of Spears isn’t the Lions slogan this season, I think Why Not Now? is a pretty good one.
I think its great that detroit has a refuled excited fan base
I try to keep it in check though we have had years were we have said (why not now) before. Kitna started one of those seasons just a few years back. Be excited be supportive..But don’t get too out there with it BEFORE we win…It always sets us up for a dissapointing season. I am not saying expect to win I am just saying don’t expect to much in year two of this process.
Louis Delmas is gonna lay the MAC down on your candyass
Follett and Suh IN YO FACE!!!
I didn't feel this way when Kitna was fueling the fire
I ALWAYS have tempered expectations and this year is no different. I expect 5-7 wins in 2010. That said, I fully believe this is the start of a nice set of years for the Lions. That’s what this post is about. If you read in this post that the Lions are going to the Super Bowl this year… you missed my point completely. It’s going to be a semi-slow, progressive rise… but a rise nonetheless!!!
that was pretty much my point
I think 5 wins would very solid to build off of. It will be slow but when we get there it should last not a flash in the pan season. I just think sometimes its too easy for det fans to get carried away because rightfully so they are desperate to win. I don’t wanna see us calling for Jims head next season because we aren’t beating the packers 2 times a year.
Louis Delmas is gonna lay the MAC down on your candyass
Follett and Suh IN YO FACE!!!
lions are doing good things
they are becoming a real football team. i rec that.
Good Post
You make a very fair point. The way I see it: if the 3-13 Saints and 1-15 Dolphins (2007 records) can come back and be as good as they have been, then why can’t predict 9 wins? IMO it all falls on Stafford’s shoulders. Aaron Rodgers had a bad line last year and still took the pack to the playoffs and technically it was also his second year starting in the NFL. Stafford is in a similar situation. He may get a free pass this year, but thats it. Im pretty sure people expect a winner in 2011
The beginning of the end of the misery
Nice Post Drew-
I like what we are seeing so far in the Mayhew / Schartz era of Lions football. Last years draft was good to the Lions, but really Delmas is the only player that most teams would say was a homerun. This years draft is unproven. I want to see Suh and Best tear it up this year, but they haven’t even been signed or avoided some random accident like falling from their golf cart (B.Johnson last year.)
I am more excited about the moves to get Vandenbosh, Williams, and Sims through free agency. They are proven players and immediately be improvement to the Lions. Let’s hope for 2-3 upgrades through the draft and we are talking about 6 players who can make a positive impact this year.
Like every Lion fan I am cautiously optimistic. The best thing about an 0-16 season is you can only go up! The same is true of being last defensively in yards allowed and points allowed. Although I guess our defense could give up more in both catagories, it is doubtful given our current roster.
I guess what I am bumbling around to say is that I hope it is the beginning of winning ways. I predicted earlier 7 wins, but would really be shocked if we didn’t see at least 5. That translates into improvement. It breeds optimism. It suggests that a winning season could be in the not so distant future. Maybe even in my lifetime!
by Kirt-LionFaninGR! on Jun 7, 2010 6:51 PM EDT reply actions
That Stafford guy is pretty good, too
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
I agree
It does feel different this year, but every year I seem to be more optimistic than the last until you actually sit down and break down the team player by player. In the past it has always seemed to be that any given individual, when looking at it by position had to have one of if not the best year of their careers to make that position a strength and not a weaknes,or at least somwhere in the middle. It seemed it was always based on pure potential and not previous results. Now I am not saying that we are anywhere near not needing players to really step up and out perform anything they have done in the past or live up to the potential they may have, and even though there are still alot of “ifs” on the team, I just find myself having fewer of them.
The tide is turning!
Drews...as always very insightful...and from the heart....
I will re-state what my expectations were of the 2009 Lions. What I hope to see would not come from wins or loses. But from the overall play on the field. Did the players that were draft became contributors to the team? Did the front office make the moves needes to turn this franchise around? Did our coaching staff use the tools that they had to the best of their ability? I said yes…yes…and yes.
My expectations for the 2010 Lions. The growth of last years rookies. Prove that last years draft and offseason was not a one hit wonder. But the biggest thing that needs to happen is Matt has to step up his game. Stafford needs to continue to improve . He is the Detroit Lions. The Lions will only go as far as he can take them.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
I love it
I think we have the same dreams at night… fear the roar! haha
I got tingly
Seriously, imagining that scene of Super Bowl winners gave me crazy chills. But, you’re right, it isn’t that hard to perceive how it would look.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
Outstanding post, Drew
You pretty much summed up my thoughts.
Great to see you writing for the blog again. I really like the MMM you did last season.
In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Those images are vivid for me too...
There might be a few fuzzy faces in that picture though, of players yet to come into the fold, who will be a huge part of our impending success. As far as I’m concerned, we are level with the other teams, until the winning and losing starts, I’m not gonna think different.
"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 7-5 : Current Position - 5th : Last game - Defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 19 - 12
I'm with you
I agree. This IS a different era. It just feels that way in your gut, right? The new Regime actually seems to have a method to their plan. I too am entering this year with tempered enthusiasm.
I’ll add that I choose the glass half full view simply because it makes being a fan more fun. While I know it sets you up to fall harder if things don’t go well, that’s more than off-set by the positive anticipation of a new season. Call me naive, but I like taking the hopeful approach until I’m proven wrong. And even then, I’ll still be a Lions fan because a real fan sticks with their team. When the inevitable happens Drew, we’ll be the guys who can say “we knew it would happen”.
Go Lions!
by joelschoontanis on Jun 7, 2010 11:30 PM EDT reply actions
So here's a bone for all you "vision" impaired....
Do you get it now???
by DrewsLions on Jun 8, 2010 12:30 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
FUNNY
I needed that
Louis Delmas is gonna lay the MAC down on your candyass
Follett and Suh IN YO FACE!!!
that's what I wanted to hear
a great post, Drew, but you can’t be the first say it. I’ve been posting EVERYWHERE, ever since we drafted Matthew, that it is IMPERICALLY and STATISTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO LOSE FOREVER and that the TIME OF THE PRIDE HAS COME!
GET READY TO ROAR!
I Agree
“100 bux says we win more than 3! We’ll win games this year that we shouldn’t, instead of losing games that we should’ve won.”
I agree. Watch out Dallas and Minnesota.
“AGE OF THE LIONS”, I like that.
A journey starts with a single step
…and that’s whay this post is all about. The Lions have made that step this offseason with the excellent draft and free agent signings.
Last season, the step was to win a game. This season, that step should be finish out of the division basement. 2011 – who knows, but it’s all about forward progress. It’s all about baby steps, especially after the Millen era.
Nothing but good vibes about 2010. Gimme more of that Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid :)
Shivering +1,000,000,000
My real name’s Tim also.
My name is not Tim
And I’m not shivering.
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
REMEMBER YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
Okay guys….I’m gonna go way out on that limb that’s been chopped off behind me before, but ….here goes. I say the Lions will WIN their division this year. And, we will also win AT LEAST one playoff game to boot…..done deal!!!
While I may have been sneaking a little of grandpa's secret stash of Kool-Aid...
I think you must have just topped off a keg or two!
Don’t get me wrong, I love optimism… but a bit of reality is a requirement as well. Could it happen… maybe. Do I believe it will… not likely. In all honesty, if we win 7 games, that’s a winner to me. 2011 (if there’s football) will be the real test of this team. In 2011, there’s no more excuses. In 2011, I wanna see the post-season. This year… coming off a 2-14 campaign… I’m just looking for a nice leap forward into respectibility. Remember… last two year… 2 wins.
How horrible would it be if the 2011 lions turned out like the expos, chopped down in their prime year by lack of a cba
There's a lot of shivering going around
(looks at calendar)
Is it really June?
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
thats a scary ass thought
have a great season and then NO FOOTBALL
Louis Delmas is gonna lay the MAC down on your candyass
Follett and Suh IN YO FACE!!!
tube tops on fat girls and scary ass
And they fart, too.
you heard it on here several times
4 to 7 wins. happily
Bud
A few years ago I went to one of those horse riding ranches at the behest of my (now) ex wife. I’m a real big guy. I was assigned to the biggest horse on the ranch. He was bigger than a Clydesdale I had to climb a ladder to get in the saddle. His name was Bud. I had never ridden a horse before. Bud took off like he got stung under his tail by a bee. All I could do was scream "Whoa Bud!!!! for 20 minutes. Whoa Bud. The Lions are better, but don’t set yourself up to take a bad fall off the horse. If that happens though, get back on!!!
We were very close in a lot of games last yr only to lose composure at the end of the game
if someone can find it i would like to see the games we almost won or could have had a chance at winning if it werent for some bad calls or just inexperience. I remember screaming at the radio during a close cardinals game…….. they were a playoff team ….. we also had the steelers by the balls only to blow it ….. .both respectable teams and we were in the game last year …… i agree drew this year feels way different. …………im saying we are a playoff team with just a little luck…….wild card 2010…..
That's progress
In 2008, we lost our composure at the beginning of games.
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
Fantastic writing Drew
I would expect nothing less from you. Looking forward to reading more of your material in the future.
Good stuff
i have been a lions fan since Mel Farr Superstar, I do think it is different this time, I don’t agree that franchise can’t suck forever, but the lions have not sucked forever, just on and off for the last 50 years. What is different this time is the GM. The lions have have bad GM’s during the ford era. Russ thomas and matt millon are just some of the examples. Mayhew seems different. That is why i am optimistic. The play on the field has been good and bad during that time. Good players and bad. I have liked coaches Schwartz, Fontes, and Joe Schmidt and dislikes some others. What i don’t ever remember is that the lions drafting and trading so well as they are now.
The spoon is in the pot, now I am gonna stir it!
Drew I have to say I think you are way off base, I think the Lions will win the division this year, and anyone who says otherwise can go take it up with Dominic Raiola! LoL sorry I had to! In all seriousness though I think your on the right track Drew. Every team has a turn around, and many teams go from perennial losers to contenders or even champions. Here are some examples: The Rams before Dick Vermiel. The Cardinals before Ken Wisenhunt. The Titans before Jeff FIsher. The Panthers before John Fox. THe Saints before Sean Peyton. There are tow other teams in the middle of this process right now. The 49ers with Mike SIngletary and the Texans with Gary Kubiak. Notice that I mentioned the coaches that turned those teams around… Well we have the Gym Shortz.
And.......
……..the 49’ers before Bill Walsh
……..the Steelers before Chuck Noll
……..the Vikings before Bud Grant
……..the Eagles before Dick Vermeil
……..the Packers before Vince Lombardi
……..the Redskins before George Allen
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
a history lesson
……..49’ers had 5 losing seasons in the 6 years (1973-78) before Walsh (8-6 in 1976)
……..Steelers made the playoffs once in 36 years of existence (8 winning records in 36 years)(1933-68) before Noll (and were 0-10 in 1944)
……..Vikings didn’t make the playoffs in the 6 years of existence (1961-66) before Grant’s arrival in 1967
……..Eagles had only 1 winning season in 14 years (from 1962-75) before Vermeil’s arrival in 1976
……..Packers had only 1 winning season in 11 years (1948-58) before Lombardi’s arrival in 1959 (and were 1-10-1 in 1958)
……..Redskins didn’t make the playoffs for 25 straight years (1946-70)(and only 4 winning seasons in those 25 years) before George Allen’s arrival in 1971, including 13 straight non-winning seasons (1956-68)
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
(Walsh arrived in 1979)
"We lost!" Delmas yelled at reporters. "What you want? What you got to ask me?"
Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.
"That’s what I thought,"
http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-micd-up/8ed3fc62-55c0-4901-a613-a0ad5bc53f1b
Great stuff, Drew.
I’m drinking the Kool-Aid. I might even spike it a little bit to make this party even a little more fun.
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injuries
we could be #1-#2 in our division.
last year, the injury bug hit us hard. we lost some key components to both our D and O.
You can almost expect that either Packers or Vikings may get plagued by injuries—especially with their problems with protection. i see Vikings as a team on the decline with potentially big problems at QB (even with Favre). just like statistics say we can’t lose forever, father time has certainly caught up with Favre (right down around his ankles).
Aaron Rogers can’t stay healthy behind that line, plus a couple injuries to the secondary and the Packers are going to have some BIG problems in the D.
we might already be a better team than the Bears—especially after Cutler has a fall-out and Peppers doesn’t produce million dollar games.
of all the personnel on the NFC central teams, given their ages and composition, and considering the upside and future, I honestly think we are in the best place.
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