Article about Lions; Read

I found this Article on foxsports.com and thought it was pretty cool.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-teams-on-the-rise-and-teams-that-could-slide-in-the-2011-season-021011

Lions among teams on the rise; Raiders may take a step back

The Lions? Really? You bet. After starting out the season 2-10, the Lions won their final four games in 2010 to finish 6-10. Perhaps more impressive than the four-game winning streak was the fact that the Lions beat playoff-contending teams on the road in back-to-back games in December. Prior to a 23-20 win over Tampa Bay in Week 15, the Lions hadn’t won a road game since October 2007. Detroit starting running back Jahvid Best was just a freshman at Cal that season. Both Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett were still on that Golden Bears team.

The defense, though still inconsistent, was greatly improved in 2010. Much of that, of course, had to do with the addition of 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh. An All-Pro in his first year on the team, Suh provided the necessary pass rush up front for the defense to defend the pass.

In 2011, a lot will be riding on the arm (shoulder, really) of franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. Despite being referred to recently as a “china doll” by teammate Zack Follett, the oft-injured quarterback appears to have the support of his coach, his teammates and the local fan base. Stafford, though entering his third season in the league, is still just 23 and has a lot of good football in his future. And though he’s missed more games (19) than he’s played in (13) during his two-year career, he recently had successful Grade-3 shoulder surgery in Florida and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. I was very high on Stafford as a quarterback coming out of Georgia, loved his toughness in a win over the Browns in 2009 and thought he looked good at the start of 2010. If Stafford can stay healthy, I think 2011 could be his – and the Lions’ – breakthrough year.

As for Follett, even with the “china doll” comment, he did manage one pro-Stafford zinger when asked about the line last week: “I have no doubt that he can play a whole season. He's a tough kid. I'll tell you right now, I'm glad we have Matthew Stafford instead of the Bears' quarterback (Jay Cutler), because he goes in and plays with separated shoulders and wins games."

Ah, poor Jay Cutler.

LOL I liked that at the end about Stafford-Cutler.