The Detriot Lions have not had a winning season in over a decade. They have averaged under 5 wins a season since that 2000 campaign where they were a dominating 9-7. To be kind, they have been a clear cut example of how not to run an profesional football franchise. Former General Manager Matt Millen drafted four wide recievers in five years with their first round pick, all of which were top ten selections. While I still hate the Armanti Edwards trade and the JaMarcus Russell selection, Millen's draft selections from 2003-2005 are the worse in NFL history. Not necessarily the players themselves but the impact those three players had on the Lion's franchise.
Since Millen's firing in 2008, the Lion's record hasn't imporved but their drafts have. Ndamukong Suh is a freak talent and a cornerstone that every team dreams to build around. Due to surgery on his left foot, Nick Fairley is yet to make his NFL debut. But when the time comes for Suh and Fairley to line up side by side NFL centers and guards will freeze harder than a deer in headlights. Matt Stafford, in the rare instances that he's been healthy, has earned enough respect around the NFL for my boss to draft him over super bowl champion Eli Manning and coming off a ten win season Josh Freeman.
See the Picture above.... Stafford has only played in 13 games since being drafted first overall in 2009. While their success this season may live and die on Stafford's health, the Lions still have a few other obstacles preventing them from becoming a playoff contender. The Lions have lacked a consistent rushing game for the past four seasons, averaging around 90 yards a game. Not to mention the play in one of the toughest divisions in football. The Lions will be playing both contestants of the 2011 NFC Championship game twice this season. TWICE! Also on tap for the Lions is the NFC South which hosted three 10 win teams. (Lions are away in 2 of the 3) Their schedule is too tough for me to jump on board that this will be their "break out" season. I see the Lions only winning 5-7 games 2011 but their future looks bright.
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