Another season of NFL football comes to an end, and like clockwork, someone in the Detroit Lions organization does something stupid. Jon Kitna is quickly climbing the ranks of the Lions totem pole of idiocracy, grabbing a firm hold of second place, right behind reigning and irreplaceable moron Matt Millen.
The Lions may be coming off their best season since Millen took over, but I don't think I'm alone when I say they're a far cry away from hitting the 10 win mark. I'd be hard pressed to find any Lions fan that even thinks they'll play .500 football in 2008. They've been less than impressive in free agency thus far, addressing one weak point, the secondary, but ignoring the fact that they haven't had a rushing game since Barry retired. I'm sorry, but Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones aren't the answer. The answer lies in a solid offensive line, but apparently drafting wide outs has been more imperative.
The firing of Mike Martz is troubling as well. As horrible as the Lions were in the second half of 2008, they weren't losing games because they weren't scoring, so I fail to see where firing Martz made any sense whatsoever. The numbers don't lie, the Lions have consistently had a bottom 5 defense in the NFL. Trading for Leigh Bodden was a huge step in the right direction, but nothing more than that. Ernie Sims and Leigh Bodden might be able to stop Donald Driver and Greg Jennings from blowing up, but they won't stop Adrian Peterson or Ryan Grant from running all over the field like Sea Biscuit on HGH.
When it's all said and done, the Lions will probably repeat their 7-9 mark in 2008, and it'd be a pleasant surprise if they do any better. Anyone thinking about the playoffs need to wake up and realize that Detroit doesn't stand a chance against Green Bay or Minnesota this year, it's that simple. Adrian Peterson will rush for another 1500 yards, but the real story will be Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers back to the NFC championship. You can quote me on that, it WILL happen, and the Lions will be fighting for scraps with Rex Grossman and the rest of the Bears.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Russell Ivanac about 1 year ago
It would be a surprise if they do better than 7-9, especially now that they have released Kevin Jones. We had no running game last year because we wouldn't run the ball and we will have no running game this year because we don't have anyone who CAN run the ball. here's looking towards another top-ten draft pick. Good article.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Power about 1 year ago
Another lazy "writer" repeating the same lazy nonsense about Kitna making guarantees. He didn't make a guarantee last season and he certainly didn't this time, either. I realize that facts can be inconvenient, especially when they would mean that you wouldn't have anything to babble about, but try re-reading what he has actually said.
Should a QB state that he would be happy with 5 wins, or should he be disappointed with not making the playoffs?
Edit Comment Cancel
Matt Kahkonen about 1 year ago
I'm not ripping on Kitna for being optimistic, I'm writing this as a life-long Lions fan that's sick of hearing the same recycled lines from Lions players every spring. It's sickening hearing players, from Kitna to Harrington to Batch, talk about how great the upcoming season will be, when it's clearly not going to happen. You are right though, no QB should be happy with 5 wins, but that doesn't mean they have to publicly announce that they believe they can win 10 games. Kitna needs to just be quiet for a change.
Edit Comment Cancel
dave holleran about 1 year ago
not too mention that defense couldnt stop a granny with a walker. 40 plus points in how many games? 50 plus in how many? Its hard to win or commit to any running game when youre playing catch up from the first quarter on...
Edit Comment Cancel
Matt Kahkonen about 1 year ago
I completely agree with you. I think the Lions made some great moves in improving the secondary though. If the D-line can keep it together then the defense should have a much better season.
Edit Comment Cancel
hongo longo about 1 year ago
Enough with the dramatization. He never said guarantee. He said to get in the playoffs you have to win 10 games, so that's his expectation.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.