And I believe Jon Kitna is crazy.
The Lions Kool-Aid-drinking quarterback predicted a 10-win season for Detroit in 2007...despite the fact that Motown's worst haven't totaled double-digit victories since 1995, and have logged 10 or more losses in six consecutive seasons.
Kitna must know something that everyone else in the free world doesn't. Has Matt Millen been pulling our legs all these years? Does Calvin Johnson have super powers? Is Kitna not 35 years old? Is giving up more than twice as many sacks as you collect a sign of progress?
A 10-win season in Detroit would be nothing short of miraculous.
On the plus side, the Lions do have dates with Oakland, Arizona, and Tampa Bay this year. Unfortunately, they also play the AFC West and NFC East—meaning games against Denver, San Diego, Dallas, and Philadelphia. And in their own division, Detroit must contend with the conference champion Bears, the up-and-coming Packers, and a Vikings team that swept the season series last year.
The NFL is known for rapid turnarounds, but 10-win teams do things that the Detroit Lions do not. They win games they're supposed to win. They go on winning streaks. They play well on the road and excel in close contests.
Until the Lions are able to follow suit, they'll continue their losing ways.
The team is not without talent, particularly at wide receiver. Roy Williams had a breakout season last year in Mike Martz's offense, catching a career-high 82 passes for 1310 yards and six touchdowns. Williams was impossible to stop at times, and posted big numbers against two of the best corners in the league—Nate Clements of the Bills and Terrence Newman of the Cowboys.
Williams' height and speed make him dangerous on deep balls, and allow him to go up and get anything thrown in his direction.
Johnson, meanwhile, looks to be the real deal: He's fast, strong, and tall; he has great hands; he isn't afraid to go over the middle; he's enormously effective on deep balls.
The second pick in the draft will form a scary duo with Williams on the flanks, and should excel in Martz's aerial parade.
With bigger names grabbing most of the headlines, WR Mike Furrey often gets lost in the limelight, but the former safety actually led the NFC in receptions. Detroit didn't have a dependable third receiver last year, so moving Furrey to the slot should make a big difference.
In the backfield, the Lions are hoping an offseason trade for Tatum Bell and the signing of former Michigan State star T.J. Duckett will improve a rushing attack that ranked dead last in the league last year. Former starter Kevin Jones may not be able to return from a foot injury, so Bell enters the preseason as the number-one back.
Much of the blame for Detroit's 2006 rushing woes could be pinned on the offensive line, and thankfully the team gave the unit a facelift in the offseason.
Stalwarts Dominic Raiola and Jeff Backus return at center and tackle, but they'll be surrounded by a host of newcomers: OT George Foster came over from Denver with Bell in a trade for CB Dre Bly, and Detroit plucked OGs Edwin Mulitalo and Zach Piller from the Ravens and Titans, respectively.
On paper, at least, the 2007 line looks to be stronger than last year's bunch.
On the other side of the ball, Detroit's defense has never been a strength—and it appears destined to disappoint once again. The unit has a few shining stars but far more black holes.
DTs Shaun Rogers and Cory Redding are stout run stoppers who also excel at rushing the passer. Last year's first-round pick Ernie Sims led the team in tackles from his OLB spot. Young studs Paris Lenon and Boss Bailey round out a solid corps of 'backers.
Unfortunately, that's about the extent of the good news. The rest of the Detroit D leaves much to be desired.
In sum, Kitna's confidence is admirable—he obviously sees promise in a team that has offered anything but in the last decade. The wide receivers will be fun to watch, and the offense may be one of the league's best. But the Lions have proven to be perennial losers, and the road back to respectability,much less 10 wins, can be a long one.
If nothing else, the Lions should improve on their three wins from a year ago...which will give Kitna plenty of cause to project an undefeated 2008.
Projection: 7-9, 3rd NFC North
Keep your eyes on: P Nick Harris—If only they gave points for net punting average.
Take your eyes off: DE Kalimba Edwards—Sacking the QB is not this pass rusher's specialty.
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about 1 year ago
Ah, well, what can you say? There's not one person who doesn't love their team after a few offseason moves and after picking up some quality young players in the draft; heck, I bet even out in Oakland they're feeling better about this year's team than last's. Is Kitna a little too over-the-top with his predictions? Yeah, he probably is. But if there's one thing the NFL offseason/preseason continually shows us, it's that hope springs eternal.
about 1 year ago
10 victories given the Lions schedule seems far fetched to me. A die hard Lion fan my whole life. Lets look at the facts. Detroit only won 4 games but should have won far more games last year. The difference between the teams that won compared to the Lions is simple, CONFIDENCE. Rod Marinelli is trying desperately to change a long tradition of losing attitude. Most games the Lions lost, they were actually the better team on paper. Consistency at the coaching possition has been a major issue over the years. Last years defence wasrun by a coach who didnt believe in Marrinelli's style. I believe there will be a major transition on defence and they become a force especally inside. Kalimba Edwards has a final year to prove he can play end. Watch out for Detroits 2nd round pick from Hawaii. I think he wil be the right defensive end before the season is over. We picked up Travis to fill the void left by DRE BLY. We got 3 possible defensive backs in the draft. Mat Millen went out and signed a couple of free agent offensive lineman and drafted a lineman in the 3rd round who showed plenty of potential in college. If the offensive line can give Jon Kitna the same amount of time as last year the Lions will score faster and more often with the reciever threats they have today.
If they buy him more time watch out. The Lions have been bad or mediocore for so long its hard for you guys to believe they could actually b e good. Id say 10 victories is a real possiblity. Kitna just needs to keep moving the ball & he will win
about 1 year ago
It seems that every year one or two NFL teams pull complete 180's, going from terrible to great over the course of one season. The Saints did it last year. The Lions have a lot of pieces in place to do it this year. But they still have too many ifs. I want nothing more than to have a Detroit revival (I have yet to let go of the Barry Sanders years), but they have a long way to go. Fortunately, the only place to go is up.
about 1 year ago
Kitna himself needs to step it up if he really thinks the Lions have a shot at 10 wins. The guy was an interception machine last season; throwing more picks than TDs is not acceptable in today's NFL, particularly for a veteran QB.
The presence of a running game this year should prevent teams from keying in on the pass and open the field up for Kitna, Johnson, Williams and Furrey. Williams proved last season that he has what it takes to be an explosive threat in the NFL, Johnson looks to be an immediate impact player, and Furrey is coming off a career year. If Kitna can keep the INT's under control and the running game/OL improves, we could very well see one of the league's most potent offenses out of Detroit this year. The same cannot be said about Detroit's defense however, who promises to drag this team down to the middle of their division regardless of how the revamped offense performs.
As for Kitna: he's proven that he has enough confidence (something which, as BigBlue points out, the Lions lack) to make an absurd prediction and get the team siked up about a return to glory in 2007. Whether he will display that same confidence and leadership on the field remains to be seen.
My prediction: 8-8, 3rd NFC North
I'll be rooting for you Lions!
about 1 year ago
John Kitna is out of his mind!!!!
about 1 year ago
If Kevin Jones is healthy Tatum Bell doesn't have a chance Kevin was on pace for around 950 yards rushing and 850 receiving add those up and that's a hell of a year not to mention he would have had double digit TD's. Bell is fumble prone and doesn't run down hill and that's why he's not in Denver. KJ if healthy is our best back.
about 1 year ago
If Kitna really believes that then I'd be shocked. The Lions are a 7 win team at best. He's probably just trying to set a good example so the the rest of the team will buy into it and work harder.
2 months ago
Doesn't that kind of big talk tend to foreshadow a teams chances of attaining such a goal? and if you were owner and he doesn't make good wouldn't you fire him? I would.
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