The Detroit Lions' Most Effective Plays of 2008 (No, Seriously...sorta)

Aedrien Macayle by Contributor Written on May 10, 2009
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 28:  Al Harris #31 of the Green Bay Packers brings down Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions on December 28, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions' most effective offensive play in 2008 was not hard to diagnose.  It was called "throw the ball at 81" and it was just about all they had going for them.

In 2009, new head coach Jim Schwartz will favor a run-biased downfield-passing attack.  The focus will be on big pass plays deep down the field, set up by the running game.

This will suit Detroit's two possible starters at quarterback just fine.  Daunte Culpepper the "incumbent" (if I can use that term loosely) and Matthew Stafford the rookie both have strong arms that are geared toward flinging the football a long way down a gridiron.

Calvin Johnson, the only one of the three infamous Matt Millen first-round draft picks at WR still with the team, is loaded with potential.  He could even become the best receiver in the league.

Therefore, despite the coaching change, the Detroit Lions' most effective play of 2008 will still be in the playbook.

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written on May 10, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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