For the Detroit Lions, Progress Starts With a Purr

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

To Lions fans, this signing made too much sense, and opened a lot of eyes.  In the week leading up to this signing, Lions forums were cluttered with fans pleading with the Lions to sign Foote, and many of these fans assumed that it was too perfect, and therefore would not happen.  The fact that they made this move signaled a changing of the guard in Detroit.

Obviously, the Lions are a long way away from becoming contenders.

While the Lions have the makings of a very deep and very talented group of linebackers, their defensive line is a mess. 

They also improved their defensive secondary, but if their line does not put pressure on the quarterback, it won't matter if Deion Sanders and Ronnie Lott in their primes are in that unit—they will get torched.

On the offensive side of the ball, Daunte Culpepper looks like he is primed to have a big year. He is reunited with his former offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, and the last time they were together, Culpepper put up career numbers. 

However, the offensive line is thin at best.  Many people (this writer included) thought that the Lions should have drafted an offensive lineman with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. 

And while the argument for taking quarterback Matthew Stafford is a strong one, he will not help this year.  A top notch offensive tackle like Jason Smith would have made an immediate impact. 

Furthermore, the offensive weapons, besides wide receiver Calvin Johnson, are unproven. 

Running back Kevin Smith had his moments last year, and free agent addition Maurice Morris will definitely help this unit. 

However, the stable of wide receivers leave plenty to be desired.  Free agent addition Bryant Johnson has been an under achiever thus far, and rookie wideout Derrick Williams is undersized and not particularly fast. 

Add to this tight end Brandon Pettigrew, the one truly questionable draft pick chosen by the new regime. Sure, Pettigrew was the best tight end in the draft, but tight end is a luxury position that could have been addressed much later in the draft. 

And for those that believe Pettigrew will help with run blocking, that point is conceded.  However, wouldn't Michael Oher have helped a little bit more?

Regardless, the Lions have shown in just a few months that the new boss is not the same as the old boss. 

And that strange sound you hear in Detroit is that of the fans collectively holding their breaths and trying their best to temper their optimism for a team that has broken their hearts more times than not. 

What's strangest of all in this era of Cowboys, Steelers, and Patriots is that there still are so many of them willing to hop on this proverbial roller coaster ride one more time, and put on those Honolulu Blues and wish for a winner.

Here's hoping that this time, the ride doesn't make them sick. 

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