(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The time has come in Detroit for the Lions to be legitimate. The Millen era has ended with last year's 0-16 record. Now under the power of the Schwartz, the Lions will have a chance to make Ford Field a location worthy of the magic that Comerica Park and Joe Louis Arena both share.
2009 will be tough, with the Lions changing everything except the team colors in an effort to start anew. A fan base that could have easily walked has decided to still show support with record numbers attending the open practices.
The first six games of the season will set the tone for the Lions.
These six games feature the second QB to pass for 5,000 yards (Drew Brees), the defending Super Bowl Champs (Steelers) as well as their first games verse the Bears, Packers and Vikings.
If they can make some noise with these games, the Lions will have turned the corner toward giving Detroit back its football team. The matchups at least on paper or online do in a way favor the Lions if the Lions can just play.
WEEK 0NE - THE SAINTS
The Saints will be a tough test for the first game as the Lions will start on the road in the Superdome. The fans of New Orleans will cheer their team with an added intensity to insure that the Saints do not end the Lions losing streak.
The match-up of concern will be with the Lions defense.
The Lions will have four threats to defend against. Drew Brees and his 5,069 passing yards from last season will be in encore mode. Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson will be ready to help Brees get back to 5,000.
Reggie Bush is a multi-tooled running back who will have every Lions defender on edge if he has the ball. Jeremy Shockey and Billy Miller as tight ends are equally good as blockers or receivers.
Larry Foote and Julian Peterson will have the Lions 4-3 defense ready for the short stuff. The concern will be in the secondary. Phlilip Buchanon and Anthony Henry, along with rookie Louis Delmas, will not get a chance to sit even on the sidelines making sure those Saints receivers do not break for any long gains.
WEEK TWO - THE VIKINGS
The main match-up against their NFC North rival will not be with the offensive side of the ball. Even though the Vikings have the best running back in the world in Adrian Peterson, their quarterback concerns have not really been solved.
The Vikings have one of the best defensive lines in football. The Williams Wall of Pat and Kevin, along with Jared Allen, will be a big concern for the Lions offense. These three are good enough that all five offensive lineman will be busy on every single down trying to reintroduce themselves to former Viking Daunte Culpepper or welcome Matthew Stafford to the NFL.
Calvin Johnson and the rest of the Lions receivers will have to get their routes right and catch the ball. They can't afford to make a lot of drops like they made against the Falcons in their first preseason game on Saturday.
Kevin Smith will need his line, along with the tight ends Brian Pettigrew and Will Heller, to give him some space. Smith needs to create enough of a distraction on the ground so that Culpepper/Stafford will get the space they need to bring the first home victory to the Lions in over a year.
WEEK THREE - THE REDSKINS
The Redskins will be an intriguing match up in that the Lions will face them in Detroit. The Lions have not beaten the Redskins in Washington.
The Redskins are built on a team concept, even though they have the likes of Clinton Portis and his outfits.
The Lions will be equally busy on both sides of the ball. Portis, receivers Santana Moss, Antwain Randle El, and tight end Chris Cooley will give the Lions defense a Sunday afternoon headache if they are not careful.
However the Lions do have an ace in the hole in that Jon Jansen, who was on the Redskins offensive line last season, is now a Lion. His knowledge of their system will aid the Schwartz and Cunningham in drawing up schemes to take down the Redskins.
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