Detroit Lions Potential Sleeper in 2010?

To say that the Detroit Lions will take a magical ride into the 2010 playoffs is highly doubtful, but is it unheard of?

There is no doubt that Lions are a more talented team than they were in 2009. A majority of the roster from last season has been replaced by veterans obtained through free agency and the trading block, along with the rookies from the 2009 and 2010 drafts.

Despite these additions of  talent that Detroit has lacked during this last decade, they have yet to practice together as a whole team

For the Lions to be successful in 2010, Matthew Stafford has to build chemistry with his new offensive weapons—Tony Scheffler, Jahvid Best, and even "Mr. Irrelevant" Tim Toone—as he did with Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, and Will Heller last season.

Similar to the offense, the defense have their own unanswered questions, such as who will replace the holes left by now former lions Larry Foote, and Ernie Sims?

The newly enhanced defensive line with Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Averil, and Corey Williams should be able to block these holes, while the new offensive lineman such as Rob Sims help buy time for Stafford and the backfield to keep the teams dreams alive, one thing does not change:

The Lions have a ton of work to get done before the season starts. However, they are no longer the team for average teams such as the Bears and Falcons to beat down for easy victories like they been known for in previous seasons.

Do the Detroit Lions have the potential to be a playoff team in 2010? Yes, but I would not count on it until the 2011 season, when the necessary bonds of teammates are solidified.