Detroit Lions: Wait! There is Hope

There is a saying, "We must learn from history or we are doomed to repeat our mistakes."

In some cases, looking back at history to see what was successful is another way to learn, to repeat, what worked. Nothing could be truer in the case of the Detroit Lions.

I offer hope to all Detroit Lions' fans.

Take care in the fact that the Lions' 24.2 percent winning percentage over the past eight years is not the worst that has occurred in NFL history. 

The resurgent Arizona Cardinals, whom I doubt will get past the Carolina Panthers next week, actually had a worse eight-year stretch, from 1939 to 1946, which included two 0-10 seasons to culminate a 19.9 percent winning percentage.

The point to all this? Where is the hope I promised?

Despite the dismal eight-year stretch, the then Chicago Cardinals won the 1947 NFL Championship, beating the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21.

Some of you may not know that the Arizona Cardinals were one of the original teams when the NFL was formed in 1920. They began as the Chicago Cardinals in 1898.

How did they get there?

Charles Bidwell went out and created a backfield containing quarterback Paul Christman, fullback Pat Harder, halfback Elmer Angsman and running back Charley Trippi. They were nicknamed the “Million Dollar Backfield,” when owner Charles Bidwell stated that he wouldn’t give up the backfield for a million dollars.

In recent articles, I have been, and still am, a strong proponent of the idea that the Lions need to draft an elite left tackle.

I have seen many arguments stating that in order to get a team to a Super Bowl, it must start with an elite quarterback. Sorry, but the shape of the Detroit Lions' offensive line has been sorry for the past three years.

Regardless of the quarterback's talent, if he is sacked 169 times in three years, there is no way that he can be successful. Jeff Backus, a decent player, does not have the talent to take on the faster and stronger defensive ends.

He needs to be moved to left guard or put him over at right tackle.  He has heart, he has desire, and I love his tenacity, but, he lacks the talent to play left tackle in the NFL.

Is it fair to blame Backus for the 169 sacks over three years?

Of course not. There isn’t one offensive lineman that shouldn’t be worrying about having a job in 2009. But, an elite left tackle can make a mediocre line good and a good line exceptional. 

The Cardinals built the “Million Dollar Backfield” in 1947. The Lions could do the same with the offensive line. Dan Orlvosky, who finished with a 72.6 percent passer rating, can improve in 2009.

I will concede that he isn’t the QB that will get the Lions to the Super Bowl.  However, with the uncertainty of Drew Stanton, perhaps taking a QB as the first pick of the draft wouldn’t be a bad move. 

But, I have to go back to the number of sacks the rookie QB would have to take.

Would it be wise to put a young gun on his back over 50 times?

To bring it back to hope for the Lions, William Clay Ford Sr. must look to history to see what worked.

Charles Bidwell made a concerted effort to spend the money to build a winner. In the 45 years that Ford has owned the team, he has never made any commitment to build a winning team. 

If the people he hires to run the front office can upgrade the offensive line, the Lions can even take a QB with the No. 20 pick in the first round...especially if USC’s Mark Sanchez declares for the 2009 draft.

However, it wouldn’t break my heart if they do go after a stud QB in the first round such as Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, or even Colt McCoy. Of course, a lot depends on if any of these quarterbacks will declare for the 2009 draft. Chase Daniel is perhaps the best senior QB, but I feel he could be picked at No. 20. 

If any of the top three junior QB’s declare, I can live with taking any one of them for No. 1 and settle on LSU’s left tackle Ciron Black.

The one unaccounted for variable is who is going to be the head coach?

How the Lions draft will determine how risky the team is willing to be with the first pick. Drafting a QB is a higher risk than left tackle. But, that left tackle is very important to a QB’s success.

A catch-22...one I hope the Lions can figure out.