Jim Schwartz Might Have The Lions Out of The Basement

     In my last article "IS the roar restored" I surprised even myself.  I did not go into the article knowing how many wins I was going to schedule for the Lions to pull off this year.  While I was writing I actually had to change the totals in my opening paragraph a couple of times.  I expected to give them about 6 due to a strong schedule. However, the more I looked at it, the more wins they just kept pulling off.  I know some have read that article and have just considered me to be a "homer".  Well, your probably right.  But at least hear me out one more time.

Before Schwartz took over, yes we were the laughing stock of the NFL.  That began to change last year when we put together a very good draft.  It was a draft that had some surprise to it with the BP pick, but I can see what Schartz was thinking.  (I still wish we would of got OHER, but oh well).  

It seems like for the past decade, we as Lion  fans have been promised a winning system.  Year after year, we have been disappointed.  Even last year to be honest was a disappointment.  I expected 6-8 wins last year.  We had some teams on the schedule that we should of beat.  And some upsets that we should of been able to hold on to.  But the past is the past.  In my opinion, we had a better off season this year than we did last year.  This year's team is looking like a huge improvement over last years team.  Before you underestimate last years team, realized the amount of injuries we had last year and the amount of different players we were forced to play.  With all that being said and done, this may be hard to understand, but things could of been a lot worse last year.

Now we have a pretty strong nucleus of talent.  Offensively we seem pretty good at each skill position and even optimistic with our O Line.  Defensively we actually look average at least.  Our front 4 should be able to compete against any front 4 in the NFL.  I understand that the only true proven LB that will probably be starting for us is JP.  However, Levy showed up last year and is the reason why we let Foote go.  He is starting caliber and maybe even prove to be better than average this year.  I will hold off on sending him to the pro bowl ( for now atleast).  Then we come to Zack Follett.  I really love this guy and I think he will be ok for us this year.  Think about all the tackles Ernie missed over his carear, will Zack miss that many? I hope not.  I would still be more comfortable with the Lions signing Bullock from the Titans for a year.  This would allow Follett to become the main backup LB like Levy was last year.  Look at how quick he has already come, if we give him 1 more year to adjust to the NFL and gain all the extra experience and coaching, next year we might be looking at an above average player in Follett too.  That would give us a pro bowl caliber player in JP, a very good player in Levy, and at least a very solid player in Follett.  Even if he is forced to start this year, I actually think he is ready and we will not be disappointed in him.

So far so good, right?  Well here comes a potential problem.  Our secondary.  Over the past few years we could actually refer to it as the "NFL's Secondary" because is seems like every team has owned it.  This year might be a little different.  I have always liked Houston and he is a quality starter who is entering his 4th year.  Year #4 seems to be the "make or break" year for DB's.  I am confident he will make it.  Let's be completely honest hear, Donte Wesley and Jonathan Wade bring some experience and even some skill, but they also bring a lot of inconsistency.  IF we can keep their roles limited to their strengths, they will be ok for us.  Their strengths are on special teams and possible some nickel and dime packages.  Eric King was brought in last year to be our nickel guy and it looks like he has the spot nailed down right now.  He may even be able to earn the #2 DB spot if he keeps impressing.  The real question when it comes to our DB's will be answered by our rookie Spievey.  If he can at least be a #3 corner for us to start the year, maybe by the bye week him and King can switch and he can be our #2 guy which will move King back to the position we brought him in for.  But that is a Big IF.  

Our safeties are looking good actually.  I love Delmas.  That guy is a stud who could of won D ROY last year if our secondary as a group wasnt so injury prone and horrific.  The other safety is in question.  I like Bullocks, Simpson, Manual and White.  While none of those four are studs, all of them have ability.  Im sure all of us fans have bad images of those guys being beat like "red headed step children" last year, but most of the time they had to play out of their skill set.  I know they still might of been in at safety, but neither Manual or White are starting caliber.  As backups, their ok for a few snaps per game.  I think Simpson has a lot of potential that he just has not been consistent finding.  Being inconsistent in this league makes you a back up.  But he could be a very good backup for us at both Safety positions.  Bullocks is the big question when it comes to our Safeties.  IF he can regain the skill he had when we drafted him, we are fine.  IF his injuries he has already sustained in the past couple years have robbed him of his ability, he may be nothing more than a good back up as well.  If that is the case, we need a Safety next year for sure.  IF he can regain form, we are solid.

Our special teams have greatly been improved this off season.  I know our Punter and Kicker are still the same, but I think with our front 4 DL, we will see some blocked kicks,  And with so many special team tackling machines we have added like Wesley and Wade along with Follett, I dont expect many long returns against us.  When it comes to our return game,  Nate will be huge spark if we use him,  D.Will might actually impress this year (KR is really why we drafted him anyway) Best could be a beast if we use him there but I hope we dont, Aaron Brown has a ton of potential as a return man. I expect a better than average special teams unit all the way around.

So once again, there you have it.  10 -6 might still be a reach, but I actually think it is possible for us.  (If the injuries god's take it easy on us this year).