Detroit Lions: Winning Starts at Home

Over the last few days, I've read some interesting posts regarding predictions on how the Lions are going to do in 2010.  No, this isn't going to be some bold prediction that can be laughed at or anyone accusing anyone else drinking Kool-Aid. 

I'd much rather focus the attention on a very important step the Lions must take before garnering any kind of success: Winning at home.

Since 1997, the Lions have gone 42-118 for a stellar winning percentage of .263.  1997 was also the last year the Lions had a winning record, and then the Millenator darkened the Detroit Lions' front door.

The last year the Lions had a double-digit win season was 1995 with a 10-6 record, which was Wayne Fontes' last winning season.  By 1997, he was gone, replaced by Bobby Ross.

One key aspect for a successful team is to protect their home turf.  Winning on the road will have to come later.  I want the boys in blue to get the fans back in their corner as well as make Ford Field a very hostile place for visiting teams. 

Protecting the home turf will build the team's confidence and eventually, carry over to the road.  Win at home, and they can start to believe in the offense.  Win at home, and they can start to establish themselves defensively.  Win at home, and you get the fans involved by making as much noise as they can when the other team has the ball.

What's the one thing that comes out of every visiting coach when they play a home team, regardless of the sport?  Raise your hand if you've heard this one: "We've got to take the crowd out of the game."

Anyone here remember the 1980 season when the theme was "Another One Bites the Dust?"  Do you remember just how loud the Silverdome was when the team played to the crowd during that season?  Does anyone remember just how intimidated visiting teams were when they came into that place? 

The Lions went 6-2 at home that year with losses to the Baltimore Colts and Chicago Bears.

Or how about the magical 1991 season, spurred on by the career-ending injury of Mike Utley.  The Lions reeled off six straight wins that year as well as going 8-0 at home.  The Silverdome was a place to be reckoned with that year, and the fans were incredible that year in their support.

If the Lions can learn to protect the home turf and win six to eight games at home each year and play at least .500 ball on the road, that gives them a record ranging from 10-6 to 12-4. Wouldn't that be nice to see year after year?