High Times in Motown: Detroit Lions Will Be the NFL's Next Dynasty

The Lions reached historic levels of futility in 2008, being the first NFL team to finish the season winless. They were a mess on both sides of the ball, finishing 30th in the NFL in offense and last in defense. An everlasting image of how bad the Lions were that season is quarterback Dan Orlovsky unknowingly running into the back of his own end zone for a safety.

However, this Lions team is completely different. They boast a new look on offense, defense, on the coaching staff, and in the front office. They have a strong nucleus of players and boast the potential to be great this year and into the future.

The Lions have lots of young talent on offense, which bodes well for a team that hasn't had great offensive output since Barry Sanders retired.

Second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford was injured at many points last season, but when he was healthy, he showed flashes of absolute brilliance, throwing for over 400 yards and five touchdowns versus Cleveland in Week 11. Every dynasty has an elite quarterback to lead them, and Stafford can be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in three years.

The Lions have a very intriguing prospect at running back in Jahvid Best, who averaged over seven yards per carry at Cal. He was plagued by concussions in his final season but has a lot of upside.

I think Calvin Johnson will return to being an elite wide receiver this year, and Nate Burleson is a reliable option as a No. 2 receiver.

Coach Jim Schwartz was a great defensive coordinator in Tennessee (see what happened to that defense when he left to see his effect on the Titans), and the defense in Detroit has a good core of players, starting with 2010 first round pick Ndamukong Suh. Suh was the only defensive Heisman trophy finalist in 2009 and was completely dominant in the Big 12 Championship against Texas.

Louis Delmas has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber safety, and the Lions made some great acquisitions in the front seven by signing veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and trading for former Seattle linebacker Julian Peterson.

Detroit has a coach in Jim Schwartz that has learned from two of the greatest coaches in NFL history in Jeff Fisher, who has lasted as long as he has in Tennessee for a reason, and an absolute genius in Bill Belichick.

The Lions have a very talented core of young players to lead them into the next decade, and they have made smart veteran acquisitions to complement the budding young stars on this team. While they do still have some weaknesses up front and in the secondary, the upside this team presents is more than enough to convince me they will be the team of the 2010s.