Where Do The 0-2 Detroit Lions Go From Here?

"Stay the Course" says Matt Millen. Why he even bothers to talk to the media, I'll never know. Nothing the man says can appease Detroit fans, short of "I resign as GM of the Lions"

Staying the course however, has to be one of the most absurd notions ever uttered by Matt Millen. The Lions have no course. Teams that should stay the course are the Dallas Cowboys or the New England Patriots. If the Lions kept staying the course, they'd drive the bus off a cliff onto the jagged rocks below in a firey mess. That is, if it hasn't happened already.

Detroit is 0-2 for the fourth time under Matt Millen's tenure. Now, there are 0-2 starts and there is Detroit's 0-2 start. San Diego and Minnesota are both 0-2, yet their outlooks are still rosy. Both have defenses that should be ranked in the top 10 of the league. Both have star running back's and good offensive lines. Most importantly, both teams lost close games and looked good in defeat.

The Lions have suffered two crushing blowouts to put it bluntly. They fell behind 21-0 to a young Atlanta Falcons team that was largely rebuilding with a rookie quarterback, and head coach. They then fell behind 21-0 to the Packers and young quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The 2nd game was decidedly worse. The Lions got our hopes up and came all the way back from that 21-0 deficit only for Jon Kitna to almost single-handily throw the game away. With 7 minutes remaining, Kitna threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. A 25-24 Lions lead with 7 minutes left, turned into a 48-25 Packers rout.

So what is Detroit facing now?

This Sunday they will face off against San Francisco. The 49ers feature former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz and former Lions backup quarterback JT O'Sullivan.

I don't see this ending up well. It seems that every time the Lions meet up with a former player now playing for another team, that player torches the Lions.

It would be a nightmare, not to mention embarrassing if this duo of Lions castoffs beat the Lions.

If I had it my way, Jon Kitna would not start another game for Detroit. Sure, the Lions started 6-2 last season with Kitna at the helm, but it was largely smoke and mirrors. The team played well enough in its victories that it could overcome Kitna throwing red-zone interceptions, which he still did during that run.

Drew Stanton is healthy, but likely won't play against the 49ers. I say put in Orlovsky.

OK. Orlovsky doesn't give Detroit a great chance at winning the game, but at least he's not going to gift wrap 21 points for the 49ers in the 4th quarter. At least I'd hope not.

If the Lions want to finally establish the run game, I suggest they win the coin toss and elect to receive. It might be the only series they get to have a meaningful rushing attack. Martz and O'Sullivan will surely come out throwing, and why not? The Lions secondary resembles a pack of deer in headlights. They can't stick to their routes, they trip on themselves leaving receivers wide open, and they can't tackle.

I think Kevin Smith has talent. I say think, because he hasn't had an opportunity to play consistently. Going down 21-0 early in games will do that to you. In limited action, he has shown quickness and agility in some plays, and has run into a brick wall on others. He could be a player to build around or he might not be. How's that for a prognosis?

Calvin Johnson has looked like one of the top receivers in the game through the first two games. Both of Kitna's touchdown passes against Green Bay should really be fully credited to Johnson. These were short dump-off passes that Johnson then turned into long gains as he used his speed and size to dance around defenders and break tackles, into the end-zone.

Roy Williams however, is regressing it seems. He's dropped easy passes and has been caught out of position at times. Not to mention, he's becoming complacent. I'd say the future looks pretty clear for Detroit when it comes to Williams. He's a free agent at the end of the season. Calvin Johnson is clearly the better receiver with the most potential. Williams can, and should be trade fodder, especially if the playoff picture for Detroit looks bleak by week six.

Just about everyone else gets a failing grade or close to it. Cory Redding and Dewayne White have looked good at times, but its hard to compliment the defense when they allow opposing teams to take 21-0 leads on them. You can't fault the defense for what happened in the 4th quarter against Green Bay, but you can sure blame them for the first half's against Atlanta and Green Bay. Showing up to play after falling behind by three touchdowns isn't exactly cutting it. I hope Rod Marinelli told them that the game does in fact start at the beginning of the 1st quarter.

If Detroit loses to San Francisco, they should concede the rest of the year and start Drew Stanton after the bye week until the end of the season.

Jon Kitna is not the future of this organization. He's near the end of his career in all likelihood. Drew Stanton might not be the quarterback of the future for Detroit but there's only one way to find out.

If Detroit has an 0-3 start, they will likely be looking at a top 5 draft pick. If Stanton looks good, Detroit should definitely draft an offensive or defensive lineman. I'm of the sensible crowd that knows that good teams start with the lines. The Lions have two bad ones. However, if Stanton tanks hard Detroit should consider a quarterback with that pick. Chase Daniels of Missouri perhaps?

I realize this is a lot of ifs. This is all hypothetical. Knowing the Lions they will probably toss reason out the window yet again and start Kitna for all 16 games. Progress of course, is not a word Detroit management is familiar with.