NFL Free Agent Signings: Stephen Tulloch Doesn't Make Lions a Playoff Team

Are the Lions now a sure-bet playoff team now that they have added Stephen Tulloch?

Simply put the answer here is a resounding no.

The Detroit Lions made a great addition to their team when they signed Tulloch, a middle linebacker formerly of the Tennessee Titans.

To be frank, it was a much-needed addition and I think the Lions would have had a very disappointing free-agency period had they not gone out and snagged Tulloch.

It’s a great addition, but the Lions still have a long way to go.

Who is going to play corner?

If you are trying to tell me Chris Houston is what passes for a legitimate cornerback in the NFL, than I am sorry, but I have to call your bluff on that.

He is what passes for a cornerback on the Detroit Lions, but to be honest that should not be acceptable.

I’ve heard the argument that the front seven will all but make up for the Lions deficiencies in the secondary, but what happens when teams start going to the shotgun and quicker routes?

Don’t get me wrong, I think the Lions defensive line will be tremendous, but even Reggie White in his prime couldn’t consistently disrupt the quarterback in three seconds.

I understand the point about the front four, but my counter is that there are far too many ways to nullify a pass rush, especially when the corners are shaky.

Now, are the Lions a much better team on Sunday than they were earlier this week?

I think the answer to that question is a resounding yes.

That being said, I still think there are one too many holes on this defense.

There is also the factor of the learning curve a winning organization must go through.

Winning four games at the end of last season was nice, but they are still a very young team that has no idea what it takes to win when everything is on the line in a pressure-filled playoff-like situation.

Anybody can win four games in a spoiler role, but it takes a whole different kind of team do be able to do so when the season and playoffs are on the line.

Overall, I’m not trying to be negative here, but to just add a little bit of the other side of the coin to this signing.

I think it’s a great signing, and it shows how far the Lions really have come, and how far they have the potential to go.

I just feel the division is far too tough, and the NFC in general is even tougher.

The Packers are only going to be a better team, being that they are returning a few key pieces that weren’t even playing during their Super Bowl run. The Bears are always somehow in contention and I still think they have a few moves left in them before all is said and done.

The NFC in general has become much better by a long shot with the additions of several key free agents.

The Eagles became the favorites in the NFC when they signed Nnamdi Asomugha, but they aren’t the only contenders.

If the Lions can’t take the division they will have to fight for the Wild Card with the likes of the Buccaneers, Falcons, Cowboys, Giants or any of the teams in the NFC West, who have gotten a whole lot stronger in the past week or so.

My point: it’s going to be a very tough task for the Lions to get into the playoffs simply because the NFC has gotten so much stronger this offseason.

Tulloch is a great signing and I think he will make a tremendous impact this year and into the future.

As of right now, I don’t see him making the Lions a playoff team this season.

Next season might be a different story though.

Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AKonSports