Detroit Lions Preseason 2011: There Is a Sense of Legitimacy in Dominant Victory

As a Detroit Lions fan now living in Indiana, I am consistently faced with a considerable amount of ridicule due to my allegiance to the Honolulu Blue and Silver.

A significant amount of the mockery I endure is due to the fact that when speaking of Detroit, my discourse usually consists of prophetic assuredness that the Lions are not just a good team, but a great team.

Without fail, every debate begins with someone saying, “Let me remind you, Detroit went winless in 2008.”

Like I forgot that or something.

In most cases I feel as though I’m talking to current ESPN analyst Cris Carter, trying to argue Calvin Johnson’s place among the elite.

In my opinion, when speaking in terms of talent, there isn’t a better receiver in the NFL than “Megatron.”

Most people just walk away when I begin to argue the impact that Matthew Stafford will have on the National Football League in coming years.

The ones who stay just refer to Stafford as a “crystal chandelier.”

But I remain adamant in shoving Stafford down their throats.

As Indianapolis Colts fans, they about lose it when I confidently mention Stafford and future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in the same light.

I am known in my circles for having a pretty extensive knowledge of the National Football League, so it’s hard for people to understand my stance with regard to the Detroit Lions.

But maybe that’s just it; maybe I truly do know what I’m talking about.

Maybe they should just hop on board.

Although it’s just a preseason game against the Cincinnati “Bungles,” I believed in Stafford and company to play with great resiliency and determination.

Jim Schwartz’s decision to go end zone on 4th-and-1 is a true testament to the mentality that the Detroit Lions have heading into 2011.

As far as Detroit’s first drive, it only solidified what I said two months ago in an article named "Detroit Lions: Statistical Projections for Calvin Johnson and Co. in 2011." (Disregard the Mikel Leshoure slide.)  

In this piece I said, "If Matthew Stafford remains healthy, the duo of Stafford and Calvin Johnson becomes the most feared in the entire National Football League.”

Aside from a few personal fouls, Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions defense looked stout in the 34-3 Week 1 trouncing of the Bengals.

Detroit went out and played exactly as I said they would.

I actually projected that Stafford and Johnson would hook up as early as Week q of the preseason.

Additionally, I said that Suh would try to kill the first quarterback he touched. (Sorry Andy Dalton, no hard feelings.)

All in all I've got another definitive point of argument when debating the Lions’ worth with my Colts-loving friends and co-workers, preseason or not.

I told you so.