Detroit Lions: Anticipation for 2011 NFL Season at an All-Time High

The Detroit Lions are one of the most hyped teams heading into the 2011 NFL season. It seems that Lions fans are eating, breathing and sleeping all things football of late. To tell the truth, they should be.

The Detroit Lions have been in the doldrums since July 28th, 1999—the day Barry Sanders retired. Since that day the team and its fans have endured being the laughing stock of the NFL, hopelessness and the Matt Millen era. Through the worst of times, Detroit Lions fans have stayed proud, waiting for glory. 

Now, here we are in 2011 and Detroit Lions fans are ready for their slice of the pie. For goodness sake, the NFL awarded Detroit with a Monday Night Football game. The Lions haven't been featured on MNF since 2001. The Lions sold out the upcoming MNF game vs. the Chicago Bears in less than an hour. Lions fever has swept the Motor City so fast the team has even sold out their final preseason game vs. the New England Patriots this week. This game is also going to be nationally televised. That's right, a Lions preseason game on national television. Wow. 

The buzz about the 2011 Lions is infectious, it's ubiquitous. The hype is so abundant in Detroit there's even been talk about the Lions making the playoffs this year. 

While many fans believe this is the year where the team actually turns the corner, myself included, we have to be rational about this. The Detroit Lions haven't posted a .500 season or better since 2000, when the team went 9-7. The team hasn't won 10-plus games since 1995. Yet, media outlets and fans alike expect the Lions to suddenly make this leap into prominence. 

Let's not bite off more than we can chew—the Detroit Lions still have a long way to go. The Lions finished the 2010 season with a four-game win streak but only won six games all year. Also, the team has only won eight games in three years. 

Like it or not, quarterback Matthew Stafford has a giant question mark hanging over his helmet. It appears he is 100 percent healthy, but only time on the football field will answer that question.

The Lions also have running back issues to solve. Starting running back Jahvid Best will miss this week's preseason game with lingering concussion issues and second-round draft pick Mikel Leshoure is already done for the season. Jahvid Best says he's "fine," which is a good sign for the organization. Although, isn't that what all professional athletes say?

General Manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz will find an answer to the running back situation in due time. The two men have done an outstanding job on turning around the once defunct franchise. In these men, we trust.   

Realistically, there is no reason for Lions fans not to be the most excited they've been in years. The team has an amazing defense and what could be a dynamic offense with momentum heading into the season. Just remember, the Lions are still learning how to win games in the NFL. After all, fans don't want a big slice of humble pie.