Detroit Lions: 5 Current Players with Hall of Fame Potential

The fans of the Detroit Lions have had it rough. They've suffered through embarrassing losses, hilarious losses and heartbreaking losses.  Not to mention 16 straight losses.  The reason for all the losing?  A serious lack of NFL-ready talent. 

But fear not, Detroit faithful.  These 2011 Lions are different.  This team is loaded with young, hungry and extremely talented players.  Some of these guys have a chance at real greatness.  Here are the best of the best.

Matthew Stafford

Everyone knows Matthew Stafford was the number one pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2009 draft.  Everyone also knows that he's been injury prone.  He missed time in each of his first two seasons due to knee and shoulder injuries.  But guess what, this guy is tough as nails.  Don't believe me?  Check out his heroics against Cleveland in 2009.  

Oh yeah, he's also really good.  He's got a howitzer for an arm and has thrown nine touchdowns in 2011 already.  He's ranked as the third best quarterback so far by ESPN too.  Who's ahead of him? A couple guys named Brady and Rodgers.  Talk about elite company. 

The sky's the limit for this one.

Calvin Johnson

Better known as Megatron because he's a big bad football machine.  At 6'5", 240 lbs he's also a  freak of nature.  He has a 43-inch vertical jump and runs a 4.3 40-yard dash.  With his combination of speed and power, the best NFL cornerbacks can't cover him.  

In the red zone he's unstoppable.  Defenses have to double-team him.  That's right, Chris Carter, you can check the tape!  It doesn't matter.  He already has six touchdowns in three games.  That's a record, folks.  You can punch his ticket to Canton now. You heard it here first.

Jim Schwartz

I know.  He's not a player.  But he's as important as anyone on the field.  Jim Schwartz is in his third year as head coach of the Detroit Lions.  In that short time he's done the unthinkable.  He's taken a historically inept franchise and instilled an expectation of winning.  The players respect him and have bought into his way of doing things.  The results speak for themselves.  Oh, and he doesn't put up with less than the best.  Just ask Gosder Cherilus.

If the Detroit Lions continue their climb to greatness, Jim Schwartz deserves HOF consideration.

Ndamukong Suh

Suh is easily the most recognizable and most popular member of the Detroit Lions defensive unit.  The Lions' first pick in 2010 wasted no time in establishing himself.  He led the Lions and all NFL rookies in sacks with 10.  He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was elected starter at the Pro Bowl. 

Why do Detroit Lion fans love him?  Because he pushes around offensive linemen like a schoolyard bully and relishes punishing quarterbacks.   As a result, some have labeled him dirty.  Not so. 

Nasty maybe.  There's a difference. I checked.

Nick Fairley

He hasn't played a down in the NFL yet, but talk about potential. After dominating Oregon and winning the mythical national championship with Auburn, he was drafted by the Lions 13th overall.  He's been out with a foot injury and the Lions are hush-hush about his return.  But his talent is obvious.   Plus, he's got a nasty streak just like Ndamukong Suh. 

But what vaults him to HOF potential is the situation he'll enter when he's fully healed.  Could there be a better defensive line in the NFL to be a part of as a rookie?  He'll learn all he needs to know from Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Suh.  Plus, how many years will he be teamed with Suh.  Talk about domination.