Detroit Lions: Why the Lions Should Embrace Their Bad Boys Image

I recently enjoyed reading an article by Jason Lisk on thebiglead.com called "The Detroit Lions are the New Bad Boys and Should Carry on the Al Davis Counterculture Tradition."

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/11/01/the-detroit-lions-are-the-new-bad-boys-and-should-carry-on-the-al-davis-counterculture-tradition/

In the article Jason recounts the NFL's attempt to market the Detroit vs. Denver game on their website as "good vs. evil."  He also summarizes the recent events that have led to the Lions being labeled dirty; handshake-gate, Matt Ryan's ankle and the Tebowing incidents.

Lisk goes on to argue that the Lions should embrace this label because the NFL needs the type of attitude that the Raiders brought to the league in the 70's.

I can't really identify with the Oakland Raiders of the 1970's because I was not alive then. But I can identify with the original Bad Boys—the Detroit Piston teams of the late 80's.

Those Piston teams relished their label. But unlike the Detroit Lions, some Pistons were actually dirty players. 

Bill Laimbeer was one of the dirtiest players in NBA history.  I loved him.  But if he would have played for the Celtics I would have hated him. 

The Pistons reverted to that style of play because they realized they couldn't beat the Celtics and Lakers at their own game.  So they flipped the script and played a tougher, grittier style of basketball; intimidating teams on the defensive end of the floor.

The more the league played up the Bad Boy image, the "badder" the Piston's got.  NBA fans and media fumed about the villainous Pistons and their ugly brand of basketball. 

But you know what?  While the NBA didn't condone it, they loved it.  Because it was drama and people tuned in to watch the games. 

Similarly, the NFL cannot condone the perceived dirty play of the Detroit Lions.  But, as I said in a previous article, they sure will advertise the heck out of it.

If the NFL is going to publicize and play up that image then the Detroit Lions should embrace it.

Unlike those Pistons team, the Lions can embrace it without actually playing dirty.  They don't have to revert to that.  They are capable of beating anyone based on their talent and execution. 

But that doesn't mean they can't take advantage of whatever benefits come with being the Bad Boys of the NFL.

Fans in Detroit love teams like this; and they love players like this.  They revere players like Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn; and Bob Probert and Joey Kocur of the Red Wings.  These are players that were tough, hard workers, and weren't afraid to bend the rules. 

Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Louis Delmas, and Tony Scheffler are current Lions that fit that player mold perfectly.  They are tough, gritty, and they have an edge.

If the Lions were to embrace this connection with Detroit sports lore, fans would buy-in completely.  The Lions mania that already exists would increase ten-fold. 

Not to mention the attention it would garner nationwide.  This should not bother the Lions.

The Detroit Lions are not a dirty team.  They don't need to be. They are tough.  They are throwbacks to the NFL of old. 

They might engage in a little too much jawing for my taste.  But that does not make them dirty players.  As Jason Lisk noted in his article, "Mocking an opponent’s celebration is an NFL tradition".  This should not be considered dirty play either.

The Lions can embrace this NFL-produced image without actually changing their style of play or acknowledging it in any way.

They can continue to play hard, tough football and intimidate the opposition with their style of play.  They can continue to taunt and trash talk.  As long as they back it up on the field. 

And if the label of Bad Boys should befall them, they can talk about what an honor it is to be compared to the great Piston teams of the past.

Like the Pistons, maybe this label would strengthen the Lions' team unity; hone their killer instinct, and improve their resolve. Maybe it would bring them closer to their ultimate goal.

Winning a championship.