Just when you thought they hit bottom
Andy Buss
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Sports
The Detroit Lions have become the laughing stock of professional - or in their case - "professional" sports. But let's give credit where credit is due. The Lions earned this spot and are darn good at locking it down.
It has taken 52 years of championship-less football and 43 Super Bowls at home to claim the title. Fortunately, it doesn't look like the Ford family has to worry about losing it any time soon.
Going 0-16 - a horrible "what-if," but never a reality. Enter the worst team in the history of the NFL, the 2008-2009 Detroit Lions. With a revolving door at quarterback and a defense capable of allowing O.J. Simpson to put up 200-plus yards - today - this year's Lions had more than enough problems to keep this offseason busy.
Several years ago, the Lions looked to an offensive genius to right the ship. Marty Morningweg took control and provided a dazzling performance from the number three overall pick Joey Harrington. Oh wait, not at all. Ok, so go to the defensive side for answers right? In walks defensive line wiz-kid Rod Marinelli. He managed to take a terrible team and create the most terrible team ever. Strike two. The fans of Detroit now must rest their hopes in newly hired Jim Schwartz, the former defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. God speed Mr. Schwartz!
With a coach in place, the Lions need to start addressing the countless other issues of this past season's team. The Lions were able to secure the number one overall pick in April's draft by virtue of being downright bad. I want to go on record as saying the team's best option is to trade down and acquire even more picks. Let's face it - the draft needs to fill as many holes as possible for this team. With the first pick and the first-round pick of the Cowboys coming from the Roy Williams trade, the Lions already have two great slots. With no standout, clear number-one prospect, trading the first pick provides more opportunities to get playmakers.
No matter how you cut it, the Lions are looking another horrible season down the barrel in 2009-2010. Since the Arizona Cardinals are headed to the franchise's first ever Super Bowl, the lowly Cleveland Browns are now the only other team beside the Lions to never yet reach the main event in it's 43 years of existence. The odds are not in Detroit's favor. To add to the equation, the kicker is the undoubtedly the best and most veteran player on the team - the kicker! I'm not saying the Lions will go another 48 years without a title to make it an even 100, that's unheard of - just like 0-16. Can you say Chicago Cubs?
It has taken 52 years of championship-less football and 43 Super Bowls at home to claim the title. Fortunately, it doesn't look like the Ford family has to worry about losing it any time soon.
Going 0-16 - a horrible "what-if," but never a reality. Enter the worst team in the history of the NFL, the 2008-2009 Detroit Lions. With a revolving door at quarterback and a defense capable of allowing O.J. Simpson to put up 200-plus yards - today - this year's Lions had more than enough problems to keep this offseason busy.
Several years ago, the Lions looked to an offensive genius to right the ship. Marty Morningweg took control and provided a dazzling performance from the number three overall pick Joey Harrington. Oh wait, not at all. Ok, so go to the defensive side for answers right? In walks defensive line wiz-kid Rod Marinelli. He managed to take a terrible team and create the most terrible team ever. Strike two. The fans of Detroit now must rest their hopes in newly hired Jim Schwartz, the former defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. God speed Mr. Schwartz!
With a coach in place, the Lions need to start addressing the countless other issues of this past season's team. The Lions were able to secure the number one overall pick in April's draft by virtue of being downright bad. I want to go on record as saying the team's best option is to trade down and acquire even more picks. Let's face it - the draft needs to fill as many holes as possible for this team. With the first pick and the first-round pick of the Cowboys coming from the Roy Williams trade, the Lions already have two great slots. With no standout, clear number-one prospect, trading the first pick provides more opportunities to get playmakers.
No matter how you cut it, the Lions are looking another horrible season down the barrel in 2009-2010. Since the Arizona Cardinals are headed to the franchise's first ever Super Bowl, the lowly Cleveland Browns are now the only other team beside the Lions to never yet reach the main event in it's 43 years of existence. The odds are not in Detroit's favor. To add to the equation, the kicker is the undoubtedly the best and most veteran player on the team - the kicker! I'm not saying the Lions will go another 48 years without a title to make it an even 100, that's unheard of - just like 0-16. Can you say Chicago Cubs?
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