racosun
08-18-2008, 06:09 PM
Okay Lions fans, new season brings new hope. (Yes, I'm a true-blue (typical) Lions fan)
We've got an old man (Kitna, 36 years old on week 3) as our starting QB; two talented but not yet proven WR's (Roy Williams, Cal Johnson); improved O-Line (first-round rookie OT might not even start yet); a questionable D-line (some good players here, but none named Shaun Rogers); new cornerbacks that are certainly upgrades over the '07 models; a stud linebacker in Ernie Sims that could anchor a possibly very good D; and a cheese-like Jason Hanson, who seems to get better with age (okay, maybe not, but he's still good).
The offense is under new leadership, with the eternal-genius Matt Millen sending guru Mike Martz (the fastest coach on turf) packing and replacing him with O-line coach Jim Colletto. Colletto ran the line for Baltimore when they were plowing holes through everybody on their way to a Super Bowl. While we still don't have the proper personnel to consistently blast holes through teams, we're on our way. Kitna will supposedly help make up for not having a great line by running more play-action and bootlegs. That will help disturb the opposing D, who will have their hands full with those big fast receivers Kitna has. We now have a rookie starting RB (3rd round pick Kevin Smith), but he seems talented and is known to block well and even catch the ball in the flats (unlike Kevin Jones, the new Bear).
The Lions won't set records in the scoring catagory this season, as it is a much more conservative offense than Martz's free-wheeling style (which will be show-cased in San Fran this season). The team is committed to the run nowadays, and will use it as their bread-and-butter to soften up a D and allow the receivers to get into more 1-on-1 situations downfield. Although not as flashy as in years past, it should be more effective in deciding the outcome of games.
The defense is under the tutelage of head coach Rod Marinelli's son-in-law, Joe Barry. Both are vets of the Tampa 2 system and were taught by defensive guru Monte Kiffin. Some of our guys have been in Marinelli's system with the Lions for a couple years now, which is how long they say it takes to "get" the system, so we should see some thrilling play at times this season. LB Sims was one of Millen's only great draft picks, and we're going to see him go hog wild this year. He's a special talent, and we're lucky to have him. Losing DT Shaun Rogers hurts, but he got us a quality CB in return, and that was a bigger team need than the D-line was, especially with a couple young bucks ready to step into Big Daddy's shoes. The D was fabulous the first half of last season, and the D should be more consistent and talented than the previous bunch. You won't see us getting burned by the long bomb as often.
Special teams is a question mark. The overall attitude that Marinelli instills in his players should put more fire into the unit, but the returner position is sketchy. Jason Hanson can still boot the hell out of the ball, but he is once again nursing a sore leg (thigh). He should be good-to-go by the regular season opener, but one has to wonder how much is left in the old man's tank. Punter Nick Harris is fine, and should have less work to do this season.
Overall the team looks to be improved, but this is Detroit, and we have the Lions, so you just never can count on a successful season. There is potential in nearly all aspects of the team, and there is an outside shot at a playoff spot if the key guys can stay healthy and the team as a whole plays hard for their coach and die-hard fans.
With all that said, this is a prediction thread after all, and it's up to you guys to leave your opinion and cast your vote as to how the Lions will do for this season. So, without further ado, please have at it...
We've got an old man (Kitna, 36 years old on week 3) as our starting QB; two talented but not yet proven WR's (Roy Williams, Cal Johnson); improved O-Line (first-round rookie OT might not even start yet); a questionable D-line (some good players here, but none named Shaun Rogers); new cornerbacks that are certainly upgrades over the '07 models; a stud linebacker in Ernie Sims that could anchor a possibly very good D; and a cheese-like Jason Hanson, who seems to get better with age (okay, maybe not, but he's still good).
The offense is under new leadership, with the eternal-genius Matt Millen sending guru Mike Martz (the fastest coach on turf) packing and replacing him with O-line coach Jim Colletto. Colletto ran the line for Baltimore when they were plowing holes through everybody on their way to a Super Bowl. While we still don't have the proper personnel to consistently blast holes through teams, we're on our way. Kitna will supposedly help make up for not having a great line by running more play-action and bootlegs. That will help disturb the opposing D, who will have their hands full with those big fast receivers Kitna has. We now have a rookie starting RB (3rd round pick Kevin Smith), but he seems talented and is known to block well and even catch the ball in the flats (unlike Kevin Jones, the new Bear).
The Lions won't set records in the scoring catagory this season, as it is a much more conservative offense than Martz's free-wheeling style (which will be show-cased in San Fran this season). The team is committed to the run nowadays, and will use it as their bread-and-butter to soften up a D and allow the receivers to get into more 1-on-1 situations downfield. Although not as flashy as in years past, it should be more effective in deciding the outcome of games.
The defense is under the tutelage of head coach Rod Marinelli's son-in-law, Joe Barry. Both are vets of the Tampa 2 system and were taught by defensive guru Monte Kiffin. Some of our guys have been in Marinelli's system with the Lions for a couple years now, which is how long they say it takes to "get" the system, so we should see some thrilling play at times this season. LB Sims was one of Millen's only great draft picks, and we're going to see him go hog wild this year. He's a special talent, and we're lucky to have him. Losing DT Shaun Rogers hurts, but he got us a quality CB in return, and that was a bigger team need than the D-line was, especially with a couple young bucks ready to step into Big Daddy's shoes. The D was fabulous the first half of last season, and the D should be more consistent and talented than the previous bunch. You won't see us getting burned by the long bomb as often.
Special teams is a question mark. The overall attitude that Marinelli instills in his players should put more fire into the unit, but the returner position is sketchy. Jason Hanson can still boot the hell out of the ball, but he is once again nursing a sore leg (thigh). He should be good-to-go by the regular season opener, but one has to wonder how much is left in the old man's tank. Punter Nick Harris is fine, and should have less work to do this season.
Overall the team looks to be improved, but this is Detroit, and we have the Lions, so you just never can count on a successful season. There is potential in nearly all aspects of the team, and there is an outside shot at a playoff spot if the key guys can stay healthy and the team as a whole plays hard for their coach and die-hard fans.
With all that said, this is a prediction thread after all, and it's up to you guys to leave your opinion and cast your vote as to how the Lions will do for this season. So, without further ado, please have at it...