Jayman

Let me be honest here.

We stink.

I was really hoping I wouldn't have to write something like this on WC. This morning, I thought to myself: you know what, if the Lions win today, I'll just drop the subject altogether, even though 1-15 is still embarrassing. But no...the Lions lost today against the Green Bay Packers, and thus got thrusted into the history books as the first team in the modern era to go 0-16. I thought to myself this morning: after today, if the Lions stay true to form, they will have the tag of worst ever. The next year: "the worst ever". The tag never leaves. Just go ask Tampa Bay.

And you know what? You've earned it.

I understand that as Week 17 just came to a close and the playoffs are now less than a week away, there are more important stories in the NFL to you at the moment. But I don't care. I know you guys care about your NY Giants, or the fact that the Eagles snuck in the backdoor to a playoff spot. I still find the urge to discuss this season's happenings in Motown, and here is my open forum. For years, we've been putrid. PUTRID. And we've always pointed the finger at different people. Let me start at the beginning (ish)

Back in 1988, Wayne Fontes came to coach the Lions. Nobody outside of Detroit probably remembers him. He was fired in 1996 with an overall record of 67-71. People HATED Fontes by that point and were calling for his head daily. When William Clay Ford fired him, people were relieved. But guess what, here's the kicker: Fontes 67-71 record is the best percentage-wise of any coach in team history. So now fast forward a couple years. People started hating on the players. After Barry Sanders left, we didn't have any breakout stars. So people said, "the players suck, we need a new roster!" So we got new players. We all know about Joey Harrington, Mike Williams, and Charles Rogers, for starters. After we got done blaming them, we turned our attention to Matt Millen, the GM of the Lions. We called for his head - t-shirts were proudly worn with the phrase "Fire Millen" on them. And during this season, Millen was fired. Phew, right? Wrong. The Lions went on to become the only team to lose 16 games in a single season. So now who is Detroit pointing the finger at? William Clay Ford. The owner of the team. Hell, I may as well join the bandwagon.

Mr. Ford, for decades you have lorded over a franchise that has distinguished itself only through ineptitude. Blown chances. Stupid draft picks. The wrong coaches. Horrible general managers. We have tried to laugh it off. Shrug it off. But the fact is that you had ONE player in the last 20 years anyone wanted to see, Barry Sanders, and he walked away from the game rather than continue working for you.

Actually gave money back.

Think about that.

For the past two years, I've actually purchased tickets to a Lions game. I went in and had season tickets, splitting them with 3 friends so we each got to go to 2 games a season. And you know what? I'm cancelling my season tickets now. It's an embarrassment to be there. In this modern day age of NFL football, there shouldn't be a way that a team can go beaten the entire season. It should be a mathmatical impossibility. But, unfortunately for me, it's not. I sat on my couch today and watched Ramzee Robinson (CB, not that I expected you to know ANYONE on our defense other than possibly Ernie Sims) taunt a member of the GB Packers after successfully defending a 4th and 10 pass attempt. Yes, it was successful, and it gave the Lions the ball back - but he still taunted the player. Normally, that would have given the offense a first down, but Robinson got lucky.... the penalty happened after the ball changed possession. I watched multiple fights break out that Lions players started. I saw members of the Lions screaming like they won the lottery on the rare occasion that they made a first down. Why? WHY? Haven't you been humbled enough? Or do minor achievements give you the only green light of the game to act like an idiot? Here's an idea - score more points than your opponent, then you can gleefully cheer to a crowd that hates you.

I watched NFL on FOX pregame show today, and Michael Strahan (who is a waste of space off the field in every way) say that he HOPES the Lions lose. Why on earth would you wish that upon a team - to finish 0-16? His response: "1-15 doesn't sound glamorous. That's been done before. But 0-16 hasn't. Go down in the history books in style!" Give me a break Strahan.

The fact that some of my friends from the state of Michigan have been hoping for an 0-16 finish tells the tale. Mr. Ford, that should make you more ashamed than anything, because if there were any pride left in this football town, you wouldn't hear that. You wouldn't hear exultations of "lose, lose, lose". No one wants to be remembered as the worst ever.

Unless it's the only thing to remember you by.

If that wasn't enough, the past few months Detroit has been plagued by more negative press - the failing auto industry. Our heart and soul. Our pride. Our work ethic. Wouldn't it have been nice for a football team that, for a few hours on Sunday afternoons, gave the locals something to cheer for, could have been a pleasant escape?

Instead, Sunday is worse than Monday.

Heck, Sundays make Mondays look good.

Here is the bottom line: Mr. Ford, you are the constant. You are the source. All bad decisions begin with you and trickle down. If you had any pride as a football owner, when the game against the Packers was over, you would have stepped on the 50-yard line, asked for a microphone and announced to the world: "I'm sorry. I'm no good at this. I've had 44 years, we've won 1 playoff game, and now my legacy is the losingest single season in NFL history. I'm turning over the reigns to people who know better. Forgive me for the indifference I've shown all these years. I hope Detroit will soon get the winner it deserves."

Hey, it's a fantasy. But so is winning a game.

Something tells me I won't hear that speech from Ford at tomorrow's press conference either.

Assassin™

I cry fowl to this whole situation.

There is absolutely no reason for a city as large as Detroit with sports history as prestigious as Detroit's to have this horrible of a team in any sport at any level. I'm nothing close to a Lions fan, but it doesn't make any sense honestly. It brings down the luster of the whole league having a team finish winless. It makes casual football fans from other parts of the country ponder, "If this league has teams in it who are that bad (in a league that historically is known for its parity and its 'anyone can lose to anyone' envirorment) how much better is the best team than the worst team? How impressive is it that there is even an NFC North champion this year?" The extreme would be to start to wonder how legitimate the Superbowl winner is this year. I'm not going that far, but you get my point, and you see the road having a team finish 0-16 can lead us down.

The entire coaching staff should be fired, tbh. And considering Detroit's economy, coupled with this team's performance in recent seasons, how much of a waste is Ford Field looking like right now?

At least you guys still have the Red Wings.

Dr. Giganto

Well, just think Jay, they can only go up from here...

On a serious note, I have to give the Lions credit. They played hard, they just didn't have much talent (besides Calvin Johnson, who's fucking awesome). It would have been easy for them to pack it in and play half-assed and sleepwalk through the season. But they gave it their all. They just weren't any good.

The defense allowed 32.3 points per game, more than 3 ppg worse than the 2nd worst team. They allowed an atrocius 172 rushing yards per game. They only had 4 interceptions all season (obviously worst in the NFL). On a positive note, they were middle-of-the-pack in sacking the QB (tied for 16th).

On offense, they were 27th in the league in points scored, 30th in pass yards per game, 30th in rushing yards per game, and they allowed the 2nd most sacks in the NFL.

They need a LOT of help. All they really have is Calvin Johnson.

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Suffy

I honestly do feel sorry for the Detroit Lions, espicially Calvin Johnson, I hate seeing such amazing players on shitty teams.

But I cannot feel too bad for Detroit as a whole as I fucken hate the Red Wings (Avs fan) so yea...you guys needed to lose at football just not that bad lol.

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James Deuce

It's just an unbelievable thought that one team can lose 16 straight. Weren't they undefeated in the pre-season? I hope the coaching staff are looking for new jobs atm, because they will be out surely. I also feel bad for the 1st pick player in the draft....

Jayman

Early predictions are saying Bradford out of Oklahoma for #1 pick. Personally, I would not like that pick.

Right now we have Dan Orlovsky, who really isn't that bad in my book, he just needs help around him (starting with an O-line), Drew Stanton, who I'm really interested in seeing play next season as he hasn't had a true shot yet...plus Kitna, Culpepper, and Drew Henson (all of which futures are uncertain). Yes, we have FIVE quarterbacks. Obviously if we picked up Bradford we would drop some, but is the QB our #1 problem?

No, we need a defense. Name ANY player on our defense (short of possibly Sims), and place them on any other team in the NFL. I would guarantee that they would not be a starter for that team. Our defense is a solid second string. We need to look at other options...how about some more help on the O-line? We allow too many sacks still, and a poor line is one reason why our offense can't do anything.

Suffy

I agree Jayman, Bradford is not the solution, you have a pretty decent offense, a solid running back, a great receiver some decent qb's but need to work on your oline.

I'd start with your linebackers I don't know any of them but I've always felt they are the best start. You guys could easily draft Little Animal (James Laurinaitis) or Rey Maualuga both are solid Linebackers and a good anchor and starting point on defense.

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Toaster Oven

I really don't think the Lions are that bad of a team overall. Their defense lacks a secondary, and probably could use another good LB. Alama-Francis, and Cliff Avril were also two shining spots on that defense other than Ernie Sims and Cory Redding. If I'm the Lions with the first pick, I'd probably take Andre Smith or Michael Oher. Oher has the better skill set, but is inconsistent, whereas Smith is more consistent. With Smith/Cherilus you'll have bookend tackles for a good 5-8 years. There's a lot of 2nd round skill position talent in this draft that I can see, So I'd probably go LB or DB in the 2nd/3rd/4th Rounds. Granted this team won't become a rousing success overnight, but they aren't far from even being an 8-8 team imo. Getting Kitna back is a big help as well. With Kevin Smith/Calvin Johnson as playmakers on offense you're doing all right, their defense just needs proper motivation and some more personnel in the back 7.

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Assassin™

^^I highly doubt Bradford will declare for the draft, and I even further doubt that he would be the #1 pick should he declare. If he declares, he might be the best college QB in the draft, but that says absolutely nothing about what we can expect from him as a pro. I'd take Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, and even Pat White before Sam Bradford if I was an NFL general manager/coach and I needed a quarterback. It's going to take several years to develop Bradford into an acceptable NFL quarterback. I think Michael Crabtree will be the best overall athlete in the draft and has the most potential as a pro. But I definitely agree that Detroit should focus elsewhere than the QB position. They need a solid runningback and/or a linebacker. There are a couple good linebackers to choose from who may be worthy of a #1 pick (Aaron Curry; Rey Maualuga), but Detroit's best option might be to trade that pick.

Suffy

Assassin you seriously think Pat White can develop faster than Sam Bradford? If so why, I'm just really curious to why you think this.

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