Ain’t Too Proud To Beg ……

Well the NFL training camps are almost upon us. And the expectations for some are higher than for others. In the case of the Detroit Lions , it’s all about redeeming themselves after last season’s disastrous escapade during the regular season.

Detroit Lions' head coach Jim Schwartz (center) alongside General Martin Mayhew (left) and Team President Tom Lewand (right). picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Carlos Osorio ...............

And after going (0-16) within the NFC North. One can allude to the fact that for the franchise now , the only way is up. And it has to be said that with the upheaval within the coaching regime, after the abrupt firing of Rod Marinelli . A fresh pair of eyes and mindset needs to be brought to the team. Newly established Head Coach , Jim Schwartz and General Manager Martin Mayhew have set about revamping the team’s roster and coaching staff.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson seen here in full stride for the Lions. The players is viewed as the team's most ominous and potent offensive threat. And he's viewed as a great complement to the weapons that quarterback , Matthew Stafford will have in his arsenal. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Mike Schiff ......................

And in the draft they went about expeditiously and judiciously supplementing the roster with the players they best felt would be able to contribute and bring back the luster to the franchise. To state that the Lions’ franchise has been in the doldrums for the last decade. It’s not only stating the obvious but it also has signified almost how irrelevant the Lions had become in the NFL. Merely stating that on Thanksgiving Day , a Lions’ game was on television. It all but brought about tears to the most ardent of NFL fans. Especially those Lions’ fans who had to be subjected to their sheer ineptitude of their displays on the field.

Daunte Culpepper of the Detroit Lions. The veteran players is being viewed as Matthew Stafford's backup. However, there is the opinion that Culpepper will initially be the starter at the beginning of the regular season , in order that Stafford can get himself acclimatized. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Chris Nelson ..................

Why it is that the custom of having the Lions play a home game on Thanksgiving Day in-front of a network audience , has always been beyond my comprehension. Were it not for the fact that the hierarchy of the NFL still believes in customs , tradition and its importance to the game. I would’ve thought that they would’ve done away with the Lions being part of this customary scheduling. It’s bad enough having to digest the Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner and the numerous alcoholic beverages that one consumes on the day. Without then having to subject one’s self of the inane privilege of then having to watch the Lions play. I’m thick skinned but certainly not that much !

Mark Sanchez (left) and Matthew Stafford at the NFL Scouting combine. Both players were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Sanchez was taken by the New York Jets of the AFC East division. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Charles Mallet

In the always competitive NFC North the Lions will have to pick wits with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers . And being welcomed into the fold of the division, will be Jay Cutler . Who’ll be the starting quarterback the Bears , having been traded to the team from the Denver Broncos . And it’s also envisioned that we’ll see the returning prodigal Brett Favre , who’ll be joining the Vikings. Once he’s made a final decision as to his status. Are we there yet, Brett ?

For the Detroit Lions the question one everyone’s lips is … how quickly will their number one draft pick, quarterback, Matthew Stafford acclimatize himself to the rigors and play of the National Football League ? Stafford, having been taken as the number one overall pick has the undue burden of expectation riding on his shoulders as to the fate of the franchise this upcoming season.

Defensively, last season we know that Lions were atrocious. And watching the team play , you’d have been under the impression that Schwartz’s predecessor Rod Marinelli knew nothing about the art of defense when it cames to the NFL . He cut his teeth in that bastion of defensive knowledge , under the tutelage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ , Monte Kiffin . Unfortunately, however , having the knowledge is one thing but to impart on players who can actually comprehend it is another. And such was the malais that the team found itself in.

On the offensive side of things, it certainly wasn’t that much better. And one of few bright spots on the team was their wide receiver Calvin Johnson . An athletic and gifted player, Johnson convinced many that he is the future of this franchise, given the right signal-caller to make the plays. And it’s viewed that whilst the veteran Daunte Culpepper is there to tutor the freshman , Stafford. It may well be Culpepper who’ll provide the initial plays at the start of the regular season . In order that Stafford can acclimatize himself to the nuances of the game. Though Schwartz hasn’t stated that the starting quarterback position is up for grabs. It could well be viewed that Culpepper is also being asked to audition for the position. Stafford for his part has let it be known that he’s ready , willing and able to lead this team with authority.

Lions' running back Kevin Smith evades the tackle of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Kevin Carter in a game played Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Christian Petersen ........................

The Detroit Lions’ fans could be in for a treat this season. And if they’re able to get some semblance of teamwork and cohesion during training camp and the preseason schedule of games. Then there’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to be able to acquit themselves well, over the course of the regular season. But much of that’ll be predicated upon the mindset of this team and whether or not the message that Schwartz is imparting to the players will be acknowledged and acted upon.
If it is ,then so be it. If not, then the malaise of last season could well be revisited. And the Detroit Lions’ fans, I for one feel , will not at all be enamored with that particular scenario arising once again.

One can well remember the bravado and gumption of Matt Millen as the franchise’s GM prior to Martin Mayhew. His gusto in proclaiming that he was here to stay and to turn the franchise around . Well it was only matched by the sheer ineptitude shown under his auspices with regard to the personnel decisions made. It set back the franchise at least five years. But even more so, Millen wasn’t willing to accept that he’d failed the fans , the franchise and the Ford family as the owners of this once venerable franchise.
But then again the Ford family aren’t without blame , as they were naive enough to believe that Millen would be the ultimate savior of the franchise to begin with.

Matt Millen former GM of the Detroit Lions and then owner William Clay Ford Sr. Under Millen' reign the team posted an abysmal 31-84 record during his 8 year tenure as the team's GM. He would be fired by the Ford family at the culimation of a horrendous 2008 season where the team went 0-16 during regular NFL 16 game schedule . A first for the NFL under its present schedule. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Paul Stanton ............................

We’ve seen how the Fords have handled the family business . And it has to be said that the misfortunes there, seemed to found their way within the Detroit Lions’ franchise. Naivete’ and audacity is one thing but how can one explain their sheer stupidity to begin with ? The credentials that Millen brought to the table, was nothing more than being a passable NFL player in his pime and an above average analyst on television. Beyond that there just wasn’t much there to begin with !