NFC North: If You're Fearing the Lions...

[Guiness]

Their three stars are very young. Just like the way the Packers started with a few play makers here and there, it piles up because those are long term guys and they will keep adding to it. Who knows how many new playmakers will emerge this year for them? 1? 2? The new management is hitting about 1 a year.


They're getting better. They should be 8-8 or better this year if you ask me and if they keep drafting the way they are, they'll be hella competitive over the next 5 years. They have the start of a good thing.


And I've been a, "I'll believe it when I see it" guy for the last 5 years. I scoffed at the idea that the Lions would improve, but now they have a history of getting playmakers in the draft and I think there is reason to believe it will continue. If it does, they will be better every year (unless injury hits of course.)

They will be better this year. I'd bet on it.

They certainly have a couple of playmakers from the last 3 drafts, but I think it's a reach to say 'they have a history of getting...'. Suh and CJ do not a history make.

They are improving though, and if they continue on the track they're on, could well be the second best team in the division this year. They closed strong, and the win against TB was impressive. Minn and Chi are headed in the other direction.

[Tarlam!]

'they have a history of getting...'. Suh and CJ do not a history make.

Totally agree, and add that QB. If he stays healthy, he seems like a good pick. But it's easy to get that quality when you select top 5 year after year after year.

[Guiness]

Totally agree, and add that QB. If he stays healthy, he seems like a good pick. But it's easy to get that quality when you select top 5 year after year after year.

I specifically didn't mention Stafford. He's played more games than Harrell...one more! They played the same number of games their first 2 years in the league!

[Fritz]

I think their GM, Martin Mayhew, is on the right track. However, he has yet to show he can grab talented players beyond the second or third round. I think they'll be better this year, maybe 8-8 or 9-7. I'm in 'wait and see' mode.

[MadScientist]

I think their GM, Martin Mayhew, is on the right track. However, he has yet to show he can grab talented players beyond the second or third round. I think they'll be better this year, maybe 8-8 or 9-7. I'm in 'wait and see' mode.

Which makes him 3 rounds better than Millen. That is enough to get them competitive, but depth from good late round picks makes it possible to survive a long season. They are in better shape than they have been since they last made the playoffs. (Granted, that's not saying too much).

[mraynrand]

Which makes him 3 rounds better than Millen.

The Matt Millen Draft Board:

[Fritz]

The pet psychic was better than Millen.

[mraynrand]

The pet psychic was better than Millen.

Alllllrighteeeeee then!

[3irty1]

One surprising fact about Matt Stafford: he's only 2 weeks older than Christian Ponder. The guy has PLENTY of time to turn his career around and when he's actually been on the field, he's been effective.

The Lions Offensive line isn't a whole lot different from the Packers line right now--they are capable at pass blocking and well below average in the running game, just like us. This offense is just a little bit of luck away from scoring piles of points IMO. The defense on the other hand isn't nearly as impressive. To compete with the Packers you've got to have a kick-ass back 7 and they have about one piece. I could see them as a poor-man's Colts in future seasons.

[MadScientist]

One surprising fact about Matt Stafford: he's only 2 weeks older than Christian Ponder. The guy has PLENTY of time to turn his career around and when he's actually been on the field, he's been effective.

I don't know that turn his career around is the right phrasing. More like turn his health around. Rodgers did it, although the concussions are a worry. With Stafford the problem has been injuries to his throwing shoulder. That could lead to less effectiveness, or an increase in injuries due to compensating for the previous injury, or weaker repairs keeping the shoulder in place. Detroit needs to work on a developmental QB, but right now they can't put much into the backup QB because they have holes elsewhere. That will cost them big time if Stafford doesn't keep his arm in tact.

[RashanGary]

Stafford looked really good in that first Bears game. I remember being impressed. He's come a long way. If he has a healthy season coming up, like everyone said, he could be really good. This is his Stafford's 3rd season. We can't start comparing him to Rodgers until next year.

He could be a big difference maker for them. Best being healthy too.

The Lions have a chance to surprise this year. They say it every year, but I don't. This is the first time I'm saying it and I'm calling my shot. Lions will finish at or above .500

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

They will be decent, but they still have major issues. Besides there QB staying healthy, there oline needs to improve greatly. Those two go hand and hand.

Then stift to the defense. The linebackers are average and the secondary is still below average. The stength of the team is there skilled position players and there dline.

8-8? Maybe......but I'd bet they are still closer to 6 than 10 if they don't land 8 wins.

[vince]

They became a force to be reckoned with starting about Thanksgiving last year. They had the Pats on the ropes and couldn't finish, then they should have beat the Bears too the next week. Following that, they won their last 4 games including beating the Pack and the Bucs. Not that there's any momentum to carry over from year to year, but as they continue to improve and gain experience, they'll continue to be better than their 6-10 record from last year.

[Tarlam!]

they won their last 4 games including beating the Pack and the Bucs.

Thankfully, they beat the Bucs! If they hadn't some other team's fans would be cooing "we are the champions"! Heck, might have even been the Bus' fans!

[gbgary]

In the division, maybe. But in the league? Not even close. The Lions defensive back 7 is bad and their OL isn't very good. I think people are getting way too excited about the Lions latest draft, it's almost certainly one that looks better on paper than in reality. It will be hard for Fairley and Suh to play together unless Detroit goes to a 3-4, Fairley has "the worst of Haynesworth" written all over him, Young is a diva whose mindset doesn't match up with his skillset, and LeShoure is fake-tough (a la Lawrence Maroney.) They're certainly on the right track, considering where they've been... but I think anointing them potentially the greatest threat in the division is more a statement about how the Bears are likely declining due to the age of the defense and the Vikings are a disaster than anything else.

yes...i'm only speaking about our division.