The Detroit Lions are a symbol of futility around the National Football League. Jim Schwartz and company are looking to change that perception this upcoming season. The Pittsburgh Pirates are seen much the same way in Major League baseball and have been buried in their division for well over a decade. In a strange scenario, the Detroit Lions have been penalized with such high draft picks because they have taken so much guaranteed money to get them suited up and into training camp. That is all about to change with a new collective bargaining agreement imminent.
The first thing that the Lions need to do is harness and develop all of the young talent that they have accumulated. This not only includes Ndamukong Suh of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but also high draft picks in Jahvid Best and obviously Matthew Stafford. They are eager to prove themselves worthy at the highest level and they have demonstrated the ability to do so at every previous stop of their football journey.
By Patrick Herbert
The athletes must buy into the philosophy of Jim Schwartz and his staff. Some casual fans believe that Schwartz just showed up out of nowhere and assumed the reins. Truth be told he has been in the league for over fifteen years in different capacities that range from player personnel to defensive coordinator. With Scott Linehan running the offense and Gunther Cunningham heading the defense, they possess a wealth of knowledge and experience.
There has not been much success for the Lions since Wayne Fontes, Herman Moore, and Barry Sanders left town, but that should not be placed on the shoulders of this current regime. They should only be held accountable for their performance and the decisions they have made.
The Detroit Lions need to ingratiate themselves to the city. They play in a beautiful facility in a metropolitan area that is passionate about sports. The people need to see the new faces of the Lions in the community doing service and making public appearances. The goodwill built in this realm will persuade people to take a fresh look at them without any of the past prejudices.
These high draft picks have won at their previous stops. That, not the past failures of the franchise, should be foremost in their minds. There must be a sense of camaraderie built among them that they have each others’ backs whether it comes to a block that must be executed or with the vultures in the media!
This will increase everyone’s work ethic on a daily basis because they do not want to let their teammates down. This sense of pride is of the utmost importance because friends and family are constantly watching with cable packages like the Dish Network Red Zone and the DirecTV Sunday ticket. A lack of effort and quality play today is even more embarrassing because every play is in high definition and dissected to viewers nationwide.
It is no secret that the average career in the NFL is less than a few years. Therefore, the players should participate with a sense of urgency. Many around the league believe a work stoppage after this season is probable. The athletes then must play like there is no tomorrow; and there is nowhere to go but up for this franchise.