Calvin Johnson – and he shall lead them up the mountain

NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.

Drew Stanton (from my MSU Spartans) thinking about those future victories

When your team is 3 – 13, improvement is on the way. You will improve, because 2 – 16 is almost impossible.

Wait a minute; didn’t Oakland go 2 – 16? Yeah, forgot that.

The Lions believe they will be much better, but then haven’t we heard this before, like 25 years in a row?

“I’m so proud my teammates are starting to build that swagger. The old church song says, ‘The searchlight’s on, you can’t hide.’ Once Kitna said that (about winning 10 games), he turned the light on. We have to back him up.”

Kitna needs to shine himself because the Lions don’t have a proven backup, which is dangerous. They drafted Michigan State’s Drew Stanton but don’t plan to push him. Kitna threw for 4,208 yards last season (fourth in the league) but tossed 22 interceptions and was sacked 63 times. He struggled late in games, although it wasn’t all his fault. source

Sure they have problems, but they also have Calvin Johnson.

Uhh, except Johnson has not signed yet.

The Lions reached four-year deals with each of their second-round picks: quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis and safety Gerald Alexander. Stanton and Alama-Francis signed; Alexander was on his way to Detroit to sign.

Woody has lost a significant amount of weight and his new contract is lighter on the salary cap. Lewand declined to give details. source

Yippee, Woody is lighter. Throw in a couple of new lineman, add a mix of Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola at center and perhaps, just perhaps, you have a line. Could this line prevent some of the 63 sacks of Kitna or open holes for new speed back Bell? That is the hope.

The other side of the line starts with the two tackles Cory Redding and Shaun Rogers, both of them legitimate threats to be All Pro. Add a sprinkle of Ernie Sims at linebacker to ratchet up the intensity.

Has your intrepid author gone crazy or is he starting to believe all the hype?

Ohhh, there have been so many disappointments.

Your gallivanting author keeps repeating to himself, “Don’t Believe, Don’t Believe”, because when it doesn’t happen the pain is just too great.

But Rod Marinelli is the Coach and Rod has me believing

But unofficially, this team is intriguing, for many of the old reasons. The offense could be good, especially if the latest touted rookie receiver, Calvin Johnson from Georgia Tech, is as dynamic as expected. And the coaching staff, topped by Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, appears solid, not easily swayed. source

Finally, the Squibster will leave you with this quote from Cory Redding about a fan from his home town that had seen one to many disappointing seasons.

“He told me, ‘I was married to the Lions for 50 years, and I divorced ya’ll last year,’ ” Redding said. “I said, ‘Well, we believe in not separating until death do us part, and this Lions team ain’t dead yet.’ We have a new face and a new year, and something is going to change in this organization. So for the fans, don’t divorce us, hang in there, great things are gonna happen.”

“You gotta Believe, You gotta Believe”

NFL Football Fan Question How many can the Lions win this year?

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