Lions win today, so Detroit fans should be happy, right? That depends on your perspective on this season. As I see it, there are two choices we have at this point:
- Hope for an 8-8 season that will probably be enough to win the division, followed by a hasty exit in the wild-card round.
- Hope for a whole bunch of losses in order to usher in the Matt-Leinart-in-Honolulu-Blue-Era.
As it stands now, we're realistically looking at 6-10 or 7-9, followed by using the 8th pick to take another WR. Charles Rogers will be carpooling with Joey on their unceremonious departure from the Motor City in January. So long, guys. Have a nice life.
Still, it was nice (although somewhat strange) to have some confidence in the offense while watching Sunday's game. If Garcia can do this well with Vines and Martinez, well, that's good. Still, he's not the long-term solution. Too early to tell if Orlovsky is, either.
Here's a few takes on this year's team thus far...
Quarterback
See above. Joey Harrington is a nice guy. He plays the piano pretty well. Too bad he also has an anxiety disorder. He should write a thank you note to Jeff Tedford for his millions of dollars, and proceed to live out his days as a third string player for the Giants (or some other team where he has no chance of ever seeing the field.) Don't feel too bad for the guy - it's a good gig.
The length of Garcia's tenure will be dictated by his health. I anticipate that a high draft pick will once again be spent on a QB. Unless perhaps a quality free agent becomes available. Billy Volek? Matt Schaub, anyone?
Running Back
Kevin Jones is Kevin Jones. No need to worry about this position. I've definitely been encouraged by the increased PT for Artose Pinner. He's the type of guy who can keep the chains moving as long as he has good blocking. He would get 1300 yards in Denver, to put it another way. Jones, on the other hand, has the ability to make something out of nothing. Bryson rounds out this stable of backs rather nicely. Until Jones further refines his pass-catching game, he remains the best receiver out of the backfield. With the return of fullback/bulldozer Cory Schlesinger, the running game should only improve as the season continues.
Receivers
Charles Rogers appears to be a bust. Somebody apparently forgot to tell him that medicinal cannabis is not an approved treatment for osteoporosis. And I still think he looks like Osmosis Jones. If (if) Roy Williams could stay healthy, he'd probably make the Pro Bowl, or at least Plays of the Week on a semi-regular basis. Mike Williams looked decent against Cleveland, but it's still too early to tell how he'll do. Something tells me he'll be playing TE in three years. Considering all the drops by Pollard & friends, this might not be a bad thing. Scottie Vines has filled in admirably when called upon, but he's a #4 receiver at best. Kevin Johnson was supposed to be the veteran leadership at this position this year. It looks as though he's spending the rest of the season in street clothes and one really large boot. Glenn Martinez has apparently won a raffle drawing of some sort where the prize is an NFL roster spot. Good for you, Glenn.... now please assume your position next to the Gatorade cooler. And I just realized he kind of looks like Jesus.
Offensive Line
After watching Sunday's game, I'm not sure what to think of this unit. Either: a.) They looked good because they were playing, well... Cleveland. or b.) They are awesome, they all hate Joey, and let the pass rush upfield for their (and our) collective amusement. Hahaha.
Defensive Line
Rogers and Wilkinson are bueno. Shaun Cody appears to be solid as well, but he needs a nickname. How about Big Poppa or something. Hall and Redding, while not spectacular, round out the starting unit. Many thanks to whoever woke up Kalimba Edwards from his three-year nap.
Linebackers
Here's the position with the most quality depth on the team. Boss Bailey (welcome back) has enough range to possibly play SS in a pinch. Holmes is a force in the middle, and Teddy Lehman continues to improve. Curry and Rainer are valuable special teams contributors, and James Davis has one of the coolest nicknames in the league. Check out his website. Alex Lewis will add to the group when he returns from injury.
Secondary
Did anybody know that Dre Bly was going to be this good? My only complaint is the hot-potato antics on interception returns, but I'll take it as part of the package. Fernando Bryant weighs 120 pounds, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at his fragility. As I correctly predicted, R-dub has been a great addition at CB and KR. Goodman got a pick Sunday as well. Time will tell if Keith Smith and Stanley Wilson pan out. Terrence Holt has been solid if unspectacular thus far in his first year as a starter, and Kennoy Kennedy is a league-imposed-fine waiting to happen. Just ask Jake Delhomme.
Special Teams
A coworker asked me today what life would be like without Jason Hanson. Amazing how much we take him (and the kicking position in general) for granted, isn't it? Here's hoping that his successor has a similar 15 year run. As an aside, what do folks think his Hall of Fame chances are? People have mentioned Eddie Drummond in the same breath as Dante Hall from a couple years back, but he needs to stay healthy.
Coaching
Am I the only one who feels like Steve Mariucci is too nice of a guy to coach the Lions? After the last six or seven seasons, what this team needs is a no-nonsense results-oriented guy. I'm not sure if Mooch is the guy to maximize the results from this team's talents. If somebody tells me that Parcells and Dungy are holding bocce tournaments during the off season as well, then I'll gladly retract these comments.
Management
Perhaps people were too quick in their praise of Millen's draft success. We'll see.
