Well my friends (if there are any of you that still read this),
It's that time of year again. The time of year where optimism overshadows realism, where hopes and dreams cloud out rational thought. Yes, that's right, it's time for me to pick how many games the Lions will win this year.
Now, before i make my yearly pick, let me explain why I think the Lions will be FAR better this year than last...
Reason #1
The defensive line. Let's face facts, they sucked last year. They couldn't pressure the QB, thus making it easy for the recievers to get open, and the QB to pick apart our secondary. Let's look at the upgrades we've made. - we picked up Suh...a beast of a man drafted 2nd overall. We traded for Corey Williams, who plugs up the middle like no one else. WE also got Vanden-bosch as a free agent. He is a great pass rusher, and with these 3 guys, it will be tough to know who to double team. They WILL get pressure, and make it easier on the secondary. Our overall defensive numbers should get out of the basement of the league this year.
Reason #2
Our passing game will be MUCH improved. Stafford is in his second year at starting QB. The second year is where the biggest jump in talent level happens. He's a stud, and will throw double the TD's as INT's this year. Helping out will be the fact that we got a solid #2 reciever in burleson. They can't triple team calvin anymore. Adding to the help is Tony scheffler...a GREAT recieving TE that can stretch the middle of the field, making the safties stay honest, and not cheat to the outside recievers.
Reason #3
2 running backs! Finally Detroit can use 2 running backs with different strengths. We got Javid Best in the draft, and that guy can break plays wide open. Look him up on you tube...he's a speedster, with great hands out of the backfield. Giving Stafford one more option to throw to.
Ok, here's the prediction...
8-8.
I know what you're thinking, "chuck, it cold be higher than that". I know it could be, be we have a HARD schedule this year, and i prefer to have reachable expectations.
would i be suprised if they won 9 games, and made the playoffs? no....well, maybe, but i can tell you one thing, if the lions make the playoffs, i'll be there! mark my words!
-chuck out
2 comments:
A) The way you describe them, makes them sound like s super bowl contender. While I agree that they are vastly improved, I'd say 5-11 or 6-10 would be more realistic.
B) If they make the playoffs, that would mean 3 teams from the North, which seems unlikely if not impossible. Minnesota and GB are locks. Who wins the division remains to be seen, but IF they pull out a miracle, you would be driving/flying a long way to see that wild-card game. Those are my thoughts.
yeah jake, i know i'll be flying somewhere, but i've been waiting years to see a playoff game.
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