The Detroit Lions Clearly Have Their Priorities Straight

on 04 2, 2009

In case you have not yet heard, there have been rumors regarding the Detroit Lions and a possible uniform/logo change. Like a high school girls softball team, they seem to be more intent on looking good rather than playing good. Following the NFL’s first 0-16 season, they really need to step back and re-evaluate their priorities. If I’m a Lions fan, and thankfully I’m not, I would be more interested in seeing my team win a game next season rather than having the opportunity to buy a shiny new jersey.

Maybe the Lions hope to follow the example set by the Rays, formerly the Devil Rays, after their last place finish in 2007. After changing their name and getting new uniforms that were more appealing to the eyes, the Rays went from worst to first and made their first playoff/World Series appearance in 2008.

The only difference between this Lions team and that Cinderella story of the 2008 Rays is a competent front office. The Rays and Lions have both been drafting at the top of the first round for a good part of the last decade. While the Rays have come through with picks like Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and David Price, the Lions have used first round picks on such players as Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and of course Joey Harrington.

Of course the Lions finished 0-16 last year, but by now everyone is aware of that. What you may not be aware of is that the Lions also have not appeared in the post-season since 1999. They haven’t won a playoff game since 1991 (their only post-season win since 1957). In the Matt Millen era, the Lions had the worst winning percentage in the entire NFL going 31-81 (.277). It’s no wonder Lions fans annually sport paper bags over their heads at home games and are embarrassed to even admit their allegiance to the franchise.

However, with Martin Mayhew taking over for Matt Millen, the Lions can at least expect to use their two first round picks on something other than the wide receiver position. The Lions have not made any significant changes in the scouting department, but are already taking this year’s draft more seriously than any other in recent memory. And as well they should as they have 4 selections out of the first 65 picks. There have been stories of Mayhew already doing more traveling this off-season than Millen did in his entire seven years on the job for the Lions.

Will this be enough? The Lions are going to need to come through with their first few selections, but also their late round picks if they hope to turn this franchise around soon enough for fans to forget last year’s absolute nightmare. I hope they don’t bank on new and exciting uniforms to please a fan base that has been one of the most tortured in all of sports over the last couple decades.

I would like to say that the Lions couldn’t possibly finish 0-16 yet again, but with this franchise who knows. But on the bright side, maybe with new uniforms they’ll look better doing it.

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