By Scott Brumett, Staff Writer
In the 2008-2009 season when the Detroit Lions went 0-16 for the regular season, all hope was lost. At that time fans had to hide their faces in shame. But then in the next year’s NFL Draft they drafted overall number 1 pick Matthew Stafford, a Quarterback from the University of Georgia. Since being in the league Stafford has had a problem staying healthy but has shown glimpses of greatness. From the moment he had been set for rehab, Stafford went hard at 110 percent. He wanted to be the player he knew he was capable and help the Lions win and go to the playoffs.
They have also bolstered their defensive line with Ndamakong Suh and Nick Fairley. Suh was a standout player last. Suh won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He was an absolute monster last year with recording ten sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown. The numbers are eye popping, but he has become great at putting pressure on the quarterback. What’s even more great about him is that whenever he is given a chance to hit the Quarterback, he will take that opportunity and hit him hard. Nick Fairley is a rookie this year and had a hurt ankle toi start the season, but from what we have seen with his playing time is that he too is great in putting pressure on the Quarterback as well. Both Suh and Fairley are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Now we go to stand out wide receiver Calvin Johnson Jr. Johnson is just plain and simple a physical freak and a corners nightmare. Johnson stands at six feet and five inches tall with a vertical jump of 45 inches. This receiver has also through the first five games a NFL record to his name. With 9 touchdowns in 5 games, he has the most touchdowns in the first five games of the season. This physical freak’s nickname is magnetron because he is a big play maker and his plays are always shown on the megatron. With Johnson being as effective as he is this year, he should set some new NFL records and he should help the Lions playoff hopes become a reality.
The last important piece to this new Lions team is Jim Schwartz, the head coach of the Lions. He has that old school backyard football grit. He has instilled the Lions with a new self confidence and told them to just forget about the perception by everyone that they cannot win. It has worked so far because through five games the Lions are a perfect 5-0.
Through the combination of efforts from all the players and Jim Schwartz leading them all, the Lions should Roar into the Playoffs. These Lions are not your mother’s Detroit Lions. These Lions are for real and have the players, personnel, and attitude to be a real contender in the league. These Lions I can tell you are angry and fired up and they have been reborn. They are the team to really watch. This resurgence is applauding and exciting to see.
