Mikey D

From what I hear the Lions are interested in a cornerback in this year's draft. The secondary has been a problem for us for quite sometime, and although we've tried to address it through free agency and later picks in drafts, it's still a glaring weakness. Now although there are plenty of areas that are of weakness (offensive line, defensive line, etc.), you gotta start somewhere. I actually think picking in the middle of the first round is beneficial for Millen. I don't think he'll be tempted to take a supposed "best player available" just because he's there (a la Mike Williams or Calvin Johnson). A middle of the first round pick means you can address your team's needs without much criticism- which is perfect for the Lions.

Next year will be a pivotal year for the Lions. I'm interested to see how the QB situation will play out. I have a feeling Kitna will start the majority of the season, but when things start to turn south (and they will), we'll finally see Stanton. When we do see Stanton I will be even more curious, because I want to see if that guy can play at the NFL level. It will be interesting.

I also think this is Marinelli's make or break year. Will this team show improvement like that past two years, or will it regress to its old ways? We shall see. Also, bringing in a new offensive coordinator means having a new offensive system. Perhaps we'll see some running of the football. That'd be nice. We still have some nice weapons at receiver, so I think we'll be alright offensively. Not great, but alright- comparable to last year.

The NFL has also released schedules without the game dates. Here are the Lion's opponenets:
Home:
Chicago
Green Bay
Minnesota
Jacksonville
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Tennessee
Washington

Road:
Chicago
Green Bay
Minnesota
Atlanta
Carolina
Houston
Indianapolis
San Francisco

Anybody else notice how unbalanced the home and road schedules are? I feel like the home schedule is absolutely brutal, with five playoff teams from last year, as well as Minnesota, Chicago, and New Orleans- no slouches. But then you look at the road schedule and we have some very winable games: Atlanta, Carolina, San Francisco, and Houston (no way in hell Indianaopolis). I'd feel more comfortable if we had some of the road games at home, because you never know what will happen when you go on the road. Of course, in today's NFL, all those teams that were bad last year be fantastic next year, while the good ones could become terrible. You just never know.

But looking at the schedule you have to think they'll have a losing record at home next year, but will win a couple games they weren't supposed to. In recent history we've been terrible on the road, so you have to figure a losing record there as well. A losing record at home + a losing record on the road = a losing season (again).

Early early early prediction: 6-10

~Mikey D