Detroit Lions

The Matt Millen era may have ended almost three years ago, but the stench he left around the Detroit Lions is only now lifting. The Lions have had to completely rebuild their franchise after a 0-16 season in 2008, and it appears they are finally on the cusp of something big. Following two wins in Jim Schwartz's first year (2009), the Lions won six games in 2010, including four straight at the end of the season. The winning streak came in spite of QB Matthew Stafford missing most of the year with shoulder problems, and it is giving fans a reason to believe that the usual offseason hope may finally be rewarded with success on the field for a change.

Much of this hope for next season is derived from what appears to be another strong Detroit Lions draft class. The Lions added a top-five talent by picking DT Nick Fairley with the 13th overall pick, and in the second round they selected more weapons for Stafford in taking WR Titus Young and RB Mikel Leshoure. LB Doug Hogue and OT Johnny Culbreath were added in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively, and project to be players that could make an impact down the road. The first three picks, however, could make an impact from day one for the Detroit Lions.

The NFL lockout has prevented the Lions from building on the momentum from 2010 on a daily basis in a team setting. Players have been spread out around the country and working out on their own for the most part, but in May and June Lions players organized voluntary workouts for members of the team. On average, around 30 players showed up for the workouts, and Kyle Vanden Bosch, the organizer of the workouts, was impressed with how they went. The workouts may end up playing a small part in the development of the team when the lockout finally ends and the season begins, but in the meantime they are another sign that this Lions team is on the right track and is ready to finally turn around this franchise.

2011 truly seems as if it may be the year the Detroit Lions exorcise their demons once and for all.