Tom Lewand: 'My Vision For The Super Bowl Is We Expect To Be Playing In It'

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

FORD FIELD (CBS DETROIT) - One of three speakers on WWJ News Radio's Business of Sports panel on Wednesday, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand got the first question from the audience. Lewand was asked about his vision for the Super Bowl, which was hosted at Ford Field in 2006.

"My vision for the Super Bowl is we expect to be playing in it," Lewand said.

The host of the event immediately followed up on his response. "When is that?"

Lewand did not temper his positive forecast at all. "This year."

Lewand said the Lions placed a priority this offseason on finding a coach who had not just a two-year or three-year plan but also a short-term blueprint that can get the franchise turned around quickly. In new coach Jim Caldwell, Lewand said the Lions got what they wanted.

"We were looking for a right-now plan, and Jim Caldwell said it on the field behind us when we had his introductory press conference, he said it to us in the interviews, he said it to his first team meeting a week ago Monday – the expectation is that we win now," Lewand said.

"As much as I'm interested in being in the Super Bowl in Phoenix next year, I'm equally as interested and maybe even more interested, selfishly, in hosting the NFC championship game on that field behind us," Lewand continued. "That's where we expect to be building towards, and we're not going to be bashful about those expectations."