Pat Caputo: Lions' Success Tied To Matthew Stafford's Health
Under the far less-than-ideal circumstances of no football during the offseason, the Lions lived relatively well.
They won their last four games in 2010, had an NFL Draft that was widely hailed because they selected playmakers such as defensive tackle Nick Fairley, wide receiver Titus Young and running back Mikel Leshoure and were designated as "the next ones."
With the lockout expected to be lifted soon after the players vote on a new agreement, and practices anticipated to begin by the end of the week, now is the time to prove the optimism is not — as it has been so many times in the past — unfounded.
Sports.CAPUTO: Lions' success tied to Matthew Stafford's health WITH VIDEO
Published: Sunday, July 24, 2011
0diggsdigg ShareThis0By PAT CAPUTO
Of The Oakland Press
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Chicago Bears' Julius Peppers, fumbling the ball to the Bears near the end of the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Chicago. Stafford left the game after the play. (AP Photo/Chicago Sun-Times, Tom Cruze) ** CHICAGO OUT MAGS OUT **
Under the far less-than-ideal circumstances of no football during the offseason, the Lions lived relatively well.
They won their last four games in 2010, had an NFL Draft that was widely hailed because they selected playmakers such as defensive tackle Nick Fairley, wide receiver Titus Young and running back Mikel Leshoure and were designated as "the next ones."
With the lockout expected to be lifted soon after the players vote on a new agreement, and practices anticipated to begin by the end of the week, now is the time to prove the optimism is not — as it has been so many times in the past — unfounded.
The Lions are going to be back on the field. It isn't going to be just some abstract concept based on hope and the memory of a season that went much better the last 25 percent (the part we remember) than it did the first 75 percent (the part we've forgotten).
The Lions have obvious needs defensively — at linebacker and cornerback. It'll get most of the early attention during what figures to be a wild and crazy — albeit brief — free agency signing period.
