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Another losing season isn't an option for Lions
The personnel is better and expectations are greater, so the pressure will be more intense.
By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Inching upward in the standings with baby steps has been an excruciating test of patience for the Lions. It has been a long march inside the boundaries of mediocrity, fueled by hope but blunted by the reality of results.
The Lions have had a string of losing records and losing streaks since their last playoff appearance, in 1999, and their last winning record, in 2000.
It ought to be different in 2005. It has to be. A fifth straight losing season would be unacceptable.
At this stage of their development, the Lions cannot consider anything less than a winning record and making the playoffs a successful season. They have taken too many baby steps in the last four years -- from a 2-14 record in 2001 to 3-13, 5-11 and 6-10.
It is time to take a big jump. The Lions have assembled enough good players to contend for the NFC North title, but they must prove their value on the field. From the moment they begin their first training-camp practice Friday morning, they will feel pressure on a number of fronts.
Steve Mariucci is aware of higher expectations and increased pressure to win in his third season as coach. The Lions ought to thrive on it, he said.
"That's why we do this," Mariucci said recently.
"You've got to love it. That is what you strive for.
"You strive for high expectations. Everything you do is to build a team that is capable of winning games and expected to win games and feels like they could or should.
"That's why we practice, train, draft and acquire players. We are getting to a point where we are assembling a good group of guys."
No player will be under the spotlight more than quarterback Joey Harrington.
He has started 44 games in three seasons since the Lions drafted him in the first round in 2002. He also has taken his lumps, from media and fans, and Mariucci has not been vocal very often in supporting him. For the first time, there is real pressure from within.
The Lions signed Jeff Garcia -- a three-time Pro Bowl player who was with Mariucci in San Francisco -- to be the backup quarterback. Garcia's presence has prompted speculation that Mariucci will not be reluctant to replace Harrington if he has a slump.
Garcia certainly offers a better alternative than Mike McMahon, who has signed with Philadelphia. McMahon was the backup the last three years.
Harrington showed improvement in 2004, with 19 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. His receivers dropped more than 50 passes, which hurt his statistics and short-circuited the offense.
Quarterback isn't the only position on the Lions' roster that will be under scrutiny. Other areas to watch include the following:
• Receivers: A young, talented core, largely untested in the pros.
Roy Williams caught 54 passes and scored eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2004, despite playing most of the season on an injured left ankle. A twice-broken right collarbone cost Charles Rogers 15 games in 2004 and 11 in '03.
The Lions took Mike Williams of Southern California in the first round. He's a big, powerful athlete with great hands, but he did not play a game in 2004 because of an NCAA suspension related to challenging the NFL's underclass draft. A lot is being asked, and expected, of players with so little pro experience.
The best hands on the team might belong to Kevin Johnson, a free agent signed in April.
Although some see the influx of talent -- including tight end Marcus Pollard -- as putting more pressure on Harrington, he views it as an asset. And he should.
• Offensive line: Rick DeMulling, a starter in Indianapolis, is the new left guard. Right tackle is the unproven spot. Kelly Butler, who did not appear in a game as a rookie in '04, is the top candidate to start.
• Running back: It should be no problem for Kevin Jones to improve on his rookie performance of 1,133 yards. He started slowly, in part because of an ankle injury. There is strong depth at tailback and fullback, with Artose Pinner, Shawn Bryson, Cory Schlesinger and Jamel White.
• Linebackers: Boss Bailey's return from a knee injury that caused him to miss all of last season adds depth but creates potential for position changes.
Bailey was the Lions' best linebacker as the strong-side starter. Rookie Teddy Lehman took Bailey's spot last year. Lehman could be headed to the middle, to compete with Earl Holmes, or the weak side, where James Davis started.
• Defensive line: Second-round pick Shaun Cody could help an established unit as an inside pass-rusher. The condition of starting tackle Dan Wilkinson is a question. He is going into his 12th season. After his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, Shaun Rogers is finally playing to the potential the Lions had envisioned.
• Secondary: Only one starter from last year is absolutely solid -- right cornerback Dré Bly, who has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons as a Lion. Kenoy Kennedy is the new strong safety, and Terrence Holt will get first shot at free safety.
Fernando Bryant struggled at left cornerback because of injuries last year. R.W. McQuarters, a free agent from Chicago with experience at cornerback and safety, will push for a job. The Lions gave up 29 touchdown passes in 2004. Only five teams allowed more.
• Offensive coordinator Ted Tollner: He is an important addition to Mariucci's staff. His background indicates a greater propensity than Mariucci to throw the ball downfield.
The Lions won't scrap the West Coast offense. It remains their basic design. But the limits will be expanded, and it will be interesting to see how quickly it develops.
Super Bowl XL will be played at Ford Field on Feb. 5. With all its glamour and hype, the Super Bowl is the biggest jewel in North American sports and entertainment.
It is a magnet for attention, and the Lions cannot be the NFL's castoffs this season with the championship game in their town.
It adds another bit of pressure on the Lions
Detroit News Story
The personnel is better and expectations are greater, so the pressure will be more intense.
By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Inching upward in the standings with baby steps has been an excruciating test of patience for the Lions. It has been a long march inside the boundaries of mediocrity, fueled by hope but blunted by the reality of results.
The Lions have had a string of losing records and losing streaks since their last playoff appearance, in 1999, and their last winning record, in 2000.
It ought to be different in 2005. It has to be. A fifth straight losing season would be unacceptable.
At this stage of their development, the Lions cannot consider anything less than a winning record and making the playoffs a successful season. They have taken too many baby steps in the last four years -- from a 2-14 record in 2001 to 3-13, 5-11 and 6-10.
It is time to take a big jump. The Lions have assembled enough good players to contend for the NFC North title, but they must prove their value on the field. From the moment they begin their first training-camp practice Friday morning, they will feel pressure on a number of fronts.
Steve Mariucci is aware of higher expectations and increased pressure to win in his third season as coach. The Lions ought to thrive on it, he said.
"That's why we do this," Mariucci said recently.
"You've got to love it. That is what you strive for.
"You strive for high expectations. Everything you do is to build a team that is capable of winning games and expected to win games and feels like they could or should.
"That's why we practice, train, draft and acquire players. We are getting to a point where we are assembling a good group of guys."
No player will be under the spotlight more than quarterback Joey Harrington.
He has started 44 games in three seasons since the Lions drafted him in the first round in 2002. He also has taken his lumps, from media and fans, and Mariucci has not been vocal very often in supporting him. For the first time, there is real pressure from within.
The Lions signed Jeff Garcia -- a three-time Pro Bowl player who was with Mariucci in San Francisco -- to be the backup quarterback. Garcia's presence has prompted speculation that Mariucci will not be reluctant to replace Harrington if he has a slump.
Garcia certainly offers a better alternative than Mike McMahon, who has signed with Philadelphia. McMahon was the backup the last three years.
Harrington showed improvement in 2004, with 19 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. His receivers dropped more than 50 passes, which hurt his statistics and short-circuited the offense.
Quarterback isn't the only position on the Lions' roster that will be under scrutiny. Other areas to watch include the following:
• Receivers: A young, talented core, largely untested in the pros.
Roy Williams caught 54 passes and scored eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2004, despite playing most of the season on an injured left ankle. A twice-broken right collarbone cost Charles Rogers 15 games in 2004 and 11 in '03.
The Lions took Mike Williams of Southern California in the first round. He's a big, powerful athlete with great hands, but he did not play a game in 2004 because of an NCAA suspension related to challenging the NFL's underclass draft. A lot is being asked, and expected, of players with so little pro experience.
The best hands on the team might belong to Kevin Johnson, a free agent signed in April.
Although some see the influx of talent -- including tight end Marcus Pollard -- as putting more pressure on Harrington, he views it as an asset. And he should.
• Offensive line: Rick DeMulling, a starter in Indianapolis, is the new left guard. Right tackle is the unproven spot. Kelly Butler, who did not appear in a game as a rookie in '04, is the top candidate to start.
• Running back: It should be no problem for Kevin Jones to improve on his rookie performance of 1,133 yards. He started slowly, in part because of an ankle injury. There is strong depth at tailback and fullback, with Artose Pinner, Shawn Bryson, Cory Schlesinger and Jamel White.
• Linebackers: Boss Bailey's return from a knee injury that caused him to miss all of last season adds depth but creates potential for position changes.
Bailey was the Lions' best linebacker as the strong-side starter. Rookie Teddy Lehman took Bailey's spot last year. Lehman could be headed to the middle, to compete with Earl Holmes, or the weak side, where James Davis started.
• Defensive line: Second-round pick Shaun Cody could help an established unit as an inside pass-rusher. The condition of starting tackle Dan Wilkinson is a question. He is going into his 12th season. After his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season, Shaun Rogers is finally playing to the potential the Lions had envisioned.
• Secondary: Only one starter from last year is absolutely solid -- right cornerback Dré Bly, who has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons as a Lion. Kenoy Kennedy is the new strong safety, and Terrence Holt will get first shot at free safety.
Fernando Bryant struggled at left cornerback because of injuries last year. R.W. McQuarters, a free agent from Chicago with experience at cornerback and safety, will push for a job. The Lions gave up 29 touchdown passes in 2004. Only five teams allowed more.
• Offensive coordinator Ted Tollner: He is an important addition to Mariucci's staff. His background indicates a greater propensity than Mariucci to throw the ball downfield.
The Lions won't scrap the West Coast offense. It remains their basic design. But the limits will be expanded, and it will be interesting to see how quickly it develops.
Super Bowl XL will be played at Ford Field on Feb. 5. With all its glamour and hype, the Super Bowl is the biggest jewel in North American sports and entertainment.
It is a magnet for attention, and the Lions cannot be the NFL's castoffs this season with the championship game in their town.
It adds another bit of pressure on the Lions
Detroit News Story
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