The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Could be better, but Lions in for another lost year
PUBLISHED: July 12, 2007
About three months ago, my Heritage Newspapers colleague Jason Davis predicted that the Detroit Lions would finish 4-12 this upcoming season.
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Now, I understand this is the middle of summer and who wants to talk football with the Tigers climbing back into first place in the American League Central Division. But with football previews hitting the shelves left and right since the draft, why not take an early look.
Lions quarterback Jon Kitna says 10-6. Many fans would be happy with 8-8. Skeptics of one of the more inept franchises in professional sports say 3-13 like last year.
With another year under Rob Marinelli's coaching system and Mike Martz's offense, plus the addition of projected rookie star Calvin Johnson to play opposite Pro-Bowl receiver Roy Williams, it's very possible that the Lions will improve upon last year's disaster.
But don't buy playoff tickets just yet. Remember, these are the Lions, who haven't been to the playoffs since 1999 and have an NFL-worst 24-72 in Matt Millen's reign as team president.
Call me a skeptic, but my prediction ... 5-11. And here's how.
Sept. 9 at Oakland: Despite all the hype about the revamped offense, the Lions still struggle to find the end zone. The good news is that the equally bad Raiders find themselves in the same boat, and a Jason Hanson field goal gives Detroit a 12-9 victory. It's the first time since who knows when that the Lions win two straight road games (Detroit beat the Cowboys in last year's finale).
Sept. 16 vs. Minnesota: A match-up of surprising 1-0 teams, as the Vikings somehow upset Atlanta a week earlier. The talk during the week is how much the Lions improved and how Atlanta lost the game to the Vikings. But Minnesota's defense forces four interceptions and two fumbles in handing Detroit a 27-17 loss. Oh well, can't win 'em all.
Sept. 23 at Philadelphia: Remember the last time the Lions won at Philly? Didn't think so. Williams, Johnson and Mike Furrey each catch touchdowns, but Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb feasts on the Detroit defense, resulting in a 38-30 loss.
Sept. 30 vs. Chicago: Maligned Bears quarterback Rex Grossman plays error-free, because Chicago decides to run a Wing-T offense and he doesn't attempt a pass. Kitna tries an ill advised one in overtime, and the Bears pick it off and take it to the house for a 20-14 victory. At 1-3, fans begin getting frustrated, as "Fire Millen" chants erupt at Manchester's homecoming game days later.
Oct. 7 at Washington: The Lions have never won in the nation's capital. Enough said. Redskins win 23-13.
Oct. 14: The Lions reach their bye week 1-4. Fans chant "Fire Millen" as Kenny Rogers pitches a four-hitter, sending the Tigers past the Red Sox for the American League Championship.
Oct. 21 vs. Tampa Bay: A refreshed team surprises many as Coach Marinelli beats his former employer 27-20. Bucs coach John Gruden is fired the next day.
Oct. 28 at Chicago: Confident thanks to last week's win, the Lions play last year's Super Bowl runner up tough in the first quarter. Then both teams remember who they are, and Bernard Berrien hauls in three touchdown passes from a suddenly hot Grossman. Chicago wins 40-10. Fans chant "Fire Millen" during the opening round of volleyball districts.
Nov. 4 vs. Denver: Kevin Jones rushes for 110 yards and a score, Williams and Johnson catch touchdowns, but second-year quarterback Jake Cutler tees off on Detroit's struggling defense. Former Lions cornerback Dre Bly puts things away with a "pick-six" in the final minute. Lions fall 34-24.
Nov. 11 at Arizona: For Kitna's 10-win prediction to come true, Detroit must win out. It takes the first step with an improbable 20-19 victory. After the game, new Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt explains that the Lions "are who they thought they are."
Nov. 18 vs. New York Giants: Detroit has won the last two against the Giants, but both times were in New York. The last time the Giants were in Detroit (1997), they beat the Lions 35-7. It happens again, as a late touchdown catch by former Michigan State star Plaxico Burress gives New York a 28-23 victory. On a side note, fans chant "Fire Millen" at the Michigan-Ohio State game a day earlier.
Nov. 22 vs. Green Bay: Inspired because Santa Claus led the "Fire Millen" chant at the Thanksgiving parade on Woodward, the Lions pick up their fourth win of the season. Brett Farve throws seven picks, but is still called a "warrior" by Fox announcer Joe Buck. The Lions turn six of those into field goals, and a Mike Furrey touchdown grab ensures a 25-13 Lions win.
Dec. 2 at Minnesota: Running backs Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson combine for 330 rushing yards, and recently-named starting quarterback Drew Henson guides Minnesota to a 33-17 victory. Yours truly is seen the next day in his Vikings jersey, and four days later, fans chant "Fire Millen" at the Adrian College-Siena Heights men's basketball game.
Dec. 9 vs. Dallas: Somehow, the Lions find themselves up 28-24, but the Cowboys have the ball at the 50 on the last play. Terrell Owens is so far open on the Hail Mary attempt he lays down for a nap. He doesn't wake up in time to catch quarterback Tony Romo's desperation bomb, and the Lions escape. Romo takes a page from Carrie Underwood's book and takes a Louisville Slugger to T.O's headlights.
"Maybe next time he'll think before he sleeps," Romo says.
Somewhere, Bill Parcells is smiling.
Dec. 16 at San Diego: The Lions on the road against the reigning league MVP (Ladainian Tomlinson) and one of the Super Bowl favorites. Sorry, better luck next time. Lions lose 37-16.
Dec. 23 vs. Kansas City: In the Christmas spirit, the "Fire Millen" chants are replaced by "Ho, Ho, Ho. Millen must go." The Lions surprisingly have a chance to win their home finale, but Kitna's throw to Roy Williams in triple-coverage is intercepted, resulting in a 27-22 loss.
Dec. 30 at Green Bay: Being his last game at Lambeau Field, Brett Favre is awarded the royal treatment. Detroit sacks him eight times, but each results in a penalty, because Favre is not allowed to be touched (NFL ordinance). A game-sealing interception is taken away from the Lions and called a pass interference penalty, since defenders are not allowed to pick off Favre at Lambeau. That sets up a game-winning field goal for the Packers, and Detroit falls 16-13.
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