Motor City Screaming Out.

With a show of hands how many people remember the 0-16 Detroit Lions?

Eh?
Eh?
Paper bags and all….
Fast forward to the present, I don’t see any paper bags covering Detroit native’s faces, nor do I see anyone wearing a blue and white uniform walking in and out of Ford Field. And it seems like it’s been forever since I’ve seen Megatron put his head down in frustration. Not even Shia LeBeuf and another lame Transformers movie could ruin the high that Detroit fans are surfing right now.

They have one foot in the World Series door, on the back of Justin Verlander and the Tigers (Who look to rebound tonight against the Rangers 0-2 thus far.) The Red Wings are always representing Detroit hard to the extent that they had been the only shining star since the Bad Boy Pistons. Oh speaking of those Pistons who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2009. There had been the occasionally glimmers for the harden town of Detroit who has felt the recession harder than any other city in America.
As far as Football is concerned, some would reference ‘The Curse of Bobby Layne’ Who after being traded by the Lions, to Pittsburgh, said “They wouldn’t win for 50 years!”


50 years later. 0-16 happen.
51 years later. A kid who went to the same High School as Bobby Layne, lived on the same street as Bobby Layne was drafted from the University of Georgia. That kid was, Matthew Stafford…
Before Matthew Stafford ever played college football, Mel Kiper Jr, who is famous for his words as he is his insane hairstyle, predicted that the kid would be the number 1 draft pick one day. Mel Kiper is a hell of a betting man in that case.
As a freshmen Stafford lead the Bulldogs to upsets of Auburn (Ranked 5th at the time), Georgia Tech (ranked 16th) and Virginia Tech in the Chic-fil-A Bowl (4th qtr comeback after being down 21-3 at half)
Stafford only played 3 years at Georgia, choosing to forgo his senior season and hop into the 2009 NFL Draft. He would become the number 1 overall pick, going to the 0-16 Detroit Lions.

From 1993-1995 he was a personal scout under a man, who has become the quiet genius of the NFL. From 1996-1998 he served as the defensive assistant to one of the great NFL defensive teams, the Baltimore Ravens
From 2001-2008 he became the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator.
After the 0-16 season, he was hired to be the new head coach of the Detroit Lions. Jim Schwartz was put into one of the strangest situations as a coach. Never before had a Coach in this generation had to take the reins of a team who had just gone winless. Captain Foresight said, he could only go up from here. Having served under Bill Belichick, and Jeff Fisher it would be known that in those times he may have picked up a lot of good strategy, quiet methods. Schwartz was a defensive minded coach, his specialty being the defensive line, he was blessed with a great young offensive, led by Calvin Johnson, but the pieces of the puzzle still laid on the ground, the offense had potential, but the defense lacked something. Then in his first year as head coach turning in a 2-14 season, which gave them the 2nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

In 2005 Suh played for Nebraska. He had played 2 games, only getting 1 asst tackle against Wake Forest, he would receive a medical redshirt after having to undergo knee surgery. He would gradually improve over the next 4 years to earn his spot as the 2nd pick in the first round, despite people saying he was a bust, despite having knee issues. Suh solidified himself as a monster.

2010 would be a year where the Detroit Lions were showing flashes of brilliance. Anchored by defensive rookie, Ndamukong Suh who would go on to get pro bowl selections (first lion since Barry Sanders), become the AP Rookie of the Year, and lead the league in sacks for rookies and defensive tackles (10 total)

Today is 10/12/2011 two days ago, The Lions just beat division rival Chicago on MNF. Hank Williams and his Rowdy friends are long gone, apparently you can’t call Obama, Hitler, and keep your job. Seems legit. Javhid Best exploded against one of the better defenses in the NFL, setting a career high in longest rush in his year, is on track to have the best statistical season of his career.

The Lions are 7th in the league in Passing Offense(283.8 per game) but the most important thing to look at in this team is the way they carry themselves. There is a sense of pride that has long been absent in Detroit. They have this winning swag, and despite that none of their star players are over the age of 25 yet. There is some kind of magic brewing in the motor city. …

When most teams are gassed in the 4th quarter, that defense is still flying around the field like the game just started. When you double, triple team Calvin Johnson in the end zone. Megatron will catch that ball, at all costs. This team is different from last year; there is a hunger that can be found in not only the team, but that city. From the lowest blue collar worker, to the white collar guy who’s been there his entire life, the motor city is screaming out, the Lions are feeling the soul of the city, and are not going to budge an inch. Down in the 4th quarter, Stafford smiles it off, cracks his knuckles, and looks down the field to see Mr. Johnson doing his thing. He can turn his head, and look at Javhid Best, who is proving to be a great scatback. Maybe, elude the pass rush, step up and find rookie Titus Young, or Nate Burleson making a move. Or drop it back to Brandon Pettigrew, a guy drafted the same year as Stafford, who can block with the best tight ends, as well as protect, oh and he’s not a bad receiver either.

So I’ll go ahead and take my seat on the bandwagon, mostly because I don’t want Suh to rip my soul out of my body. This team is having a damn good season (5-0, 2-0) leading the NFC North. Yes ahead of A-Rodg and the Green Bay Packers, the same team that gave them their 16th loss that season ago. You think Calvin Johnson remembers that game? You’ll see the Lions take on the Pack Nov. 24th for the Turkey Bowl game, as well as the final game of their season, which could have huge implications for the NFC North in who is going to get a wildcard bye, and who has to play in the wildcard round. Oh was that a prediction yes it was.

The Detroit Lions finish the season, 13-3, taking first place in the NFC North (6-2 in conference). Because no one moves in a circular motion around pioneer vehicles like the Detroit Lions.

Because if you're not gonna give them respect. Fine. They'll just take it from you, playing one of the most intense defensive lines I have EVER seen. And as long as Stafford stays upright, let's go ahead and hear the MVP chants for Megatron.

That picture is for you Ned.