NFC NORTH - DETROIT LIONS

2006 PREVIEW

Only the fact that the Lions are in the same division as the Green Bay Packers prevents us from picking Detroit to finish in the cellar this season.

The problems of this franchise can be placed squarely on the shoulders of general manager Matt Millen and the front office. Management continues to make bonehead decisions, and it made another doozie in the draft by selecting linebacker Ernie Sims of Florida State in the first round with Matt Leinart still on the board! This is a team that is beginning this season with either Jon Kitna or Josh McCown at quarterback, yet they pass on a franchise QB like Leinart. What were they thinking? The disappointing Kevin Jones returns as the starting running back, and he will need to show some marked improvement to prove he is not another first round bust. The receiving corps led by Roy Williams and newly acquired Corey Bradford may be the best past of this offense. However, this unit will not be able to play to its best ability with erratic quarterback play.

Granted Sims will be an immediate starter and instantly help the defense, but even he has had some issues with concussions, adding fuel to the criticism of not taking Leinart. The Lions could not stop the run last season surrendering an unacceptable 127.5 rushing yards per game, and although Sims may help a bit in that area, we do not see much improvement in the defensive line. Detroit also lost two key members of its secondary to free agency in Andre Goodman and R.W. McQuarters, so the entire defensive unit will be hard pressed to match its ranking of 17 th in total defense in the NFL last season.

2006 Prediction: 3 rd Place NFC North