I’m in my 50’s and have never enjoyed true success with the lions, as I suspect most non-boomer fans can relate. We had a few good seasons but no structural success was ever built into the team….that is until now.
This team feels different and I suspect this mostly has to do with MCDC, BH, and SFH. This is what gave me hope last year for this year’s season, and they have met expectations…mostly.
That is why the games since the Ravens have been so disheartening. It is enormously frustrating to see a team struggle against inferior teams when they can do better. It’s a let down. We know this team is different. We know they can succeed, but for some reason they can’t help but get in their own way, whether it’s offense, defense, and more likely, coaching.
In the past, watching the lions was kind of a masochistic affair. I enjoyed the game but when they lost it was SOL. Now? It hurts. It hurts because the organization is a real team…top to bottom and they’ve given this city and it’s fans REAL hope.
We want them to succeed so badly because it’s been so long since this city and fans have enjoyed anything positive. Detroit and southeast Michigan are full of awesome people and great history. But we’ve been the punching bag for the rest of the nation. Whether it’s being the poster child of urban blight and decline, or high crime and unemployment, or simply being has-beens that aren’t worthy of anything good, this city has endured endless ridicule and humiliation on a national level.
And I’m tired of it. That is why the lion’s shortcomings are so much more hard to take right now.
That being said, I do think this team embodies the best of this city and state. I believe we will make it there if we stay the course, maybe with a few tweaks and adjustments. In the end, I know I will be completely done with this team if they lose their focus and revert to SOL. But for now, I have faith in them and belief that Detroit’s best days are ahead of her.
I’ve watched for nearly five decades also, so I can’t believe what I’m hearing you say. If you can’t see how this team is different, and we’re on the rise no matter what happens this year, I’ve got nothing for you. Too many Lions fans apparently felt like we were going to the Super Bowl, and so anything short of the NFC title is a failure.
The NFL season in terms of won/loss records has to be looked at as a whole. We’re 8-3, and it’s okay to be disappointed at our performance the last few games, but to slander THIS front office and coaching staff goes too far.
I would take our offense against anyone’s moving forward, particularly when Jonah Jackson is back. Our defense can be a liability, but this panic mode over somehow being out of the division race is baffling. I firmly believe we will get that one playoff win this year, and that Brad Holmes will address the defensive line and other areas in the off-season going into next year. Stay strong you guys.
We will be lucky to get one more win this year. You guys are delusional.