Obviously it's about succeeding anywhere you go but if a team goes 0-16 you'd have to believe that won't happen two years in a row. If they win one game is it considered a success (next year)? Especially with the potential rocket draft and FA signing (not to mention waivers) period they could have behind them? Where do you define success and failure? What would you guys have deemed us a success at this year? I'm pretty sure we all say that this team (the dolphins) is a "success" this year as opposed to last year. Would the lions have to be the same or could they just win a few games?
Franchises can go into death spirals that they never quite recover from, the 49ers are a good example of a once great franchise that has slumped, the Lions have been bad as long as we have, they could be terrible again next season. Success for them is the same as it is for us, Wins are great, but having the ship righted means a bit more, Matt Millen simply led that team over the cliff, someone with the Experience and Reputation has to step in a restore a sense of purpose to the Franchise. Same thing, we could have went 6-10 and this would have been a very successful season simply because the #1 overall pick didn't bust, Ronnie had a full recovery and HC Sparano proved the he could run a team successfully. The Lions are intriguing simply because they are loaded on Offense..a genius Offensive guy could do things with them, but who? And who can restore respectability in the Front Office?
In the long term, at least make it to the playoffs. Different teams have different statures. For a glorified franchise like the Cowboys it was obviously a long playoff run (one of the things Parcells couldn't produce). Obviously in the short term, just some more wins.
Best quarterback available. The tackle class is sufficiently deep that they can select a great one with the 1st round pick they got from Dallas, or even with their second round pick. Figure out how the new tackle and Cherilus can best work on that line, slot them in, and get that rookie QB up to speed. They should spend the rest of their picks fixing the defense. They don't have a single playmaker on that unit. Well, maybe Ernie Sims, but that's not enough. Whoever becomes Detroit's GM after this season will be in a good position to make an immediate impact. Detroit has a wealth of draft picks this year, possibly more than Kansas City had this past draft.
Has to be the Line. Yes a QB is a need for them, but they have to see what Drew Stanton can do. Build the Lines first, then bring in the QB.
A new regime coming in will have no loyalty to Stanton. They'll keep him around, but he'll have to earn the starting job. It doesn't do him any credit that he missed his entire rookie season because of a pre-training camp injury, and then got hurt this year.
Agree with Desides. Add some talent to the D via FA. Spend your 2 firsts on a QB and LT to solidify a potent O that will keep you in games, then the rest of your draft on D to supplement the FAs and hope to find a playmaker (they are there). They just need to find talent, especially in the second round. If they can grab a LB like Curtis Lofton or a CB like Brandon Flower/Terry Porter and add 3-4 average starters via FA and maybe one marquee player that would be a good start. As many teams went LT last year there will be as many good LTs in this draft, and many fewer teams gunning for them. Stafford #1 and then top LT at their other 1.
Depends, a true high impact Defensive players is hard to find, if one emerges they could anchor a rebuilding defense.. Take the best DE at #1, then go LT at #33. Of course, this is the Lions, they will have visions of "he's our Matt Ryan" dancing in their heads...they go Qb..
I think most of us on this site could do a better job than Millen did these past few years, and that Mayhew could possibly do.
