(ALLEN PARK, MI) -- News that both Matt Millen and Marty Mornhinweg would keep their
jobs as President/GM and head coach of the Lions respectively hit Lions fans like a bucket
of cold water on a sleeping man.
But have heart, Lions faithful. Perhaps this is the year the proverbial "blind
chicken finds corn." Yes, maybe despite the dismissal of Bill Tobin and the 5-27
two-year record, this year, 2003, will mark a return to positive numbers in the win-loss
ledger for Detroit.
Hey, we can hope can't we?
After all the Lions do have the #2 overall pick in the draft. Maybe Willis McGahee will
be the next Billy Simms and spark the team to a complete turnaround. Or maybe Charles
Rogers will be the second coming of Lynn Swann and propel the boys in blue to new heights.
Or maybe Millen will trade the pick to New England and Detroit will wind up with two
first round picks. Imagine, they could land two impact players like Texas receiver Roy
Williams and Oregon State corner Dennis Weathersby. Why those two could breathe new life
into the franchise by making touchdowns and preventing them, respectively.
Maybe Marty Mornhinweg, with two years experience under his belt, will see his offense
"click" in 2003 and the Lions will move up from 30th overall in offense to the
top ten. Maybe this will be Joey Harrington's breakout year. Perhaps, like Chad Pennington
of the New York Jets, the light turns on and Harrington begins hitting receivers all over
the field and in the end zone.
Perhaps Detroit will allow Sheldon White to run the personnel department and White
turns out to be the next Bill Walsh, making trades, grabbing great picks in the late
rounds and infusing the franchise with talent.
We've got to hope, right?
Hope springs eternal with the turning of the clock.
But what if Detroit gets off to another 0-for start?
Then don't go.
Really, just don't go to the stadium. Don't buy any Lions gear. Don't go.
Watch it on television, listen on the radio, but don't go.
Lions fans will not allow the Lions to become the Cincinnati Bengals.
Give 'em a chance first, but if that chance is lost, then DO NOT GO.
Don't settle for blind chance any more, Lions fans. Demand excellence from your
franchise.