No light at the end of this tunnel

The Detroit Lions finished the 2001-02 season with a record of 2-14.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like next season is full of promise either.

One of the only bright spots on this team is Charlie Batch who threw for 2,392 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but finished with a quarterback rating of only 76.8.

The other standout on the team is Johnnie Morton who had 77 receptions for 1,154 yards, but scored only four touchdowns.

In fact, the passing offense was ranked third in the league behind only St. Louis and Indianapolis, but unfortunately ranked 28th in rushing offense. So much for the play action pass.

In every other category this team was a lesson in futility

James Stewart was counted on to carry the load in the backfield, but could only muster 685 rushing and 242 yards receiving. When your star running back cannot total 1,000 total yards in a season you know that you have a problem.

Now let us talk about defense.

They were ranked 26th in total team defense giving up 26.5 points and an even more astounding 345.1 yards total offense per game.

In fact, they only forced 22 turnovers and scored only one defensive touchdown for the season.

By the way, since we are on the subject, they also ranked second worst on the giveaway/takeaway scale with a 38 to 22 ratio. Well, at least they ranked second in something.

President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Millen has been quoted as saying that he will look at drafting a top quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft.

I sincerely hope that Millen also drafts someone who can catch the ball and someone else to run the ball. Someone like Michigan State running back T.J Duckett who can at least give some respect to the backfield.

I have the utmost respect for Millen, but thinking that you are going to change the world with a new quarterback is just not the case.

The passing game was all that got you through this season without being completely embarrassed.

The 2001-02 campaign was a tearing down season. Next season is a rebuilding season at best, only if you fill the right holes, which by the way, are too numerous to go into, with the right personnel.

Defensive Coordinator, Vic Fangio, has moved on to the Houston Texans and, hopefully, the Lions can replace him with someone who has the right scheme for this defense to follow or else it won't matter how much offense they have. By the way, I don't see everybody jumping at once for that job.

For all of the Lion's fans out there I, unfortunately, have to end with a Jim Mora quote. "Playoffs. Playoffs. I just hope we can win a game."

Oh, and I don't think Barry Sanders is coming back.