Lions season preview

Mediocrity is what got an entire former Detroit Lions administration fired, and this teams results this year, might ironically get a present Lions administration praise.

A big move to get back to at least 8-8 and possibly even make the playoffs is expected by many people out of the Detroit Lions this season.

This is a daunting task considering Lion CEO Matt Millen has only had nine wins in his previous three years as top boss.

The Lions expect to win at least eight games this season, because one of the rewards for being bad in the NFL is that you get to draft earlier.

In the past three years, they have drafted no higher than the seventh pick.

Their offense and defense have greatly improved with this year's top three draft picks being receiver Roy Williams, running back Kevin Jones and linebacker Teddy Lehman.

Both the offense and defense have been some of the worst in the NFL the last three seasons and are relying on young players to have early breakout seasons.

The most immense pressure in the organization is definitely on head coach Steve Mariucci and third year quarterback Joey Harrington, because, finally, they have some weapons to work with offensively in the West Coast offense.

The rule of thumb for quarterbacks that play in the West Coast offense is that it takes three years for them to get fully used to playing in it and this will be Harrington's third year playing it.

One other thing that has kept some criticism off Harrington in his previous two years is that the coaching staff doesn't have faith in their backup quarterbacks.

Backup quarterback Mike McMahon has been given some opportunities, but failed to show anything significant to earn any starts over Harrington.

With his scrambling ability he has been as fun to watch as a character in a Benny Hill skit trying to get away from the people he aggravated.

However, running around like a chicken with your head cut off hasn't produced many wins, one to be exact in the games he has started in his career.

Another thing is their receivers have either been injured, just plain couldn't get open, or if they did, they just plain dropped the ball too often in the past.

The Lions added Williams and NFL vets tight end Stephen Alexander and receiver Tai Streets to their receiving corps this year to make much needed catches.

Along with Az Hakim, who has great speed, but who has been one the receivers with a case of the "drops," gives them four quality NFL wide receivers.

Big things also are expected out of second year receiver Charles Rogers.

He shined in their opening win last season against Arizona getting two touchdowns, but had only one TD after that game and was injured for the rest of the season in week six.

He has great size and speed, but has to prove that he has the durability to play in the NFL.

The offense should be able to score on their own numerous of times this year.

This as opposed to the way they were able to move the ball the last few seasons, which was hoping opposing defenses committed stupid penalties on them.

In all honesty though, it'll be hard for the Lions to win more than six games this year.

They haven't won on the road since Matt Millen has been there and there is no reason to believe they can this year.

Matter of fact, it is their first three games, starting out at Chicago, then at home for the next two against Houston and Philadelphia, where they have to come out and prove something.

At Chicago, they have to break their road losing streak, which is now an NFL record and counting.

Out of all their contests on the road, this is their most winnable of the year.

Defense coordinator Dick Jauron has something to prove as he was the head coach for the Bears the past four seasons and led them to a 13-3 season in 2001.

In week two, if they lose to third year expansion team Houston at home, than every Lions front office person and coaching staff member should be fired.

If they do lose, it won't be surprising since Houston has won more games the past two years than the Lions.

A team that wasn't even in existence when Millen first took the job has no business upstaging one of the NFL's oldest teams especially in their building.

Philadelphia is plain and simple as their cream cheese.

They have to beat Super Bowl contenders such as them to even think they can one day play in the NFL's grandest game.

In addition, they don't want to lose to a team in which former horrible Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg is an assistant.

They were 5-3 at home last year, and this year other than Philly and Indianapolis on Thanksgiving, all their home games look winnable on paper.

However, expect them losing at least one home game they should win like last year to the NFL's worst team San Diego.

The defense has a quality starting unit due to the additions of Lehman, safety Brock Marion, and cornerback Fernando Byrant, however, there isn't a whole lot of experienced depth on their roster.

Plus, speed demon second linebacker Boss Bailey is injured for an uncertain length of time due to a preseason knee injury.

The defense played very well towards the end of last year at home.

This spurred on by the free agent steal of last season cornerback Dre Bly and the rest of the secondary covering well enough to allow the Lions to blitz, resulting in a very strong pass rush.

This frustrated two of the NFL's best offenses in Green Bay and St. Louis, as they defeated those two teams at home late last season.

The defensive pressure will be a reason the Lions will probably win most of their home games once again.

However, ineptness on the road, a very young roster that is prone to mistakes, an offensive line that hasn't run blocked well in years, an offense that is possibly too complicated for its own good, and a few too many defensive injuries will hurt the Lions' chances of surpassing divisional stalwarts Minnesota and Green Bay.

Lions fans might have to wait to next year, year five of Millen's regime, to finally make the playoffs.

That is if Millen is back for another year.