Detroit Lions Weblog

Entering the Eye of the Storm

I have been a Detroit Tiger fan my entire life, at least as far back in time as I am able to recall. Nothing feels more right, or is more enjoyable, than the current performance of the 2006 Tiger’s team. That being said, as a NFL blogger, I can’t help but feel the anxious anticipation of the Detroit Lions upcoming season. I feel quite strongly that I am currently residing in the eye of a storm, as training camps rapidly approach, knowing the full brunt of the storm will ensue shortly.

This is obviously a very brief window of quiet time in the NFL offseason. It is difficult to comment on much of anything. Player movement has slowed to a trickle. OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) are as exciting as watching paint dry. Until the onset of training camp, the Ricky Williams CFL performance and “Big Ben” Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident will dominate the football landscape.

Thankfully, the writers as MLive.com have recently provided some topics for consideration. In Bill Emkow’s “Highlight Reel” , Emkow highlight’s a recent Oakland Press report that Fernando Bryant has added some weight during the offseason in hopes of gaining additional strength and durability. Bryant, a free agent signing in 2004, has been injured for most of his Lion’s tenure and a major disappointment. Bryant might prove a major asset this season if healthy. His experience could provide a serious upgrade to a somewhat depleted and raw secondary. Bryant’s additional size makes him better suited for the physical style of the larger corners that often play in the “Tampa” Cover-2 Zone defense.

Should Bryant falter, the team has a grossly exposed weakness. Stanley Wilson, Jr. or Keith Smith would need to provide a much more dependable presence.

Emkow also highlights a recent interview by Jon Kitna in USA Today. Kitna makes it clear that he wants all of the world to know that he is very excited about playing for the Lions. He is also feels that his association with the Lion’s new offensive coordinator Mike Martz could prove very fruitful. I am glad that Kitna is happy with his situation. You would be hard-pressed to find a guy more deserving of being a starting NFL QB. We’ll see how he feels about his current situation after throwing two or three interceptions in a game or when/if he badly misses an open receiver on fourth-and-short yardage, near the end of game, in a sold-out Ford Field.

One thing to consider about the Lion’s new offense, and Kitna for that matter, is that for as exciting and as potentially effective that it could be, their will be without a doubt a lot of interceptions thrown. 20 interceptions in this offense is fairly normal and something that likely the Lions, at the very least, if not Mike Martz, will shrug off to a certain degree. The concern will come when/if Kitna’s interceptions push closer to 30 than 20.

This is where I strongly believe that Kitna’s vast experience will really stand out next season. I believe that Kitna has the leadership, tenacity, and skills to bounce back from any difficulties the team will encounter. He is more resillient, self-assured, and prepared than Joey Harrington could have ever been in this offense under the current regime. Does that mean I expect a major turnaround? No, but this should be a competitive, watchable team which is more than what I can say about 2005. In the meantime, GO TIGERS!!!!