Detroit Lions Weblog

Training Camp Begins Wednesday, Rampant Personnel Speculation is Likely Just That

The Lions enter training camp this week with a lot to prove. Understatements aside, few, if any, Lions fans actually buy into the “Do You Believe In Now” fusillades that have been ringing out in an attempt to stimulate excitement for the upcoming ‘08 Lions season.

We have been conditioned, during Matt Millen’s abysmal 31-81 tenure, that for any hopeful upturn that this organization may take, there is just as likely to be several steps to be taken backward in the process. Entering the ‘08 season, the Lions would like us to believe that they are on the precipice of some new horizon. Show Me!!!

Training camp is the first stage of the process. Lions fans desperately need something positive to cling to. A healthy, productive Calvin Johnson would be nice. The emergence of multiple young players, and rookies, would also stimulate optimism (see Ernie Sims, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Daniel Bullocks, Gerald Alexander, et al).

There has been a lot of speculation about the supposed interest the Lions may have players like Takeo Spikes, LaMont Jordan, Daunte Culpepper, and Chris Simms. If Tom Kowalski is to be trusted, none of these players, except for potentially Spikes, is likely to be a Lion anytime soon.

The Lions have exercised due diligence in their inquiries about Jordan and Spikes. Spikes, injury-history aside, would likely be a productive player and a quality locker room influence. According to Kowalski, the Lions are going to approach any interest in Jordan or the QB’s with a more cautious wait-and-see approach.

The Lions are willing to give Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton every opportunity to fail, before looking at acquiring either Simms or Culpepper, among others. I feel that this organizational negligence on a grand scale.

Entering the season with only Jon Kitna possessing legitimate game experience is bordering on suicidal, given his age and the recent performance of the Lions offensive line.  Last season, when Jon Kitna was briefly out of the lineup, we were given a glimpse of just how bad this team can be.  I don’t believe that this situation has been rectified in one off-season.

Culpepper, who is his own agent, would be a popular choice, in my view.  I believe that Culpepper’s best days are likely behind him, but given that he would have so many weapons at his disposal, I believe that he could actually be a surprising success story, if thrust into duty. He still is unable to read defenses, and is limited as player, though.

At any rate, the Lions season will soon be upon us.  Much the like the flagging Michigan economy, Lions fans are grasping for whatever meager signs of hope are fungible and tangible. As far as diversions go, the Lions still rank quite high.