No team in NFL history suffered such a demoralizing season like Detroit last year. An 0-16 record is a tough pill to swallow.
It was a season to forget for the Motor City kitties, but changes were made early this offseason in an attempt to ressurect a franchise that's in dire need of some direction.
Head coach Rod Marinelli was fired and replaced with Jim Schwartz, who was the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator for seven years.
Schwartz has a tough task ahead of him at this year's NFL Draft. The Lions have two picks in the first round (1st and 20th) and will look to upgrade various positions on a squad that has more holes in it than swiss cheese.
The Lions draft history suggests the team will most likely draft a wide receiver in the first round. Since 2003, the Lions have drafted wide receivers Charles Rogers in 2003 (no longer with team), Roy Williams in 2004 (traded to Dallas last year), Mike Williams in 2005 (no longer with team) and Calvin Johnson in 2007, who looks to be a stud and should continue to develop as the Lions go-to-guy wide receiver for many years to come. Well hopefully.
Quarterback
One area the team may look to upgrade is the most important position on the football field.
As it stands right now, it looks as though Daunte Culpepper is slated to be the starting quarterback next season. Culpepper, 32, is a reclamation project due to a horrific knee injury he suffered a few years ago while playing with the Minnesota Vikings. Culpepper has showed flashes of brilliance before but has struggled ever since the injury.
All indications point to Culpepper starting next season regardless of whether or not they decide to upgrade the position through the draft. Furthermore, the Lions hired Scott Linehan to be their offensive coordinator. Linehan was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams before being fired midway through last season. He played a prominent role as offensive coordinator with the Vikings in 2004, Culpepper's best season as a pro. A season where Culpepper threw for over 4700 yards, 39 touchdowns and was runner up for Most Valuable Player award.
Many reports indicate the Lions being interested in drafting Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford number one overall. Stafford is the consensus number one pick in mock NFL Drafts and it is well documented the Lions are interested in his services. Stafford is interested in the Lions as well.
"I'm being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money -- I would love to go to Detroit," Stafford told Peter King of Sports Illustrated.
Offensive Tackle
Besides quarterback, the offensive line looks to be an area of need as well. Left tackle Jeff Backus, a nine-year veteran has been a disappointment and the Lions would like nothing more than to upgrade that position through the draft. This year's draft is very deep with tackles, with as many as six that are projected to go in the first round.
The team also needs help at guard. NFL.com senior writer Pat Kirwan suggest the Lions could draft a young tackle and play him at guard for a year.
Some of the prominent tackles in this year's draft that could be wearing the Lion uniform next season consist of Baylor's Jason Smith, Virginia's Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher from Ole Miss and Andre Smith from Alabama.
Whatever direction the Lions go in round one and beyond, it's very important for the Lions to make good with their selections this year in order to bring excitement back to a team that has not seen playoff action for quite some time.
