Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.I'm going to do my best to avoid use of the phrase "Well, things can't get any worse," or anything like that. Really, I am. But it's worth pointing out that this is a true statement. Things are looking up for the Detroit Lions because they absolutely can't get any worse.
With two first-round picks and a ton of available cap space, a well-managed organization could make a significant dent in one year.
Free Agents: RB Aveion Cason (UFA), DT Shaun Cody (UFA), WR Keary Colbert (UFA), OL Damion Cook (UFA), OL George Foster (UFA), RB Rudi Johnson (UFA), LB Paris Lenon (UFA), OL Andy McCollum (UFA), WR Shaun McDonald (UFA), DT Langston Moore (UFA), LB Ryan Nece (UFA), RB Moran Norris (UFA), QB Dan Orlovsky (UFA), TE John Owens (UFA), DE Corey Smith (UFA), DL Stanley Wilson (UFA)
Draft Picks: 1 (1, 20); 2 (33); 3 (65, 82); 4 (97); 5 (129); 6 (161); 7 (193)
Needs
1. Quarterback. Even if Detroit doesn't draft Matthew Stafford, expect them to seek a serious upgrade. The Lions can have Daunte Culpepper back if they want, but he didn't exactly show them a lot down the stretch in 2008. They'd be smart to pursue someone who can hold down the gig, whether they draft Stafford or not. If they do draft the former Georgia QB, they can have an open competition for the starting job and hopefully let Stafford sit for at least a few weeks. If they go a different direction with the first pick, they can grab a developmental quarterback later, knowing the job should be in good hands for at least a year.
2. Secondary. They were a mess here a year ago. Unless you're a big fan of Leigh Bodden, Travis Fisher, or a guy like Daniel Bullocks, it's hard to argue that the Lions have a sure starter at any secondary position. That doesn't bode well in a league where offenses seem to rely more and more every year on the passing game.
3. Wide receiver. After all the work Matt Millen did to restock this position, it's back to being quite mediocre. Yes, the Lions have Calvin Johnson, who remains one of the best in the business. But they have nothing else. Detroit has to find a way to surround Johnson with people capable of making plays. If Johnson can put up the kind of numbers he had in 2008 (78 catches, over 1,300 yards, 12 touchdowns) with virtually no help, what would he be able to do if defenses couldn't focus on stopping him?
Worst Teams in NFL History
Team: 2008 Detroit Lions | Record: 0-16
The Lions officially become the worst team, at least record-wise, in NFL history, finishing their dismal run with a loss at Green Bay. Click through to see how they stack up other terrible teams in NFL history.
Morry Gash, AP
Team: 1980 New Orleans Saints | Record: 1-15
This team gained a cult following of fans known as "The Aints" - who came to every home game wearing paper bags over their heads. The Saints beat the Jets, 21-20, in their 15th game.
Manny Rubio, NFL Photos/Getty Images
Team: 1989 Dallas Cowboys | Record: 1-15
Things would improve for Troy Aikman eventually, but in '89, America's Team only won once - at Washington in Dallas' ninth game. The 'Boys were shut out three times.
Allen Dean Steele, Getty Images
Team: 1991 Indianapolis Colts | Record: 1-15
Like the 1980 Saints, only a one-point win over the Jets kept Indianapolis from a winless season. The Colts set a record for least touchdowns (14) in a 16-game season and scored seven points or less in 11 games.
Don Larson, NFL/Getty Images
Team: 1981 Baltimore Colts | Record: 2-14
Baltimore managed to beat 2-14 New England twice - in the season opener and season finale, by a combined three points. The Colts allowed an average of 33.3 points per game.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Team: 1996 New York Jets | Record: 1-15
The J-E-T-S were A-W-F-U-L in 1996, with their lone win coming at Arizona in Week 9. New York had three turnovers or more in eight of 16 games.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
Team: 2000 San Diego Chargers | Record: 1-15
Highly-touted Ryan Leaf was the poster child for this miserable bunch of losers. The Chargers managed only a one-point win over Kansas City in Week 13, and Leaf finished the season with an abysmal 56.2 QB rating.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
Team: 2001 Carolina Panthers | Record: 1-15
Things started so well. The Panthers opened the year with an 11-point win at Minnesota - and then lost 15 straight, scoring in single figures five times.
Eliot Schechter, Getty Images
Team: 2007 Miami Dolphins | Record: 1-15
This bunch was close to 0-16 - real close. Miami started 0-13 before sneaking past Baltimore in overtime, but only after the Ravens kicked a game-tying field goal from the Miami 1-yard line late in the fourth.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Team: 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs | Record: 0-14
Was this the worst team in NFL history? The Bucs certainly have a great case. Under QB Steve Spurrier, they lost all 14 games by an average of 20 points and suffered through five shutouts.
NFL Photos/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-20-2009 @ 7:45PM
A.J. said...
As for the secondary, I think Gerald Alexander (S) will develop into a pretty solid safety if he stays healthy.
They have a really good LB in Ernie Sims, but he needs some more help around him - mainly bigger linebackers. If Sims can get away with being 230 soaking wet, don't make it hard on him by grabbing a guy like Jordon Dizon - what was he, 220? Get a big MF'er like a Maualuga at 260 and stick him in there.
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