Detroit Lion football history is riddled with teams in perfect position to secure a wildcard spot, only to blow it by losing in the final two weeks of the season. Just ask Bobby Ross about Christmas Eve, 2000. Paul Edinger’s 54-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the season knocked the Lions out of playoff contention. As every Lions fan who suffered through is aware, the Wayne Fontes era is also full of “almosts” and “should’ve beens”.

Undoubtedly many pessimists nationwide are expecting the same this year. And to be quite honest, who can blame them? Stigmas exist for a reason, and this team hasn’t done much since the 1950s to prove otherwise. This is a great opportunity for the 2011 Lions, the Jim Schwartz Lions, to prove what we all know to be true.

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Defensive Line: B

The defensive front four clearly is the identity of this team. The attitude, aggressiveness, and swagger are contagious, and they are credited with infecting the rest of the defense. Corey Williams has been stellar in absorbing blocks, and stopping the run. Ndamukong Suh, fresh off of a pro bowl, and defensive rookie of the year honors, has been largely unnoticed thus far. Granted, Suh is garnering a lot of attention from offensive linemen, and offensive coordinators are scheming against him. Still, a player as dominant as Suh should be more of a disruption in both the run and pass game than he has been throughout the first four games. The same can be said for Cliff Avril, who was almost unblockable near the end of last season. This defensive line has yet to reach their potential, and the Lions will need the pass rush that the Patriots witnessed in the preseason if they hope to continue their success.

Linebacker: B+

This unit has been steady throughout the first four games. As a group they are significantly improved in pass coverage, but there is much work to do in the run game. Stephen Tulloch is the exception here, as the aptly nicknamed “Napoleon’s Revenge” has been the best defensive player on the field each and every game. Tulloch walked out of Texas Stadium with 12 tackles, and an interception that led to the game winning score. DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant have been good, but not great. Both players tend to over-pursue runners, and have been caught out of position too often. The depth of this unit has improved with the emergence of Bobby Carpenter, who played well in a starting role Sunday against the Cowboys.

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Browns fans. Really. They get it. They know how to appreciate a comedy of errors. Again and again and again.

I interview Eagles guys… Steelers guys… Panthers guys… They just don’t understand. They don’t know what it’s like to constantly snatch defeat from the clutches of victory. WE DO! Kindred brethren we are. It turned into a pretty good podcast so let’s get to the point!

Or you can download it HERE

Show Notes:

Check out Dan and his other bloggers at WaitingForNextYear.com

The noise in the background? Not me shuffling papers… the dog got a hold of a lint roller thing and he was giving that poor thing its last rights.

Nibbler 1 – Lint Roller 0

Music is Shiny Toy Guns “Don’t Cry Out” off of We Are Pilots

Later Ya’ll, thanks for downloading