The Detroit Lions and The Great Wide Receiver Conundrum
By Mike Payton
2012
| Player | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
| Nate Burleson | 27 | 240 | 2 |
| Mike Thomas | 5 | 28 | 1 |
| Ryan Broyles | 22 | 310 | 2 |
| Kris Durham | 8 | 125 | 1 |
| Brin Robiske | 4 | 44 | 1 |
| Titus Young | 33 | 383 | 4 |
| Total | 99 | 1,130 | 11 |
| New Orleans Saints, minus Marqes Colston | |||
| 103 | 1,789 | 10 |
Have you ever been sucker punched? I mean really good. The kind where you wake up and don’t know where you are? This is what 2012 felt like to the Detroit Lions and their fans.
Looking at the stats it doesn’t seem too bad, but it really was. Burleson broke his leg early in season after a hot start, Ryan Broyles came on strong in relief, then tore his ACL, Titus Young went crazy seemingly out of nowhere and the Lions made quite possibly the dumbest trade in franchise history to acquire Mike Thomas and his 5 receptions from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Lions ended the season relying on Kris Durham to help get at least one more win. unfortunately it never came and the Lions ended the season a dismal 4-12.
Next: 2013