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The Detroit Lions Quiz (2000-2009): Test your fandom!

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: A fan looks on with a bag on his head during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on October 11, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 11: A fan looks on with a bag on his head during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on October 11, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT – DECEMBER 24: Roy Williams #11 of the Detroit Lions tries to get past the tackle of Danieal Manning #38 of the Chicago Bears during fourth quarter action on December 24, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago won the game 26-21. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT – DECEMBER 24: Roy Williams #11 of the Detroit Lions tries to get past the tackle of Danieal Manning #38 of the Chicago Bears during fourth quarter action on December 24, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago won the game 26-21. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Answer: Roy Williams, 29 touchdowns

I mentioned last week that I feel Roy Williams was a much better player than he gets credit for in retrospect. It seems like he gets roped into the Charles Rogers/Mike Williams category too often. In reality, the 7th overall pick of 2004 had a productive four and a half year stint in Detroit.

Williams asked for a trade in the middle of the 2007 season, his only time playing alongside Calvin Johnson. The two of them could have been a formidable receiving duo, but Williams made it clear that he wanted out of Detroit. It was disappointing at the time, but maybe he did the Lions a favor.

Roy seemed to have reached his peak as a Lion. His 1,310 yards in 2006 earned him a Pro Bowl nod, and Roy had two other seasons with 800+ receiving yards while in Detroit. Once he moved on, his numbers declined each year as a Cowboy.  Of course, Calvin immediately became the number one receiver in the Motor City from that point forward.

Williams finished with 29 touchdowns as a Lion. Since Calvin only played three years of the 00s decade, he only had 22 touchdowns before entering his true Megatron years shortly after.

I wouldn’t blame anybody for getting Kevin Jones and Kevin Smith confused. For six consecutive years, the number one running back in Detroit wore #34, was named Kevin, and had about as common of a last name as any American can have. If you put the two Kevins together, their 40 touchdowns in the 00s would easily make the top of this list.

However, they were indeed two different players. Kevin Jones had a breakout rookie season in 2004 with 1,133 rushing yards and 6 total TDs. He never came close to 1,000 yards again, but he reached the end zone with regularity over the next three years as well. Jones alone is second place on this list, with his 27 touchdowns in four seasons as a Lion.

Kevin Smith also had a breakout rookie season, with 976 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in 2008. He also never came close to 1,000 yards again, and also had three more years of reaching the end zone with regularity (he got shut out in 2010). Smith had 22 total touchdowns in five seasons as a Lion (13 in the 2000s).

And writing this, I’ve had to double check which Kevin was which at least three or four times. Combined, the two Kevins put up the most TDs of the decade, but individually Roy Williams still finished on top.

2. Which future Hall of Fame quarterback began their NFL career against the Lions on Thanksgiving?

(a) Tom Brady

(b) Aaron Rodgers

(c) Peyton Manning

(d) Matt Ryan

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