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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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JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 14: Eddie Drummond #18 of the Detroit Lions returns a punt for the first of of two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium on November 14, 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Lions in overtime 23-17. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 14: Eddie Drummond #18 of the Detroit Lions returns a punt for the first of of two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium on November 14, 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Lions in overtime 23-17. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Answer: Eddie Drummond

Last year, rookie Jamal Agnew was named first team All-Pro as a return specialist. This continues a strong tradition of Lions kick returners being among the NFL’s best.

Mel Gray earned All-Pro three times in that department in the 90s. Terry Fair led the league in kickoff return yards in 1998. Desmond Howard earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2000 on the strength of his punt returns. Then there’s Eddie Drummond, becoming the only All-Pro Lion of the entire decade in the 2004 season.

Drummond had a total of four return touchdowns in 2004, two from kickoffs and two from punts. Against the Jaguars in Week 10, he single-handedly forced overtime with two 4th quarter punt returns to erase a 17-3 deficit. After 2004, Drummond had a hard time replicating those numbers, and didn’t have another return touchdown in his final two years in Detroit.

In my mind, Dre’ Bly was probably the best overall Lions player from the decade. He was a lockdown corner for four years and was usually among the league leaders in interceptions. Despite Pro Bowl selections in 2003 and 2004, Bly was never a first team All-Pro though.

Calvin Johnson was only starting to enter his prime by the time the 00s ended. All three of his All-Pro selections happened later on, as well as his four Pro Bowls. Calvin led the league with 12 TD catches in 2008, but there weren’t exactly going to be any Lions making the list for that particular year.

Jason Hanson is known as one of the best kickers in league history, but based more on lifetime achievement than any one season. Hanson was steady and consistent for 20+ years, but he really didn’t have many standout seasons. He played his final 13 seasons without making the Pro Bowl, and never was named first team All-Pro at any point in his career.

**Side Note: The Lions had six All-Pro players in the 90s, and have had four so far in the 2010s.

7. Who started at quarterback for the Lions only playoff game of the 2000s?

(a) Scott Mitchell

(b) Charlie Batch

(c) Gus Frerotte

(d) Jon Kitna

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