Detroit Lions: What will make a perfect preseason opener?

Good start by the offense

Another thing that will surely light up the Twitter-sphere for the One Pride community is a strong start by quarterback Matthew Stafford and the starting offense. If the Lions “O” gets an early touchdown via a Stafford pass, his enshrinement ceremony may start a bit early.

In particular, if the line play is solid, and Stafford has a clean pocket to work from, fans will be elated. If they add in a few four-yard gains on the ground with LeGarrette Blount, people may actually pass out from hyperventilation.

A perfect first drive is three carries for 15 yards, and Stafford going like 5 of 6 for 60 yards and hitting Marvin Jones, Jr. or Kenny Golladay for a deep touchdown to end the drive. I can already see the “deal with it” memes coming. Feel free to break out your own sunglasses, too.

Defense looks better

The probably more important thing that needs to happen, but that will not get as much attention is improved defense. Reports circulated from joint practices with the Raiders that the Lions defense continues to be haunted by tight ends and giving up big plays in general.

So, for the Detroit Lions, a competent defense that doesn’t give up big plays will be celebrated to some degree. Obviously, if the offense doesn’t play well, the defense will be scrutinized more.

A couple points of particular interest are: who starts opposite Darius Slay at cornerback and is Quandre Diggs going to start at strong safety?