Detroit Lions: Does progress matter or is it all about the draft pick?

Now I realize that we’re 12 weeks into the season and the Lions are an underwhelming 4-7. If they haven’t made progress by now what’s the point? Yet if this franchise is ever going to rise up from it 60 year slumber and become a legitimate contender, it will take more than just a high draft pick.

After all, we’ve seen high draft picks come and go without making a difference. Some were busts and others like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson never had enough help for their greatness to carry this team to a championship level.

So for a high draft pick to make any real difference they will need help. They will need a general manager that will surround them with more talent and a coaching staff and scheme that will allow that talent to thrive. Beyond that there will be the returning players factor, which is where making progress comes in.

And whether we realize it or not, these Lions have actually made some progress. Under the weight of disappointment that seems unlikely, however, it is true. These Detroit Lions may not be winning, but they are making progress.

We’ll start with the offense. Entering this season the Lions biggest emphasis offensively was the ground game. This is a team that has been laughable at rushing the ball since Barry Sanders retired and especially over the last four seasons.

But consider where they are at now, they are averaging over 100 yards a game on the ground and when Kerryon Johnson is healthy he is a game-breaker.

Now granted they are barely over 100 yards a game as a team and Johnson was limited early in the season by design of the coaching staff, but after the way the Lions ground out yardage against a very tough Chicago Bears defense on Thanksgiving, without the injured Johnson, we need to start conceding that progress is being made.

With more help on the offensive line, additional depth in the backfield and a healthy Johnson, one would have to expect that running the ball should be a strength next season.

Now all they need is an innovative offensive coordinator as well as some help at receiver and tight end. How times have changed.