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The Detroit Lions look no closer to a Super Bowl appearance

By James F. Puzzuoli

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Fans display signs during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Fans display signs during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

THAT SOUNDS FAMILIAR

Cousins continued his conversation with Dan Patrick (02-01-19, Hour 3), and the discussion sounded eerily similar to the Detroit Lions:

"“ … 2015 was nine and seven (9-7). We made the playoffs, but we lost in the first round. 2016 was eight, seven, and one (8-7-1). 2017 was seven and nine (7-9). 2018 was eight, seven, and one (8-7-1). So, four years of essentially hovering around five hundred. Eventually, that’s gotta change. You gotta get to twelve and four (12-4), eleven and five (11-5), thirteen and three (13-3). Whatever it’s gotta be, you gotta get there. You gotta win playoff games. That’s what it’s all about.”"

I realize that Cousins is talking about his play for the Washington Redskins (2015-17) and Minnesota Vikings (2018), but he just described the exact predicament of the Detroit Lions in the past four seasons.

It is time for an 12-plus win season. But is this Detroit Lions franchise truly ready to take the next step?

When I heard Cousins description, I closed my eyes and swore Dan Patrick was talking to someone from the Detroit Lions. Then I realized I shouldn’t close my eyes while driving, and quickly recovered from my Lions stupor.

But the Detroit Lions record for the past four seasons has been very similar to Cousins’ run over that same period. And each of those seasons brought both a ‘reason for hope’ and a ‘curious move’ by the organization:

  • 2015 Record – 7-9
    • Playoffs: Missed
    • Reason for Hope: General manager Martin Mayhew fired during season.
    • Curious Move: Head coach Jim Caldwell retained for next regime.
  • 2016 Record – 9-7
    • Playoffs: Lost in the First Round (26-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks)
    • Reason for Hope: General manager Bob Quinn had a decent first draft, and his ties to New England were seen as a big plus moving forward.
    • Curious Move: Head coach Jim Caldwell still retained. Yes, Caldwell made the playoffs, but did he fit with Bob Quinn?
  • 2017 Record – 9-7
    • Playoffs: Missed
    • Reason for Hope: Caldwell finally fired. Detroit waited through Super Bowl LII (New England lost to the Philadelphia Eagles) and hired coach Patricia.
    • Curious Move: Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter retained. While continuity seems like a good thing for the offense, it did not work out that way on the field.
  • 2018 Record – 6-10
    • Playoffs: Missed
    • Reason for Hope: The hire of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who may fit better with the philosophy of coach Patricia. Not much in terms of hope, but the roster will be much different when the season kicks off in September.
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