Detroit Lions: Nothing has changed, even since the days of Barry Sanders

NO CLOSER

Since Barry’s retirement, nothing has gone this team’s way. At this point in the franchise’s history, the hope is that general manager Bob Quinn is going to change the culture of this team: bring a total commitment to winning. But it simply hasn’t happened. And Quinn’s first official hire as head coach (Matt Patricia) has also failed to get results on the field.

Are the Lions getting closer to the championship pedigree? Well, the record certainly says no. The play on defense certainly isn’t reassuring (especially with a defensive coach at the helm). And the draft picks have been underwhelming at best.

So, what is the right answer? Is the best way to correct things to stay on the Quinn-Patricia path? As the team continues to build, that would show patience and stability. But if that path means more losing, then another year will have been wasted.

Or is it making major changes at the top (yet again)? Although that is wrought with instability and could result in even more failure. The other problem with this plan is that the job of running the Lions really isn’t very appealing. Yes, there are only 32 jobs like this in the entire world, but top guys would prefer to wait for a stable franchise.

Two of the greatest players in the history of the franchise (Sanders and wide receiver Calvin Johnson) retired early to avoid having to stay. And they had no choice of being in Detroit in the first place because of the draft. Who will come here on purpose when things are so bad?

It is painful to watch this team. It is painful to even think that Barry Sanders could have played just one more game – let alone another year or decade. One right move could change everything.

Here’s hoping it happens – although the most likely scenario seems to be they accidentally choose the right path because the team has no clue. It isn’t easy to say these things. But it is the result of all these years of losing, and seeing no end in sight.