Detroit Lions: Would you rather be a Dolphins fan?

The big turnaround in South Beach

Many Lions fans who were in favor of selecting Tua Tagovailoa in last April’s draft are watching Miami from afar with great interest and jealousy.

Due to Matthew Stafford’s age and recent back issues, I was in favor of selecting Tagovailoa. Yet he was not the deciding factor in my desire to switch franchises with Miami. There are three main factors that I believe are immediately evident as to why I would make that switch.

The first is head coach Brian Flores. I’m not searching for another former Patriot to replace Matt Patricia, but what he has done in two seasons has been outstanding. Flores almost by sheer will has transformed the culture in Miami and has his team already taking the field expecting to win.

Secondly, unlike Patricia’s defense here in Detroit, the Dolphins actually do play defense. Good defense. They give up 20.1 points a game. Only the Ravens, Rams, and Colts give up fewer and they are tied with the Steelers.

Defense wins championships and Miami seems to be well on their way to becoming a good defensive team.

The final reason is that Miami has transformed itself into a young team quickly without slowing down their progress on the field. They are 5-3 and right on the cusp of a playoff spot in only Flores second year on the job with a young team. And, yes, it would appear they have found their franchise quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, provided he can stay healthy.

It’s very easy to see a bright future for the Miami Dolphins. Now let’s compare that to what the future looks like for the Detroit Lions at this point.

Every season is its own entity. Teams rise and teams fall. Except for the Detroit Lions who seem to be on an endless course to nowhere. Sure once in a blue moon, they come up with a decent season, but the postseason appearances all end the same way. The Lions look like they don’t belong as they get decimated by whomever they play.

For myself and many other fans, that isn’t good enough. The fact it has been good enough for the Ford family for so long is mind-boggling.

Sheila Ford Hamp has an opportunity to change the course of this lowly franchise and redeem the Ford name by finding a general manager and head coach who can create the kind of change Flores has in Miami. Like the Nike slogan, she needs to ‘just do it’.

Anything less would simply be more of the ‘same old Lions’.