Can the Lions ever get better without Stafford?
Let’s clarify a few things, the Detroit Lions are in full rebuild mode, so that means at least two to three seasons of awful football. However, how is that different than what we’ve witnessed for the past 60 plus seasons?
Understandably, Matthew Stafford was the only excitement the Lions had to offer. He was also the only reason the Lions won as much as they did during his tenure here. But Matthew isn’t Superman.
By that, I mean that even a super-powered being from another galaxy far, far away would have trouble carrying a franchise this bad on his shoulders.
Ownership has done nothing to ever give the fans the chance to believe they know what they’re doing. The Ford family has been bad stewards of the Lions. They have cut-corners, hired the wrong people for the front office, and head coach, and the team, city, and fans have suffered for it.
So how can things possibly get better without Matthew Stafford?
The answer is simple; if Sheila Ford Hamp’s work to get involved and actually change the entire culture of this franchise from the front office down to the player’s works, then things will get better. Eventually.
The effort and homework Sheila put in this offseason was more extensive than what her parents did in several decades at the wheel collectively.
Many fans have doubts about Brad Holmes and Dan Campell, but look at what has happened. The addition of John Dorsey as an experienced sounding board for Holmes in personnel decisions and Dom Capers as senior defensive assistant to aid first-time defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are just a couple of examples of talent being assembled to assist the front office and coaching staff.
Does it mean it will work? Once again, nothing is a guarantee. However, when was the last time the Lions had this much young talent, as considered around the league, in the front office and coaching staff combined with a smattering of proven experience?
It is also very interesting that Dan Campbell has gone heavy on assistants that have NFL playing experience. Campbell has proven with Miami and New Orleans that he can relate to and lead players. Now almost all of his staff can relate to them as well.
Nothing is a given as all these faces will have to be on the same page and the team will still have to be successful in the draft. But if we consider the success Brad Holmes had in last weekend’s trade, there is a reason to have hope that the Lions may finally have the general manager they need.