Where does Brad Holmes rank among Detroit’s general managers?

Brad Holmes give Lions fans hope

Now let me again reiterate that this is the result of a straw poll. You might rank these general managers differently. However, the thing that stood out to me in regards to the comments about Brad Holmes is that despite the fact that it has been a small sample size, most of those I polled believe he will build a team that is a legitimate contender.

So while Holmes isn’t considered the top general manager in the Motor City by those I polled, he does give the fans hope.

Many fans to their credit somehow or another find hope each season. Other fans actually acknowledge the holes the Lions have each year and have more of a wait-and-see approach. Then there are the jaded fans who see only gloom. Although considering what this franchise purveys it is hard to blame those pessimistic souls too much.

But with all four of Detroit’s franchises in various stages of rebuilding, we all want to believe that their paths will lead to becoming winners. In the case of Brad Holmes, he is the new kid on the block. Most fans have fallen in love with the foundation he is building and can imagine that solid foundation leading to a brighter future.

Yet one of the things Holmes has going for him is an offseason the fan base approves of while none of those draft picks or player acquisitions have even played in an exhibition game yet.

There is little to nothing to complain about because we haven’t seen anything negative yet unless you just completely disagree with Holmes’ philosophy.

So even though Holmes didn’t turn over the whole roster in his first month on the job like Troy Weaver did, he is in it for the long haul. Much like Steve Yzerman, he realizes this isn’t a quick fix, and rather than try the old standby of just adding a couple of high-priced free agents and claiming they’re ready to contend, he is intent on building a winner the right way.

From the ground up.

In a few seasons, the Pistons will definitely be a playoff team, possibly as soon as next season. The Red Wings and Tigers will most likely still be trying to reach those heights unless they are able to acquire more proven talent in short order. But another offseason or two like this one for Brad Holmes may just put the Lions right in the playoff chase.

If Brad Holmes can create a sustainable winning formula, he may just move up the ranks of Detroit’s general managers. If he can build an actual Super Bowl winner out of these Lions, then he will be immortalized in Motown forever.