New management, coaching and three of the top 33 draft choices likely ensure that the Lions won't go long before nabbing a win (a few?) in 2009. That comes on the heels of a record-setting season of futility, when Detroit lost all 16 games. In steps new GM Martin Mayhew, the overachieving cornerback with Washington and Tampa. The new coach is Jim Schwartz, who comes on from Jeff Fisher's Tennessee staff. He'll emphasize the old basics of football: get better every day, and run and stop the run. The duo brought in a number of veteran free agents to expedite the progress. QB Matthew Stafford was the top draft choice; he's impressed the coaches so far with his strong arm and his ability to quickly learn offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's offense. Stafford might not get to play right away; even though rookies took two teams from the abyss to the playoffs last year (think Joe Flacco at Baltimore and Matt Ryan in Atlanta) - those guys were five-year college players. Stafford only was in Athens for three years. Daunte Culpepper might start the season behind center. There is a good core around the QB position, including RB Kevin Smith and WR Calvin Johnson, each capable of hitting a home run each time they get the ball. The offense line was second-to-last in the league in sacks allowed and that must improve if Detroit hopes to avoid negative-yardage plays that all-too-often hampered them in 2008.

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On the other side, the Lions defense played more like 'Lambs', yielding a hideous 32.3 ppg while also finishing last against the run, last in total yards and last in interceptions (only four!) while also yielding the most points and coming within 16 of the NFL record. Schwartz has ditched ex-coach Rod Marinelli's Cover-2 base and tried to get more beef up front. The problems at corner have been there for years, and three veterans were picked up via free agency to try to address them. On paper, it looks like Schwartz might be a shaky pick in trying to become a head coach for the first time taking over an 0-16 team. But folks said that last fall about Tony Sparano, Mike Smith and John Harbaugh - three first-time head coaches that all took their teams to the playoffs.

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