It’s virtually impossible to opine about the Lions’ just-completed season without irritating one segment of the fanbase or another.
For example, there is outrage the Lions downed the Packers 37-30 Sunday, even though it was done in thrilling fashion, because it cost the Lions the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Turns out lowly Jacksonville upset the Colts.
Undoubtedly, this will be turned into another 'Same Old Lions' scenario. This town just can’t help it.
Seems to me, though, despite a dismal 3-13-1 record and typical angst, the Lions ultimately made progress in ‘21.
Early in the season, I thought the Lions might not win a game. Not only was it clear their player personnel was the NFL’s worst, but they were hit with a stream of injuries to the bulk of their most talented players.
First-year head coach Dan Campbell faced intense criticism. He was either too aggressive or not aggressive enough. Campbell was portrayed as a cartoon-like character because of his quirky comments and displaying emotion outside the box of a typical NFL coach. As such, Campbell’s respect level among most fans, and much of the national media, was generally low. He was viewed as neither creative nor smart, just mildly entertaining compared to the bearded, blank-stare he replaced in Matt Patricia.
Campbell deserves credit for weathering such an intense storm. He didn’t point fingers at the fans, media, his predecessors or the sourness coating the Lions.
Instead, Campbell developed a plan. He shortened games with time of possession, was aggressive to the point the Lions went for it on fourth down more than any NFL team ever and had a few tricks up his sleeve, the majority of which worked.
When Campbell took over play calling from soon-departing offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, there was a collective rolling of eyes. Even now, after it clearly upgraded the Lions’ offense and helped their basic game plan, there are those who still feel that way. But it was a success.
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Perhaps most importantly, Campbell’s squad, although clearly outmanned in every game, never stopped playing hard for him.
The Lions not only were 3-5-1 in their last nine games, there was development among the younger players. When was the last time the Lions had a fourth-rounder perform remotely as well as Amon-Ra St. Brown? First-round pick Penei Sewell progressed from strugglingly mightily early in the campaign into being a solid performer. Even though at times the Lions’ defense looked more like the practice squad than the regular roster, it still improved, and there could be numerous parts emerging for next season.
With three early picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Lions are in position to be much more competitive next season.
Of course, this is where the narrative has invariably gone sideways on the Lions.
There is no need to rest on laurels because there are none. Hitting rock bottom and taking a step or two up a high ladder is hardly the definition of success.
If there is solace, it’s in the outlook could be much bleaker.
Truthfully, I anticipated it would be, especially at the eight-game mark of this season.