Lions Make Splash

So NFL free agency started yesterday at Midnight, and the Lions wasted no time in making moves. The Lions signed Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch to a 4-year $26 million, wide-receiver Nate Burleson to a 5-year $25 million deal, and traded for Browns defensive tackle for a mid-round draft pick. They also received the Browns 7th rounder.

I like the moves, I think it shows us, the fans, that they are taking strides in the right direction, for the first time in about... ten years. Probably longer than that... anyways I approve. I think both Williams and Vanden Bosch bolster a less than stellar D-line that needs significant improvement. Burleson gives Detroit a wide receiver to throw to not named Calvin Johnson. Plus, unlike Roy Williams, Burleson is not a head case and does not need the ball thrown at him every play. He's the perfect number two for Detroit if he stays healthy.

Now are they suddenly a good team? Absolutely not. They have a long way to go. They need secondary help, like some corners that can actually cover, linebackers, they need to bring Foote back someway somehow. But most of all, they need guards. They have the worst guards in the NFL. They need guards more than tackles for sure. O-line is dismal, but the guards are the first area to address.

The Lions are the closest they've been to success since the days of Barry. With another draft like last years, they could be good by next (2011) season. I really like the direction of the organization now that Millen is gone. I think Lions fans will be rewarded soon with a .500 season... let's not get crazy though.