Cautiously Optimistic

The 2006 NFL Pre-Season is over for the Detroit Lions. Four games; just one win. Final cuts come tomorrow, then the Lions have eight days to prepare for the regular season opener on September 10 against the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field.

Fully understanding that the purpose of the pre-season is talent evaluation, I am cautiously optimistic that the season can turn out better than the 1-4 exhibition schedule record. There have been a few surprises offensively. Second year quarterback Dan Orlovsky has performed well enough to be in tight battle with veteran Josh McCown to backup starter Jon Kitna. Pro Bowl punt returner Eddie Drummond was given a chance to show what he can do as a receiver and he showed a lot. Veteran receiver and former Jackson State University standout Corey Bradford was impressive. On the defensive side of the ball, rookie Ernie Sims appears to be the real deal coming out of Florida State. And, it's somewhat impressive that the defense gave up no more than 20 points in any of the four games played.

My true disappointment is not in the 1-4 record- it is just pre-season, after all- it's in the fact that previous first round draft picks Charles Rodgers and Mike Williams showed me little to nothing. Rodgers came off an injury to play in last night's 13-20 loss to Buffalo and recorded just one catch for three yards. Mike Williams either didn't play or didn't catch a ball. (I have not seen the game yet, I've only read the stat sheet.) Why, over the course of the pre-season, did I not see Scottie Vines on a stat sheet with receptions? Vines, who started last season on the practice squad, ended the season as one of the most reliable pair of hands the Lions had.

The coaching staff really has a tough job to do by tomorrow. How do you decide to possibly cut a Corey Bradford or a Scottie Vines in favor of keeping a Charles Rodgers at this point? (And, how did we let David Kircus get away? He's another practice squader from last year who now plays for the Denver Broncos and he has had a huge pre-season.)

As for the point production, or lack of it so far, I'm hopeful that offensive coordinator Mike Martz wasn't showing everything and that he's saving all the good stuff for the real season, the one that counts. Detroit fans have been extremely patient with and loyal to the Lions over the years. If the team can't get to at least 8-8 this year and Matt Millen keeps his job, we'll have all the understanding we need about why the Ford Motor Company is in so much trouble-- Like father, like son.

Oh, Good Evening!