Detroit Lions

Friday, 23 October 2009 - administrator

The Detroit Lions are an American professional football team located in Detroit, Michigan. They are a member of the National Football League (NFL) National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The Lions have won four National Football League (NFL) Championships (1935, 1952, 1953, 1957).

History

The Detroit Lions were first known as the Portsmouth Spartans, an independent professional football team from Ohio, when they began playing in 1929. The Spartans joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1930 and then moved to Detroit for the 1934 season. The Portsmouth Spartans are credited with playing the “iron man” game against the Green Bay Packers, in the Spartans played with only eleven players the whole game, making no substitutions.

The 1950’s were the greatest years for the Detroit Lions. With Hall of Fame quarterback Booby Lane leading the team, the Lions won the National Football League (NFL) championship in 1952, 1953, 1957. When Bobby Lane was traded in 1958, legend says that Bobby Lane commented the Lions would not win another championship for 50 years. This would grow to be known as, “The Curse of Bobby Lane.”
The Lions played a football game on Thanksgiving Day in their first season in Detroit, and have continued the tradition ever since.

Detroit Lions of the 80’s-90’s

In 1980, the Lions selected running back Billy Sims as the first pick of the draft. With his solid performance, the Lions reached the playoffs in 1982 and 1983.
In 1989, the Detroit Lions drafted running back Barry Sanders from Oklahoma State. In his rookie season, Sanders fell ten yards short of the National Football League (NFL) rushing title. Barry Sanders played to be one of the best running backs in National Football League (NFL) history. He went to the Pro bowl all ten years he played in the National Football League(NFL), was the 1989 Rookie of the Year, 1994 and 1997 Offensive player of the year, and the MVP in 1997. Despite being one of the greatest football players in National Football League (NFL) history, Barry Sanders abruptly retired from football in 1999. The Lions were a successful team in the 90’s. They reached the playoffs in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1999.

Detroit Lions of the 2000’s

Under the seven years of management of Matt Millen (hired in 2001), the Lions earned the worst record in the National Football League (NFL) (31-81). During this period the Lions never finished a season with a winning record. The Detroit Lions finished the 2008 winless (0-16) and became the first team in National Football League (NFL) history to lose 16 games in a single season. Team President Matt Millen and head coach Rod Marinelli were fired during and after the 2008 season.

2009 Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions went through dramatic personnel changes coming into the 2009 season. Starting at the coaching level, the Lions hired new head coach Jim Schwartz (Schwartz was formerly the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator), new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, and new defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Quarterback Jon Kitna was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive back Anthony Henry. Due to their (0-16) 2008 performance, the Lions were awarded the #1 pick in the 2009 National Football League Draft. They drafted Quarterback Matthew Stafford from Georgia and agreed on a contract worth $41.7 million guaranteed, and a potential total value of $78 million.

The Lions are working to build a chemistry between Stafford and their 2007 first round draft pick Charles Johnson from Georgia Tech. Johnson, at 6’5, 240 pounds, and a 4.35 forty yard dash, is one of the premier wide receivers in the National Football League (NFL). Stafford will also be working with fellow 2009 1st round draft pick Brandon Pettigrew, a tight end from Oklahoma State.
The Lions broke their 19 game losing streak on September 27, 2009, defeating the Washington Redskins 19-14. The Detroit Lions 2008-2009 19 game losing streak was the second longest in National Football League (NFL) history.

Detroit Lions 2009 Draft Picks

*Round 1 Matthew Stafford, Quarterback -Georgia
*Round 1 Brandon Pettigrew, Tight end -Oklahoma State
*Round 2 Louis Delmas, Safety -Western Michigan
*Round 3 DeAndre Levy, linebacker -Wisconsin
*Round 3 Derrick Williams, wide receiver -Penn State
*Round 4 Sammie Lee, defensive tackle -Stillman College
*Round 6 Aaron Brown, running back -TCU
*Round 7 Lydon Murtha, offensive tackle -Nebraska
*Round 7 Zack Follett, linebacker -California
*Round 7 Dan Gronkowski, tight end -Maryland

Hall Of Fame

•    Lem Barney
•    Lou Creekmur
•    Jack Christiansen
•    Dutch Clark
•    Bill Dudley
•    Frank Gatsky
•    John Henry Johnson
•    Dick “Night Train” Lane
•    Yale Lary
•    Bobby Lane
•    Barry Sanders
•    Charlie Sanders
•    Joe Schmidt
•    Doak Walker
•    Alex Wojciechowicz