October 6, 2008
Free Press columnist Drew Sharp answers three questions about the Lions.
Do the Lions need to dump Roy Williams ASAP?
Absolutely. He's of greater value to them as a 2009 draft pick that a new general manager and coach could find useful. They won't get a first-rounder for him. They blew that on draft day when Dallas reportedly offered a first-round draft pick for Williams, but Matt Millen balked. They might be lucky to get a third-round pick for him now because teams know the Lions must move him.
Williams isn't a malcontent. He's not as good as he thinks he is, but it's not his fault this organization sucked the competitive spirit out of him.
The Lions could've done that to Vince Lombardi.
When does Drew Stanton become the Lions' starting quarterback?
Circle Oct. 26, the next home game against Washington. It won't sell out unless fans believe there's a reasonable chance they'll see Stanton, who's coming off only his first week of regular-season practice in the NFL. He will gradually get more practice repetitions with the first unit, but it makes no sense rushing him, considering the next two games are at Minnesota and Houston. He'll need at least two weeks of steady practice. But the first step should be immediately demoting Jon Kitna to No. 3 quarterback. He's no longer of any value to this team, which obviously is rebuilding toward next season.
What happened to opening up the offense? Is that the best they can do?
They went with more no-huddle, didn't they? That's new. The problem is no talent.
They basically ignored Calvin Johnson, and when they did go to him, he dropped a couple of balls.
There's no life offensively, and it begins up front. The line didn't protect Kitna early, and the Lions couldn't generate a consistent running game. It doesn't matter if they go to four-wideout sets. Teams know they can comfortably drop seven defenders into coverage and get sufficient QB pressure from four down linemen.
It won't improve. It'll only worsen. Enjoy those final 12 games, folks.
