Growing up in Flint, MI, I guess I was born into the futility of a Detroit Lions fan. I remember great players like Billy Sims, Dexter Bussey, Chris Spielman, Herman Moore, and Barry Sanders leaving everything they had on the field and instilling tremendous pride in me to be a Lions fan. Deep down inside I bleed Honolulu Blue and Silver. I have seen many great players come and go through the years, and even some very respectable coaches. In my opinion, the blame for futility belongs solely on poor ownership.

William Clay Ford, Sr. bought controlling interest of the Detroit Lions in 1964 for $4.5 million. At this time, that is a 44-year span with a horrid one playoff win. This stat should speak volumes in itself. Barry Sanders, who many consider to be the greatest running back of all time, promptly retired on the eve of training camp in 1999 due to "lack of desire" after seeing that the Lions were not going to invest in a winning team. Give me a break! "lack of desire." The man was only 1457 yards away from the rushing record at the time that was then held by Walter Payton. I've heard some say he retired because of his respect for Walter Payton, but I don't buy that for one second. He was tired of the lack of winning and the beating he was taking from the lack of an offensive line.

Having said all that, this is a great time to be a Lions fan. The recent firing of General Manager Matt Millen has rejuvenated the fans and the city. Right now, at the time this article is being typed, the Detroit Lions are 0-3 and coming out of their bye week. The 2-2 division leading Chicago Bears are up next at home and the players feel refreshed with something to prove. The season is not yet lost. After all, they are only three games into the season; anything is possible right? There is a lot of season left for hope. So let's hope Roy Williams will keep his mouth shut and play some football. Let's hope Calvin Johnson will hold on to the football. Let us hope that the O-line will hold their blocks and not hold the rusher for a change. Let's hope that the defense wakes up and realizes they get paid big bucks to play tackle football. And lastly, let us hope that the special teams unit can at least stop the opposition inside their own 30 yard line.

It is merely wishful thinking for William Clay Ford Sr. to sell the Detroit Lions, but he has at least given fans hope again by firing Matt Millen. That is a sound, if not overdue, start to turning things around. There are a lot of qualified candidates out there to fill the head job in the Lions front office. The decisions to be made by Mr. Ford, that he really needs to get right this time, will be the final niche in his legacy. Let's hope he becomes a legend, not a louse.

My keys to the Detroit Lions improving their game are:

Allow Rod Marinelli to stay as Head Coach for the remainder of the season.

If anyone else needs to be fired they are in the front office. Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew are both as deeply rooted to the problem as Matt Millen was.

Invest in an o-line

This has always been the problem with the Detroit Lions. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that. Could you imagine the shape the Lions would be in if Millen had invested in O-linemen instead of his divas?

Learn to tackle

For the love of God! This is the National Football League. Enough said about that.

And finally, get pro cheerleadersthis is the least WCF can do for the fans

There is always hope.

Learn more about this author, Jeffrey Moore.
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