Detroit might be known for many things, cars and Motown among them, but not for good football. The have lacked the "Pride" they need to be one of the NFL's top teams for quite some time. To be honest, when I think about the Lions the only player that comes to mind is Barry Sanders. Sanders led the team into a few wildcard playoff games in the 90's, but before that you would have to travel back to their glory days in the 50's when they won three championship titles.

Detroit is in serious need of regaining the "Pride" again and giving the city something to be proud of. They need someone who has the strength, ability, and character, to rally behind and to distinguish them as a force in the "wild" of the NFL. I believe that such a player exists and lies within their grasp.

First we have to take a look at the state of the "Pride." Perhaps the one bright spot that Detroit has going for them now is WR Roy Williams. Williams is a definite impact player and has already begun to feed the "hunger" of the team and the city, but Williams cannot carry this burden alone. Lions QB Jon Kitna, who still has some prowling days left in him, does not have the ability or leadership that the Lions need to regain the "Pride". The franchise has acquired some solid acquisitions this off-season in RB Tatum Bell, OT George Foster, and DE Dewayne White. These additions have not only helped fill some much needed holes in the Lion's roster, but they also have opened the door for the management to go after the player that I think will satiate the "Pride's" hunger as they head into the 2007 season.

The Lions are going into the draft with the #2 pick. The Raiders are first on the clock and I believe they will, or should, take LSU QB JaMarcus Russell with their pick. Then the Lions have the opportunity to grab one of the few elite players in this year's draft, Georgia Tech's WR Calvin Johnson. Johnson may be that player to help bring the "Pride" back to the team and the city.

Calvin Johnson has a rare combination of size, speed, strength, leaping ability, body control and hand eye coordination that could make him one of the few wide receivers to make a huge impact in his rookie season and well beyond. More importantly, Johnson is known as a humble and well-behaved man, and is the kind of individual that when combined with Roy Williams, will provide Detroit with a very formidable receiving tandem. If Detroit makes this pick, I believe they will move one step closer to regaining their "Pride" and becoming one of the major predators in the NFL.

Learn more about this author, Vincent Clubb.
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