Poor start means many Lions fans feeling pessimistic

David Brandenburg, Staff Writer

The Detroit Lions football season is five games in and the Lions have tried to improve upon their 7-9 record from last season. The team finished 6-2 after new offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, took over the role midway through the 2015 season. So after a successful second half, one could only wonder what the Lions could do with Jim Bob Cooter as offensive coordinator for a full season.

Lions fan Henry Combs doesn’t think the offense will be as good. “Jim Bob Cooter sucks and they will suck this year because Calvin Johnson is gone,” Combs said. One can see, Combs thinks Cooter’s success last year was a fluke. After 5 games, it’s hard to argue that. The Lions started 2-3 with bad losses to Tennessee and Chicago.

The team also has a new General Manager, Bob Quinn, who came from the New England Patriots. The team fired Martin Mayhew, who has been the Lions GM since 2001.

How do the Lions look to improve in 2016? Quinn made many great signings this past offseason to replace future hall-of-famer

Look to turn season around
Detroit Lions Look to turn season around

 Calvin Johnson, who retired after last season. Quinn knew he had to find a way to fill the void of Johnson, who was the focal point of the Lions offense for many years. To fill the big hole in the offense, Quinn went out and stole Marvin Jones in free agency from the Cincinnati Bengals, who was overshadowed by star wideout AJ Green for most of his young career but showed great talent.

Lions fan Alex Allen disagrees with Combs by saying,”the offense will be okay as long as Marvin Jones can fill a big role in the offense from the Bengals”.

Local Detroit Lions fan Noah Poser talks about Lions QB Matthew Stafford and Jim Bob Cooter, “ I think Stafford has built chemistry with the other wide receivers and Cooter and looks very comfortable in this less risky offense.” But the offense will depend on the improvement and success of the O-line.

”Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell says,” We’re bigger, we’re stronger upfront”, according to Profootballfocus.com.

 

As for the Lions defense, which supposed to be decent at being projected a 13th ranked defense, they are now ranked 25th overall. Due to the latest injuries of star players in Ezekiel Ansah (14.5 sacks last year) Also, linebacker Deandre Levy, who was second in the NFL with 151 tackles in 2014, but injured most of the 2015 season is also down with a hip injury suffered on opening day. They look to young players like defensive end Devin Taylor to step up to fill the role.

 

Five games in and the Lions are 2-3. They are not looking good after losing star defensive players. With Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Theo Riddick filling in nicely for the team, Jim Bob Cooter’s offense can’t keep up with the Lions defensive woes to start the the season. So far, the Lions have gotten off to great starts then blown the lead in the 4th quarter on three separate occasions.

The Lions have two home games upcoming against the Rams and the Redskins. It is important that young players step up and make important plays until they get some of their stars back and try to find a way to get into the playoff chase and make the playoffs.