Lions 2007 Preview: 10 Wins or Bust

To get you ready for the season, FanHouse is previewing all 32 NFL teams. Here's Detroit's outlook.

2006 record: 3-13

2006 Offense: People tend to hold the misconception that Detroit's offense last year was good despite their poor record, based on the presence of Mike Martz and Jon Kitna's 4,208-yard, 21-touchdown year. What those people are overlooking are Kitna's 22 interceptions and the Lions' dead-last run game, which averaged only 70.6 yards per contest. For some perspective, 21 individual backs averaged more. Including Edgerrin James. Who ran for the Arizona Cardinals. Embarassing? You bet.

2006 Defense: This is a unit that ranked near the bottom five in just about every major defensive category last year. Linebacker Ernie Sims and safety Daniel Bullocks both showed promise, but the star of the defense, Shaun Rogers, was underwhelming. The Lions have some new blood that, on paper, should improve the unit, but that's not exactly a task, either.

2006 Special Teams: Eddie Drummond (no, you're not getting the Bermanism) had a solid, unspectacular season as the Lions' main returner, and kicker Jason Hanson is a keeper (the Lions relied on a lot of field goals, and Hanson had the third-most in the league). Still, the Lions special teams was middle of the road, at best. Noticing a theme? I should have just heeded that old "If you can't say anything nice ... " saying and saved myself the last 20 minutes.

Coaching: Ahh, finally some positives. Despite the abysmal 2006 season, it's not inconceivable to believe the hype coming out of training camp about the Lions being a playoff team. That might be stretching it, but the Lions should be much better this year, and it's because of Rod Marinelli and Martz. A good coach can get a lot of mileage out of a patchwork roster, and Marinelli has his team's respect. Meanwhile, Martz's offense has some playmakers and should gel in Year 2.

Draft: Despite popular opinion, Calvin Johnson is not God. He'll get his catches, but, at least in the beginning of the season, Johnson will be more special threat than everydown player. The Lions like Drew Stanton so much they told him to take the year off and stay away from the team. Meanwhile, it'll be the lesser-known picks that make the most impact down the road. Guard Manny Ramirez, defensive back Gerald Alexander, and especially hybrid pass rusher Ikaika Alama-Francis look, at least early, like they could be legitimate players.

New additions: The Lions added two running backs to team with Kevin Jones, hoping to improve the anemic unit, but Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett aren't exactly what you'd call "great." Tackle George Foster and guard Edwin Mulitalo help on the offensive line. Ex-Buc Dewayne White is an emerging end and improvement over the departed James Hall, but it's return-to-form performances from the returning starters at defensive tackle, the newly-svelte Cory Redding and Rogers, that will make the most impact.

Three keys:
1. Will somebody, anybody, run the ball? Between the three backs, the yards should add up.
2. Which Shaun Rogers shows up? Keep him away from guns and strippers, and I'm pretty sure Marinelli coaches a bounce-back year from the tackle.
3. If the Lions begin to win, how will Matt Millen sabotage them? It's got to happen somehow, right? Do I get a prize, by the way, for going this long without mentioning Millen?

Prediction: I think this team has some chemistry, enough talent, and the right coach. That's going to be good enough to get them to 7-9. I don't care that you're laughing at me.

Gratuitous YouTube: Yeah. Pretty much sums it up.