Restore the Roar v11.0 - a Lions retrospective

The NFL draft is nearly upon us. This is traditionally the best time of the year for your typical Lions fan. Hope springs eternal. For Lions fans the week before the draft is like the week before the Superbowl for fans of competitive NFL teams. The draft represents hope for the future, hope in the belief that someday, somehow the Lions will regularly participate in the playoffs and someday compete in a Superbowl. This is the time of the year that Lions fans like to reflect on the past. The Lions past is a lot like a patch of grass in a dog park, there are plenty of dead spots, and it’s littered with turds, but there are still a few green areas that have managed to survive.
My first memories of the Lions are of the 1980 draft and the selection of the original #20, Billy Sims, the heisman trophy winner from Oklahoma.

The 1980 Lions, led by head coach Monte Clark, ended up finishing 9-7, just out of the playoffs (they lost their last 4 – but were focusing on the green spots). QB Gary Danielson had one of his best seasons that year, and DB James “Spiderman” Allen will always be remembered for his Lions themed remake of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”.

The 1981 season is ingrained in my memory for the vaunted Silver Streak. The Streak represented the Lions undefeated record in their home stadium, the Silverdome. I recall sitting in the club level in the dome during the streak and watching Bubba Baker pile up sacks, Keith Dorney and Dexter Bussey blow open holes for Billy, and Danielson efficiently directing the Lions offense. The final game of the 1981 season found the Lions, at home, facing the Bucs for the central division title and a playoff berth. A record crowd filled the dome that day, to hopefully keep the Silver Streak alive, but the fans only tasted disappointment as the Lions fell 17-20 to end the Silver Streak and crush their playoff hopes, but again, green spots.

The remainder of Monte Clark’s tenure as coach was pretty bleak. In 1985 the Lions hired hot shot coach Darryl Rogers, and he promptly put the team in the toilet. Although Darryl stunk as a coach, the Lions used the draft to stockpile some young talent during these dark days that would form the foundation for a future resurgence. Players like Mel Gray, Chris Spielman, Bennie Blades, Lomas Brown, the original KG – Kevin Glover, Jerry Ball, and the ubiquitous Mike Cofer. In 1989 the Lions made their greatest draft pick ever, #20 in your programs, #1 in your hearts, the heisman trophy winner from Oklahoma State…..BARRY SANDERS!

Barry was the best tailback that ever strapped up a chin strap in the NFL, and there will never be another like him. He carried the Lions throughout his entire career, he always performed, regardless of the talent, or lack there of, of his teammates. Barry’s arrival coincided with the arrival of head coach Wayne Fontes. Wayne was the best Lions coach I’ve ever seen, which is like being the tallest midget; at the very least he was always entertaining. From 1991 through 1995 Wayne led the Lions to a 46-27 record, including their only home playoff win in the history of the Silverdome.

1991 was a great year for Lions fans. The Lions finished 12-4, ultimately losing in their only NFC championship appearance in my lifetime. The vastly underrated Erik Kramer directed the offense, with a lot of help from Barry, of course. The big dark spot of the season was the injury to young Lions guard Mike Utley. Utley was paralyzed after falling awkwardly onto the unforgiving Silverdome turf. Utley’s tenacity and fighting spirit (to this day – check out Mike’s foundation), especially with his “thumbs up” signal as he was taken of the field following his injury, energized the team during the final stanza of the season. The always raucous Silverdome crowd would chant “Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up! Hey, Hey, Thumbs Up!” during high points in the game.

The highlight of the ‘91 season, and frankly the Lions highlight of the last 48 seasons, was the Lions home playoff game v. the Dallas Cowboys. The game was billed as the battle for the future of the NFC. Both teams featured young playmakers and were coming off resurgent seasons. My brother and I skipped school to wait outside for tickets to the game. We managed to score some tix in the club level behind Detroit radio legend JP McCarthy. The game was AWESOME! The Lions dominated the Cowboys and ended up winning 38-6. Barry had a textbook Barry Sander’s 47 yard touchdown scramble in the 4th quarter to put the icing on the cake. From our vantage point it seemed like Barry was engulfed by a pile of Dallas defenders on the left sideline, only to scoot out of the pile, juke to the middle of the field and run unmolested to pay dirt. Of course, Dallas went on to win many superbowls and the Lions haven’t won a playoff game since, green spots… green spots.

The next few years the Lions developed the Great Lakes offense that combined Barry’s running with a passing attack led by QB Scott Mitchell and WR’s Herman Moore and Brett Perriman. The Lions offensive coordinator at the time was Tom Moore, the current coordinator and designer of the Peyton Manning led Colts offense. The Lions put up some great offensive numbers during this period, but only suffered ignominy during their playoff appearances.

Not much good has happened to the Lions since the Great Lakes Offense was dismantled. The few bright spots were supplied by Barry’s heroics as he finished out his career. His 2051 yard season in 1997 stands out in particular. Wayne Fontes gave way to Bobby Ross and Barry, wisely, retired. Ross slowly dismantled the roster until it was virtually devoid of talent. Ross even sullied the draft for Lions fans during his tenure with the first round selections of tackles Aaron Gibson and Stockar McDougle. Lions fans thought the back to back busted selections of players at the same position was as bad as it got, until Matt Millen and Marty Mornhinweig rolled into town. Marty’s record as head coach was notable for its filthiness, 5-27 over 2 years. Marty gave way to Steve Mariucci, who promptly went 16-32 and made consecutive first round selections of QB Joey Harrington, WR Charles Rogers, WR Roy Williams, and WR Mike Williams, ouch.

Now, as Lions fans, we find ourselves hoping again, hoping for a fresh green spot on the lawn. Will it be DB Michael Huff from Texas? If it is, hopefully he will perform better than the other DB’s from his university historically have, notably Lions busted first round pick Bryant Westbrook. No one knows for sure. The draft is always unpredictable. For Lions fans the draft is Christmas in April. Will we get a gift this year, or will we get coal? We’ll find out this Saturday.