Let me start my inaugural post off by saying, I’m glad to have finally found a forum that ventures deep into all things Lions. Similar to HFBoards/RedWings, I enjoy the in-depth discussions that cover management decisions, roster construction, scouting, salary cap dilemmas, etc. It’s even extremely difficult to have quality discussions about these topics on your run-of-the-mill social media groups.
All of that being said (and after reading through several threads), I couldn’t be more disappointed with seemingly 75+% of this group’s predictions/hopes for this upcoming FA period and draft. It seems many of you haven’t an ounce of an understanding of how to rebuild an organization. Maybe you should follow the Red Wings forums and take notes from Stevie Y.
First of all, those calling for QB Willis at No. 2, stop it. You’d just further destroy this franchise. I could spend a year’s worth of a dissertation as to why that’s a terrible idea, but I’ll keep it short. Simply put… many holes to fill. Early QB is a huge gamble. We aren’t ready to contend. He has very few weapons. Goff was more than serviceable the second half of the season. Let’s build this program from the inside out.
Secondly, and probably more importantly, please stop suggesting we reach out to highly touted UFA’s and pay them absurd amounts of money on long contracts. That is also a recipe for failure. What Holmes and co. did in year 1 should be the free agency blueprint for at least the next 1-2 years. Sign a bunch of prove it guys to cheap, short-term contracts, in hopes that a few pan out and improve the culture of the organization. Expensive, talented acquisitions are meant to be picked up by those teams ready to compete for a Super Bowl. More often than not, when rebuilding teams make those signings, they result in disappointment and/or dead cap space.
Lastly, and I’ll end it at this, be patient. A true rebuild takes time. Most rebuilds fail because GM’s and coaching staffs alike become overly optimistic too early in the process. They become victim to the “well,
if we could just fill this spot here and this spot there…” mentality. Holmes, DC, and co. initiated the first few stages of this rebuild to perfection. They germinated a winning culture, fortified the trenches, found useful talent for free/cheap, and stayed within their limits. They should continue to do so.
I look forward to reading much of what y’all have to say, but going forward, let’s work together in identifying the elements of a realistic rebuild, instead of trying to patch holes that, on the surface, seem like the one missing ingredient.
Cheers.
