... had this much to look forward to. With a bevy of young players ready to make an impact, some cagy veterans looking to prove themselves again, and some continuity in the coaching staff (with guys who seem to know what they're doing, no less!), optimism is back in Motown. Okay, realistically, optimism never left. After all, Kevin Smith himself predicted that the Lions would make the playoffs in 2009, even though the team hadn't won a single game in a year and a half. Now, it seems justified. The Lions appear to have hit on more draft picks in 2009 than they did in 2001-2008 combined. Some exceptionally shrewd moves by the front office have put them several steps closer to contention and respectability. All while simultaneously distancing th...

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