No Bob Quinn, don’t do that to me. I don’t like hope. Hope doesn’t float with Lions fans.
Okay, I’ll be optimistic for a second.
On the first day of NFL free agency this past Thursday, Detroit Lions General Manager Bob Quinn showed some Patriot wheeling and dealing skill to revamp the organization quicker than many thought. Going in to the offseason, many Lions fans knew quarterback Matthew Stafford was due for contract extension, and a very pricey one (probably the most expensive QB contract in the league). Whenever a player is due a large amount of money, GM’s typically put the offseason on cruise control to restrain any more spending.
However, Bob Quinn was not fazed by this situation.
Early last week, the Lions locked up the best right tackle in free agency by agreeing to terms with Ricky Wagner from Baltimore. Wagner was highly coveted by many other teams and will be a great addition to the offensive line to protect Stafford. While the Lions typically have a bad reputation as an organization, along with Detroit being a less-than-stellar free agent destination in any sport, the Wagner signing surprised us all.
Not long afterward, the Lions cut ties with longtime linebacker DeAndre Levy. This was controversial considering Levy was under contract until 2019 and was due a hefty sum of money each year until then.
To make sense of it, Quinn was less likely trying to save money than to remove a lackluster player from an underperforming defense. It was bold to start with the veteran Levy, but it was the right move. Many Lions GM moves in the past have lacked the backbone to make such decisions, which has gotten them in trouble time and time again.
Next, Quinn signed defensive linemen Cornelius Washington and Akeem Spence to add more depth in the trenches. With defensive end Ziggy Ansah and tackle Kerry Hyder shouldering much of the load, the two additions will be key to the Lions’ ability to rush the passer and stop the run. Not to mention, tackle Haloti Ngata will be under much more pressure to perform during his contract year.
To top off all of those moves, the Lions bagged Pro Bowl right guard T.J. Lang from the Packers on Sunday, signing him to a three year deal. Adding Lang solidifies a potential top five offensive line to give Stafford all the protection in the world and boost an infamously-egregious running game. Along with standout rookie left tackle Taylor Decker, signee Ricky Wagner at right tackle, and a healthy Travis Swanson at center, Lang gives the Lions one of the best offensive lines they have ever had.
As us Detroit fans look around, we have to pinch ourselves.
The Tigers return an old, expensive, and underperforming roster; the Red Wings playoff hopes are quickly sinking for the first time in 26 years; and the Pistons, considering their point guard controversy and consistent mediocrity, are set up for another first-round playoff shellacking.
Our gosh-darn Lions currently look like the team with the brightest future in our city. That is definitely the first time I have been able to say that in my life, although, has any Detroit fan ever been able to say that? Nevertheless, Quinn is showing us exactly why he may be the man to finally right the ship in Detroit.
