Five Reasons Why the Detroit Lions are in Better Shape than the Washington NFL Franchise
The summer has been relatively quiet for the Washington pro football franchise. Their annual big free agent splash? While overpaid, he isn’t three years past his prime, so its a push.
Their annual mediocrity in drafting? They got Brian Orakpo and few other dudes. Not so good, but not so bad, either.
Those are the things we’ve come to expect in Washington, and that’s okay. It makes the failure that much sweeter for detractors, and that much more painful for supporters. What hasn’t been discussed though, is how much better the position is for the Detroit Lions than Washington’s team. Their certainties are legit, their bar is low, and their spirits are high.
Here’s five reasons why Washington fans should look away from the beacon of light that is the Motor City.
5. The threshold of expectations. – If the Lions come close to five or six wins in the NFC, they’ve come along way. Washington has to do better than eight wins, and likely have to get 10 or 11 for a decent playoff berth.
Eight wins is a dog of a threshold for this team. They can’t match it, because there are no excuses for a team that started 6-2 last season and couldn’t finish the deal. The best Washington can do without rumblings of firing Jim Zorn is 10-6, and in the talent-laden NFC East, five divisional wins will be a tough go.
4. Happy People. – Matthew Stafford is happy to be in Detroit. Daunte Culpepper will be more than happy to hand over the huddle to him at any point. New execs, new coaches, everybody is happy to be in Detroit, which in itself, is a victory.
Here in Washington, it’s all about hate, hate, hate. Jason Campbell hates Daniel Snyder. Clinton Portis hates Jim Zorn. Fans hate Daniel Snyder. There isn’t enough incense in the world to soothe the ill spirits surrounding FedEx, and those spirits are going to work some wicked voodoo this season.
3. The Hunger for More. – Detroit is going to be crazy hungry to let the world know that they are better than an NCAA Division I football team. Washington, on the other hand, is a city ready-made for athletes and fans to forget. Quickly. Should the franchise be well under expectations in late October, one too many bars, too much political news, and Gilbert Arenas chatter in early November will be enough to take fans out of accountability mode.
2. The Washington Post Lives. - While many newspapers are dying around the country, the Washington Post is surviving, and in some cases, thriving. To that end, the Washington pro football franchise will get no breaks from the biased and jaded WaPo media. Do we enjoy their slanted views on the team? Absolutely, but it’s wrong just the same.
*Miss you, LaCanfora.*
1. Tailgating is welcomed at Ford Field. – Detroit fans have a website dedicated to tailgating fun and excitement. Washington fans have an online petition.
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