Are the Lions really this bad?

I’m a sucker. Last year I thought the Detroit Lions would find a way to make the playoffs. When they crapped out last year, I figured I was just a year early with my prediction. With 4 top 10 picks on the offensive side of the ball they’d be sure to score points – plus somebody had to win the NFC Norris (still my favorite Berman-ism). Alas, I was wrong and they are once again “wallowing in their own crapulence.” Now it looks like Steve Mariucci will be the latest coach to end his head coaching career with a stop in Detroit.

Now I think that Mariucci has done a pretty poor job. The offense is pathetic, and Mooch has done his best to put the blame on Joey Harrington. Mariucci has continued to operate the same offense despite having players that are incapable of making it work. Instead of adapting to his players, we have been forced to watch a pathetic version of the west coast offense. Even his guy, Jeff Garcia looks awful (unless of course he was playing ’500′ with that pass in the second half). The fact that Jeff Garcia is his guy should be troublesome enough. And clock management at the end of games has been horrible throughout his tenure.

Now this team has endured it’s share of injuries, and despite picking a top 10 receiver each of the last 3 years Scottie Vines is the cream of the crop. Much of that is out of Mariucci’s control, but he’s done very little with what he has. The other guy who needs to go is Matt Millen. I actually think that Millen has improved since his first couple of years, but of Mariucci is going to be held accountable for the output on the field, Millen needs to be held accountable for not providing him with the talent.

Yesterday was ugly, and not just because the Lions were wearing the black jerseys. Time and time again I was becoming so frustrated at the collective ability of the team to make a play. Maybe it is my fault for expecting something, but this team has let me down at nearly every opportunity this season. The wins they’ve scratched out have been offset by despicable performances. I’ve reached my Lions limit this season – and that says alot since I’m a Tiger fan first.