There was nothing but gloom for the Lions as the 2013 season lurched to an unhappy ending all too familiar to followers of the team.
Things seem to be looking up this season, though. Quarterback Matthew Stafford calls the team as talented as any in the league on paper and coach Jim Caldwell referenced his history with champs in Indianapolis and Baltimore while saying he thought this team had the foundation of a Super Bowl winner. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson shares that optimism, saying that he believes “this is our best chance” to win a championship.
“I honestly believe that,” Johnson said, via the Detroit Free Press. “And you’ve got to buy in. You’ve got to buy into the coaches’ philosophy, and we have. I believe that everybody is doing exactly what the coaches want us to do, and if we’re not, if something is not like he wants it, he’s going to tell us and we’re going to get better at it and he only has to tell us one time.”
The Lions have made it to the playoffs once since Johnson joined the team and compiled a 36-76 record overall with the wide receiver on the roster, so it is tempting to say that his belief about championship chances is an overshoot. It might be, but it would still be a step in the right direction for Detroit if they put together their best team since adding Johnson.