Detroit Lions fans are used to losing. They're also accustomed to starting a new season with hope, particularly with a new administration.
But Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom isn't getting too excited, despite the hiring of a new coach and general manager. He writes:
Underwhelming. That’s not an insult. It’s an impression. Brad Holmes, the new general manager, seems a likable guy with a lot of enthusiasm. Dan Campbell, the new head coach, once a tight end for three seasons here, seems a tough, dedicated guy, also with a lot of enthusiasm. I’m told he’s a Metallica fan, for what that’s worth.
But when you hire men who are down the depth chart on their current teams, men who have never done the job you’re hiring them to do on a permanent basis, men who few other teams in the NFL were courting, you can’t expect fans to jump up and down.
Simply put, this is another leap of faith for an organization that, frankly, lost its pulpit a long time ago. Lions fans have watched the Ford family shift like frogs on lily pads from “players coach” (Wayne Fontes) to “disciplinarian” (Jim Schwartz) to “experienced head coach” (Steve Mariucci) to “old veteran” (Jim Caldwell) to “young up and comer” (Matt Patricia).
