The boo-birds are out early this year

[stomperrob]

Around the web: NFL analysts skeptical about Lions' chances this season
1:53 PM, July 25, 2012
Posted by Brian Manzullo
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer


Dear Detroit Lions players: If by some odd chance you're reading this, we've got some extra motivation for you to take into this coming season:

With training camp just days away and the NFL season just weeks away, NFL analysts around the country don't seem to like the Lions' chances of repeating their success in 2011.

It seems that mainly has to do with: 1) The seven off-season incidents in the past seven months, capped by the release of cornerback Aaron Berry for his second arrest, and 2) The overall improvement of the NFC, including the division-rival Bears.

Either way, the aura of skepticism surrounding the team this off-season has experts thinking the Lions will take another step back after a 10-6 season before they can continue moving forward.

One anonymous Lions player even told CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman a few days ago after the rash of off-field incidents: "We're becoming the laughing stock of not only the NFL but all of sports."

So if the Lions are looking for good bulletin-board material, these links should help get them started. Here's a sampling of Lions mentions from around the web:

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more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120725/S ... nd-the-web

[moochman]

The behavior this off season coupled with last years stomping, hand shaking sillyness could show a fundamental lack of discipline teams that aren't quite ready for the pressures of winning often demonstrate. That is a pretty red flag. Who will carry the football? Injuries are another red flag on their run game. Cutting one of their starting players in their thinnest position, despite it being necessary, is another red flag. It is not unreasonable to think that the Lions will struggle this season. Not a Millen-esque struggle to not get embarrassed every gameday, but a disappointing sub 500 record could happen.
At least we've turned a very imporatant corner. Now analysts are skeptical of your chances of winning this season instead of in our recent past when they had little doubt we were going to suck.
Going to be a very interesting season. Can hardly wait to see how the Schwartz handles this team.