I would throw in the Eagles as an organization very similar to how the Lions are being run. They draft well and extend early. I can see the Lions and Eagles knocking heads the next 5-6 years for sure.
A lot of obvious contrasts today between Detroit (which extended their starting QB, All-Pro WR, and emerging star at DE) and Dallas (which extended their QB and WR, and presumably as a result was not in position to extend their DPOY DE).
What I don’t understand is: how are the Lions able to make this work, where the Cowboys did not?
I know Lions have “handled their business” much more effectively than Dallas (extending before of the last year of their incumbent contracts to get ahead of the market and not alienate their talent). And presumably finding starters via draft who are making meaningful contributions while on their rookie deals has benefit. Detroit more than Dallas. But I still don’t fully understand how the Lions are making it work when Dallas could (or would) not.
This is an incredibly long comment that perhaps is better consolidated by a lot and saved for a mailbag, but If be curious to hear thoughts from any amateur GM’s out there 😂
I'll give it a shot. This is the difference between Sheila Hamp and Jerry Jones. One operates out of respect, the other does not. Jones alienates players with his ego-driven inflammatory media circus, which makes it much more difficult to negotiate. Guys don't want to stay there, so it takes the most absurd figures to retain them -- and sometimes, like with Micah, they can't be kept at all. Jones thinks any success is due to him.
It’s fun to have a good team to cheer for. I’ve been a fan for 60 years. I’ve gone to more games, bought more jerseys, watched more games from beginning to end in the Campbell / Holmes era than all previous years.
Let’s keep it rolling. God willing, getting to and winning Super Bowl will be a huge cherry on this thick icing cake.
In any given year, injuries or bad luck can stop even the best roster from winning or even getting to the Super Bowl. The Lions are trying to building sustainable Super Bowl caliber rosters, and I believe they've already succeeded in that for at least last year if not the last two years. The more seasons you enter with a roster capable of winning it all, the better chance you have of getting one or more than one Super Bowl wins. I really like that Brad Holmes doesn't panic about the latest need du jour, whether that be edge, cornerback, OT or IOL.
By contrast, if the Packers don't win it this year, they're going to start feeling the effects of not having first round draft picks, and all the things they can't do salary cap wise because of the Micah Parsons contract. That said, I think their window is open for quite a while. and Jordan Love is looking like a QB who can take them to the promised land.
Why are you talking positively about the Packers here? It’s not that you are wrong but I just don’t go to the DFN to hear about the Packers Super Bowl window… right?
I was simply comparing the different approach Green Bay took to what the Lions are doing. I'm not sure yet about the Vikings or the Bears, but the Packers are going to be the Lions' toughest NFC North rival for years to come.
At the risk of mansplaining, I think he is pointing out that Green Bay is likely our greatest competitor in our division and possibly our conference while also showing some respect and admiration for their team.
That being said, I think the Lions’ foundation is much more sound than GB and I don’t think that they are truly our rivals at this time. I hate Green Bay and wish them many years of aimless wandering in the forest of despair.
I don't agree with you, Gary, but I understand. There are a lot of fans who judge success through the prism of a Super Bowl trophy.
For me though, no matter what the Football Gods have in store for this team, it's gonna be a fun ride with Dan 'splainin' things to me, Brad baffling everyone while getting it right, and Justin shining light into the crevices of the seasons. Who's Got It Better Than Us????
Absolutely. This is a whole different….awesome…level of fandom. The days of my kid dressing up as a Lions fan for Halloween with a bag over his head are long gone!
It's not binary. You can't genuinely believe the emotions from the playoff wins in 2023 are equal to 3-13 under Patricia. It can end up being disappointing, but to say the joy you've experienced these past couple of years and what's to come is rendered meaningless in hindsight. That's disingenuous to the experience.
Yeah, the doomsday scenario, if you want to call it that, is mirroring what the Tigers did with their run at the top. A lot of success, no rings. It's certainly better than the alternative, but it will unquestionably feel a little hollow if this team doesn't get the job done in the next few years.
The difference IMHO is that Holmes > Dombrosky. But much of that comes down to ownership. Illitch had the impatience of an old man aware of his own mortality. Of course, even when he was a decade or two younger, he had no qualms trading away top Red Wing prospects for rentals.
Ford-Hamp is built differently. Holmes is a reflection of her patience and understanding that the key to success is in the first and second contracts following top players' rookie contracts.
So far it looks like Illitch's son(s?) has more of Ford Hamp's patience. We'll see if he has the acumen that views re-signing Skubal a critical requirement.
FWIW I'd be leary about a top dollar 10 year contract forSkub. Very difficult to project future revenue prospects in baseball with shrinking tv dollars
I would throw in the Eagles as an organization very similar to how the Lions are being run. They draft well and extend early. I can see the Lions and Eagles knocking heads the next 5-6 years for sure.
After a lifetime of inept management by the Lions it's hard to get used to elite decisions like this but I love it.
A lot of obvious contrasts today between Detroit (which extended their starting QB, All-Pro WR, and emerging star at DE) and Dallas (which extended their QB and WR, and presumably as a result was not in position to extend their DPOY DE).
What I don’t understand is: how are the Lions able to make this work, where the Cowboys did not?
I know Lions have “handled their business” much more effectively than Dallas (extending before of the last year of their incumbent contracts to get ahead of the market and not alienate their talent). And presumably finding starters via draft who are making meaningful contributions while on their rookie deals has benefit. Detroit more than Dallas. But I still don’t fully understand how the Lions are making it work when Dallas could (or would) not.
This is an incredibly long comment that perhaps is better consolidated by a lot and saved for a mailbag, but If be curious to hear thoughts from any amateur GM’s out there 😂
I'll give it a shot. This is the difference between Sheila Hamp and Jerry Jones. One operates out of respect, the other does not. Jones alienates players with his ego-driven inflammatory media circus, which makes it much more difficult to negotiate. Guys don't want to stay there, so it takes the most absurd figures to retain them -- and sometimes, like with Micah, they can't be kept at all. Jones thinks any success is due to him.
It’s fun to have a good team to cheer for. I’ve been a fan for 60 years. I’ve gone to more games, bought more jerseys, watched more games from beginning to end in the Campbell / Holmes era than all previous years.
Let’s keep it rolling. God willing, getting to and winning Super Bowl will be a huge cherry on this thick icing cake.
There are case studies to learn from. You’ve laid that out nicely here. It’s exciting to think about what the Lions will be prospectively.
In any given year, injuries or bad luck can stop even the best roster from winning or even getting to the Super Bowl. The Lions are trying to building sustainable Super Bowl caliber rosters, and I believe they've already succeeded in that for at least last year if not the last two years. The more seasons you enter with a roster capable of winning it all, the better chance you have of getting one or more than one Super Bowl wins. I really like that Brad Holmes doesn't panic about the latest need du jour, whether that be edge, cornerback, OT or IOL.
By contrast, if the Packers don't win it this year, they're going to start feeling the effects of not having first round draft picks, and all the things they can't do salary cap wise because of the Micah Parsons contract. That said, I think their window is open for quite a while. and Jordan Love is looking like a QB who can take them to the promised land.
Why are you talking positively about the Packers here? It’s not that you are wrong but I just don’t go to the DFN to hear about the Packers Super Bowl window… right?
FTP
I was simply comparing the different approach Green Bay took to what the Lions are doing. I'm not sure yet about the Vikings or the Bears, but the Packers are going to be the Lions' toughest NFC North rival for years to come.
At the risk of mansplaining, I think he is pointing out that Green Bay is likely our greatest competitor in our division and possibly our conference while also showing some respect and admiration for their team.
That being said, I think the Lions’ foundation is much more sound than GB and I don’t think that they are truly our rivals at this time. I hate Green Bay and wish them many years of aimless wandering in the forest of despair.
It’s only golden if it wins super bowls, this sets them up to do just that but failure to do so will render this period as meaningless as the past.
I don't agree with you, Gary, but I understand. There are a lot of fans who judge success through the prism of a Super Bowl trophy.
For me though, no matter what the Football Gods have in store for this team, it's gonna be a fun ride with Dan 'splainin' things to me, Brad baffling everyone while getting it right, and Justin shining light into the crevices of the seasons. Who's Got It Better Than Us????
Noooobodddddyyyyyy!!!!
Ridiculous. I've followed this team for 60 years and as much as I'd love to see a Super Bowl win, the lack of one won't invalidate this era.
Absolutely. This is a whole different….awesome…level of fandom. The days of my kid dressing up as a Lions fan for Halloween with a bag over his head are long gone!
It's not binary. You can't genuinely believe the emotions from the playoff wins in 2023 are equal to 3-13 under Patricia. It can end up being disappointing, but to say the joy you've experienced these past couple of years and what's to come is rendered meaningless in hindsight. That's disingenuous to the experience.
You got me feeling some type of way with this one 😂 so happy to have Hutch extended. Let's make this window count
Yeah, the doomsday scenario, if you want to call it that, is mirroring what the Tigers did with their run at the top. A lot of success, no rings. It's certainly better than the alternative, but it will unquestionably feel a little hollow if this team doesn't get the job done in the next few years.
The difference IMHO is that Holmes > Dombrosky. But much of that comes down to ownership. Illitch had the impatience of an old man aware of his own mortality. Of course, even when he was a decade or two younger, he had no qualms trading away top Red Wing prospects for rentals.
Ford-Hamp is built differently. Holmes is a reflection of her patience and understanding that the key to success is in the first and second contracts following top players' rookie contracts.
So far it looks like Illitch's son(s?) has more of Ford Hamp's patience. We'll see if he has the acumen that views re-signing Skubal a critical requirement.
FWIW I'd be leary about a top dollar 10 year contract forSkub. Very difficult to project future revenue prospects in baseball with shrinking tv dollars