By Drew Stanton

January 13, 2009

Over the course of the next couple weeks or so I will be reviewing and summarizing some of the topics as they pertained to my life this past fall as a part of the Detroit Lions.

Also, continue to look for entries throughout the remainder of the off-season as I will be writing throughout everything that transpires.

The first subject that needs to be brought up again is obviously how we made history.  Everywhere you turned and looked during December, heck, even most of November, all you heard about the Detroit Lions was that they were going to be the first 0-16 team ever.  Sure, as a player you hear things courtesy of the media, but you never believe that you will be a part of it.  I mean, to go four months without a single victory...no way!

There was never really a point where you saw the locker room break apart or guys stop trying.  So you would think you get lucky and win at least one game if everyone is still on board.  And if that happens, no one remembers 1-15. But as we all stood in that locker room at Lambeau, I think the majority of people just had reality punch them in the face.

Though in our minds it is not true (and I still firmly believe) that we were not even the worst football team this year.  But at that moment, to the general public, we are now considered the worst football team EVER!  Hell, maybe even the worst team of any sport ever. We all have to live with that for the rest of our lives.  It is truly disappointing, because if you look back we were in position to win at least four or five games.  I know, I know, it didn’t happen, but we are not as bad of a team as everyone thinks.  I can continue to say it, but until we go out and prove it, these are just hollow words. 

But whoever comes in has a core group of guys to continue to build around.  I won't consider myself in that group, yet, because I haven’t had a chance.  Just start with offense and work your way across the ball. 

Gosder got a lot better and more comfortable as the season progressed, Kevin Smith proved he is going to be a great back in this league and Calvin is as good as it gets, enough said. 

Defensively, I think Cliff Avril is going to be a monster of a defensive end, and Ernie’s athletic ability is ridiculous.  Daniel Bullocks is a helluva safety that will come up and smack someone in the mouth. 

These are the guys that we will build around, and for the “worst team ever” it should be a good starting point.  I look forward to the challenge that is ahead and cannot wait to get started. 

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Drew Stanton is a quarterback with the Detroit Lions. His blog for playerpress.com runs at www.drewstanton.com.