Instead of just winging it with my usual genius for such things, yours truly had to actually do some work and look up a bunch of stuff for the following. I hate it when that happens. But now that I've put in the time -- might as well commit the crime. Onward.
Let's look at three NFL teams which all play in the NFC. The Seattle Seahawks, San Fran 49ers, and Detroit Lions.
Out in Seattle, head coach Pete Carroll has been there for 3 years.
2010. A 7-9 record.
2011. Another 7-9 record.
2012. An 11-5 record.
Three year total -- 25-23.
The Seahawks would defeat the Washington Redskins by 10 points in the wild card playoff game last year, only to be nipped by the then #1 seeded Atlanta Falcons by 2 points in the NFC divisional round, which was played on the Falcons' home field. This -- with a rookie quarterback named Russell Wilson.
Going into the 2013 season, most odds-makers and NFL gurus consider the Seahawks to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
In San Fran, head coach Jim Harbaugh has only been there for 2 years.
2011. 13-3.
2012. 11-5.
Two year total -- 24-8. A winning percentage of .750.
San Fran would advance all the way to the Super Bowl last year, only to be narrowly defeated by the Baltimore Ravens. This -- with a first year starting QB named Colin Kaepernick.
Going into the 2013 season, the 49ers are also a serious threat to get back to the Super Bowl -- if not win it.
In Detroit, things are a bit different. Head coach Jim Schwartz will be entering his fifth season.
2009. 2-14.
2010. 6-10.
2011. 10-6
2012. 4-12.
Four year total -- 22-42. A winning percentage of .344.
The Lions briefly raised the hopes of their long-suffering faithful in 2011. They would go on to their first playoff game in many years, only to get trashed by the New Orleans Saints. Then mysteriously, or maybe not, they crashed and burned in 2012. Jim Schwartz got a contract extension. Amazing.
The Lions have a hot-shot quarterback in Matthew Stafford who will be entering his fifth year himself. The last two years Stafford has thrown for about 5000 yards each. To boot, the Lions likely have the most potent offensive weapon not named Adrian Peterson in wide receiver Calvin (Megatron) Johnson. The Megatron was busy himself last year -- racking up almost 2000 yards worth of receptions -- a record.
Yet despite all that fire power, the Lions ended up with a miserable 4-12 record, including losing the last 8 in a row.
Going into the 2013 season, the same gurus have tabbed the Lions to finish dead last in their division again, and have forecasted a 6-10 record.
That begs a question.
How can teams like the Seahawks and 49ers become powerhouses so quickly with relatively new head coaches and the different staffs they bring with them, along with rookie QBs at the helm -- while Schwartz has been with the Lions for 4 years, has an established QB entering what should be his prime, the best wide receiver in the game -- but most think they're doomed to another flop of a season?
Beats me. But maybe the Ford family that owns the Lions might want to consider sending a few knowledgeable football people -- if they can find them -- never a given considering their history -- out west to take a harder look at what's been going on. Because whatever it is they're doing in Seattle and San Fran, it sure seems to be working.
After all, what do the Lions have to lose at this point?
They've certainly already proven they've mastered the art of losing -- over a very long period of time.
The last time the Lions won anything significant, a popular political slogan of the times was "I like Ike".
Given the many generations of players that have come and gone since then -- and given one needs both their fingers and toes to tally up the number of their head coaches that have come and gone as well -- how can it be that one team can remain so bad for so long? The odds are highly against it. During all those decades, most other teams have risen to to top, fallen on hard times, then rose, fell, and rose again. What with free agency, salary caps, and the draft, the NFL is built to be cyclical.
Teams go up, and they go down. The parity thing. But not the Lions. For over the last half-century, they seem to have been mired in some sort of comatose state, but every few years their vital signs perk up with a couple blips, their fans go crazy, jump on the bandwagon, and believe again.
Just a few more questions.
Believe in what? Something they've never actually seen happen?
Like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy?
Ah yes. There is always hope, some say. Right. Kinda like the Scarecrow keeps hoping for a brain, the Tin Man for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion for courage -- Lions fans keep dreaming of a Super Bowl.
Good luck, but I don't think that's happening any year soon either.
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