READY OR NOT, HERE COME THE LIONS...

Well, there is no question that there is not the unbridled optimism that there was last year, and any optimism out there is guarded, to say the least. But, is it more realistic? Look, some of the things we're seeing might gives us some reason to question, and for those of us on the plus side of 10 years of being Lion's fans, we've seen it all before: new tough coach, new optimistic quarterback, new defensive scheme, new offesive scheme, etc...

But, maybe the thing to most be optimistic about is the attitude, which obviously did not go over real big with everyone. There is no way that, if it holds and is real, that a tougher and more disciplined team won't translate into more wins. Having said that, it does not mean we'll see more wins right away. Only the most insane optimist would predict the Lions to win either one of their first two games, against arguably the two best teams in the NFC, but a win over one would make starting 1-1 a hell of a lot more joyful than last year. But, to me, the big thing is how we compete and execute...I am excited, hell, I always am, but this is the first time in a long time-if ever-that I feel we're going in the right direction on both sides of the ball.

Still, the light at the end of the tunnel could very well be an oncoming train driven by some Seahawks, so we'll see. I have no idea how to predict this team, though I don't think a lot of us will really buy in until we finish a season north of .500. Having said that, did you get Peter King of SI predicting that we will be 10-6 and win the North? There is a reference to that in today's Free Press. Remember one thing as you are L.Y.A.O...last year, when most of the experts said the division would come down, as always, to the Packers and the Bears, with the Lions being a chic sleeper pick...Peter King picked the Bears.