The Detroit Lions did it again in 2007; they managed to pull off another losing season. They at least made it interesting last year, narrowly missing the .500 mark with a 7-9 finish. Quarterback Jon Kitna is again promising big things this off season but Lions fans will believe it when they see it. Odds makers are somewhat skeptical as well, NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com have the Lions win total set at 6.5 with the over a -150.

Detroit will be sporting a new look on offense this year as the pass happy Mike Martz was dismissed at the end of last season. The club promoted Jim Colletto to offensive coordinator in hopes of building a more traditonal type of attack. Colletto will certainly have some talent at his disposal in Kitna, Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson.

The Lions also hope to produce a more capable rushing unit, but will be doing so without running backs T.J. Duckett and Kevin Jones. Last season Detroit only generated 80.5 yards per game on the ground, but that total can partially be attributed to a league low 324 rushing attempts. It looks like holdover Tatum Bell will get a shot to carry the load this year and the Lions will no doubt use him to exceed the number of rushes they had in 2007.

The Detroit passing game was solid in 2007 - posting a 242.4 yards per game average - but it failed to manufacture a lot of points. Kitna, along with receivers Williams and Johnson will be more effective with an adequate running game backing them up. However, for the unit to be truly successful they must reduce the number of sacks allowed. Detroit's offensive line gave up an embarrassing 54 sacks last year. The club drafted Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus with their first pick in the 2008 draft for precisely this reason.

The Lion defense was nothing short of horrific last year. They gave up a league worst 27.8 points per game and 377.6 yards per game. This off season they saw the departure of linebackers Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, and cornerback Fernando Bryant. It was an 'out with the old, in with new' mind set for a unit that was terribly unproductive in almost every facet last season.

Joining the Lions on defense is former Viking safety Dwight Smith as well as four other defensive free agents. Officials also drafted five defensive players this year, including Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon who was a first team all-american in 2007.

NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com list Detroit at +5000 odds to win the Super Bowl, +2200 odds to win the NFC Championship, and +450 odds to win the NFC North.

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