Optimism In Motown

Optimism In Motown
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 5:00 am PDT 2006-09-04

The ho-hum Detroit Lions, out of the spotlight, short on talent and without a playoff appearance in the new millennium, simply haven't given Joe Fan much to get excited for in recent memory.

Joe Bettor, on the other hand, is a different story. Believe it or not, for all the misery generated out of Ford Field, the Lions are 26-21-1 against the spread the past three years. Now, that may not be a reason to parade (or riot) through the streets of Motown, but 55 percent isn't bad in today's NFL.

And that was before a newly minted, take-no-prisoners coaching staff and an experienced quarterback strolled into town.

"The foundation of this team is the toughness. That is what I'm looking for: the hardness and the toughness of this football team," Detroit coach Rod Marinelli said. "This league, in the NFL, it is a marathon. It's an endurance test. It's adversity. It's ups and downs. My job is to prepare men."

And he's doing so with the help of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who went to two Super Bowls -- one as a head coach --- on the Rams staff. Now, of course, Martz doesn't have the "Fastest Show on Turf" offense he had in St. Louis.

In fact, it's not even close.

But quarterback Jon Kitna, with 18,259 career passing yards and 108 touchdowns in 92 games, is a proven chains-mover. He doesn't wow anyone. He's not likely to make the Pro Bowl. But he's tough, accurate, consistent and should blend in well with a young nucleus.

"With the stuff that we're doing, I feel comfortable with it," Kitna said. "I have a pretty good idea of where [Martz] wants to go with the ball most of the time when the play is called."

Most of those plays will end up in the hands of either running back Kevin Jones or wide receiver Roy Williams, who could both break out under Martz, not unlike Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce did with the Rams in 1999.

But with this positive vibe, comes just a little bit of boosted expectations, especially from the sportsbooks. Detroit's season wins total on WagerWeb.com is seven. And keep in mind; the Lions haven't won more than six in the past five years.

Those years were without a coach who is all-business, has a military background and is sure to instill some discipline on both sides of the field.

"Steady and straight, that's the way I have to be," Marinelli said. "I have a plan and a reason for everything."

Solid advice for bettors as well. And those types interested in the Lions, especially early on this season, should keep in mind that Detroit (+550 to win the NFC North, +3600 to win the NFC, and +8000 to win the Super Bowl on WagerWeb.com) is an unbelievable 3-1 against the spread in the past four season openers and 4-0 ATS in its last four home openers.

Parlay those numbers with the NFC championship hangover streak -- the last five defending conference champs are 1-4 ATS in Week 1 -- and you'll have some solid value with the Lions next Sunday when they play host to Seattle.

And who knows? If the Lions stockpile some victories early and get themselves into contention, Thanksgiving may not be the only day people watch them.

ROOKIE TREATMENT: It's hard enough being a rookie in the NFL. That's pressure, no matter the position. The burden increases when you're a kicker. And throw in the fact that you have to replace a legend in Adam Vinatieri, and you might reach an all-time high in tension.

Stephen Gostkowski, this is your life.

This relative unknown was given that tremendous task last week, when Patriots coach Bill Belichick released Martin Gramatica and turned over all kicking duties to the former Memphis Tiger.

Now that might be a concern for some bettors. But not for the Patriots, at least not yet.

"He's obviously got big shoes to fill," quarterback Tom Brady said. "Obviously, Coach [Belichick] has a lot of confidence in him, and he's a confident kid himself."

That doesn't mean Brady wants to see much of the rookie.

"It's really not my job to worry about that," he said. "My job is to go out there and score touchdowns, not kick field goals. I'd be pretty angry if we came out and kicked a bunch of field goals."

Gostkowski probably wouldn't be.

SLOW 'SKINS: Washington, which made the NFC divisional round last season, didn't maintain much momentum this preseason. But a dreadful, overall performance may not be such a bad thing for the Redskins (0-4), who did not receive a point from the first-team offense.

Joe Gibbs' crew was also winless in the 1982 preseason, yet Washington ended up winning the Super Bowl. And in 1991, when they also took the Super Bowl crown, the Redskins won only one preseason tilt.

"I haven't really thought about that. I just have been trying to concentrate on each week and trying to get our team ready," Gibbs said. "Teams are a lot like individuals, it's kind of hard to try and figure, and put your finger on it. I do know our players. I feel good about that."

Especially if this season ends up like '82 or '91.

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