PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 21

DETROIT LIONS

The Lions have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL for decades.  Playoff appearances are few and far between, and success in the postseason has been hard to come by.  Even in the salary cap era, where the buzzword is parity and the NFC is more diluted than a mixed drink at a Bad Newz Kennels dog fight (you know, because Mike Vick is cheap), the Lions have gone nearly a decade without a trip to the postseason.

But there's cause for hope.  No, really.  We're not just saying that because the law of averages suggests that the Lions eventually will put it together.  Calvin Johnson, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is the real thing, and he'll help to unlock an offense that might be able to score more points that the Detroit defense allows on a semi-consistent basis.

Johnson won't propel the Lions to the postseason by himself; when Randy Moss exploded onto the scene in 1998 with the Vikings, the cupboard was already pretty full.  Beyond Johnson, the Lions are a so-so squad.

Still, they're moving in the right direction.  Coach Rod Marinelli has now had two offseason to clear out guys who don't fit with his approach, and before too long the roster will primarily consist of Marinelli guys. 

Could they make it to the playoffs this year?  We won't rule it out.  And if Johnson becomes what he could be and the team otherwise continues to improve around him, the Lions have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl before too long.

Key departures:  S Terrence Holt, TE Marcus Pollard, FB Cory Schlesinger, CB Dre' Bly, DE James Hall.

Key arrivals:  CB Travis Fisher, WR Shaun McDonald, DE Dewayne White, RB Tatum Bell.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  WR Calvin Johnson.

Coach's current job security:  Two years.