2017 PX1 Lions Season Review

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After taking over a 4-12 team with 19 players from last years roster leaving the team, there was not a lot of optimism coming into the season for fans to latch on to. The new ownership went right to work signing several key free agents to piece together a roster. With so many holes, Owens didn't go after the big name superstar players, instead going for core players all over the roster. Heading into the draft, we knew there were many directions the team could have went but Owens concentrated primarily on defense. Between the free agents and rookies on defense, this strategy certainly paid off as the Lions were the 10th best defense in the league after finishing 30th in the previous year. With the 1st round pick, he selected DE Myles Garrett who finished the season with 10 sacks. He also shored up the secondary with safety Malik Hooker who led the team with 103 tackles even with missing 2 games due to injury and corner back Gareon Conley who started on the other side of star corner Slay after only the 2nd week of the season.

On offense, the team was a very sloppy team with way too many turnovers. If not for all the turnovers, the defense may have been a top 5 group. They were put in difficult situations week after week. The QBs threw an astounding 36 INTs which ultimately was the difference for the year. There were certainly bright spots along the way. Abdullah finished with 937 yards and 11 TDs. Tate-1112 yds, Jones-939 yds, and Ebron-915 yds all had new bests in these areas. But maybe the biggest surprise was 4th round pick Cooper Kupp from Easter Washington who had 50 receptions for 775 yds. The offense finished 12th overall and 7th passing on the year.

The team ended up finishing 8-8 on the year with a good young defense to build around. Word is that Stafford is more than likely going to be a free agent so the team will be looking to fill a big void at QB. The team is frantically trying to negotiate with Ebron, Ansah and Levy to name a few but may be a very active participant in free agency again.

While the question all off-season will certainly be "What could have been?", there are a lot of good things that came from this year and many will pick this team as a darkhorse to make a playoff run next year. But in a division with the Vikings, Packers and Bears, all who finished .500 or better, this will definitely not be an easy task.

For one last time, here are the end of season highlights.....See you next year!

 
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