Detroit Lions Football: 2009 Season Preview

The Detroit Lions are a team with nowhere to go but up after turning in the NFL's first ever 0-16 season in 2008. They've made big changes to the roster in an effort to better their fortunes. There is nearly 40 percent turnover from last season, which virtually never happens in the NFL. New coach, Jim Schwartz comes in with an impressive resume as a coordinator and a fresh slate. Here is what he will have to work with this season. Quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper is practically penned in as the starting quarterback. He was utterly ineffective last season. Coming out of retirement more than halfway through the season and immediately being thrust into the starting position, Culpepper completed barely half of his passes, and had just four touchdowns and six interceptions with five fumbles in five games. Things should be different this year, as Culpepper has slimmed down, gained speed, and learned the playbook. He'll also have his old offensive coordinator from Minnesota, Scott Linehan ... (link)