Lions' Johnson, Sims and Alexander all make future NFL Dream Team
Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but the Lions could have a heck of a team five years from now.
That's according to Peter King's 2012 NFL Dream Team on SI.com. The Web site is doing all-time, current and future dream teams for the four major sports, and the NFL is second up.
Three young Lions made the future team (with King's comments):
• Receiver Calvin Johnson: "He came out this year with the type of plaudits rarely heard before a guy plays his first NFL game. If he misses, lots of scouts should get fired."
• Linebacker Ernie Sims: "He might go down in history as one of the few draft choices Matt Millen got right. He's a leader like no other Lion. ...He's got the staying power to be a tackling machine for a long time."
• Special-teamer Gerald Alexander: "He might be a great safety, but the Lions drafted him with the idea that he'll bring energy to special teams and the starting secondary."
A fourth pick went to defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who King says could be head coach material.
The current team, not so good. Just Lions receiver Mike Furrey made it, as a reserve. And King made Mike Martz his offensive coordinator: "Jon Kitna threw for 4,300 yards last year. I rest my case."
And despite all those glory years midway through the last century, just former Lions defensive back Night Train Lane made the all-time roster.
Oh, one more: Bill Belichick, a Lions assistant in 1976, is all-time defensive coordinator.
See more at www.freep.com
|
