Lions fans are certainly use to players making bold predictions. Who can’t remember Jon Kitna proclaiming that the Lions would win at least 10 games back during the 2007 season or Kevin Smith guaranteeing the Lions would go to the playoffs.
For Kitna, it actually looked like the Lions might accomplish that feat after starting the season 6-2 but stumbling down the stretch and finishing the season 7-9. As for Kevin Smith, the Lions ended up going 0-16 in the 2008 season.
With all that said, Lions defensive rookie of the year Ndamukong Suh may have made thee boldest statements for this upcoming season. Here is what he had to say during an interview with the NFL Network.
“I don’t see a reason why we can’t be 16-0 as long as we put in the hard work throughout camp getting ready for the 2011 season,” “As long as we stay healthy, and are putting in that work, we should be happy with what we end up with.”
Now this isn’t a guarantee or a proclamation that the team will go 16-0. In a way what Suh said was very general and broad. Of course if you put in hard work and stay healthy throughout the entire season most teams are going to be happy with what they end up with. This is so bold because it is associated with a team that has been historically bad.
But is a statement like this more justifiable coming from a player like Suh who is arguably the best player on the Lions? Would it be different if it came from a backup or special teams player?
The Lions are obviously an improving team and Suh is obviously a dominant player on the field and you want a player like himself to be confident on and off the field. Even with that said, the Lions are still in no position to associate a number with their overall record for an upcoming season.
Source: Mlive.com
