For years being in the Black and Blue division for Detroit Lions fans has been completely one-sided……BLUE.  And it wasn’t the light shade of Honolulu Blue, but the saddest most pathetic hue of blue on the planet.  I will spare you the historical data of the franchise which has constantly disappointed fans on every level known to man.   I want to explore the theory of restoring the roar to these seemingly toothless jungle cats and what that really looks like.

Considering that since the 1934 this team has finished as a NFL or division champion a grand total of seven times.  This established roar is barely audible, but has enough individual performances as many storied franchises.  These performances were player-driven, because their all-time leader in wins as coach is Wayne Fontes with 57 wins in eight seasons with a winning percentage of .445.  He did however lead the team to the only playoff in 1992 against the Cowboys.  Today, while most Lions fans crying and complaining about the most recent lost and the things they need to do to break the curse or the changes they need to make, lets explore the changes in the past and the success rate of said changes.

According to dictionary.reference.com Change is:

1.to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one’s name; to change one’s opinion; to change the course of history.

2.to transform or convert (usually followed by into  ): The witch changed the prince into a toad.

3.to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

4.to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

5.to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You’ll have to change planes in Chicago.

Each of these methods have been attempted in numerous modes and manners….Transforming from the Run and Shoot to a Pro Style to the West Coast to the Spread….Fontes was substituted with Ross who was substituted with Moeller who was quickly substituted with Mornhinweg by Millen(I refuse to repeat that name again in this article) who was replace by Mariucci who was replaced by Marinelli who’s current substitute is The Swartz…..in 2002 they transferred divisions from the Central to the North….they have given and taken the hopes and dreams of die hard fans who cannot separate losing in the 60s from today…..in 1933 they moved from Portsmouth to Detroit.

Its obvious the more changes that took place the less opportunity for a “standard” aka the Roar to be established.  What has be established is a 70 year trend of mediocrity with a few sporadically placed outliers better known as winning seasons.  As a fan with unswerving loyalty to this franchise, I accept them for who they are and who thy aren’t.  They are more like the average Joe doing the best they can making subtle changes hoping they get a different result and adjust and adapt from their.  They truly reflect the spirit of the city they represent, doubted and disrespected from outsiders, but united and dedicated to being the best they can be.  To honor these soldiers who battled day and day out for the Honolulu Blue and Silver…here are my top all-time Lions…the reasons why WE love them and we love this team and understand there is not need to restore the roar, because it has never ceased to exist.

Hall of Famers

Lem Barney

Jack Christiansen

Dutch Clark

Lou Cheekmur

Ray Crockette

Dick Lane

Luther Ellis

Yale Larry

Bobby Layne

Barry Sanders

Charlie Sanders

Joe Schmidt

Doak Walker

Alex Wojciechowicz

Lion Greats (My List)-1980-present

Jeff Backus

Jerry Ball

Bennie Blades

Lomas Brown

Kevin Glover

Mel Gray

Calvin Johnson

Alex Karras

Dick LeBeau

Herman Moore

Robert Porcher

Corey Schlesinger

Billy Sims

Chris Spielman

Matt Stafford