Hope springs eternal for 15,000 Detroit Lions fans who watch overhauled team practice

15,000 Lions fans turn out to see overhauled team

DETROIT —The Detroit Lions set a record for futility last year in compiling the NFL’s first 0-16 season. The team hasn’t reached the playoffs in a decade, and has won just once in the postseason since 1957. But their fans still love them.

Thousands of fans stood outside of Ford Field in a line in persistent rain on Saturday to wait to go inside and watch a team that can only improve on last year’s dismal season. More than half the players are new, as is the coaching staff and front office. Small numbers fans have attended practices at the team’s training facility, but Saturday’s two-hour open practice offered fans their first long look at the team.

“I’ve got hope,” said fan Greg Kowaleski, of Southgate. “There’s a new coach and a lot of new players. Things are pretty bad around here so maybe they’ll entertain us.”

Before practice, coach Jim Schwartz spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who stopped by on his way to Canton, Ohio, for Saturday night’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Schwartz said he hoped the fans’ show of support made an impression.

“Anytime I hear someone around the country talking about taking (the annual Thanksgiving) game away from Detroit, I want to remind the commissioner of 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to watch a practice,” Schwartz said. “It says something about our fans.”

Goodell said he didn’t think Detroit was in danger of losing the Thanksgiving game. He did say the league will not alter its blackout policy. Five Lions games were not broadcast on local television last season because tickets to those games did not sell out. They were the first blacked out Lions games since the team moved to Ford Field in 2002.

The team’s horrid season last year led to wholesale changes on the staff and roster.

Owner William Clay Ford fired president Matt Millen three games into last season and sacked coach Rod Marinelli a day after the team finished with the league’s first-ever 0-16 record. Tom Lewand was promoted to Millen’s position, Martin Mayhew became the general manager and Schwartz, the Tennessee Titans’ former defensive coordinator, was hired to replace Marinelli.

The winless season also added to the woes of the Detroit area, which has taken a beating in the economic downturn and has the nation’s highest unemployment rate.

A winning season this year wouldn’t solve all of the region’s problems, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt, said fan Chris Moody.

“The product on the field has been so bad the last several seasons, but the fans are so passionate,” he said. “If they get something worth cheering for, at the very least I think people will feel a little better,” said Moody, who began following the team five years ago.

The Lions’ last playoff appearance came after the 1999 season and their last winning campaign was a year later. They’ve won just one postseason game since winning the 1957 NFL championship.

The Lions play the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field on Aug. 15 in both teams’ preseason opener.

Notes: A team spokesman said 15,387 turned out for the program, which included an autograph session. … Goodell said his office will address before the season whether defensive lineman Grady Jackson, whose name was on a list of players who tested positive last season for a diuretic, will be disciplined. … CB Anthony Henry has seen reps at safety, but said the move is precautionary. Safeties Louis Delmas and Daniel Bullocks have missed the last several days of practice with injuries. … WR Derrick Williams and CB Eric King had a brief scuffle after a play, but it was broken up quickly.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects 2nd graf to fans waiting outside)