We begin now with our early look at each of the Saints 2009 opponents. These posts will offer just a brief overview of each opponents off-season moves, detailing the more important ones, and quickly discuss how each team might match up against the Saints this year. We begin at the very beginning, a very good place to start: The Detroit Lions.
Of course we all know the story of the winless Detroit Lions of last year, right? Presumptuous Saints fans will consider this a sure win and an easy start to a Superbowl season. Well guess what...it's not 2008; the Lions are banking on that. That means anything can happen. Heck, if the Lions were in the NFC South, a first place finish in the division would be a lock. Fortunately they're not, but the Lions have nowhere to go but up. A new head coach, Jim Schwartz in his first season at the position, mixed with a heavily revamped team with a lot to prove, could be a dangerous combination. Let's take a look at how far the Lions have come and what we might expect right out of the box.
Lions Offense
It's not really possible to even begin to speculate on what the Lions offense will look like next season. With rookie quarterback Matt Stafford expected to be the starter from week one, there is sure to be a learning curve and a "getting to know you" period before anything begins to really click. This should be good news for the Saints, who get to play the Lions early and before they go on any sort of Cinderalla story-like tear.
Stafford will have some decent targets to throw to in Detroit. Though the Lions enter 2009 without Shaun McDonald or Mike Furrey, the team still has an incredible receiving threat in Calvin Johnson, they've added Dennis Northcutt, Bryant Johnson and Ronald Curry through free agency and drafted tight end Brandon Pettigrew late in the first round of the draft this year.
In the running department the Lions leading rusher, Kevin Smith, returns as the inevitable starter while newly acquired Maurice Morris should take over backup duties from Rudi Johnson, who is no longer with the team. They also added fullback Terrelle Smith.
The Saints defense may very well be going through their own transition period at the time with new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams calling the shots but they should still have the advantage in this matchup.
Lions Defense
The Lions defense finished dead last in so many categories last season; there is no place for them to go but up. With improvement needed everywhere, the team has attempted to add depth at nearly every position. Detroit upgraded their line with Grady Jackson to offset the loss of Shaun Cody, added veteran linebacker Larry Foote for help in the middle and signed Phillip Buchanon and Eric King to help stop the pass. They also drafted safety Louis Delmas with their third pick in the draft.
That being said, if the Saints offense can peform at nearly the same level as last year then expect the black and gold to win this matchup hands down.
Lions 2009 Season
0-16 record
Last Meeting
December 21, 2008
Week 16
1
2
3
4
OT
Final
Saints
14
14
14
0
0
42
Lions
0
7
0
0
0
7
Why the Saints can win
Because the Lions were really bad last year. Really bad.
Why the Saints can lose
Because the Lions have to win eventually.
Prediction
Saints 35 - Lions 10
Lions 2009 Season
0-16 record
Last Meeting
December 21, 2008
| Week 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final |
| Saints | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Free Agent Pickups
RB Maurice Morris
WR Dennis Northcutt
WR Ronald Curry
WR Bryant Johnson
TE Will Heller
OT Daniel Loper
OT Jon Jansen
DE Jason Hunter
DT Grady Jackson
OLB Julian Peterson
ILB Larry Foote
ILB Cody Spencer
CB Phillip Buchanon
CB Eric King
CB/S Anthony Henry
S Marquand Manuel
2009 Draft Picks
QB Matt Stafford
TE Brandon Pettigrew
FS Louis Delmas
LB DeAndre Levy
WR Derrick Williams
DT Sammie Lee Hill
RB Aaron Brown
OT Lydon Murtha
OLB Zack Follett
TE Dan Gronkowski
Key losses
QB Jon Kitna
QB Dan Orlovsky
QB Drew Henson
RB Rudi Johnson
FB Moran Norris
FB Jon Bradley
WR Shaun McDonald
WR Mike Furrey
TE Dan Campbell
TE Michael Gaines
TE John Owens
OT George Foster
OT Junius Coston
OT Jon Dunn
G Edwin Mulitalo
C Andy McCollum
DE Corey Smith
DT Cory Redding
DT Shaun Cody
DT Langston Moore
OLB Ryan Nece
OLB Alex Lewis
ILB Paris Lenon
CB Leigh Bodden
CB Travis Fisher
CB Stanley Wilson
S Dwight Smith
Linkage
Lions vs Saints coverage
CSC: Saints @ Lions: Who Dat Say!?
CSC: Saints @ Lions: Making the Grade
Detroit Lions 2009 Transactions