The Question — Who Is Lions' Best Player?

By Jacob Carpenter

Created:
09/15/08 11:24pm

Last updated:
09/15/08 11:24pm

7 comments

Wondering who is the Detroit Lions’ best player is like asking who is the MVP of the Bush administration. You really have to think long and hard about it before deciding you’re going to come up with someone less than spectacular.

For years, my dad and I have asked each other this exact same question and each time we come up with the same answer — the kicker.

That’s right. Jason Hanson has been the best player on the Lions since Barry Sanders decided he’d had enough of Detroit’s disdainful record. When a guy who sees less field time than the TV timeout signaler is your prized possession, you know it’s rough. If it didn’t come with a guaranteed $2 million contract, Hanson should receive the franchise tag from the Lions.

Honestly, though, a kicker can’t seriously be the Lions’ best player. Can he?

There’s…..umm, give me a second here.

Calvin Johnson might be their best player, but the wide receiver is in his second year, struggled because of injuries last season and has had one impressive performance this year.

Roy Williams is inconsistent, if not talented, and is probably the star of the offense. Also, he at least wants to be the best player and not a “role player,” as he bemoaned Monday following this week’s loss to the Packers.

Jon Kitna is…I’m just going to stop there.

I was going to mention veteran cornerback Brian Kelly but I’ve just been told that he got beat deep by Greg Jennings again.

There’s defensive tackle Cory Redding, who has received the franchise tag before, but the only team on which he is the franchise player is playing in the Canadian Football League.

Finally, there’s linebacker Ernie Sims. The former first round draft pick has broken the 125-tackle mark each of the past two seasons (given there are plenty of tackles to go around on this team). Because of his quickness and grit, Sims is my pick for MVP of the Detroit Lions.

He better watch out, though. Jason is still lurking.

Commentary

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Bill Lumberg

(09/16/08 7:35am)
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“Wondering who is the Detroit Lions’ best player is like asking who is the MVP of the Bush administration. You really have to think long and hard about it before deciding you’re going to come up with someone less than spectacular.”
You’re an idiot.

tatum bell

(09/16/08 9:09am)
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i am the best player on the lions

Marcus

(09/16/08 9:33am)
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The Lions haven’t been good in decades. They’ve replaced players, coaches, managers, waterboys, etc. The only constant is the Ford family at the helm. It’s time the fans stopped selling out home games only to watch the Lions throw away another season. Boycott everything Lions related. Don’t watch the games, in person or on TV. Don’t buy merchandise. Don’t talk about the Lions, unless it’s to laugh about their awful performance the previous Sunday. Once they’re no longer profitable, there will be a reason for change to occur. If we’re lucky, that will mean they get sold to someone competent.

Matt Millen

(09/16/08 10:42am)
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I must profess that only I am the authority on who is our best player. And it is none other than Jeff Backus.

Phlemingway

(09/16/08 11:10am)
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I’ve never heard of this “Jeff Backus” guy. Is he one of my sons? Has anyone seen Lovie? No, not Lovie Smith. The other one.

yours,

Jim Backus, deceased
aka “The Millionare”

Shawn

(09/16/08 11:43am)
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It’s definitely Hanson. He’s the only lion who’s been consistently good for the almost 20 years.

Right on

(09/17/08 6:03pm)
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That first paragrapgh is hilarious, or maybe depressing, but 100% accurate either way.

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Sports reporter Jacob Carpenter examines sports issues from the past and present.

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