What would it do for the fans? The city? The players?" NFL What IfsDetroit Lions OpinionWhat if the Detroit Lions were a winning franchise?New Dwayne Washington Jersey White ,43commentsWhat would it do for the fans? The city? The players?EDTIt’s a dream we’ve all dreamed. It’s a future we all continue to hope for. What if the Detroit Lions—a franchise that has won a single playoff games in the past 62 years—finally found success? What if the Lions not only had one, miraculous run, but had the reputation of the league’s most successful teams. What if the Lions found their names besides the Steelers and Patriots and Packers? What would it do for the city of Detroit? What would the reputation of their fans? Would the Lions become a nationally-treasured franchise or become the villain of the league. Let’s explore some of these questions as we ask: What if the Detroit Lions were a successful franchise?The fansEarlier this week, a study ranked Lions fans just 22nd among all NFL teams based on certain economic and social media factors. But just how much would a winning reputation help the fans get more engaged? In short, a ton. Looking at that same study, it’s clear the most popular teams, when it comes to social media interaction, are the franchises that have the best long-term reputations. The top 10 include the Patriots, Steelers, Eagles, Panthers, Broncos and Packers. In terms of attendance, the Lions are actually already in pretty good standing. Despite decades of little-to-no success, Detroit still ranked 18th in attendance last year (by percentage), and that fan study ranked Lions fans 18th in “road equity” a measure of fans’ willingness to travel to see their team play. Throw in a decade or two of actual winning, and there’s no doubt the Lions would become one of the most passionate fanbases in the league. We may even get a fancy name like “The 12s” or “The Dawg Pound.” National appealBut would the Lions catch on nationally? Would Detroit be able to convert fans from other cities and states to become part of Lions nation? Obviously, there would be an uptick in interest. Detroit would get more nationally televised games, and fans would follow. Obviously the bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles will remain at the top of NFL headlines, and cities that have a deeper football culture like Dallas and Houston will never lose value or appeal. But we’ve seen smaller market cities become NFL fan havens. New Orleans, Green Bay and Boston have all generated an intense football market locally, and brought themselves a bunch of appeal to fans around the NFL.But one thing that could be holding the Lions back is their lack of superstars. So many fans of the NFL latch onto specific personalities and players, whether it be because of fantasy football or otherwise. In the past, players like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson managed to reach superstar status despite the lack of success Sam Martin Jersey , but Detroit doesn’t have a player like that right now.If the Lions were successful, though, you’d have to imagine Matthew Stafford would be a mega-star. Quarterbacks get all the credit and all the blame, and even if Stafford were playing at the same level he is today, if Detroit was winning, he’d be in the conversation of best quarterbacks in the league, and he’d be in the top 10 in jersey sales every year. The city of DetroitIf the Lions were successful, would it help expedite the process of turning around Detroit? The city has already made tremendous strides in the past 10 years, but there is still a lot of work to do, and the surrounding neighborhoods are still in pretty bad shape. Would a winning franchise help out?Unfortunately, the answer is probably no. Back in 2013, the University of New Hampshire published a study called “Economic Effects of Successful Sports Franchises on Local Economies.” In the end, they concluded that “none of the analysis suggests that there is a correlation between an individual team’s success and how the regional economy does as a whole.” Game will be more attended, perhaps some sports bars downtown will see some serious profits, but the city of Detroit is not going to magically rebound with some Lombardi trophies.The Lions’ franchiseFor as long as the list has been coming out, the Detroit Lions have found themselves towards the bottom of Forbes’ most valuable NFL franchises. As of last year, they were the second-least valuable team in the league. All you have to do is look at the Patriots as an example of how much success affects overall value. Before Bill Belichick was in town, the Patriots finished fourth or fifth in their division in seven times in the previous 10 years. In Belichick’s first year, the Patriots were valued at $464 million, just over the league’s average ($423 million). Two decades of unfathomable success, and now the Patriots are the second-most valuable franchise in the NFL and the sixth-most valuable franchise in all of sports. Obviously, the Lions would have to pull themselves out of a bigger hole, but there’s no doubt this franchise could be in the top 10 with some success. And we’ve seen just how financially and socially successful a winning sports franchise can be in Detroit. Despite the last couple years of horrible hockey and the decades of the “Dead Wings” era before the 1990s Womens Jake Rudock Jersey , the Detroit Red Wings remain one of the most valuable NHL sports franchise in the league. Granted, there are other factors at play here—like the fact that hockey is a regional sport that has always been popular in Michigan—but it remains proof that despite some local economy issues, a sports franchise can be financially successful in Detroit.Lingering questionsBarry and Calvin?If the Lions were a successful franchise, would we have gotten a few more seasons out of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson? It’s obviously impossible to know, but it would be out of the question. While Johnson talked a lot about injuries influencing his decision to retire at the age of 30, he also did say the following: If the Lions were successful, I’d say there’s a pretty damn good chance we’d see at least another season or two of Megatron. Barry is an entirely different situation, as he seemed to simply fall out of love with the game. Of course, his conflicts with the organization were no secret, and a little success could’ve masked all that.Free agents?Obviously, it becomes a little easier to convince players to play for a winning franchise. Players nearing retirement would consider Detroit for one last shot at a ring. People would be more willing to deal with the weather or Matt Patricia’s tough rules if the promise of winning came along with a Lions contract. It’s all part of the vicious cycle that people don’t talk about in the NFL. Winning breeds more winning, and while we see some parity in the NFL, we don’t nearly see as much as they like to suggest. Heroes or villains?Would the Lions be accepted as villains or heroes. If the string of success were to start now, there’s no doubt the Lions would make a compelling hero story. The franchise building themselves out of rubble would undoubtedly draw comparisons to the city of Detroit—a story more Americans would feel compassionate towards.But as they say, you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Too much success and the jealousy and envy bleeds through. If the success lasted long enough, we’d have generations of obnoxiously cocky Lions fans who would know nothing of our current struggles and would then take things for granted. People would start hating Lions fans like they never have before, and yeah, eventually they’d assume their final Patriots-North identity. The Muhl had a Pro Bowl season in 2018, but will it be enough to keep him around through 2019?" Detroit Lions RosterDetroit Lions 2018 roster review: Don MuhlbachNew,10commentsThe Muhl had a Pro Bowl season in 2018, but will it be enough to keep him around through 2019?EDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Detroit Lions 2018 roster review: Don MuhlbachTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailCHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 19: Don Muhlbach #48 and Matt Prater #5 of the Detroit Lions celebrate after Prater kicked a 52 yd. field goal in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago DeShawn Shead Jersey White , Illinois. The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 27-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesOn this edition of our 2018 roster review, we take a look at special teams. With long-time long snapper Don Muhlbach (aka “the Muhl”) set to be a free agent, his future in Detroit could be up in the air. Don MuhlbachExpectations before 2018We have a saying here at Pride of Detroit: ‘Don Muhlbach, rinse, repeat.” If anything could sum up his career with the Lions it would be that. Muhlbach has been the epitome of consistency in his 15 years with the Lions. The Lions have made it clear that they’ve been trying to replace the Muhl for a while now. In Bob Quinn’s first year as general manager, he selected Baylor long snapper Jimmy Landes in the sixth round, yet Muhlbach outlasted Landes and won the job that season. Since then, he has continued to operate as smooth as ever, and expectations going into the 2018 were more of the same.Actual role in 2018The Muhl delivered. The 2018 season was as good as any other for Muhlbach, and there weren’t any problems on the snapping front. It’s worth noting that in December the Lions brought in a few long snappers for tryouts. Less than a month later, however, Muhlbach earned his second career Pro Bowl nod. Outlook for 2019Contract Status: Re-signed with the Lions on 2/13/19At 37 years old, the Muhl is getting up there in age. That didn’t stop the Lions from giving him another contract, however, signing Muhlbach for the 2019 season at the veteran’s minimum. Lions brass made it clear with the late-season tryouts that they’re open to other, younger options, so don’t be surprised if he faces legitimate competition in training camp. But, for now, he’s running unopposed. If the fiesty #LongSnapperWatch that took place following the drafting of Jimmy Landes taught us anything, it’s that the contract means nothing and the better player will make it. The Muhl has been doubted before, however, and who knows—maybe he can prove them wrong once more.
