Chinese Bamboo Tree

In the Lions '05 Preview, writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika relates the follwing story told my Coach Steve Mariucci at the Lions' kickoff luncheon:

It went something like this: A man planted a seed for a Chinese bamboo tree, and he watered and fertilized it every day. After a year, he had nothing. Undaunted, he kept watering and fertilizing. After two years, he still had nothing. Three years passed. Four years passed. Still nothing.

But the fifth year, he was rewarded with a Chinese bamboo tree, 90 feet tall.

"That's a story about us," Mariucci said. "We are like a Chinese bamboo tree. The Chinese bamboo tree is going to grow 90 feet, and it's going to grow this year."

It's a great sentiment. But is it realistic? The NFC North shouldn't be a tough division this year: the Vikings will likely be very good, but the Packers are a team on its way down, and the Bears are starting a rookie QB and are weak on offense. It shouldn't be that difficult to secure 2nd place in the division. After that, who knows? Anyone with a little knowledge of football can see that the Lions have all the pieces they need to make a playoff run if they come together, or be a failure if they don't. So, take your pick: optimism or pessimism.

The Detroit News also has their preview up. It's a similar mix of "Gosh, the team seems like they should be good, and it's about time, but..." They also have a cool depth chart picture, reproduced here:


Only Sunday will provide the answers.