So, you're a Lions fan. There probably are worse things to be. I can't think of many right now, but there has to be. "Research shows that the sense of belonging, even if it's a losing team, is actually good for you and has positive effects on health," says Dr. Eddie O'Connor, Chief Sports Psychologist for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. "So I encourage people to stay avid fans, but back away from the expectation and enjoy the process of competition."

Almost everyone says Jim Schwartz has the Detroit Lions pointed in the right direction. Well, duh. After an 0-16 season, there is only way to go. But I'll admit, after initially being very skeptical of the new Lions' regime -- mostly from the top on down -- the team's direction does have some reason for cautious optimism.

Grading drafts shortly afterward is pretty much an exercise in futility. Just go back and read glowing reviews of Matt Millen's picks of Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams to see why. But the Detroit Lions appear to have selected a solid draft class when all things are taken into consideration.

Chris Berman's "rumblin', stumblin', bumblin'" shtick applies to more than just defensive linemen awkwardly returning fumbles. It personifies Matt Millen's tenure with the Detroit Lions. Years of poor drafting and failed free-agent signings left the cupboard nearly bare.

Detroit's pitching staff has about as many ifs on its staff as Marcus Thames had whiffs last year (95, by the way).

There's a long list of things the Detroit Lions need in order to turn the franchise around. Since a new owner isn't on the menu, at least the Lions seem to have made a solid choice for head coach. Thankfully, Jim Schwartz isn't one of the NFL's old guard. An innovative thinker and planner, Schwartz may just be the exact kind of hire Detroit needed to rescue the franchise from its doldrums.

It's the same old same old for the Detroit Lions. And that old is William Clay Ford, the 83-year-old owner of the team. The Lions have one playoff victory to show for Ford's 44 years of leadership, and Monday's decisions demonstrate why.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinater Joe Barry has got to go. But he's not alone. Every week, Barry's defense shows up unprepared and gets the equally unprepared offense in a hole. That theme continued this week, as Washington took the ball on its first drive and sauntered down the field almost at will until a good individual play on a goal-line stand by Cliff Avril (see, Rod Marinelli, rookies can play; let that be a lesson) and a couple of Redskins mistakes made the Lions look like they actually had 11 men on the field and forced a field goal.

Traverse City Central and West are in extremely capable hands. Face it, most people didn't think TC West would be in the playoffs this year. First-year coach Tim Wooer put the Titans there. Many didn't expect much from Central last year after coming off an 0-9 season, but the Trojans went 5-4. Tom Passinault was a huge reason for the turnaround in his first season at the helm.

Detroit is running out of scapegoats, excuses and time. Mike Martz is gone. Matt Millen is done. More should follow. Three guys have to go: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry, offensive coordinator Jim Coletto and special teams coach Stan Kwan.

And there was much rejoicing. Finally, mercifully, the Matt Millen era has come to an end in Detroit. All across the country, the nation's overrated college wide receivers let out a collective sigh of disappointment, seeing their prospects of being picked in the top 10 cut in half.

The United States Army went into full retreat on Caleb Campbell. It just didn't tell Campbell. Three years ago, the Army implemented a little-known policy to allow athletes who could make the pros to forego their military service by instead being recruiters with their celebrity status. So the Detroit Lions come along and pluck Army safety Caleb Campbell in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft.

These Olympics are going to be fun. Maybe the actual sporting events will be, too. But the off-the-field goings-on could be even better. I can't wait to see how quickly Chinese jails get full of protesters, who it's easy to bet are smarter than the "security" measures put in place to stop them from getting into the country to spread their propaganda -- that prevents the Chinese from spreading their propaganda.

Brett Favre, let it go. You're already all too close to becoming Roger Clemens with this year-in, year-out retirement ludicrousness. It hasn't ended too well for Clemens. And neither will it for Brett Favre. Walk away at the top of your game while you still can and have some of your dignity. Don't be Evander Holyfield, Joe Namath or Willie Mays and stay in too long.

Matt Millen may be happy with a little criticism this time around. So many people are not happy with Detroit's draft -- and that's not a bad thing. As Lions fans recall, far too many people were happy with the glamour picks Millen made instead of getting real football players.