Expectations for the 2012 Detroit Lions

The 2011 season hasn’t even been over for two weeks and already fans (including me) are looking forward to next year’s season.  Last summer, many of us thought that the Lions would be much improved and fighting for a playoff spot.  Of course, they made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.  I’m considering last season a success even though it ended on a sour note.  What will it take for next year to be considered a success? Hopefully the Lions can improve in their weak areas (offensive line and secondary) through the NFL Draft and free agency.  If they can improve in those areas even a little bit, I think Jim Schwartz will have a really nice team.  In a quarterback league, you have a healthy Matthew Stafford, arguably the best young quarterback in the league.  The Lions have the best receiver in the league along with some other quality receivers.  Personally, I don’t think the defensive line played up to their expectations, but they’re still...