The Lions' 3-12-1 season was "scary to watch," but "here comes the horror flick: The offseason," according to Jeff Seidel of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The team earlier this month decided to retain Exec VP & GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia, meaning the offseason will be "filled with drama and intrigue, not to mention a gnawing feeling in your gut, because Quinn will have the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft" and about $50M to "play with in free agency." Seidel: "Or botch, depending on your point of view." Based on the team's "past results, you have to have more concern than confidence that Quinn and Patricia can make the right draft picks, identify the right players in free agency and not overspend" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/30). Also in Detroit, Shawn Windsor notes during Packers-Lions yesterday, "flecks of yellow dotted the stands as several thousand Packers fans" came to Ford Field in their "cheese-head hats." But the crowd "wasn't Green Bay east," and was "largely Lions faithful." Windsor: "One of these days -- or decades -- when the Lions start winning, this place will be the best home-field advantage in the NFL. ... Folks care" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/30).
