The Lions have won only 16 games the past four years and are 11-37 in
the last three, but all that suffering may be about to pay off. Detroit has had high draft picks so often it's difficult to remember when they didn't, and the last three No. 1s have all been high-profile wide receivers to go with former No. 1 pick Joey Harrington at quarterback. With the surprise selection of USC All-American Mike Williams in April, Detroit can boast a three-wide receiver set of former No. 1 selections that is massive, fast and ready to do some damage if Harrington can get them the ball.

Roy Williams had 54 receptions for 817 yards and eight scores as a rookie and he spent the last 10 games playing on a bad ankle. His newly arrived namesake was one of the most feared receivers in college football, especially around the goal line, before he was forced to take a year off when his attempt to make himself eligible for the draft failed.

The wild card in all this is poor Charlie Rogers, the former Michigan State All-American who keeps breaking his collarbone. That's derailed him each of his first two years in the league, so doctors installed a titanium plate along the bone to protect him. Assuming he stays in one piece, the Lions will be able to put out a three-wideout set that will terrorize defensive backs.

Each receiver is 6-2, strong, fast and the possessor of great leaping ability. It reminds some of the passing offense the Vikings put together with Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Add to that a running back in Kevin Jones who rushed for an average of 117.8 yards a game in his first seven games as a full-time starter last season and you have an offense potentially as potent as the Chiefs or the Colts.

Jones figures to have plenty of rambling room when those three receivers are on the field, because they'll force defenses into nickel and dime coverages vulnerable to the run. Add to that a slot receiver such as free agent Kevin Johnson and a solid pass catching tight end in another free agent acquisition, former Colts tight end Marcus Pollard, and that's more firepower than the Seventh Infantry. A year ago the defense was 22nd in the league and allowed 21.9 points per game to be scored on it. If they can just improve to the middle of the pack, this offense, if everyone stays in healthy, should be enough to get the Lions into the playoffs if it jells quickly.

HOT SEAT: Joey Harrington. The former No. 1 draft pick has been erratic throughout his time leading the Lions' offense, and that has to change because he's got enough weapons to make something happen if he can begin to throw more accurately. Harrington had a career high 56 percent completion percentage a year ago, but that's well below the 62 percent head coach Steve Mariucci wants. He also had more touchdowns (19) than interceptions (12) and his efficiency rating was a career best 77.5, but it has to be better because Mariucci can no longer give the ball to a quarterback who went to the Pro Bowl when he was coaching him in San Francisco after Jeff Garcia broke his left fibula in the Lions' final preseason game.

OVERHEARD: The Lions' defense made 38 sacks and 23 takeaways a year ago but even more is expected this year with the return to health of linebacker Boss Bailey. Though undersized, Bailey is a playmaker with speed and a nose for the ball. The defense expects him to make plays and that's his aim as well. If he stays in one piece, this should be the season he's around the ball causing havoc because that's the design.

OUTLOOK: Mariucci finally has a full complement of offensive weapons. There's no reason not to score plenty with this bunch. If he doesn't, he'll have some explaining to do. Whether he can score enough to offset a defense still in transition is another matter entirely.

PREDICTION: Second

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