How does this not make a team substantially better?

Bush is a great fit I think. Lions had bad red zone success last year, giving the heavier work load to Bush means LeShoure can keep fresh for goal line carries and the entire run game becomes better which of course in theory should open up the offense. If their defense steps it up then I think 9-7 isn't far fetched and a 5 game swing from one year to the next is pretty good. Whether they make the playoffs remains to be seen.

Because that's not what the Lions did.

The Lions took a huge swing at the DE position, hinging on Ansah living up to his potential. He is the rawest 1st round pick I've ever seen, and could just as easily be a bust as he could be an upgrade. Yes, he has tremendous upside, but he may not ever reach it.

And again, Reggie Bush could revitalize a struggling run game and give the Lions a legitimate second threat on offense. Or he could fail miserably. Or (and most likely) he could get injured and miss half the season, becoming a complete nonfactor. I love Reggie's game, when he's healthy, but he hasn't been healthy for an entire year; ever.

So no, the Lions may not be a better team. They went with a whole lot of upside this offseason, but not much in guaranteed production. Avril (while not great) was a lot steadier than Ansah, and he's going to have a lot of learning pains. Plus, the Lions still have no linebackers and a very weak secondary. The defensive line wasn't their weakness. It's still not their weakness, but their defense isn't scaring anyone. In a conference where the Bears and Packers always contend and the Vikings are just starting to look scary, the Lions again are on the outside looking in. They may be a better team, but they're still the worst in the NFC North.

"Improving both DE spots"

You don't know that. You're banking on one of the most raw rookies (Ansah) being better than a guy who had 29 sacks over the last 3 years, Cliff Avril.

I'm not saying that the Lions aren't substantially better now than they were last season. All I'm saying is that they had the same expectations and hype coming into last season, and they went 4-12. Can you blame people for doubting your team?

The best way to shut the haters up is by proving it on the field.

................

Okay. Fine. The Lions will go 19-0 this year. You happy now?

Seriously, I'm a USC football fan and my team is constantly being doubted, due to the fact that they sh*t the bed last season. I just roll with the punches because that's the only thing I can do.

Likewise, the Lions pretty much sh*t the bed last season. Does that mean they'll suck this year? No. However, you're going to have to roll with the punches and let your team do the talking on the field.

The more you talk your team up, the more embarrassed you'll be if you end up being wrong.

It is going to make an awesome difference for the Lions on there way to the super bowl. I think Suh-per-man will contain his emotions and play like the Suh-per-star he is. And you can bet there already cleaning him up a spot in Canton. This will be his break out year totally unstoppable And with the rest of the guys they got WOW! I'm betting them preseason to go all the way in Vegas

Because it's the Lions, bad coaching.

Hypothetically if you do get better players it doesn't automatically translate into wins....just ask the Eagles.

It's a team game.