2013 Season Preview: Bears vs. Lions 5 Questions with SideLion Report

It was opening day, again. The Lions had come to Soldier Field to show the Bears that they had a coach, quarterback and a defense that should not be reckoned with. This division rivalry was about to get heated. I remember sitting in the north end zone cheering when Julius Peppers sacked Matthew Stafford. We as fans would soon realize that Matthew Stafford had been injured and wouldn’t be able to finish the game, something you never cheer about. The Lions brought out the Bears kryptonite, the “back-up quarterback”. I don’t know what it was, but for the last few years, it felt like the Bears didn’t know how to defend against the back-up quarterback when they come in for an injury. If it wasn’t for the infamous Calvin Johnson “not completing the process of the catch” thing, the Bears would have lost that game. Does anybody remember that? Well, just in case you don’t, here you go.

In this weeks edition of 5 Questions, we chat with Zac Snyder from SideLion Report.

1. What did you like and/or dislike about what the Lions did in free agency and the draft?

May 22, 2013; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) during organized team activities at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

I like the way the Lions aggressively targeted Reggie Bush and Glover Quin to fill specific needs and did so without having to really break the bank. I would have liked the Lions to have ended up with Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel in the draft but that wasn’t an option so I think they made the right choice with Ansah and I really like the pick of Larry Warford in the third round. I dislike that the Lions didn’t draft a safety given the deep class and the questions about whether Louis Delmas is capable of staying healthy through a season.

2. What do you feel is the Lions weakest link is?

Aug 25, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Riley Reiff (71) during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Lions 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Given that the Lions have done a good job to fill holes I don’t know that they have weak links as much as they have unproven links. Those come in the form of Riley Reiff stepping in as the full-time left tackle, the battle between Corey Hilliard and Jason Fox at right tackle and the battle between Ashlee Palmer, Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis for the second outside linebacker spot.

3. How do the Lions fans feel about Jim Schwartz?

Dec. 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, left shakes hands with Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith at the end of the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

I like him in general but this is definitely a make or break year. It’s time to show what this team really is and how he has developed as a coach. Is it the team that made the playoffs in 2011 or the team that was beyond disappointing in 2012?

4. From a fans standpoint, the Bears hate the Packers, the Packers hate the Vikings and the Vikings hate the Packers. What team do the Lions fans want to beat the most every year?

Nov 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) gets hit by Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

That is a really interesting question because the Lions really don’t have a single big rival. I would say there is a more natural rivalry between Detroit and Chicago that spans the sports landscape but beating the Packers is probably first in the minds of Lions fans because they are the class of the division.

5. Everyone knows about Suh, Stafford and Johnson. Can you tell us about a player that will make a difference in 2013 that hasn’t reached the spotlight?

Oct 22, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Ryan Broyles (84) catches a pass over Chicago Bears cornerback Kelvin Hayden (24) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Broyles. He was showing glimpses of why the Lions took him in the second round of the 2011 draft before ripping up his other knee. Working back from the knee injury he suffered at Oklahoma kept him under the radar last season and he didn’t play long enough before suffering the other knee injury to really get noticed by most fans, especially outside of Detroit. He has a natural feel for the position and was able to participate in the Lions’ minicamp a couple weeks ago.

I want to thank Zac Snyder for taking the time to answer our off-season questions about the Lions. Be sure to check out SideLion Report for all your needed info about the Bears division rival Detroit Lions.