Mikel Leshoure's Achilles is another blow for the upstart Lions. (Photo courtesy of Zimbio)

As optimism surrounded the Detroit Lions, skepticism remained around the team. Questions like, “Will Matthew Stafford stay healthy?” “Can they shore up the secondary and linebacker groups?” Now, there is a blow that will likely hurt the Lions before they even play a preseason game.

Rookie running back Mikel Leshoure, a second round draft pick out of the University of Illinois, will miss the entire 2011 campaign with a torn Achilles Tendon. That is a huge loss for a team looking to continue it’s success from the end of 2010.

The Lions arguably had one of the best drafts in 2011. They were able to solidify one of the top defensive lines, by adding Nick Fairley out of Auburn when he slid to them at pick 13. In the second round they added Boise State big play receiver Titus Young, who eventually will form a dynamic duo with Calvin Johnson. Leshoure was added with their second, second round pick.

Fairley has already missed time in training camp with a foot injury, and now Leshoure is lost for the season due to a high hit by DE, Cliff Avril. What once looked like a team on the rise, with a chance to get to 8-8 or better, now looks like a team with a bleak outlook for 2011.  It is only a matter of time until, umm drum roll please…. Stafford separates his shoulder yet again, which should completely ruin the year.

I grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of the city, as a sports freak. For example, when I was three years old, I used to run outside in my underwear to grab the newspaper, just so my dad could read me the sports section. I played a couple years of high school football and baseball. I also wrote for the school newspaper, and was the voice of my high school football team as a senior. I went on to study Broadcasting and Communications at Western Illinois University, where I continued to write and broadcast.

I have two Bears moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. Devin Hester returning the opening kick off in Super Bowl XLI, due in large part that everyone knew it was going to happen, and it came to fruition. The second memory came back in 2001 vs the San Francisco 49ers. I was sitting in the end zone of this overtime thriller when Mike Brown intercepted Jeff Garcia, and scampered 33 yards for the 37-31 victory.  Check it out:

I am a huge fantasy football guy, as well as gambling/confidence pools interest me as well. I look forward to contributing to Bear Goggles On, and entertaining you all with what I have to offer. I want to thank everyone in advance for reading!

Steiny