Consider it the evolution in Fantasy Football.
There hasn't been a time when you haven't watched team sports and used either incredible deductive skills, hindsight, or a healthy dose of revisionist history to outthink the suits who destroy fans hopes (and fantasy teams). In Detroit, there's a Lions fan who has taken those thoughts one setp further.
"Lionsguy," aka Chris Pruett, is on a mission to have the fans voices heard.. According to MLive.com, Pruett is circulating an online petition to give fans the ability to vote and decide who their NFL team selects in the draft.
It sounds crazy, but crazier things have happened.
"I've got 12 sheets of signatures filled up," said Pruett. "I started this three years ago, but I only started having people sign it this year." If there's any team where the "It couldn't get any worse." credo would apply, it would be Detroit. Last year, the Detroit Lions went 4-12, losing their last 8 straight.
Even the most boisterous of prognosticators admit that much of the selection process is a crapshoot. One never knows when a guy will exceed expectations like a Russell Wilson or even exceed the best expectations like Robert Griffin III. Remember, it's those same "knowledgeable" experts who selected future Hall of Shamers as Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf. Teams have their "war rooms" and paid experts on draft day, but are they really much better than the rabid fan with 16 fantasy teams or the fan who watches more college games than ESPN?
Pruett may be leading this one-man crusade to raise the voice of the fan, but if it catches on, fans would really be justified (and a bit silent) about the product on the field (That means you, Jacksonville). "Lionsguy" has even set up a makeshift "Detroit Lions offseason mobile mental health clinic for forlorn fans".
Think of Lucy's booth from Peanuts...just with a lower budget. Fans may curse and scream Goddell during the draft, but at least Pruitt keeps it in perspective when asked who he'd pick for the Lions in April's draft. "I don't know. I'm not a big ol' expert," Pruett said. "I know a lot of stuff like that, but I'm here to connect with the fans, make the fans happy, give the Lions fans a little cheer. I know this petition joke will never happen."
Don't be so sure, Lionsguy. They once said that about American Idol.