The conspiracy theorist in me thinks today would be a perfect day for the Mike Martz situation to come to a head. It's Lloyd Carr's last game, most of America's focused on New Year's Day bowls, and there's not much talk radio to dissect the move/batter the franchise. Just a thought.

And while we're on the topic, I understand why Kippy Brown is the frontrunner to replace Martz. Continuity is big entering what could be a make-or-break season. However, I'd wait for the ax to fall on Cam Cameron in Miami and I'd explore the likes of Chan Gailey, Brian Billick, Ray Sherman and if there's coaching turnover in Carolina, Jeff Davidson. Then again, a big-name hire didn't hire work the first time around.

Looking at the Lions' 2008 schedule, it's hard to see much room for improvement record-wise. They play a brutal home schedule with games against playoff teams Tampa, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Washington and Green Bay (plus the Bears, Vikings and Saints; nothing easy there). Indianapolis and Minnesota are the only two playoff teams the Lions face on the road, but the way they played away from Ford Field this year can you really count on wins at Atlanta, San Francisco or Carolina?