Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Nate Burleson were all quality offseason acquisitions for the Lions. But perhaps quarterback Shaun Hill should be at the top of the list.

With Matthew Stafford two shoulder injuries, Hill has started eight of the first 11 games. While he’s notched just one win, he hasn’t been the reason for the losses.

Without Hill this team would be in much worse shape.

Hill has proven his toughness in recent weeks playing with a broken left forearm. It’s not been quite six weeks since the break and he’s started three games. Basically he’s been playing with a broken arm. He was cleared by doctors, but even coach Jim Schwartz has admitted the obvious.

Then Hill said on Thanksgiving, on a quarterback draw, the Patriots were literally trying to re-break his arm. Toward the end of the game when the minutes were meaningless, coach Jim Schwartz offered him the chance to leave the game and it was his option to stay in.

The offensive line has done a good job of protecting him. He’s prepared and his increasing comfort level is apparent.

If the whole team played with as much heart as Hill, the record just might be a little better than 2-9.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)