’Twas the night before training camp, when all through Motown

Every Lions’ fan was wondering, will Delmas be up or be down

The helmets were hung in the lockers with care

In hopes that Ndamukong Suh would soon be there

The fans were all nestled after taking their meds

While visions of the playoffs danced in their heads

And Nate in his LionBlood tee and Matthew in his Tigers cap

Had their brains hard at work, it was no time for a nap

Then out on the practice field there arose such a clatter

Mayhew sprung from his office to see what was the matter

Away to the window he flew like a flash

To see 90 Lions he was paying lots of cash

The sun on the breast of the early morning dew

Gave the luster of wonderment to every fan, not a few

Then who to his wondering eyes would he see

But Calvin and Riley, Darius and Zigggg-gy

With a new back named Reggie so lively and quick

Mayhew knew in a moment this team could click

They stretched and they ran and they sweated all day

He didn’t whistle or shout, he had little to say

Now Fairley, now Calvin, now Tulloch and Houston

On Ryan! On MIkell! on Dom and Burleson!

To the top of the North, to the top of the NFC

Hang on for a wild ride, it’s the norm you see

After strolling the sidelines and chatting with Jim

Mayhew knew camp was key, his hopes were not dim

I heard him exclaim as he walked off the sod

“No comment today” - then he gave a nod

— PaulaPasche, with apologies to Clement Moore