They offered Robert Porcher a fair contract, stared him down, and Porcher blinked. On the public-relations scoreboard, it was a narrow victory for the Lions, even though their Pro Bowl defensive end now sits in limbo. They landed James Stewart, the best free-agent running back available. They might have overpaid for him, but at least they're making progress. The problem is, every step forward just nudges them closer to the break-even line.
Every move merely attempts to recover a previous loss.
Check that list today. Sanders is gone, abruptly, acrimoniously. He has fallen from the game's most effective receiver to a bit role, and can't understand why. Somehow, the Lions inspire little confidence in their top players, no matter how much they pay. Somehow, they've created an environment of distrust, one they claim they're trying to change.