FanHouse TravisFisher

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

I'm going to do my best to avoid use of the phrase "Well, things can't get any worse," or anything like that. Really, I am. But it's worth pointing out that this is a true statement. Things are looking up for the Detroit Lions because they absolutely can't get any worse.

With two first-round picks and a ton of available cap space, a well-managed organization could make a significant dent in one year.

There are some things in this world you just shouldn't say. Like going up to an extremely overweight man getting his haircut and asking if he'd like his fade "Super Sized." Or asking a person in a wheelchair for a ride. Bad idea, you look like an ass, and you shouldn't even utter the sentence.

That rolls us into Detroit Lions cornerback Travis Fisher, who was chattering about the game this week against the Green Bay Packers. Unless your address is 1461 Rock and Hard Place Drive you know the Lions are 0-15, and they face off against a Packers squad that may be better than their record indicates this Sunday at Lambeau.

Fisher had a chance to say some things about the Lions. For instance -- "We really want to win this game." Or, "It would be great for the team moral if we could pull this one out in the last game of the season." He even could have gone with, "Nobody in this locker room wants to be that team to go 0-16."

Instead, he said this.

"I think we're going to shock a lot of people with a great game. I feel like we're going to win," he said. "Not to take anything away from Green Bay, but we're a great football team. I know the record doesn't show it, but I'm going to say it."

The now 0-15 Lions have many believing that a winless season is not only possible, but probable. This is 0for08, FanHouse's eye on the Detroit Lions and their quest for a winless season.

Our unnamed resident FanHouse Packers fan is convinced that the Lions will avoid 0-16 thanks to the generosity of Green Bay's defense. I find that very hard to believe because Detroit hasn't won a game this season and are fresh off a 35-point home loss to the 8-7 Saints.

When you include the starting quarterback situation, the head coaching situation (or, if you're Rob Parker: the defensive coordinator/son-in-law situation), and the general apathy towards winning, well, oh-for-'08 appears eminently doable.

More proof: Detroit cornerback Travis Fisher either has very little confidence in the Lions' chances or he LOVES walking.

"If we win, man, I ain't catching the plane back home," Fisher said today. "I might walk. I'll walk back. I'll walk back to Detroit."

Asked jokingly whether the media can hold him to that, Fisher said, smiling: "That's a guarantee. I'll walk back to Detroit."

It's not an Anthony Smith-style guarantee, and certainly less eye-gouge-worthy than when ESPN employee Sean Salisbury's "promised" to walk naked from Bristol to DC should the 'Skins make the playoffs. But, if nothing else, it was a lighthearted moment for a team in desperate need of one. (Assuming you're not into the comedy stylings of Rob Parker, of course.)

It's probably worth mentioning that Fisher suffered a concussion against the Saints, although he sounds more lucid here than Marinelli has at any point this season.

With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

Saturday

Baltimore (9-5) at Dallas (9-5): This is just the start of what should be now called "The Best Week 15 Slate of Games of All Time." Both these teams desperately need a win for playoff implications, with the Steelers, Eagles, and Falcons all watching verrrry intently in their own regard. Tony Romo and company are averaging 23.7 points per game while Ray Lewis and his revived wrecking crew are giving up a stingy 15.2. In the famous words of Jack Nicholson, "Something's gotta give." I think the Dallas defense, who has locked down the last three games and is allowing just over 12 points in those games, rattles Joe Flacco and the 'Boys move a step closer to becoming the 2007 New York Giants of the playoffs.

Tony, remember this -- even Phil Mickelson can win a major championship every now and again.

Pick: Dallas