Kitna Falls Victim To Joe Namath Disease

Ever since Joe Namath predicted his underdog New York Jets would defeat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, it seems every year an athlete opens up his mouth, inserts foot and makes a bold prediction.

This year the affliction, which I have named Joe Namath Disease, has caught hold of Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna.

Kitna recently told a Detroit radio station that the Lions would win more than 10 games in 2007. Here's a little snippet of the Kitna spiel.

"I'll keep to myself what I think we actually will win. But it's more than 10 games. I don't like putting a lot of pressure on people, but Calvin Johnson, to me, will have about the same impact that Reggie Bush had in New Orleans," Kitna said. "He's everything that they said he was and more. ... I mean he's 235 (pounds), runs a 4.3 (40-yard dash), he's got tennis rackets for hands. ..."

Whoa Jon, I'll have some of whatever your smoking.

History has proven that teams can go from 3-13, what the Lions were last season, and make the playoffs. Take a look at New Orleans last season. The Lions are in good shape with Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, but to win more than 10 games this season is a little far-fetched.

This is a team that has a record of 24-72 with Matt Millen as GM and hasn't had a 10-win season since 1995. Any offense will be solid under Martz, that's a given. Except when he runs it only five or six times in a game and throws it 45-50, ripping the hearts from the Detroit faithful.

The defense lost Dre Bly and will be dangerously thin in the secondary. The front seven is getting better, but needs to be more consistent. The offensive line is shaky and Kevin Jones may not play this season.

The Lions are improving and should win six or seven games this season. Kitna may prove us all wrong and actually achieve his goal, although I doubt it. The difference between Namath and all the others who have come after is "Broadway Joe" backed up his words with action.

Now it's time for Kitna to do the same.