And we continue our ssssssslow climb in our annual preseason look-see at the worst-to-best NFL franchises.

At No. 25, we picked the Chicago Bears.

For No. 24, we’ll stay in the same division.  The Green Bay Packers.

Just kidding.  The Detroit Lions.

Last year, a 6-2 start melted into 1-7 over the second half of the year, with the only win down the stretch coming by five points at home against a pathetic Chiefs team.

But yet the annual cloud of optimism and big-talking has returned to Detroit.  “This is the year,” they say.  Eventually they’ll be right.

But if it’s this year, it’ll be a shock.

Rounding up a flock of Tampa rejects isn’t the way to improve the team, in our view.  And so as Rod Marinelli prepares for his third season with the team, it looks like the same old stuff for a franchise whose fans have likely accepted the reality that the Lions and the Super Bowl are a combination that won’t happen for as long as the current ownership is in place.

But, as always, there’s hope.  Calvin Johnson looks to be the real deal at receiver.  Kevin Smith has real potential at running back.  Of course, Jon Kitna is still the quarterback, but maybe Drew Stanton will get a shot this year.

The only question is whether it’ll be enough to cause this team to climb from 7-9 to maybe 9-7, and possibly to finagle a shot at a wild-card berth.  We don’t suggest holding your breath.  Or any other bodily functions.