Rod Marinelli's disciplinarian style seems to be working so far in Detroit. Jamie Sabau/SI

OH, YE OF LITTLE LIONS FAITH. From Liam Roche of Slough, England: "I'm afraid I don't share your confidence that the Lions will do well this year. I do believe that next year Rod Marinelli will turn it around, but to do it after one summer? The team has had 40 years of losing to contend with, and you can't just eradicate it with a new man barking the orders.''

You may be right, Liam. But what I saw this summer encouraged me. I saw a team with talent (and in a division that's not overwhelmingly talented across the board) paying attention to a coach who knows what he's doing. Marinelli's got a solid grip on this team. I like the fact that, in a division that's really going to struggle to score points, this should be the highest-scoring team. I agree with your thought about the pervasiveness of a losing attitude, but you'll see. Marinelli's got a good shot to change it.

YOU'RE WELCOME, JOSH. From Joshua Brown of New Orleans: "No question, Peter, just thanks. Thanks for all of your support for New Orleans over the past year. I was really touched to read that you had bought Saints season tickets. As a fellow season-ticket holder, I'd like to say that I share your grim assessment of the defense (I don't remember a year when I have thought this poorly of the D -- and there have been some bad, bad defenses in the past few years). But just having the team at all -- and heading in a good direction -- will mean so much to so many down here.''

We can't forget your town, Josh. It's too important to the country.

THEY'RE IN A BETTER HABITAT NOW, BILL. From Bill of Salisbury, Md.: "Assuming you don't plan on actually using those four Saints season tickets, here's my idea: Find Saints fans -- a different set every week, if you want -- who've helped their fellow residents and send them to the game. Maybe a public employee who's gone above and beyond, maybe the leader of a church group that's run soup kitchens, maybe just some kids who've checked on elderly neighbors and helped them get through. Don't even tell us, if you don't want to. But I'll be pretty upset if you just StubHub them. Here's your chance to do some good for someone in New Orleans."

Good ideas, Bill. I've already given them to Habitat for Humanity, and I hope they do pretty much what you said -- give them to volunteers who are helping rebuild the city.

HE THINKS WE'RE ALL UNDERRATING THE PACKERS. From Felipe of New Canaan, Conn.: "I know the Packers did horribly last year and so expectations should be much lower. But I don't understand why we are counted out by every expert. We had the No. 7 defense last year and it improved during the offseason. We have our top two running backs back, which should lead to Brett Favre throwing less and making fewer interceptions. Our only real weaknesses are the receivers and O-line. Contrast that to Minnesota, where their defense is horrible, no one knows how well Brad Johnson or Chester Taylor will do and their receivers are even worse than ours. Detroit has a new coach, so it should take some time to adjust to the scheme. Why are we ranked lower than both of these teams who have bigger question marks than we do?''

Uh, have you seen the Pack this preseason? What gives you any hope they'll win nine games? I just don't see it.

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