The 2009 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 80th season overall in the National Football League (NFL). It was the first season with the Lions for new head coach Jim Schwartz, and most of his new coaching staff. The Lions also introduced slightly new uniforms and logos. The Lions improved upon their 0–16 record from the previous season. However, they missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season, which meant the Lions were one of two franchises, not including the Houston Texans (an expansion team that began play in 2002), to not qualify for the playoffs in the 2000s, with the other team being the Buffalo Bills.
This season combined with the Lions' 0–16 record the previous year was the worst two season record (2–30) since the merger until the Cleveland Browns had a 1–15 record in 2016, followed by an 0–16 record in 2017 (1–31).
Offseason
Repercussions of 2008 season
On December 29, 2008, the day after the last game of the 0–16 2008 season, Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. announced head coach Rod Marinelli had been fired. His record with the Lions was 10–38 in three seasons.
He also announced: The promotion of Tom Lewand to team president. The promotion of Martin Mayhew to general manager. The following assistant coaches were not retained: Joe Barry (defensive coordinator), Mike Barry (assistant offensive line) and Jimmy Lake (secondary). Joe Cullen (defensive line)'s contract was not renewed. The team also announced that Jim Colletto had been reassigned to offensive line coach. He ultimately left football altogether and would be replaced by George Yarno as offensive line coach. Additionally, Dave Boller (assistant director of pro personnel) was not retained.
New uniform and logo designs
The Lions officially unveiled a somewhat new logo design and uniforms on April 20, 2009, at a public press conference at a local Dunham's Sports store. The Lion on the helmet now has a flowing mane and fangs, and the font of "Lions" is more modern and stylish.
The Lions' throwback uniforms that were used in 2008 became their official third uniform, however they were not used in 2009. The black jerseys used from 2005 to 2007 were officially discontinued on February 9, 2009, according to Lions team president Tom Lewand.
Personnel
Key roster losses and trades
On February 28, 2009, the Lions traded quarterback Jon Kitna, who sat out most of the 2008 season with a back injury, to the Dallas Cowboys for cornerback Anthony Henry. On March 14, 2009, the Lions traded defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth round draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for linebacker Julian Peterson.Detroit Free Press March 15, 2009 Lions trade Cory Redding to Seattle for Julian Peterson
Key free agent signings
On May 7, 2009, the Lions signed Detroit native and former Michigan Wolverine linebacker Larry Foote. He played on the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.
Corey Smith disappearance On March 1, 2009, it was reported that free agent defensive end Corey Smith (who played for the Lions from 2006 to 2008) boarded a fishing boat off the Gulf Coast of Florida with former teammate Marquis Cooper (most recently of the Oakland Raiders) and former University of South Florida players Nick Schuyler and William Blakely on February 28. Smith and Cooper played together on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. They did not return as expected and the men and their boat were searched for by the U.S. Coast Guard for three days. The National Weather Service said waves were about two to four feet Saturday morning and increased to between three and five feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around twenty knots and waves were up to seven feet or more.Yahoo! News March 1, 2009 Agent: 2 NFL players among Fla. missing boaters On March 2, at approximately 1:30 pm, Coast Guard Petty Official James Harless reported that Schuyler had been found alive "clinging to an overturned vessel". He was later diagnosed with hypothermia and dehydration.CNN.com March 2, 2009 Boater found, NFL players still missing On March 3, the Coast Guard called off the search. Later that day, the Lions released this statement:
A private search led by the families of the still missing men began on March 4.CNN.com March 4, 2009 Coast Guard suspends search for NFL players, friend
The Lions also announced that Smith's jersey number, 93, would not be issued for the 2009 season. The Lions also wore a 93 on the back of their helmets.
2009 NFL draft
With their league worst record in 2008, the Lions secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Detroit also had the No. 20 overall pick in the first round, which they received from the Dallas Cowboys as part of the Roy Williams trade in 2008. The trade also gave them additional picks in the 3rd and 6th rounds.
The Lions traded its 2009 fourth-round selection (101st overall) and its 2008 third-round selection (111th overall, which was traded to Cleveland) to Dallas for its 2008 third-round selection (92nd overall, used to select Cliff Avril).
The Lions selected University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford for the No. 1 overall pick. The six-year contract reportedly contained $41.7 million in guaranteed money, which was the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history up to that point, and carried a total value of up to $78 million.Detroit negotiated a deal with Stafford on April 24, 2008, less than 24 hours before the draft. NFL.com Video player Matt Stafford official draft announcement with analysis and interview
from Dallas
from New Orleans via New York Jets
from Washington via New York Jets
from New York Jets
from Atlanta via Denver
Undrafted free agents Name Position College Demir Boldin Wide receiver Wake Forest Dan Gerberry Center Ball State John Gill Defensive tackle Northwestern Kenneth Harris Wide receiver Georgia Ryan Kess Defensive end St. Cloud State Antone Smith Running back Florida State Spenser Smith Linebacker Eastern Michigan Swayze Walters Kicker UAB
Coaching staff On January 15, 2009, the Lions hired Jim Schwartz as head coach. He spent ten seasons with the Tennessee Titans, eight of them as defensive coordinator, helping them compile a 13–3 record and first place in the AFC South in 2008, before being eliminated in the AFC Divisional playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.Detroit News January 16, 2009 Lions Pick Schwartz On January 21, 2009, the Lions hired veteran coach and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Cunningham worked with Schwartz on the Titans from 2001 to 2003, and has several years of coaching and defensive coordinating experience with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. On January 23, 2009, the Lions hired Scott Linehan as the offensive coordinator. Linehan held the head coaching position of the St. Louis Rams from 2006 to 2008 but was fired after losing the first four games of the 2008 season. This is the second time in three years the Lions have turned to a former Rams coach. He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons (2002–2004).
Detroit Lions 2009 staff Front office Owner/chairman – William Clay Ford Sr. Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. President – Tom Lewand General manager – Martin Mayhew Senior personnel executive – James "Shack" Harris Vice president of football operations – Cedric Saunders Vice president of pro personnel – Sheldon White Director of college scouting – Scott McEwen Assistant director of college scouting – Lance Newmark Assistant director of pro personnel – Miller McCalmon Assistant director of pro personnel – Charlie Sanders
Head coaches Head coach – Jim Schwartz Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator – Gunther Cunningham
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Scott Linehan Quarterbacks – Jeff Horton Running backs – Sam Gash Wide receivers – Shawn Jefferson Tight ends – Tim Lappano Offensive line – George Yarno Offensive quality control – Todd Downing Defensive coaches Defensive line – Bob Karmelowicz Assistant defensive line – Kris Kocurek Linebackers – Matt Burke Secondary – Tim Walton Assistant secondary – Daron Roberts Defensive assistant – Don Clemons
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Stan Kwan Assistant special teams – Bradford Banta
Strength and conditioning Coordinator of physical development – Jason Arapoff Strength and conditioning – Malcolm Blacken
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 Atlanta Falcons W 27–26 1–0 Ford Field Recap 2 at Cleveland Browns L 10–27 1–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 3 Indianapolis Colts W 18–17 2–1 Ford Field Recap 4 at Buffalo Bills W 17–6 3–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 13 at New Orleans Saints L 27–45 0–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap 2 September 20 Minnesota Vikings L 13–27 0–2 Ford Field Recap 3 September 27 Washington Redskins W 19–14 1–2 Ford Field Recap 4 October 4 at Chicago Bears L 24–48 1–3 Soldier Field Recap 5 October 11 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–281–4 Ford Field Recap 6 October 18 at Green Bay Packers L 0–26 1–5 Lambeau Field Recap 7 Bye 8 November 1 St. Louis Rams L 10–17 1–6 Ford Field Recap 9 November 8 at Seattle Seahawks L 20–32 1–7 Qwest Field Recap 10 November 15 at Minnesota Vikings L 10–27 1–8 Mall of America Field Recap 11 November 22 Cleveland Browns W 38–37 2–8 Ford Field Recap 12 November 26 Green Bay Packers L 12–34 2–9 Ford Field Recap 13 December 6 at Cincinnati Bengals L 13–23 2–10 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 14 December 13 at Baltimore Ravens L 3–48 2–11 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 15 December 20 Arizona Cardinals L 24–31 2–12 Ford Field Recap 16 December 27 at San Francisco 49ers L 6–20 2–13 Candlestick Park Recap 17 January 3 Chicago Bears L 23–37 2–14 Ford Field Recap
Standings
Regular season results
Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
The Lions began their season down south, taking on the New Orleans Saints. The Saints struck first with just over 12 minutes left in the first quarter with a 9-yard TD catch by Marques Colston from Drew Brees. They made it 14–0 3 minutes later when Robert Meachem caught a 29-yard TD pass by Brees. The Lions got on the board with just over 5 minutes left in the first quarter with a 47-yard Jason Hanson field goal. They scored again just after the start of the second quarter when Kevin Smith ran in a TD from 4 yards out. The Saints responded 10 minutes later with 2 back to back touchdowns by Jeremy Shockey: from 1 yard and 15 yards respectively, putting the Saints up 28–10 at halftime. After the break, Lions QB Matthew Stafford ran a TD in himself from 1 yard out. The Saints responded a few minutes later with a 39-yard field goal by John Carney. The Lions countered with a 24-yard Jason Hanson field goal 3 minutes later. Less than 20 seconds later, the Saints' Devery Henderson caught a 58 TD-yard pass. The Lions responded when Louis Delmas picked up a Saints fumble and ran it back 65 yards for a TD. The only score of the 4th quarter was a 13-yard TD catch by Heath Evans of the Saints. With this loss, the Lions began 2009 0–1 which brought their losing streak to eighteen consecutive regular season games.ESPN.com NFL Recap Lions at Saints week 1
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings
For their home opener, the Lions hosted division rivals the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions struck first with a 30-yard Jason Hanson field goal in the first quarter. They went ahead 10–0 in the second quarter when Calvin Johnson caught an 8-yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford. The Vikings got on the board a few minutes later when Visanthe Shiancoe caught a 1-yard TD pass from Brett Favre.