1999 record: 8-8, third in the NFC Central

Last five years: 37-43

Coach: Bobby Ross (22-28 entering fourth year in Detroit, 72-64 overall)

Playoff past: Again, the Lions made a quick exit in the playoffs. They lost at Washington in the first round a year ago. In 1997, '95, '94 and '93, they also lost in the first round. They haven't won a playoff game since 1991 when they reached the NFC title game.

Outlook

Stoney Case is a good name for a drifter.

Drifting is exactly what Case, the former Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens quarterback, was doing until Detroit starter Charlie Batch suffered a broken bone in his right knee on June 5.

At times, Case lived at his parents' house in Odessa, Texas. Then, he'd get bored and would visit friends in Phoenix or in Southern California.

Charlie Batch will likely miss the season opener, leaving the keys to the Lions offense to Stoney Case. (AP)

There was even an unfounded rumor Case was retiring from football to become an actor. He has Hollywood friends from his time dating actress Ali Landry, once rated by People Magazine as the one of the world's 50 Most Beautiful People.

"I never was going to quit," Case said. "I was just hanging around waiting for some (team) to call me."

Now, Case could be the Lions' opening day starter.

Batch has suffered no setbacks in his recovery, but the Lions still don't know if he'll return for the Sept. 3 opener at New Orleans.

His replacement, Mike Tomczak, was dreadful in the preseason opener against the New England Patriots. He completed only 4 of 13 passes and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Tomczak's quarterback rating for that game was 8.2 and now he's out with an Achilles' strain.

"I wouldn't be here if Charlie didn't get hurt," said Case, a fifth-year pro. "I just knew here I would have a chance to compete for something. At home, I wasn't competing for anything."

Case was impressive in his Lions debut. He completed 7 of 12 passes and had a 17-yard run.

"My goal always is to be the starting quarterback, regardless of the situation, but I'm not going to start a quarterback controversy," Case said. "And, I know, without a doubt, that Charlie will be the quarterback when he gets back. He's their future."

The Lions never can seem to catch a break.

Before last season, future Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders retired.

Then, All-Pro wide receiver Herman Moore suffered a knee injury in the season opener and Batch wound up missing nine games with a dislocated thumb.

The Lions still managed to make the playoffs but by going in the back door. They lost their final four regular-season games.

Again, this year, they enter the season with great talent. Their receiving corps, led by Germane Crowell and Johnnie Morton, is one of the league's best.

Few teams have a one-two combination on the defensive line as good as Robert Porcher and Luther Elliss.

Ross thinks he finally has found a replacement for Sanders in free-agent acquisition James Stewart, Fred Taylor's backup at Jacksonville.

But this is a team that has had many things go wrong, which is why they have only won one playoff game in 41 years.

"I'm not a Detroit Lions historian," Case said. "But I know this is a team that always has a lot of potential. The weapons on offense are great. I know from going against them in practice that the defense is really good.

"But they tell me that something (bad) seems to happen all the time."

Schedule preview: The Lions better not start slowly because the schedule is brutal at the end. After Thanksgiving, the Lions play three consecutive games on the road, at divisional rivals Minnesota and Green Bay and then at the New York Jets. They also have three regular-season games on Thursdays, including their annual Thanksgiving home game, this year against New England.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 21 overall, No. 9 passing, No. 28 rushing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 18 overall, No. 27 vs. pass, No. 9 vs. rush.

Key players lost from 1999: QB Gus Frerotte (Denver), S Mark Carrier (Washington), CB Robert Bailey (Baltimore), RB Greg Hill (released), RB Ron Rivers (released).

Key additions for 2000: RB James Stewart (Jaguars), SS Kurt Schultz (Bills), QB Mike Tomczak (Steelers), QB Stoney Case (Ravens), S Leomont Evans (Redskins)

Rookies to watch: No position on the Lions has been weaker the past few years than the offensive line, which is why first-round pick Stockar McDougle of Oklahoma could start. Third-round pick Reuben Droughns, a running back from Oregon, was expected to back up Stewart at running back, but he could miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Offensive line: The Lions better hope they drafted well the past two years at this position because McDougle and Aaron Gibson, last year's first-round pick from Wisconsin, could both start. McDougle could start at left guard, a position he never has played. Gibson, who missed all of last season because of a shoulder injury, could start at right tackle. If they aren't ready, the Lions could be in trouble. Plus, starting left tackle Ray Roberts is coming off a knee injury. First-year line coach Pat Ruel, who never has worked in the pros, inherits this mess.

Wide receivers/tight ends: As always, this is the Lions' strength. Crowell and Morton could start for anybody. They combined for 161 receptions for 2,467 yards and 12 scores last season. Any team would love to have veteran Herman Moore as the third receiver. He seems to have plenty left. Tight end David Sloan made the Pro Bowl last season when he had a career-high 47 receptions for 591 yards and four scores.

Running backs: The company line last year was the Lions could replace Sanders. They couldn't and had the league's 28th-ranked running game. Last year's backs, Greg Hill and Ron Rivers, were dumped. This year, Stewart and second-year pro Sedrick Irvin will carry the load. Stewart had some big games for the Jaguars, but he hasn't shown he can be an every-down back week after week. The loss of Droughns is a blow.

Quarterbacks: The big question is whether Batch can stay healthy. He has missed 14 games his first two seasons, including nine last year with a broken thumb. Batch has the ability. He had the Lions off to their best start in six years before hurting his thumb. If he isn't recovered from the knee injury for the opener, Tomczak or Case will start. Tomczak began camp as the starter but has been mediocre and is being pushed by Case.

Defensive line: Now that end Robert Porcher has ended his holdout, the Lions have few worries here. Porcher is coming off a 15-sack season. Luther Elliss, selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time, is a dominating player inside. End Tracy Scroggins is steady and underrated. The other tackle, James Jones, filled a big hole in the middle a year ago Jones and Elliss did such a good job inside, they freed Porcher to make big plays around the flank.

Linebackers: This used to be a weak spot for the Lions. But Pro Bowl middle linebacker Stephen Boyd has solidified play in the middle and Alan Aldridge and Chris Claiborne, last year's first-round draft pick, were effective in their first year starting with the team. Boyd has led the Lions in tackles three consecutive years. Claiborne is a terrific athlete who will only get better with experience. Aldridge, formerly of the Broncos, seemed much comfortable playing on the strong side.

Secondary: The Lions expected Bryant Westbrook to be a dominating player when they took him fifth overall in 1997. But last season was a disaster for Westbrook, who was bothered by a hamstring injury. Things didn't go any better for him in the offseason. He was arrested for drunken driving and could face a suspension by the league. Terry Fair, the other starting cornerback, has a lot of guts but gets picked on because of his 5-foot-9 size. This year, they will be playing alongside a new starter at free safety in Schultz, formerly of the Bills. Ron Rice is becoming one of the league's best strong safeties.

Special teams: This is a team that doesn't take risks at the kicking and punting spots. Jason Hanson, coming off a Pro Bowl season, is one of the NFL's most accurate kickers. Veteran John Jett's punts aren't always pretty, but he had 27 inside the 20-yard line last year. Fair is a dangerous return man but has had trouble staying healthy.