Nick Fairley: Lions are going to Super Bowl

After a tremendously disappointing 4-12 season last year, the Detroit Lions are looking to get back on track in 2013 and contend for a playoff spot. Jim Schwartz’s team’s inability to take things one game at a time last season cost them in the long run, which is why it will be important for the Lions to simplify things when training camp begins.

For starters, Detroit should not be thinking about the Super Bowl just yet. Someone needs to tell that to defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

“I expect big things,” Fairley told the Detroit News earlier this week. “I am going to say we are going to the Super Bowl because I am competitive and that is what I want for the team and it is one of the goals. I am sure we are going to take it game by game and day by day.

“I always have high expectations. I got my kickball tournament and I am trying to win these games. It is the competitor in me that comes out on Sundays.”

There is nothing wrong with being confident and setting out to win a championship. That is exactly what you want from players, but it’s probably not a great idea to bring up the Super Bowl when your team won only four games a season ago. The Lions may have been too cocky coming off their impressive 2011 season in which they reached the postseason for the first time in 12 years. Now, it’s back to basics.

Fairley believes his team can win the Super Bowl and that’s great. However, this NFL coach could tell you that sometimes it’s best to not raise fan expectations if you can help it — especially with a fan base as frustrated as the one in Detroit.