An Open Letter to Drew Sharp

Hello, Mr. Sharp,

I'd just like to introduce myself. I've been a Detroit Lions fan for as long as I can remember. I still recall watching Barry and the Leos fall to Paul Edinger's last-minute field goal (in all honesty, this is one of my first Lions memories). I've called Chicago my home since 2005, but I've never called the Bears my home team. In fact, I hate the Bears. I bleed Honolulu Blue.

We tend to take different points of view when it comes to the Lions: I like to believe that the team will improve from year to year, with a (arguably) realistic outlook on their division finish. You, on the other hand, make a living by casting a negative light on pretty much anything the Lions do. And, in your negativity, you refuse to be bothered by things like journalistic integrity, or even facts!

Remember when you wrote this article? http://www.freep.com/article/20091030/COL08/910300318/No-sure-win-Rams-superior-personnel

I'm sure you do. It was during Matthew Stafford's rookie season, right after that dreadful 0-16 campaign. And, I mean, that must have been heaven for you. Tell me, how erect were you when you turned in your articles to the Free Press? I'm guessing you ruined at least five pairs of pants that season? No? Too few? Fair enough.

But, let's talk about that article: Remember how Calvin Johnson didn't play that game? Remember how you took Alex Barron over Jeff Backus at left tackle? My oh my, what a comic you are, my friend! Oh, no, wait! "Brandon Pettigrew or Randy McMichael: Where's the dartboard?" Oh, Drew, you've done it again! I'm pretty sure Richie Incognito had already been suspended by that point, but you've never been one to let the facts get in the way of your reporting, my man. But, enough with your award-winning articles from the past. (I do assume they won awards, right?)

Oh, and here was another good one from just last year! (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/02/sharp-lions-players-ticked-off-at-selfish-suh/)

My personal favorite part of this interview is how you claim the Lions are, as the URL says, "ticked off at [Suh for being selfish]." (Sorry, buddy, I have a penchant for correcting grammar--talk to your editor about that!) One thing that may slightly affect your argument is literally the very first thing shown on the video, in which Kyle VandenBosch says "I don't think selfish is the word." Look, I obviously don't have the keen insight and access to the Lions locker room that you do, but might this possibly be contradictory to your point?

Oh, wait, but there's more! Remember when you talked about Matthew Stafford's broken finger as having no effect on his play, and instead asserted that it was merely "experience"? Oh, man, you really pulled one over on us there! You know, because once the glove came off, Matthew Stafford pretty much pulled out his penis on the rest of the NFL? (And so did Calvin Johnson, who the NFL had "figured out" by then--Drew, you soothsayer!)

Most recently, a number of players from the Lions' 2011 draft class have been picked up for marijuana possession. And, in your seat as the judge of all things Detroit Sports (We wouldn't want Mitch Albom there, right? That softy would just acquit everyone!), you have declared that the Lions should "kick Leshoure and Fairley off the team."

Well, fair enough. That is one opinion. But, Drew, if you don't mind, I'd like to take a separate stand on the issue.

First of all, let's get it out of the way by saying I agree that the players' citations for marijuana possession are rather silly. You would call them "numbskulls", but I was born after 1935, so I'll avoid that term. Look, Drew, I know you've never smoked weed (as evidenced by your truly brave admission in the Free Press--that must have taken some real intestinal fortitude!), but I have, and I happen to know how that whole process works. So, I feel a little more justified in declaring the Lions' players' actions stupid. Honestly, Leshoure/Fairley. You can't have a boy of yours go and pick up a bag? You can't afford some sort of delivery service? I mean, good lord, I managed that as a broke college freshman in Chicago! Seriously, delivery right to my dorm room! The service was amazing! So, please try to hurt my team a little less in the future. (Particularly you, Mikel, as you've done literally nothing to help the Lions at this point in your career.)

But, back to your claim, Drew. I'm sorry. I tend to get off topic sometimes. I'm sure you can sympathize. (Oh, speaking of getting off topic, you actually imply that Tom Izzo's player getting picked up affects Jim Schwartz. So, I guess Derrick Nix will never play in the NFL again?) But, you advocate for Leshoure and Fairley's dismissal based on the following logic:

"They can't chance Fairley and Leshoure becoming Charles Rogers 2.0, unquestioned talent tilting toward self-destruction. And as we learned from the former wide receiver's implosion into a haze of abusive, reckless behavior, you can't stop somebody hell-bent on ruining his life."

Now, I'm no Jack McCoy, but I'm pretty sure that Roger Goodell and the NFL treat marijuana with more severity than the U.S. legal system. Thus, as has already been noted, Leshoure may actually face a penalty as severe as a four-game suspension (something I don't think is deserved, and hope doesn't happen). Fairley, with this being his first offense, faces very little disciplinary action. That is, he faces very little disciplinary action from the NFL, who is more severe than the U.S. legal system. But, in the court of Drew Sharp's opinion, he should be removed from the team's roster. Because of, and I paraphrase here, what he might become.

Apparently, the Drew Sharp NFL is based on Minority Report. Get Tom Cruise on the case.

For a guy that recommended Martin Mayhew for NFL executive of the year (http://www.freep.com/article/20120112/COL08/201120628/Drew-Sharp-Drew-Sharp-Lions-Martin-Mayhew-should-be-NFL-executive-of-the-year), you clearly don't understand how he runs a football team.

Anyway, all the best, Drew. Tell Rosenberg I said hey. He does some solid Lions coverage.

Sincerely,

Christopher R. Tomke