It was not a very good decade for our Detroit Lions.
In fact, from 2010-2019, the Lions went 72-87 in the regular season and 0-3 in the NFL Playoffs.
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Despite their poor performance during the 2010s, the Lions have had some solid players along the way.
While browsing Twitter, we came across a piece by Detroit Lions writer Mike O’Hara, who revealed his All-Decade team.
Here are O’Hara’s picks, along with his rationale.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Matthew Stafford (2010-present)
Drafted first overall and settled the quarterback position. Holds all the franchise records, will add to them.
Backup quarterback: Shaun Hill (2010-13). Always ready, won some games.
RUNNING BACK
Reggie Bush (2013-14)
The Lions needed impact at running back when they signed him as a free agent in 2013. He provided it with 1,006 yards in 2013, big plays for 2014 playoff team.
Honorable mention: Joique Bell, Theo Riddick, Jahvid Best
WIDE RECEIVER
Calvin Johnson (2010-15)
Lived up to Megatron nickname bestowed on him as a rookie by teammate Roy Williams. Highlight catches were routine. Set the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012. Hall of Fame worthy.
Golden Tate (2014-18)
One of the best free-agent signings in franchise history, had 90 or more catches in his first four seasons. One of the best with yards after the catch.
Kenny Golladay (2017-present)
Makes contested catches downfield, plays hard to the last second. Topped 1,000 yards receiving twice and the best is ahead.
Honorable mention: Marvin Jones Jr., Nate Burleson
TIGHT END
Brandon Pettigrew (2010-15)
Was the Lions’ second pick in the first round after Stafford and was a big target for Stafford — 71, 83, 59, 41 catches from 2010-13. Also blocked.
Honorable mention: Tony Scheffler, Eric Ebron
TACKLE
Jeff Backus (2010-12)
Still steady at left tackle his last three seasons.
Taylor Decker (2016-present)
Starter at left tackle from day one of 2016.
Honorable mention: Riley Reiff, Rick Wagner, Gosder Cherilus
GUARD
Rob Sims (2010-14)
80 games, 80 starts, quality play in all of them after coming to Detroit in a trade.
Larry Warford (2013-16)
Played like a vet as a rookie and kept it up.
Honorable mention: Graham Glasgow
CENTER
Frank Ragnow (2018-present)
A college center at Arkansas, broke in with the Lions at left guard as a rookie. Moved to center in 2019 – and should stay there for the next decade.
Honorable mention: Dominic Raiola
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END
Ziggy Ansah (2013-18)
He had big games and big seasons – 14.5 sacks in 2015, 12 in 2017 – but injuries kept him from reaching and sustaining his full potential.
Cliff Avril (2010-12)
He had 39.5 sacks as a Lion and 29 from 2010-12. He added to his total with the Seahawks, but it all started with the Lions as a third-round draft pick in ’08.
Honorable mention: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jason Jones
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Ndamukong Suh (2010-14)
A powerful player, motivated to destroy anything in his way on the field. Four Pro Bowls, first-team All Pro three times as a Lion. A great, great player.
Haloti Ngata (2015-17)
Injuries held him back, but he was a powerful, athletic force in the middle in his three seasons as a Lion.
Honorable mention: Corey Williams, Nick Fairley
LINEBACKER
DeAndre Levy (2010-16)
He never made a Pro Bowl, but he was a versatile player in the middle or at outside linebacker. He set his career high of six interceptions in 2013. Injures limited him to four games his last two seasons.
Stephen Tulloch (2011-15)
A good, solid, dependable player as a Lion who filled a void as part of the 2011 playoff team when signed as a free agent that year.
Devon Kennard (2018-present)
His individual play has not gotten lost in two seasons of losing. A high effort player who improved his pass rush skills with the Lions.
Honorable mention: Tahir Whitehead
CORNERBACK
Darius Slay (2013-present)
A Pro Bowl player the last three seasons who covers the opponent’s top receiver week after week.
Rashean Mathis (2013-15)
The Lions thought they’d have him for a year when he signed after 10 years in Jacksonville, but he was such a pro they kept him for three. The third year was shortened by injury.
Honorable mention: Nevin Lawson, Chris Houston
SAFETY
Tavon Wilson (2016-present)
A Patriots transplant who’s put down deep roots in a variety of roles.
Glover Quin (2013-18)
Respected for his play and his leadership. Great anticipation helped him intercept 19 passes as a Lion, with a league-high seven in his 2014 Pro Bowl season.
Honorable mention: Louis Delmas, James Ihedigbo
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER
Matt Prater (2014-present)
Best in the league from 50-plus in the clutch.
Honorable mention: Jason Hanson (His decades were 1992-2012).
PUNTER
Sam Martin (2013-present)
Consistent punter, and on kickoffs and as a holder for Prater.
Honorable mention: Nick Harris
LONG SNAPPER
Don Muhlbach (2010-present)
The Nolan Ryan of long snappers hasn’t lost his fast ball, or his consistency. Can’t imagine a decade without him.
RETURN MAN
Jamal Agnew (2017-present)
He returned two punts for touchdowns as a rookie and got a punt return and kick return touchdown this year.
SPECIAL TEAMER
Don Carey (2011-17, one game in 2018)
The fact that Carey was signed to play one game in an emergency in 2018 indicates what high regard he was held in. He was always ready on special teams, or to fill in on defense when, and wherever, needed.
— Courtesy of Mike O’Hara, Detroit Lions — LINK
