National Football League

Schein 9: Lions should stay on Thanksgiving menu

Published Nov. 29, 2009 2:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

You always choose pumpkin pie over apple pie on Thanksgiving.

That's a boom.

The other 364 days, you go apple. Thanksgiving is different. And only serve the real stuffing.

For more delicious opinions on the NFL, here's our latest SCHEIN 9, boom or bust style.

1. The Lions should play on Thanksgiving every year

I cannot stress this enough. This is an absolute boom.

I understand. The Lions have been one of the worst franchises in professional sports this decade, if not the single most horrendous organization. Tennessee could've put up 100 last year if they wanted to. Green Bay will make mincemeat out of the Lions. I get it.

But why bail on tradition?

There are so few things we can bank on in sports. The Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving are as much a part of the holiday as turkey.

And every so often the Lions give you a great effort and surprise you.

It hasn't always been this bad on Thanksgiving. Barry Sanders was always fun to watch.

And Detroit is getting better. Matthew Stafford is a gutsy ball player with talent and leadership who is committed to the cause of making the Lions relevant. Jim Schwartz has this team playing hard.

I know some games on Thanksgiving are over before the meal is even served.

It will get better. Trust me. Don't abandon tradition.