Birkett: Bad drafts, old D lend to disaster

(Photo: Kirby Lee USA TODAY Sports)LONDON – The Detroit Lions set a standard for pitiful play seven years ago when they authored the only 0-16 season in NFL history.

But although that year was doomed from the start, with a roster mostly depleted of NFL talent playing in front of a fan base that had already Millen Man Marched its way to the point of apathy, this season is on its way to challenging 2008 as the low point in franchise history in one important regard.

Never have expectations for the Lions been as rich and the results as poor as they have through the season's first eight games.

This was a team many expected to contend for the playoffs. Instead, the Lions are vying for the No. 1 pick…