At times, the Detroit Lions' offense has been explosive in 2004 -- given the emergence of quarterback Joey Harrington and rookie receiver Roy Williams. And though the offense has greatly contributed to the team's 2-1 record (tied for first with Minnesota in the NFC North), the unit has also pinpointed a relative weakness within their cause: Sluggish starts.

The Detroit Lions running back Olandis Gary could miss the entire 2004 season, if his shoulder ailment requires a long rehabilitation after surgery, according to head coach Steve Mariucci Thursday.

The sixth-year pro from Georgia, who rushed for 384 yards with the Detroit Lions in 2003, will soon be examined by a South Carolina-based doctor, Mariucci said.

The 2004 college football season officially gets underway this Saturday night, as defending national champion USC faces Virginia Tech in the BCA Classic.

The primetime game will be held at FedEx Field in Washington D.C. -- basically a de facto home contest for the Kevn-Jones-less Hokies. Both teams have sustained key losses in personnel from last year, but many college polls still rank the Trojans as the preseason No. 1.

In real-time, the Detroit Lions' Training Camp 2004 lasted "only" 20 days.But amid this perpetual three-week stretch of two-a-day practices, infinite position meetings, ‘round-the-clock trips to the trainer, lengthy media sessions and sharing limited
hotel space with the same cast of teammates, coaches and concierges, the experience could leave one weary of events from the everyday world. "The Olympics have been going on for how long?"

The eighth annual Detroit Lions Kickoff Luncheon presented by Epoch Restaurant Group and hosted by the Detroit Economic Club is sold out. A crowd of 1,800 is expected to attend the annual event, August 27, at Cobo Center in Detroit. Lunch will begin at 12:00 noon followed by the program that will feature the Detroit Lions’ head coach Steve Mariucci and the introduction of the 2004 Detroit Lions team.