Detroit Lions

Just how does one establish specific criteria for determining the Lions' best individual plays of 2004?

After all, when Detroit fans are digesting each thrilling occurrence of every game -- over the course of a grueling season -- these signature moments are usually appreciated in vastly different ways.

But after assessing the final tallies for Detroitlions.com's three separate polls for the topics -- "Best Catch By A Receiver," "Best Offensive Play" and "Best Defensive or Special Teams Play" -- there are two main factors in selecting the victors of the fans' choice awards:

No. 1 -- The play must be spectacular, in nature....OR No. 2 -- The play must have occurred during moments of extreme adversity.

All in all, Detroitlions.com is proud to announce the worthy winners of the 2004 fans' choice awards for greatest individual plays:

Best Catch By A Receiver: Roy Williams' leaping, one-handed snare (for 17 yards) against Washington on Nov. 7.

Best Offensive Play: Williams' 26-yard tipped reception -- between two defenders -- at Chicago on Sept. 12.

And Best Defensive or Special Teams Play: Eddie Drummond's improbable 83-yard TD punt return to force overtime at Jacksonville on Nov. 14 -- his second punt-return TD of the game.

In the "Best Reception" category, Williams' gravity-defying catch against the Redskins narrowly trumped another superb Williams grab from the Sept. 12 opener at Chicago (by only 21 votes). The honorable mentions involved Williams, Reggie Swinton and David Kircus.

The Nov. 7 catch occurred early in the first quarter, as Lions quarterback Joey Harrington fired a midrange bullet-pass to the left sideline. Despite being shadowed by the Redskins secondary, Williams leapt to seemingly unreachable heights and pulled in the reception, which elicited an awestruck murmur from the Ford Field crowd.

In a strange twist, Williams' tipped-pass reception against the Bears decisively prevailed over Williams' award-winning leaping-grab within the "Best Offensive Play" category. On a sunny, humid day at new Soldier Field, Williams electrified the audience in his NFL debut with an amazing juggling act for 26 yards -- in between two Bears defenders.

This catch also catapulted Detroit into prime field-goal position and indirectly spurred-on the 20-16 road triumph. Among the other notables: Tailback Kevin Jones's 74-yard run versus Arizona on Dec. 5 (his longest carry of the season) and his locomotive-like 24-yard TD run at Green Bay on Dec. 12; Reggie Swinton's diving reception against Chicago on Dec. 26 and Williams' bruising catch/TD run against Philadelphia on Sept. 26.

For the final prize of "Best Defensive or Special Teams Play," Drummond's clutch 83-yard punt-return TD against Jacksonville -- which forced overtime -- eclipsed Bracy Walker's 92-yard TD fumble return (off a blocked field goal) at Chicago.

In terms of appreciating Drummond's moment of greatness, it's essential to remember the entire back story: In the fourth quarter -- with his team trailing the Jaguars 17-0 -- Drummond cleanly fielded a bouncing punt, broke four tackles and then dashed 55 yards for a touchdown. Now trailing by seven with 1:03 left, Jacksonville boldly punted again to Drummond; and he bedeviled the Jaguars with a long sprint to the end zone -- his second touchdown of the game. (Note: Drummond is the only player in NFL history to return two punts for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.)

As a testament to Drummond's supreme season, two other TD returns were candidates for this honor, along with standout plays from defensive end Jared DeVries (against Atlanta on Oct. 10) and cornerback Dre' Bly (at Dallas on Oct. 31).