Thursday Notes: Stafford Misses Practice; Sellout Likely for Steelers Game

by Sean Yuille on Oct 8, 2009 8:02 AM EDT in Notes Comment 36 comments

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, foreground, walks the sidelines with a taped knee during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Chicago won 48-24. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

More photos » by M. Spencer Green - AP

about 1 month ago: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, foreground, walks the sidelines with a taped knee during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Chicago won 48-24. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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Matthew Stafford sat out practice on Wednesday. If he misses practice again today, chances are he will not play against the Steelers on Sunday. Usually a player needs to get a couple days of practice in to play when he is injured, and although anything could happen, I doubt Stafford would play after missing a couple days of practice toward the end of the week.
Stafford wasn't the only player to miss practice on Wednesday, as Calvin Johnson, Gosder Cherilus, Dewayne White, Sammie Hill, Kalvin Pearson, and Ko Simpson were all sidelined as well. Ernie Sims and Grady Jackson were limited in practice. I think this week's injury report is going to be a bit more lengthier than usual.
For the Steelers, it appears that Willie Parker is not going to play on Sunday. The status of Troy Polamalu isn't so certain just yet, as he was limited during practice yesterday. I'd say right now it's not looking like he will play, but it's not looking like he won't, either.
There were 1,500 tickets available for Sunday's game against the Steelers as of Wednesday. The deadline to reach a sellout is 1 p.m. today, but the Lions will receive a 24-hour extension if the game isn't already sold out by then. Considering the number of tickets left is so low compared to the other home games, I'd say the chances of this game selling out are very, very good.
Due to injuries and a lack of depth, Julian Peterson has played some defensive end recently.
Based on some of the things Zack Follett has said this week, I expect him to play like he was shot out of a cannon on Sunday.
The Lions came in 27th in SB Nation's first power rankings of the season. (For the record, I ranked the Lions as the 26th best team in the league.)
I thought I heard during the Tigers-Twins game earlier this week that the Metrodome was renamed to Mall of America Field. Actually, only the field was given a name, as the stadium is still called the Metrodome.

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Injuries are killing us this year, although we hadn't had many IR yet which is good

- I really hope Stafford play’s this week IF HE’S HEALTHY

- Pitt being down Troy and Parker would be huge for us

- If Peterson doen’t get his head out of ass throw Follet in for him!!!

by msivits on Oct 8, 2009 8:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

mendenhall is a beast

no troy is fantastic…but don’t kid yourself about mendenhall. i loved him coming out of college…minus the injury last year which i think will come back to haunt him as an rb…i think he has a bright future

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We hope he continues to be a beast-

remember, the chargers probably couldn’t stop my 4 year old from running on them.

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

minor disagree here, i think mendenhall could be a beast, one good game doenst make him a beast

by msivits on Oct 8, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that one game was overdue

he has size, speed…i think with more touches he quickly makes fast willie take a back seat

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was 1 game give him a year

Kevin Smith let em kno, Ernie Sims Break em, Calvin Johnson you already Kno
2009 Detroit Lions 6-10 to 8-8

by DetroitLions 4 life on Oct 8, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

but damn, he hit those holes hard. every single hand off. i was impressed.

by GhostManOnThird on Oct 8, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats why i said "i think with more touches..."

i realize it is only one game…but imo…there is more of this to come provided he gets the touches. in that steeler system…he will be a beast, IF he continues to get touches & IF the injury doesn’t haunt him.

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if our line continues to block.

Did anyone see our game last week? Legursky (a LONG SNAPPER!) lined up at FB to plow the way into the end zone for Mendy. It was like watching the ’frigerator (albeit more dorm sized)

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was awesome!

but other than that…lucky ben can avoid sacks the way he can…how long can he take 50+ sacks/year before he becomes a kitna?

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, we say as much. We had written Mendy off as a bust just before that game as well.

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember really rooting for choosing Mendenhall back in 08

Instead of Gos. I Agree with you LL, I think Rashard has a big future ahead of him. Let’s just hope he doesn’t repeat his Charger’s performance against us.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 8, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can only hope

we held ap in check…here’s hoping we can do the same here

by londonlion on Oct 9, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think just the presence of Zack Follet

will improve our porous Special Teams. One thing I LOVE about Schwartz is his accountability – if things don’t work he will change them – and FAST. This is just the opposite of Marinelli and Mariucci who, IMO, never changed much during the season. In fact I got so sick and tired of Marinelli’s “continue to pound the rock” and “lunch pail” attitude last year (recall Rob Parker asking “WHY – WHY are you not changing anything??”)

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me and the great Herman Moore

by NYCLionsfan on Oct 8, 2009 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There are no gimme games in the NFL anymore

Last year, we thought this game wouldn’t be one we would have to worry about. This one really could go either way. Foote knows us well, obviously, so I think you guys will be more prepared for us than most teams. Good luck! If I was visiting my family in Ohio, I’d totally drive up the measly 3 hours to see this game.

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

foote has played well for us thus far

my biggest fear in this game isn’t our ability to pass on your secondary…it is getting the ball out period vs your rush. good luck…hopefully we can get a full game (not just a half) of competitive ball this week.

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have not had much of any pass rushing this year.

All our major pass disrupting guys (kiesel, timmons, woodley) have been very quiet. We hope they pick up again soon!

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but its only a matter of time before harrison/woodley break out

timmons i agree, i though he was really going to step in & run with things. troy left a gaping hole for you guys back there…i think he makes a lot of offense do double takes affording those guys up front to do their thing

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We had no idea how vulnerable we were without troy.

We REALLY thought our D could play without him. What are we gonna do when he’s done? A guy like that does not come along very often. It’s amazing to watch him play.

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

delmas for us is someone i think can play like troy

hasn’t shown the ball hawking yet…but flies around like troy does…has to mature a bit…wrap up better…but the potential is there…we can only hope he becomes that kind of playmaker!

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

You guys have a good team in Pitt (my brother moved there after college due to his passion for the Steelers). I think we’re gonna have a very rough time against your team particularly since we have terrible pass defense and your a much more physical team in the trenches.

But, as you point out, “On Any Given Sunday” so I remain hopeful that we play a tough 4 quarters.

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me and the great Herman Moore

by NYCLionsfan on Oct 8, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big ben is gonna throw for at least 350 agaisnt us, hope he includes a pick or 2 for our sake

by msivits on Oct 8, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any word on Caulcrick?

I was a big believer in him in college and I think he could be a great third down/goal line guy. I know even if the Lions did sign him it would likely be to the practice squad but I still think he is worth a look. Given a chance he might make a difference somewhere down the line.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

by tigerfaninChicago on Oct 8, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Am i the only one who likes the idea of Peterson as DE ?

This gets Levy on the field and maybe Peterson wakes up and becomes a force down there. It could potentially solve 2 problems……………..potentially.

Proud Detroit Lions season ticket holder since.......2009 !!

by BoscoHB on Oct 8, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i like it...

now if only avril could pull up his socks…that is a ton of speed off the edge. either way though…i like what hunter has done, been very productive…hunter & peterson i think could wreak some havok

by londonlion on Oct 8, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it too

Especially on passing downs.

What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.

by GRLion on Oct 8, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When they say 1500 seats are left...which seats are they?

I don’t mean, give me a specific breakdown or anything crazy like that, I’m just wondering that when a number like that is thrown out, is that made up of upper deck, way in the corner, otherwise known as the ‘cheap’ seats (not that anything in an NFL stadium can be called cheap any more), or front row, big dollar seats?

The Washington Post had a few articles last month (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103984.html for example) about how the Redskins were two timing their fanbase, claiming sellouts, claiming that tickets were really scarce, and then turning around and selling to ticket brokers, in essence screwing over their fans.

I don’t claim that anything liek that is going on with the Lions, but it is a fair question to ask, to wonder, “what exactly does a ‘sellout’ mean anymore?”

Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!

by ahtrap on Oct 8, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My guess would be that the club level seats are not sold out.....

The Lions have had trouble selling out on those seats due to the price and lack of production on the field.

by KDawg on Oct 8, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is anyone from this site going to post at BTSC?

And answer questions we have about lions? I hoe someone from BTSC will post here (not me- I’m not capable of asking intelligent sounding questions)

We have a little tradition where the opposing team’s SBNation site posts at our site and vice versa. As long as the threads don’t devolve into “WHO DEY!!?” crap like we got from the bengal fans, it’s pretty good.

by SteelersVT on Oct 8, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs