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What the hell?!


I'm usually pretty known to put a positive spin on things, and I'll try to continue to do so here, but jesus.... What happened today?

Star-divide

I really only have a couple of things to say after this game: One is that our entire offensive line unit needs to be axed and replaced after this season - every one of them. Trade 'em, cut 'em, whatever. Get rid of the cancer. Stafford threw over 50 times today and was pressured, sacked, hit, or hurried probably 40 of them.

The kid gets up and hangs tough through it all, and near the end of the game, with his pads hanging out of his jersey on 4th down, no one even bothers to fix it for him. He goes to the sideline after the play and sits down - by himself.

 

The kid played a beast of a game, and was still smiling and talking to his teammates to cheer them up, and no one - NO ONE reciprocated. I think our guys need to pick their heads up, and start playing with a little PRIDE.

 

Lastly, was it just veteran's day, or was there a bloodbath on the field? What the hell is wrong with our team? We had guys going down like the Vikings were hiding quarter rolls in their hands or something...

This loss, to me, was far more disheartening than the Rams loss, if only because it really highlighted the lack of cohesion on the team and the disparity between the people who want to win and the guys who've already cashed it in.


Here's to hoping that we can pull together a couple of wins and get ourselves on the same page guys. Go Lions.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit's main writer, Sean, or the site in general. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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ugh!

there will be even more changes next year in the lineup… the draft can’t come any sooner!!!! Literally most everyone is fighting for there jobs.. I don’t think coaches can be blamed…. I don’t know where to start…. except we need talent!!!!

GO LIONS 2009! the transformation begins.

by DINORDO on Nov 15, 2009 4:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I don't think this game was worse than the Rams game

We were up against a good team, and hung tough with them. Even with a bunch of injuries. We actually had a couple of good plays, more than we had against the Rams anyway.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 15, 2009 5:21 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

+1

Hyper’s right – the Rams game was more discouraging IMO

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 15, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I get what Nate is saying....

To me the Rams game was the worst, but as far as a total team giving up, well thats what i saw on Sunday and it broke my heart. When i saw Stafford all red and breathing hard and trying to psych the team up to no success, i was sad for the guy. Matthew Stafford will have his day, and it will be in a Lions Uniform and we will all benefit from it. We just gotta cust the fat and theres a shit load of fat.

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

by BoscoHB on Nov 17, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I was screaming at the TV

and I even posted “Jesus Christ! Someone fix his shoulder pads!” in the game thread here somewhere. It was completely inexcusable why none of Stafford’s teammates fixed his shoulder pads for him. What has the kid done to deserve that?

by KDawg on Nov 17, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah...

That makes me think there’s some bickering in the offense.

I believe the Defense is playing as good as it can be.

Cunningham better watch out… he might lose some draft picks if he keeps it up…lol.

by CLF on Nov 18, 2009 7:56 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Remember....

…..we lost Cherilus and Peterman to injuries……Not saying they played awesome but we lost them eary and im sure that had some effect on the oline…..But I agree get Backus and Raoila traded away for 7th rounderrs if ya can!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Nov 15, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Raiola better shut up

He and his O Line buddies got worked this afternoon HARD

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 15, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

My favorite player!

This was actually prior to the game, but it was during an interview in which the article was hinting that Raiola and Stafford are becoming BFFs!

“Perseverance is what I like to call it. He bounces back, he never really shows that he’s struggling or going through a hard time, even though really he is. I want to make sure he knows we’re behind him.” – Dominic Raiola

Nice to know Dom, but I think I see what the problem is now. You’re not supposed to be behind him, you’re supposed to stay in front of thim dumbass! Block someone already!!!

by Mushy on Nov 16, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

He bounces back, he never really shows that he’s struggling or going through a hard time, even though really he is.

And who’s fault is this “tough time”? Aren’t you supposed to be protecting him, Dom?

by n4ry4 on Nov 16, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

+100000

Dom should start blocking for once

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 16, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

good point!

fix his damn jersey so he can make a real play on 4th down. he showed his toughness and niftiness in the pocket today. did you notice he gave CJ some encouragement when he didn’t come down with a pass that was a little high (maybe intentionally).

he needs a little help. bryant johnson took one off his chest in the endzone. some nice catches but still too many drops!

by x$pcents IV on Nov 15, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I wish they would have called a timeout on that fourth down.

Staff was winded and just looked unready to make the play. I give him a lot of credit for hanging tough this whole game.

by NorthLeft12 on Nov 15, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

i don't know if they had one?

But I know they wasted on on the 4th down that they tried to draw the Vikes offsides, then called a timeout and punted. Instead of just taking the penalty and punting after that. There were some real serious questionable coaching calls this week.

by j16941 on Nov 15, 2009 6:51 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

i can see your point

notto make excuses for questionable decisions but I am not gonna be too hard on him, I mean he too is a rookie coach. I feel schwartz make good game decisions overall.

sure there might be some he wished he could have back but I bet he was more focused on why the hell his players were getting whooped on and injured all game.

"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"

by alpha lion on Nov 15, 2009 9:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't mean to get down on Schwartz, just sayin,

I realize that this is a learning experience for him too, and I’m really excited that he is starting this turnaround with Stafford. But dropping the ball like that needs to be addressed. Coaches can do push-ups too!

by j16941 on Nov 15, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Did you guys see how red Schwartz's face got?

A couple of times you could see him grinding his teeth, seething in anger on the sidelines…..he is passionate and smart. Nothing he has done has been bad in my opinion.

by KDawg on Nov 16, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

it must kill him

looking out there…seeing the promise we do…and the absolute lack of “team talent”

by londonlion on Nov 16, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

I agree KDawg. I actually like the coaching staff we have. I hope they remain next year (Gunny and Linny I’m referring to)

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 17, 2009 8:24 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I am definitely not sold on Scott Linehan.....

But Gunther Cunningham has done a pretty good job with the players he has. I would like to see Cunningham stick around, as well as Schwartz, but I am concerned with a lot of the conservative play calling that is coming directly from Scott Linehan.

by KDawg on Nov 17, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

I was glad to see Linehan coming into the year because we got him before we drafted Staff, and his rapport with Daunte could have conceivably turned into something like the old Vikings.

Then I was glad because we got Staff, and I heard about Linehan’s “vertical passing scheme”. I was sold that Megatron would be ripping up the NFL.

Now, over halfway through the season, I’m not seeing any vertical passing. It’s gonna be a tough pill to swallow if/when the o-line gets fixed up and we’re still throwing screens to one of the best WR’s in the NFL.

by Nate D. on Nov 17, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

quit your whinning NateD

you bitch more than anyone on this board…i have a hard time believing you have difficulty swallowing anything.

bottom line is linehan is doing the best he can with the options he has available. this team is team is void of talent and blaming the coaching staff is moronic.

by theclipboard on Nov 17, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Huh?

This coming from the guy who WANTS the Lions to move?

by JazzyBBP on Nov 17, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

+1 Jazz

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin

by Leapin Lion on Nov 17, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

listen here board!

Every player in the NFL has TALENT, (not saying we have alot of high end talent). It is the job of the coaching staff to assemble a team (we turned over alot of players this year). And work that team into a cohesive unit. “On ANY Given Sunday”. Right?

by j16941 on Nov 17, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Haha...ha....ha

If I recall correctly, I’m usually the one painting positive pictures of negative scenarios, but OK.

by Nate D. on Nov 18, 2009 1:42 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

drops...

plain and simple.

bj td drop, 3 or 4 cj drops… 3 or 4 pettigrew drops… the only player not to drop was northcut….lol

by CLF on Nov 15, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

CLF

It’s another long, miserable week for us on POD. We need you to get some funny shit this week to cheer us up!!

PS – the CJ drops (he had 4) were pretty discouraging I agree.

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 15, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Haha

There you go CLF!!! Monday’s looking better already!!! LOL

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 16, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

we need stickum or something or our WRs and TEs. I mean if those 8-10 balls were caught, it would have changed the game in several ways.

1.) another TD
2.) extended drives, keep the vikes offense off the field as well as lead to more scoring opportunities.
3.) staffords stats would have reflected how good of a game he had.
4.) if they start to fear our passing game it will only help our run game

"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"

by alpha lion on Nov 15, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

After watching this game

I noticed how bad our O Line is. We got beat up physically – not so much on the D Line as the O Line. Staff took a beating today – he’ll be sore tomorrow. Also, it is absolutely sickening to see WR’s SO open on some plays – not a Lions player within 7 yards at times. Also – why do we time and time again lose sight of TE’s in the red zone???

Another week – another ugly loss. I think we have to face it – we’re the worst team in the NFL guys (at least tied with the Browns anyway for the worst team in the league)

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 15, 2009 6:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I have been a constant critic of Stafford as most of you know...

BUT I cannot knock the kid for what he did on the field today and the heart he showed. These are the kind of performances that give me hope he will lead us to the promise land. Great job today Stafford keep it up and put a couple of these performances together just to keep our spirits up when the rest of the team seems to have given up and folded already.

By the way Calvin’s attitude today really disappointed me. I would expect more out of a leader on this team. Hopefully he doesn’t keep up with these bad attitudes like he’s had the past two weeks and become a cancer. I know he’s probably sick of losing but he has to understand this team is young and growing and it’s gonna get better. He needs to push through these rough times and realize when we start winning it’s gonna be so much sweeter because of what this team has gone through to get there.

by toled0lions on Nov 15, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I'm a Michigan Homer, And I love Tom Brady.....

But I still can’t figure out who I wanted to win that game….

I just wanted it to go on ALL NIGHT!!!!

by j16941 on Nov 15, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

p.s. CLF

thanks for the titty, hope it doesn’t get you in trouble.

Everyone should get a couple Nips after that game….

by j16941 on Nov 16, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

That was a good game

I thought Indy were gone for sure…well, you can’t count out Peyton.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 16, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I want to see

Stafford after he gets constantly knocked down like he did and kick every one of his offensive linemen in the nuts. They are so awful it hurts. How a team can have such a bad line boggles my mind. Stafford might end up dead before the end of the season. I want to see him come into a press conference and say his offensive line is absolutely horrid and they all need to die. That would be awesome.

by ImPuLsE on Nov 16, 2009 2:36 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Regarding Sunday

I am conflicted. I was so disheartened watching Stafford pick himself up repeatedly all day long. How many hits can he take before he suffers a serious injury? We already lost him for 2 games this year.

I want to call for him to be benched after the Browns game, just to preserve him. Or at least pull him when a game gets out of hand. For better or for worse. I mean, this is basically handing a Ferrari to a 16 year old drunk kid and asking him to drive it for 3 hours. These offensive linemen can not handle the responsibility of protecting a $70 million dollar quarterback.

Let him learn with limited exposure, but I’m telling you there won’t be anything left of him at this rate. I’m not knocking Pettigrew, but damn they should have drafted Oher to cover Stafford’s ass.

I wanted Curry, I stood on my soap box and stated my disdain for Stafford at every opportunity. But he has made me a believer, and watching the slaughter yesterday was almost sad. I know we wont face many defenses like the Vikings, but yesterday was basically a rerun of the previous 7 games he’s played in. Something needs to be done before Stafford’s RIP.

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin

by Leapin Lion on Nov 16, 2009 9:10 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Agree 1,000,000 percent

But at the risk of revisiting the debate of Stafford/Curry, this is what we have to deal with when the Lions made the choice to build around a QB first rather than build the foundation first. I have stated in the past, there are many ways to build a team. But there are growing pains with all of them when you are as short on talent as the Lions are. If they would have chosen to draft o-line and d-line, we would be watching a some other parts of the team struggle.
It was a tough game to watch and I am sure there will be more tough ones this year. Until we get more talent on this team,thats the short term future. Lets just hope the 70 million dollar man will still be standing when we get some.

by Lead Hunter on Nov 16, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Not wanting to revisit the old argument.....

But I agree…..

I do like Matt Stafford, and I think he will turn out to be a damn good QB in this league…….however I definitely am a person of the philosophy that builds a team from the inside out. I think drafting some offensive lineman would have made a big difference in the run game, which would have helped us in the passing game. I also think that drafting some DTs, that could generate a pass rush in the middle, would have helped our defensive ends a lot and in turn our CBs. As has been pointed out here several times, no CB can cover on an island for 6-7 seconds.

by KDawg on Nov 17, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with Dawg...accept in this case.

I do believe in building the lines first. But given the Lions situation. The fact is that they had the first pick. There was no guarantee what they would be drafting a year from then Or, which players would be available. Stafford was a known. Guys like Bradford, McCoy, Claussen, ect. The Lions had no idea what would happen from a year from then.

If the Lions had drafted Jason Smith. Now what? What if the Lions got the 5 pick overall. Would you want them to settle for the best available quarterback? I would much rather have the scenrio that we have now. Lions got the most important position on the team drafted. It is going to be much easy to put the pieces around him. Now we go get that stud LT or DT. Now the Lions have more options come draft day.

if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin

by JCruize on Nov 18, 2009 2:20 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Bring in a veteran FA QB if Culpepper was not getting it done.....

or trade for a younger QB who is at least somewhat proven until there is a QB in the draft that you think will be the answer for the future. I am not starting up the old argument that we should not have drafted Matt Stafford, but I am saying that there were other options and it would not have been the end of the world if we had passed on him.

If the Lions get the 5th pick overall this year, there will be at least 3 or 4 of the top 5 QBs coming out this year available (if not all of them). Statistically, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and even Dan Lefevour are all better than Matt Stafford was in college. Who knows what Dan LeFevour could do? Too much emphasis is being placed on the value of the number one pick and what a team does or does not have to do with that pick. Just because we had the number one pick, and Stafford was there and was the best QB available, does not mean that he was the best pick we could have made. I’m not saying it was a mistake to take him, but nobody knows if we could have done better by passing on him and taking a LT instead. It is entirely possible that guys like LeFevour (Snead, Claussen, Zac Robinson, Tim Hiller) will fall out of round 1 and turn out to be just as good as any of the others who are drafted in the first round (including Matt Stafford).

We could have had our bookend LT in last year’s draft, we could have our stud DT in this year’s draft, AND we could possibly have gotten a guy like LeFevour in the 2nd round in this year’s draft.. There is no perfect way to draft, but my opinion is that you do best to build a team from the lines first.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183518
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188934
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=175772
http://espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183484
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=170586

by KDawg on Nov 18, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

By the way

I still think Stafford will turn out to be a damn good QB in the NFL.

by KDawg on Nov 18, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

The main thing with drafting Staff was he played in a pro-style offense. Most, if not all, the QBs you mentioned above are spread/option/system guys. The only moderately successful spread QB in the NFL is Vince Young, and he just got his starting job back.
Last years draft class wasn’t very good. How many talking-heads referred to it as “the depth draft”?
I’ve come around and do think Shiny was the right choice. Now it’s time to put talent around him

by JazzyBBP on Nov 18, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Very true

Except for Bradford (they run the spread and multiple pro sets)…..and history has proven that pro teams won’t shy away from QB’s or WR’s from those programs because of the offense they run. If a QB has the “intangibles”, he should be able to learn the pro style offense.

by KDawg on Nov 19, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe we can pick up Kevin O'Connell off waivers.....I liked him as a cheap backup

Oh wait, we did that.

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

by GRLion on Nov 18, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I not trying to start the old " who to draft first? QB, LT or other..."

What I am trying to say is this. How many shots do teams get at drafting a franchise QB? Not to many. Stafford was there for the LIons. What guarantee is there that another franchise QB would be available in the following years? It is like if someone offer you a million dollars cash now. Or, a chance to have 5 million a year from now. I am guessing that you would take the sure thing. If you feel that a Peyton, Elway,ect.. is starring you in the face. You gotta take it.

I totally agree with about building the lines first. But history has shown. The you can find soild linemen in later rounds. And more of them. Than you can franchise QB’s.

if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin

by JCruize on Nov 18, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Didn;t we have this argument before?

I thought we decided that just as many late round QBs turned out to be great as those that were drafted #1 or in the 1st round…..

by KDawg on Nov 19, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

But who are these ‘bookend tackles’ youre talking about?

Jason Smith is a RT
Eugene Monroe is riding the bench
Andre Smith is a fat P.O.S.

by Nate D. on Nov 19, 2009 4:51 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

And...........

Michael Oher is a RT
Lydon Murtha is a RT

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

by GRLion on Nov 19, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Gosder Cherilus better step up.....

Because he looked really bad against Ray Edwards…..

by KDawg on Nov 19, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

According to Yahoo and NFL.com

E. Monroe is the starting left tackle for the Jags, in front of Tra Thomas!

by rbanner on Nov 19, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Monroe is the starting LT for Jacksonville, and Jason Smith will be the starting LT for the Rams soon.....

and you can bash on Andre Smith all you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that he will be the Bengal’s future starter at LT. I think he will be a perennial pro bowler.

Jason Smith is already pushing Alex Barron in practices. It won’t be long before he takes over. Eugene Monroe beat out Tra Thomas……

I’d say all 3 are better options that what we have.

by KDawg on Nov 19, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

There are many ways to build a team... blah, blah, blah...

In 2010 draft, more priority needs to be assigned to certain positions than to Best Player Available.

Offensive Line must improve, otherwise Stafford may not survive (please stop with the argument that Staff will have such a fast read, such a fast decision, and such a fast release that we can get by with the O-Line we have).

Defensive line should be the next priority.

After that people can debate about CB’s, WR’s, RB, S, etc…

There’s no doubt that BPA must factor in. But, not to the degree it did last year. Improving Offensive line, then defensive line must be a priority.

by jimoska on Nov 19, 2009 5:27 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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