The Dom
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 8:23 AM EST
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Dominic Raiola is beginning to remind me of...well, honestly, no one is quite like him. Number 51, starting Center for the Detroit Lions, is now a resounding 32-102 for his professional career. No, that's not a typo...32 wins, 102 losses. To be fair to The Dom, he wasn't actually named a starter until his second year in the league. Since that time, however, he hasn't missed a single one of those wins or losses. The rise and fall of Joey Harrington, Matt Millen, four head coaches, and what was once a proud franchise and fanbase...the former second round pick has been there through it all. One would think that through all that chaos, one might gain a little perspective, a little understanding, and possibly even a little insight to the frustrations of being a Lions fan. Instead...following what should have been an embarassing, humbling loss to the worst, correction, the second worst team in the NFL Dominic Raiola found himself in yet another screaming match with fans in front of the smallest home crowd in two decades...let alone the history of Ford Field. Congradulations Dumbinic...you've just won yourself a clue.
Not that I would really expect Mr. Ravioli to ever read this blog, in fact, at this point I'm not 100% sure the big dumb oaf can actually read. In case, however, his little buddy Matt Stafford wants to pay him back for sticking up for him after the fans were so mean...maybe he could fill him in on all the big words used here.
For starters, Dom, you claim you love the fans here...and that you love being here. Dude, the feeling is definitely not mutual. Normally I would have nothing but praise for a guy who has been entrenched in his position, without missing a game, for what has been almost a decade at this point. But Dominic is no Peyton Manning, he is no Brett Favre, hell I don't even know if he's a Jeff Backus. At least Jeff knows to keep his stupid overpaid mouth shut.
Second, I would love to respect you for defending your teammates...but Matt is making an obcene amount of money wearing that #9 jersey, he is absolutely fair game for criticism. You want to stand up for your teammate, you want to stop the criticism...start playing better!!! Be a good teammate by being part of a better team. Don't get after the fans because they're picking on your boy, let that boy become a bigger man than you will ever be...take that criticism and learn from it. Newsflash Dip$#!t...we didn't run Joey Blue Skies out of town, your lousy play and Joey's weak personality did that.
Last, but certainly not least. You're actually frustrated at the fans because you don't think they know what they're talking about. Wow...this one is almost hard to respond to. You may have one of the longest tenures with this franchise, but most of us have been around for a lifetime now. Those of us who actually showed up for that horrendous game on Sunday...do you think we just had nothing better to do? Do you think that the 40,857 that were in attendance are just your casual Lions fans only there to rag on you and your teammates? Matt Stafford and everyone of your aweful teammates deserved criticism for that dreadful performance. We know what we're talking about Dom, and frankly we're freakin sick of it! We're sick of watching your terrible offensive line get no push up front, and fail to protect your precious quarterback. We're sick of watching dropped pass, after dropped pass from one pathetic receiver after another (Lord knows we've drafted enough of 'em). We're sick of watching the defense "pump up the crowd" only to give up a 12 yard run with four mis-tackles. We're sick of excuses, sick of nonsense about picks and shovels, pad levels, and how high bars are set. We're sick of new attitudes, we're sick of new coaches, we're sick of rebuilding. We're sick of the draft being the most exciting part of the season. We're sick of all the freakin losing, and Dom we are sick of you!
You're pissed because the fans came after your teammates, and I'm pissed because you're coming after my fans. We've suffered through more bull$#!t than you can understand you overrated, undersized, pathetic excuse for a player. You don't like the heat, you better do something about it or get the F^ck outta our kitchen you douche bag...because enough is enough already. Get the hell out of the NFL and go give the pro-wrestling a shot, they're always looking for big morons with strong personalities. Was this clear enough for you Dom, can you now understand where I'm coming from...or do you need me to draw you a picture?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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Not disagreeing with his spat...
But I believe he’s having one of his best years so far. The guy was blocking his ass off and actually making lanes… what a change Jansen could make…. Just think if the Lions had a LG too!
Maybe Saaalami can play LG?
Was he?
Don’t get me wrong…having watched the game live it would be nearly impossible for me to actually assess Raiola’s play individually. I know his team was terrifically bad, and that his quarterback was not very good either (putting that kindly). If he was playing so well then why doesn’t get after his teammates for their subpar play, instead of turning back on the fans who had every right to criticize whoever they want.
Teaming up with Jansen...
He looked very good….
But running on the peterson side was still rough.
by CLF on Nov 2, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Peterson?
Wasn’t it Jansen that had the holding penalties pushing them back to 3rd and 20? Again, it’s hard to assess something like the offensive line when watching them live. The only thing that sticks out is when a player is beaten badly for a sack or a tackle in the backfield, but all in all I have a hard time praising anyone for a 17-10 loss to the Rams.
I'd rather have a 10yd do'over...
Than a 5yd loss and a down taken away.
by CLF on Nov 2, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
I'd rather...
…they just not suck and stay in front of the guy their assigned to block, but I suppose your method is the lesser of those two particular evils.
Nice rant Mushy
I also hate Dom’s condescending remarks like “fans don’t know what we’re talking about” well we do know what we’re talking about. You guys suck. That’s pretty simple and easy to understand. You guys suck!!!! You guys suck!!!!
God I hate this team. Yesterday’s loss was too much for me.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
I think what further infuriates me.
Is that Dom’s comments are actually making me angrier at him than I am at the team. Don’t distract me from the fact that they were the suckiest sucks who ever sucked on Sunday!
Just to add to the rant.
Heres the thing Dom. If any of the fans you hold in such high regard performed the way your o-line does on a week to week basis, we would lose our jobs. You and your line get paid good money to make holes, block, and protect your QB. Instead of yelling at the fans, who by the way pay good money to watch you perform, try jerking a knot or two in some of those players that are on the line with you. I am guessing you and your fellow players got a reprieve this year when Schwartz decided to build the team through the draft the way he did. I have a feeling you and your buddies won’t be so lucky by the next draft.
Thank you!
For a couple of reasons.
First of which is for recognizing this post for what it is…a lunatic’s rant!
Second for pointing out Dom’s misplaced frustration. This guys teammates are the ones who deserve his anger…if you don’t like the way the fans are treating your quarterback, get after the guys who can actually change that. The fans are just going to jump at every opportunity they can to get you to react, and you just made the situation worse. Hammer your teammates for their poor play and I promise you the support from these fans will follow!
I appreciate that Dom is sticking up for his teammates.
I guess it would depend on what was being said to Staff. I have no problem with fans criticizing the players and coaches, just don’t be ignorant about it. I’m sure Staff has heard worse in the SEC and from Georgia fans.
Enough already with the bellyaching over how much Staff makes. There are a lot of other people that are overpaid and doing more real damage to the economy and society in general than a rookie QB. Save your hate for them.
It really was harmless.
Mostly comments about how bad he sucked and how poor he was playing. Nothing of note, and definitely not anything out of bounds.
Look, personally I avoid booing the home team regardless of their play…but yesterday the entire team got what they had coming to them. Stafford was aweful, and the fans were letting him know it was unacceptable. Dom wants to stand up for his teammate, but he would do a much better job of doing that if he got the rest of his team to play better.
This was one of the reasons why so many didn’t want Stafford to start right away…fans will be brutal when they are displeased, and if he wasn’t prepared to handle it…then he shouldn’t be starting.
I just dont see it.
From what I can tell, all he did was tell some (probably dumbass, drunkass) fans for saying some (probably dumbass, drunkass) comments to Stafford, which were totally unwarranted. I agree with the person who said Raiola was having a pretty decent year – I definitely think hes the best OL on our team (not that that’s saying much)…. He was defending his QB, as he should.
Just because the fans have suffered forever doesn’t give us the right to make baseless, pointless remarks to our new QB.
Couldn't disagree more.
Fans paying good money to sit at field level have every right to make any comments they want, short of personal attacks or threatening remarks…neither of which were being made. Oh, and Staffords performance made criticism absolutely warranted.
The remarks weren’t baseless, they were strictly related to how poor he was throwing the ball…and he was throwing the ball poorly!
+1 Mushy
I’m with you on this one. Jazzy said it best as well (he was at the game) and didn’t sugarcoat it – Staff just didn’t play well. Simple as that.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
So Stafford not playing as well as he can warrants jeers?
You guys really DO want Joey vol. 2 I guess…
Call now! Operators are standing by!
Joey’s greatest hits! Classics from the Piano Man!
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
I'm still paying for...
…my “Big Hits and Big Hair” collection, can I trade in the Rod Stewart disc?
Hitting recievers in the hands repeatedly and them not catching it must be his fault...
We must have John Elway on our hands… Throwing so hard that they can’t possibly hope to hang onto it.
No, and you know that's not true.
Simply put, Stafford was bad on Sunday. Yes there were drops, but some of those passes were WAY off the mark and several passes were barely in the direction of receivers. That being said, you know that doesn’t make him the sole reason they lost the game.
To suggest that he is beyond criticism simply because he’s a rookie is unreasonable as well. To me this brushes up against the “if you don’t blindly support the team than you’re not a real fan” debate. If you find yourself on the field wearing a jersey during an NFL football game then you are subject to crtiticism…it comes with the territory. Do I support booing of the home team…no, but do I support the right fans that are in attendance have to heckle players…you betcha! Do I expect that the players will respond professionally and stay focused on the game and their own performances, rather than what the fans have to say…YEAH, and I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
I agree with you Nate
Don’t pile on the QB when the WRs are dropping passes the way they are. I am sure he didn’t make every pass every time but he is a rookie, and he disserves a little time to learn on the job.
I think some of you are missing the point.
Stafford’s play was not good…scratch that, it was less than not good…it was plain ol’ bad. Yes receivers dropped passes, but if you watched the game a lot of those passes were off the mark. Some other passes were beyond explanation. Stafford’s play, however, is not what upsets me as much as Dom’s reaction to Stafford’s poor play.
I haven’t heard (yet) anyone calling for Stafford’s job. Yet Dom, and apparently some of you, believe this to be the case. If you stink it up on the field, you are going to hear about it. This is not golf, this is not tennis, this is the NFL. If anyone is actually suggesting that Stafford needs to be left alone simply because he’s a rookie quarterback you have completely unrealistic expectations for the fans. Imagine if this kid played in Philly….! Those cats booed Santa Clause, Beyonce, and even their very own Kobe Bryant. Donovan McNabb took them to how many NFC Championships, but he misses a wide open receiver and you better believe they’re giving it to him. My point is that this is a man’s game, that is supposed to be played by men. Dom, and the rest of you, should let Stafford fight his own battles by proving himself on the field and in no way is he beyond the voice of criticism.
Wow
I’m not sure what game you were watching……
Stafford was right on the money 24 out of 33 times that he threw the ball!! 10 F-ing drops that hit the damn receiver on the hands and 14 completions!!
24 for 33 is a completion percentage of 72.7%!! If Matt Stafford played “plain ol’ bad” yesterday, then I am John Madden! “A lot” of passes were off the mark? How about 9 of 33…..and most of those were not his fault either. He had to adjust to not have the pass blocked or deflected…..it is not his fault that his shitty receivers can’t adjust or make a catch when the ball hits them in the chest or on the hands! Christ, what more can you ask of the kid…..throw the ball and then run out there and catch it too? I understand criticizing the kid when it is due, but he played a damn good game yesterday, coming off of a knee injury and 3 weeks of rest. He played well, his receivers did not. Period.
10 dropped passes?
Where do you keep getting that from. Even Schwartz said six during the press conference, and even elaborated that the 6th would have been a “tough catch, but if it hits your hands you should catch it”.
Stafford threw a handful of passes that weren’t even near his receivers. Some of those drops were not exactly “in the numbers”. Look, it doesn’t excuse all of the drops, I’ve said that this was a team effort loss, but I just can’t agree with the statement that Stafford was good yesterday.
Stafford was neither good nor bad
We played OK..He endured drops and threw some bad passes. He wasn’t the cause for the loss, nor was he a bright spot.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 2, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
Scwartz is on crack
There were 7 dropped passes in the first half! I was counting the balls that hit receivers in the hands, and I have it on my DVR. I watched the game a few times and counted again. When was the presser? Right after the game? Maybe he will see the other drops when he watches the film.
Schwartz^
I agree, there were a few passes that were thrown high…..but not so many that you can say Stafford was not good in the game. Not to mention, he could have thrown the ball lower and had it blocked or deflected several times…..instead he adjusted and threw over the defender, only to have his receiver unaware enough to adjust himself.
There was only one really bad throw that I saw…..and that was the hail mary pass, intended for D Williams, that was thrown out of bounds.
Like I said in another post...
…I’ll have to watch it again. I am willing to concede that AT the game the frustration of watching one lousy play after another, coupled with multiple mental mistakes, my judgement could have been clouded.
Regardless, however, if fans want to give it to Stafford just for the sake of doing so I don’t want one of the alleged leaders of the team interacting with the fans while his team is getting finished off by an 0-17 team. I was at the Washington game too, and the fans were definitely on the Redskins throughout the game…but not once did I see a player turn into the stands and start mouthing off back at them. There is a time and a place for just about any reaction…this was neither!
In the interim...
…this article has some of the quotes that sound more like the game I remember watching. Pettigrew in particular talking about how some of the throws would have made “tough plays” to catch, but also admitting that at some point players need to start making tough plays.
Mushy.....
What if Stafford was throwing the ball where only his receiver could catch it? Did you ever consider that? All of the greatest QBs in the history of the NFL, including Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, throw the ball at the feet of their receivers, high, or wide at times…..the difference is that those QBs receivers actually go up, down, or wide and CATCH the ball! Any receiver who stands there and makes excuses for dropping a ball that they TOUCHED is not only an ASS, but also likely an egomaniac. IE Roy Williams.
Stafford got excited……and he wanted to win, that much was clear to me. If he got involved in a shouting match with some fans, then he should be reprimanded and told that such conduct is not only unbecoming to a man in his position, but also not within the parameters of what he is expected to do. However, I like that the guy is passionate. It shows that he cares. Fans that go to a game should be tossed when they are so ignorant and belligerant that they say something to draw a response from one of the players. If you walked into an office building and started talking smack to an office professional, what do you think would happen? The only difference is that a fan pays for a ticket.
Oh....you meant Raiola.....
Same thing goes though…..he let his emotions get the best of him. The team should fine him, regardless of his reasons. He has had problems with the fans in the past and he has no excuse as a “professional” to be acting that way, even though he was doing something admirable in my opinion, which was defending his QB.
That plays into it for me.
If Dom hadn’t finished the season off last year with his big “F.U.!” to the home crowd, I’m probably not on here ranting about it. But this guy is a repeat idiot, and at some point should be held to it.
I mentioned it in the post, I know he’s not going to read my rant, but this is me expressing my frustration back at a player I don’t like, giving my fellow fans lip when I feel he hasn’t earned the right. If this guy were a pro-bowl center, who hasn’t had any issues in the past than I probably would support him too. I just feel that when he’s been such a big part of the losing for so long, he should keep his big yap shut. Would you have accepted it if Millen had told fans to shut up?
I can't argue...
…with the playmakers portion of this. At some point some of his teammates need to start making him look good. You’re right, those marquee QBs aren’t always perfect, sometimes they need a little help. I’m really not trying to argue that Stafford is aweful and should be benched for eternity…I have re-watched the game and still thought he didn’t look great, but admittedly it is hard to seperate myself from my pre-conceived notions. Regardless, he will need time…I was just hoping to see a little more…even if that’s unfair.
If someone came in to my office and started heckling me I would probably call the police, but that’s just because it would be so far removed from any situation I’ve ever encountered before at my job. Now if my boss came to me and said, we’re going to start selling tickets outside your office to watch you work…you will get a gigantic pay raise, but you’ll have to deal with rabid drunken morons, my response would be…how much of a raise? Fans yelling at players is part of the game. I don’t boo my home team myself, but I fully support other fans right to do it…especially when they don’t like what they see.
Good point
I did allude to the fact that the fans are paying for their tickets to see the Lions play, but the fact that the players make so much money is something to consider as well. I agree that the fans have a right to yell at the players…..however, one person’s rights end where another person’s begin. Verbal assault is still verbal assault…..not saying that was the case here, but maybe it was.
My point about the QB throwing passes high, low, or wide is not that nobody is perfect. It is that sometimes a QB has to throw balls in that manner in order to make sure that the receiver is the only one who can catch it, and also in order to get the pass off so that the receiver even has a chance to catch it. Brett Favre is a prime example of a QB who has repeatedly thrown the ball where only his receiver could catch it. When it was Favre to Driver, I can’t even begin to count how many times I watched Driver catch a pass that was wide, high, or nearly bouncing off the turf. A QB can only do so much to make a play successful. He can throw the ball, and do his best to ensure that it will not be intercepted, but then the receiver has to do his best to catch it. In my opinion, Stafford’s receivers last Sunday were not making the extra effort to make catches that may not have been perfectly catchable, and I do not blame Stafford. You must have seen the pressure….and while I would not say he looked “great”, I do say that he looked pretty damn good given the circumstances.
CJ seems to be back…..we will see what a difference that makes this weekend.
Agreed
A lot of Staff’s throw’s were good enough for them to get hands on, which means 80% of them should have been caught.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 4, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
+1
completely agree, he threw away as needed, checked down as needed, tried to stretch the field…bottom line, i love dom standing up for staff…but he should have ripped that wr corp a new one in the locker room
Schwartz should run their asses into the ground until they all puke.....
And then he should make them stand 10 yards from the ball machine and catch 1000 passes each at the hardest setting…..lol
nothin but suicides till you drop and puke
i remember those practices…then when you finished puking you did suicides on hills and in the stands. didn’t drop too many passes after that…or in my case run the wrong play into the huddle again!
lol
Exactly……
I forgot to mention that the ball machine should be aimed at their nuts, and they should not be allowed to wear a cup.
I dont really get the rant...
Your pissed off at a guy for sticking up for a teammate. Isn’t that what he is suppose to do? My question is: Do you know what was said?
Sticking up for a teammate.
For starters, how is screaming back at the fans “sticking up for his teammate”? No, of course that’s not what he’s supposed to do. If yelling back in to the stands was standard NFL protocol for hecklers than this wouldn’t have been newsworthy. If Dom really felt like sticking up for his teammate then I would fully expect him to turn to his fellow teammates and say “get your heads out of your asses and make some plays, our boy is getting killed out there”.
As far as what was said, the fans were pretty tame all in all. It wasn’t unreasonable, there were no personal attacks or anything I heard that didn’t have something to do with the performance. They were giving lots of players “the business” for most of the game. I was too far from the field to hear what Dom was yelling back but the only thing that would have been acceptable, in my opinion, would have been “I’m sorry we’re sucking it up out there, please meet me outside the stadium for a full refund”.
The point is, they looked aweful against another aweful team and the only reason Dom was getting into it with the fans is out of frustration. Does anyone honestly believe this is the first or last time Stafford is going to get it from the fans (home or away)? Does it really comfort you to know that your starting center would rather get back at the crowd than focus on the mistakes he and his teammates are making to cost them a game? Doesn’t it bother you that players are apparently getting rattled by criticism, regardless of whether or not you find it justified? Dom is a joke of a player who has accomplished nothing as a professional as has no right to question anybody about anything as far as I’m concerned.
Follow up.
Apparently in an interview with WJR, Stafford claims that Dom was basically telling the fans to get off his back, and get outta there.
I never claimed what Dom was screaming was anything obscene, but it still pisses me off that he has the audacity to say anything to the fans. Raiola, probably more than most of the team, should be the one guy that gets it…he’s been there throughout the entire Millen era. Instead, he seems to consistently be the one guy getting into it with the fans.
If he’s frustratred, GREAT, but try taking some of that frustration out on someone who isn’t paying for you to play the game. Try holding one of your teammates accountable for their mistakes. Here’s a really novel idea, try taking that frustration out on the other team.
My rant is based around the fact that Dominic believes the fans can only be frustrated to his liking…I believe after losing a game as bad as that one that the fans have the right to be as frustrated as they want to be and if that boils over they have the right to let the players know about it.
He's getting pissed at fans for having frustration.
If these players are gonna be as pathetic as they are and this team is gonna be as bad as they have for the past ten years and never NEVER show any interest or enthusiasm in a game then they have no right to say anything to the fans when they get pissed and try to get the players to understand how they feel about it. The only time the fans get to express to the team how bad it hurts to watch the team you care about most lose everytime they take the field and seem to not even try or show any emotion towards the game is on the sidelines of the game. So yea when a team is this bad and this pathetic and this heartless then they deserve to hear about it. And if the players don’t like it then they STFU and prove they are not all a bunch of pathetic losers.
Listen, I understand we are rebuilding and there will be growing pains but I DO NOT expect or accept them to use that as an excuse to not try in the game and play like a bunch of heartless gutless pansie losers. The way they played that game yesterday was inexcusable and completely unworthy of any sympathy.
If you were watching that game yesterday your telling me you didn’t yell at any players through your tv screen or get fed up with everything that happened and just felt like pulling your hair out? Or did you sit there quietly with your hands folded and just take it and accept the fact that this is just the way it is and there is no reason to show your displeasure and anger? I bet you showed some anger and emotion. And your telling me that if you were at the game and by the sideline where the players could hear you express yourself that you wouldn’t yell it out as loud as you could so everyone could hear you? If I was there I would have been going insane, I was already doing that at home. All he’s saying in that rant is that Dom needs to understand that the fans are fed up and sick of this garbage play and gutless performances and they are gonna express themselves at every given opportunity and Stafford has a $70 million target on his back that no other player has so of course he’s gonna hear it. And if he can’t take criticism and ridicule then he needs to take his spineless ass out of the NFL.
GOD I’m so sick of this team. I got infuriated writing that and just thinking about how this whole team doesn’t even try. That’s basically the biggest middle finger you can give to the fans is to just not even try or give a shit about the game or winning.
Just to clarify
I was mostly just talking about the Rams game when refering to them and there performance as gutless and pathetic. But over the past year and a half I have seen a lot of games where they show absolutely no interest or emotion and that is the most frustrating part about all of this. I think that game just sent me over the edge.
Hold it a second, why do you think they are not even trying?
You call them gutless? Why? Because they did not win?
Would you feel better if they started screaming at each other on the sidelines? Bring back Kitna?
How about if they took some cheap shots at the opposing players? More stupid penalties?
Did Staff start crying on the bench when some of our fellow fans critiqued his performance on the field by telling him he sucks or is overpaid?
I agree with Dom about a couple things, one being that most NFL fans don’t know what the hell they are talking about.
Honestly...
…in a game where you’re losing to a winless team, going for their 18th straight loss, at home…yes, I absolutely would feel better if the team was starting to hold itself accountable! I can’t speak for all of you, but I was flat out pissed off watching the piss poor two-hand-touch tackling of Steven Jackson. I was livid at receivers getting hit and the hands and not coming up with the football. I still can’t fathom throwing a hail mary pass into the stands?! If it bothers me as a fan, please explain why it shouldn’t piss the guys off on the sidelines who are watching their teammates make critical mistakes. If a talented player is vocal enough when his teammates make mistakes, they call it leadership…when a half ass player starts getting after the fans because his teammates aren’t making plays, they call that retarded!
I was asking toledo why he thinks they are not trying.
That is some serious shit to throw at an NFL player or team. I want to hear why he thinks that is true in this case.
I chose to ignore that part...
…since the overall tone of the post seemed at least somewhat in line with what I was saying. This, of course, is why I’m a blogger and not a journalist!
Did you see the game?
Tell me they tried their hardest and put everything they had into it. Do it I dare you to b/c you can’t. If they really cared about winning and not just their checks they would have tried a little harder. Like you know catching passes, not missing 6 tackles on every single play or actually getting in front of the ball carrier and and driving through him instead of trying to arm tackle from the side so they don’t get hit. Dude just watch the highlights you don’t even have to watch the whole game to see the complete lack of effort. I give 100% playing backyard football and they can’t do it for their millions of dollars? Come on man get a grip. I just want to see effort. If they would have at least tried they could have won.
P.S. you can go ahead and be happy with the way they played but I give this team my hard earned money so I won’t be.
P.P.S.. I didn’t think Stafford played bad just everybody else. He’s just the one that makes $70 million so he’s gonna hear it more. I’m sure Bryant Johnson and the defensive players heard it too they just don’t get the publicity.
and it's not b/c they didn't win at all
It’s b/c of the way they played. You must have not seen the game. And if you did and think they played as good as they could then you must be blind. It looked like the preseason with a bunch of practice squad players on the field in the end of the fourth quarter. Missed tackles all over the field, Dumb penalties and I mean Dumb penalties, tons of dropped passes, and no emotion whatsoever. I don’t care if that’s serious shit to throw at an NFL team, maybe they should go out and prove me wrong. When they do I’ll be the happiest person in the world but if they keep playing like this then of course I’m gonna be frustrated and not happy. And if you think we have no right to express our emotions or criticize players when they deserve it then whats the point of being a FAN. Without fans they have NO JOBS so I think we deserve to speak our minds. And that’s what I thought about their performance. Just because you stick up for everything they do doesn’t mean I have to.
And yes I think they should take cheap shots. Why would you ask that of course I don’t I would just like to see discipline and technique. Look at Iowa right now. Nobody can say they are loaded with talent but they win b/c they are extremely disciplined, stick to their assignments, and have great technique. The Lions don’t, they blow assignments all the time and don’t have very good technique. Perfect example is the Viqueens game. Go back and look at how many runs Peterson had where they had him bottled up in the backfield but then the CB or LB broke down in on the pile instead of holding their assignment on the outside and then Peterson bounced it outside to where the CB or LB was supposed to be and got 10-20 yards. It’s not the coach either b/c you could tell by watching the play that he had them in the right positions to keep Peterson bottled up but it was the players who lost their discipline and decided to abandon their assignments. It’s on the players to execute and they don’t.
Whoa there toledo.
I have no problem with criticizing the Lions players, coaches, staff, or owners. Lord knows I do it enough myself. But I do think there is a big difference between questioning a persons competence and their effort level.
You keep saying they did not execute or win, therefore they were not trying. I don’t buy that. Some of their mistakes, on the Peterson runs [the two that he broke containment] for example, were because they over pursued or went for the big hit rather than wrapping up.
No, I did not see the game [I listened to some of it] but again, I think it is pretty simplistic to say they could win if they just tried harder. Maybe they tried too hard and were playing out of control? I was definitely not happy with the result or what most people have reported as the poor level of play. These guys are professionals and are expected to give 100% every game. If Schwartz and his coaches think they are not, they should act on it immediately.
Again, why do you think they were dogging it?
Yeah, there is a difference between a lack of effort and a lack of execution
For example, I’ll give you one play.
On the fake FG TD, two players had a chance at Fells. Avril and Simpson. Avril chased him from the other side of the field and couldn’t make the tackle – bad execution.
Simpson on the other hand didn’t chase but rather chose to jog behind the play – bad effort.
I think Avril emobodied what the Lions do most of the time, they try but can’t execute. That doesn’t mean they’re won’t be some Simpson plays from time to time.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 3, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
Killer and Brian VanOchten put it perfectly
“The effort they put forth during the game against the Rams was lackadaisical and inexcusable.” And “that performance was abysmal” I’m not alone in the belief that they did in fact dog it in that game. If they thought they were beat on a play they would just start jogging or give up. There was absolutely no pressure on the QB. The receivers looked like they weren’t trying. And even to the coaching staff with the gameplan. The defense had no disguised plays it was just what you saw before the play is what you got. The offensive gameplan was just as basic as you could see. And there were just no players that were showing emotion or rallying the team. Oh and I’m not saying everybody did that but I did see a lot more of it than there should be on a professional football team.
So either the leaders on this team just aren’t able to get this team up and lift others up to get them motivated or they just were thinking hey we’re gonna lose so what’s the point. If that game was the players trying their hardest and was this teams best effort physically and emotionally then this team is in BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG trouble and we are in for another long streak of losing. I don’t know about you but most football fans can see and feel the emotion in a game and there was none in that game. I don’t need to be on the field to see players with their heads down, not communicating with each other, confusion, and nobody trying to lift the players up around them by their play and leadership. It was one of the ugliest games I have ever seen them play against one of the worst teams I have seen play all year.
Lack of execution doesn’t mean dogging it, that’s not what I meant that to mean. But there is a serious lack of execution. And the Adrian Peterson thing I was talking is them not holding their assignments not trying to make plays. The announcers even said when it happened that Buchannon had a lack of discipline on the play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt-11eYy00
right here 32 seconds in look at Buchannon #31 run in and lose contain and watch Peterson bounce it out to where he was supposed to be that is lack of execution at it’s finest. CB are the ones that are supposed to keep runs from bouncing outside like that. I’m NOT saying that is lack of effort I’m saying that is just bad discipline.
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