Monday Morning Telescope: Week 8
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 11:37 AM EST
147 comments
I had hoped to wake up this morning in a less foul mood, but nope... still seething. My anger and frustration is at a number of levels for a number of reasons. Sure, a lot of it comes from the fact that the Lions actually lost this pitiful game, but that's not the sole reason I am angry. There is no typo. I purposefully changed the title of my post from the Monday Morning Microscope to the Monday Morning Telescope. You see, in order to use the phrase "put something under a microscope", you have to be able to examine something closely. And in order to examine something closely, the first step is to actually be able to SEE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT! Ahem... sorry. As you can see, I am fuming over not being able to watch the game yesterday. No, I couldn't even get the grainy, pathetic internet stream to work on my computer. I was left listening to the radio and following the POD play-by-play. Not that I don't enjoy some aspects of those elements, but it is hardly the environment for me to be able to really "get into the game". Since I can't give my opinion on the game because I haven't seen it, this is going to turn into a mini-rant... so please indulge me for a moment if you have one to spare.
Most of you have been on POD long enough to know where my allegiance lies and how deep that loyalty goes. Week-in and week-out, I spend countless hours blogging and combing the internet and television looking for information on the Lions. Football and the Lions in particular have become a genuine hobby and true love and passion of mine. Each year, the attachment gets a little stronger. But here's the real kicker. If I were to sum up all the time I spend talking, reading, thinking and writing about the Lions and then compare it to the actual game time... there would be a monumental imbalance. Think about it... the Lions usually only play 16 meaningful (and that's being generous) games a year, with each game lasting about 3 hours. That's 48 hours total. That's it. It's the equivalent of two measly days in an entire calendar year that we spend watching the Lions play. Hell, I spend at least 20 hours alone watching the draft. And I can probably say with a straight face that I spend more time than that in a single month talking, reading, thinking and writing about the Lions.
As of now, the Lions have played 21 hours of football and we have had to miss 6 of it already. That's over a quarter of the season that we've not been allowed to see. And for the idiot that's going to come in here and leave the comment "just go to the game and you'll get to see ‘em all"... I live 2 hours from Ford Field and have two small children. It's just not possible for me to get season tickets. I usually can only make one or two games a year in person. But see... I spend my money. I took my brother and son to the Vikings game and dropped about $400 on the weekend. Along with a jersey for my son, an authentic jersey for myself and miscellaneous other Lions paraphernalia... it adds up. I invest time and money and then get shafted when one of the only 16 gamedays do in fact come around. The emotional and monetary investment is not worth the very short amount of time I actually spend watching Lion's games. It's a dismal and confusing conundrum.
I'm not going to spend any more time complaining about the idiotic blackout policy. It won't do any good. They are not changing it, so we are stuck. Goodell and his staff will never understand the passionate fan and the investment, both emotional and monetary, that we sacrifice. We all know the league has enough money to subsidize the few stadiums that don't sell out. It's greed, pure and simple. It's disenchanting and segregating the fanbase of teams struggling to get better. But enough of this, because the problem is really the product we see (or don't see) on the field.
From what I could hear, the outing from the Lions yesterday was pathetic at best. What progress that had been made has been all but stripped away. They've regressed in every facet of the game. I knew they weren't going to be a good team this year and these games have confirmed that. But it now looks like we are going to have to endure another poor year next year as it seems that the talent base is still very, very rotten. How disheartening. I know that sounds very pessimistic, but I am just being realistic. They could still start progressing and get a few more wins this year, but I think that the progress is going to be slow and we may not be able to realistically hope for a winning club in 2010. We just lost to the worst of the worst... at home. The other three teams in our division are vastly better than the Lions. We have so many holes... it is beyond obvious now. Yesterday stripped much of the short-term optimism from me. I still believe that Schwartz is a winner and will eventually build the Lions into one as well. But the full magnitude of the Millen roster-wreaking havoc is now clearly and undeniably evident.
For me, I've come to a crossroads in my fandom. I cannot continue to spend as much time on the Lions as I have when I ultimately cannot even watch the game. It's a fruitless venture that is more unbalanced than Mr. Ford's mind. There are simply too many things in this world that are far more important and give a much better return. I have to know when to scale things back and for me, now is that time. Let's be clear about something, though... I am NOT publicly renouncing my fandom or becoming a fair-weather fan or even saying that I am going to stop writing for POD. I'm just scaling back my investment a little... selling a few shares, so to speak. I am going to take that extra time and put it into some of my more beloved stocks, like my kids and family. The return on that is immeasurable. I cannot allow my emotions and mood to be linked to something that can never live up to the hype and expectations I place on it. I need to find the balance between just watching and enjoying a football game, rooting for my favorite team and then walking away somewhat unaffected by the outcome. It's going to be hard to find that balance, but I have to try.
So with slightly less emphasis... Go Lions!!
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Agreed, me too
I have things I need to do this week. Consider it a slight throttling down….time management.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Nov 2, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
THIS IS WHERE I STEP IN
LET THE SENSATIONALIST UNBALANCED BIAS BLOG REPORTING BEGINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN…..
just kidding, ill miss you guys forever, despite the fact you are not leaving.
by IAmGross on Nov 2, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like you have a fever....
and the only perscription is MORE COWBELL!!!!!
by CLF on Nov 2, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
THE BEST SKIT EVER
Replacing Mike Meyers German-inspired “Sprockets” as my fave SNL skit of all time
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Baseball
Baseball been berrdy berrdy good to me.
by lionsfan64 on Nov 2, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my feelings are close
my optimism is now for the 2010 draft to see what holes we can fill.. mayhew will do it.. Free agency too?? On Ford… at least he spends money to try to improve the team… he can’t judge the talent.. thats why he hires a GM.. Millen set up back…. major… Hopefully we’ll see a few wins… but that loss yesterday took a lot out of me… I bleed Lions Blue/black, white and silver and will stay onboard… We have to endure. Till then we have to deal with the product. GRRRRR. Mayhew and Schwartz will right the ship. Cunningham was CLEAR that he will remove the player that frankly “suck”.. expect for more changes till it happpen. Again think about this…. if Mayhew did not do the Williams trade maybe the score yesterday even as bad as the Rams were … it could have been 42 to 3 yesterday. Good to see that some of the lineman were backing up Stafford…. clearly that area of the team is solid in regards to support “clearly Stafford is no Harrington, but the rust have to come off”
GO LIONS 2009! the transformation begins.
by DINORDO on Nov 2, 2009 12:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dumping Millen
Was like clipping the head off a dandelion, the roots are still there and i am not sold on Mayhew or Lewand. They were in all of the meetings with Millen probably shaking their heads like yes men. That is where they got their training.
by lionsfan64 on Nov 2, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah
Lets not forget Stan Kwan, another good job coaching up the spacial teams.
by lionsfan64 on Nov 2, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Blackout
As much as I hate the blackouts I think they do have a silver lining…….Every time the Lions game is blacked out, the Fords lose a lot of potential money in advertising and so forth, not to mention they aren’t selling out games……..If anything is gonna get WCF actually interested in putting a decent team on the field, its gonna be the fact that they aren’t making money like they should be.
by douglazz63 on Nov 2, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
but as much as Ford suffers, we suffer along with them. It’s just not worth the extra misery sometimes.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow!
I thought maybe I was the only one. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time on this site over the last several months and it has been an absolute pleasure discussing Lions football with fans easily as passionate, and most much more passionate, than I. Unfortunately, there appears to be a recurring point in every season over the last decade and I think that point for me is here as well. I’m a fan forever, but my level of dissapointment today is beyond description and frankly, unreasonable. I simply can’t keep doing this. It reminds me of a bad relationship with a woman…you know the B!tc# is cheatin on ya but you just keep comin back for the couple times of year she actually treat ya right!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 12:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's a really good analogy
At some point, you’ve gotta change the relationship in some way.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you really expect anything different?
Millen left the cupboards bare…we all knew this. Still I cheer for the Lions.
That fake field goal really pissed me off, because that was the ball game. Stan Kwan needs to go! NOW! Unexcusable…
Other than that we played to our talent level. Our WR’s are the other teams dropouts…what did we all expect. We should have never have gotten rid of Furrey and McDonald, at least they could catch a ball.
It’s gonna take 2 more years to get back in the game. I would even consider trading Megatron to get more picks…It would be nice to see him succeed somewhere else while he’s still young and somewhat healthy. I dont think he’s gonna have a long career. Will the front office have the guts to do this? I doubt it…
We’ll keep trying to win. The Browns are the next sure chance to win…Let’s get it done!
Just livin' the dream...
by Brefstink on Nov 2, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dude I promise you...
…I did expect them to win this game.
As far as the Browns being the next sure chance to win…you can forget it. The only thing that’s for sure at this point is that the Lions are 1-6 and just blew it against one of the worst teams in the NFL.
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
the games are not going to get an easier than yesterday’s. Regardless of whether we get any more wins, I think we all know what we have right now… and that’s depressing.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still have hope
And I clearly remember another similar, and quite opposite, time when we (I was not blogging here at the time, but I say “we” to include all of you, my fellow Lion’s fans) were all stoked that the Lions were 6-2 at the bye, and it was not long ago. The great 2007 season, when we all thought we were playoff bound after the 6-2 start, ended in a dismal 7-9 with the 1-7 second half that the Lions produced that season. So what? We are 1-6 now, we face off against the Seahawks on the west coast next weekend, and we follow that with a game in Minnesota before we come home to face the Browns and the Packers on Thanksgiving. I would be an idiot to say that I expect that we will produce a winning record for the remainder of our games, but I am not counting the Lions out just yet. Anything can happen in this league, and the 2007 Lions are proof that a team can fall apart (even the so called experts were talking about the Lions going to the playoffs in 2007).
Yes, they are most likely to finish with a losing record. Yes, they are most likely not going to go on a 9 game winning streak that would give them a shot at a playoff birth. However, I refuse to say that it is impossible, nor do I believe that they can not still win 6-7 games this season. They played a bad game against the Rams, there is no doubt about it, but the biggest problems yesterday were not the offensive line, the running game, or turnovers. The biggest problems yesterday were dropped passes (that were thrown perfectly I might add), poor special teams play (FIRE KWAN), and our lack of ability to TACKLE Steven Jackson (the defensive tackles were unable to create separation and make plays, and then once Jackson builds up a head of steam, he is a load to bring down for anyone). Still. if the 2007 Lions could go 6-2 in 8 games, then the 2009 Lions can too (leaving one more game to go 8-8 or 7-9)…..and I will stand by that. It is possible.
That said, given the circumstances and our obvious lack of depth and talent at multiple positions, do we really want the Lions to finish in the middle of the pack this season? While I have always said it is “possible”, I never expected it in truth. Did anyone here realistically expect the 2009 Lions to finish with a .500 record or better? I don’t think so. While it would be great if they did go on a winning streak, I think I am more content with them getting early round draft picks at this point. Seeing the huge need for talented players to fill the gaping holes, I would rather have top 10 picks in every round than say the 16-20 pick in each round (at least until we build a team that is good enough to compete). I love the Lions, if that isn’t obvious, but even I did not truly expect a winning season this year. If they did have a .500 season, or a winning season…..then that would mean that we had better depth and talent already in place than we do now (or thought we did).
The things that I will never understand are how teams like the Lions (or MSU vs U of M) can get so pumped up and well prepared for the best teams, and then play so badly against the teams that are considered terrible or at least beatable. The Lions played a good game against New Orleans (regardless of the score, we were in that game still in the 4th QTR, only down by 11), Minnesota (again we lost the game in the 2nd half), and Pittsburgh (teams that nobody gave us a chance against), but played horribly against the Bears, Packers, and Rams (all teams that were considered terrible) (the Rams) or at least beatable (even though they were favored to win). We beat the Redskins, and they were favored to win (even though they were also considered terrible). What the F is that? We are able to play the good teams close, but we get blown out by the Bears and Packers, and we lose to the Rams? It makes no sense to me.
However, it seems like the remainder of our schedule will be played against teams that are considered good or better (teams that will be favored to beat us), with the exception of the Browns. Will the Lions play well and beat some of the teams that are considered better and favored to beat us? Will the Lions lose to the Browns, only to beat the Seahawks, Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Ravens, Cardinals, 49ers, and Bears? Probable? No. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? No. How happy would you all be if we ended up 9-7, but we missed the playoffs and ended up with a bottom 15 pick (between pick 17 and 32) with the obvious glaring needs that we have?
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KDawg
Why not express yourself with the written language A LITTLE BIT MORE….
I feel like War and Peace is a one night novel when I read your posts!!!
LOL (sorry I am really really pissed we lost yesterday)
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not happy either
But it’s not the end of the world……yet. :o)
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
With all due respect...
…and I do respect your posts KDawg, was it unreasonable to assume they could go 4-12 this season? That would have shown progress, that would have proven they were not the same team we saw last season.
They’re already better than last years team simply because they won a game. The problem with a loss to this caliber of an opponent is that it makes you question whether a second loss is on the horizon. Then you wonder…is one win really progress over zero wins? Look I’m not ready to concede the Lions won’t win another game this season, but that perfomance has certainly put the thought in my mind…where it wasn’t even a possibility before.
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You have to win
You have to win the games you are suppose to. And this loss is crushing. I was hoping that we could win- Rams, Seattle, Cleveland, Green Bay,Arizona, San Francisco, and Bears. I know a big slice of wish pie, but i thought we could get maybe 3 or 4 at least, and it is the NFL and ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. I am having the same problem in East Lansing, Loosing games on Saturday and Sunday that i think we should win, both for lack of scoring.
by lionsfan64 on Nov 2, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No disrespect intended toward you either Mushy
I hope you don’t take what I am saying that way. I am just stating it how I saw it and how I see it. No, I do not think it was unreasonable to expect a 4-12 season. However, I think that is no more unreasonable than expecting 8 wins or an above .500 finish.
I understand your disappointment and apprehension at this point. We all expected them to beat the Rams soundly. On the other hand, none of us expected them to play the Steelers or Vikings so closely either. Anything is possible…..that is what I keep thinking. Is it possible that we will go 1-15? Yes. Is it also possible that we could go 10-6? Yes. Are the likelihoods equal? Without actually calculating the probabilities, I would say the likelihood that we go 1-15 is about as likely (maybe slightly more likely) than that of us going 10-6. That’s how I see it.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kwan?
Harris puts the ball inside the 5. A penalty puts the ball inside the 2. You wanna pick at Kwan?
Harris averaged over 46 yds. a punt.
The Rams had 2 returns that averaged 20 yds.
Another time, the Rams started from the 9.
I would like a better return game, but the Lions did not lose this one on special teams.
Gunther has to get them the D to deliver when special teams sets the table.
Oh, and need I remind everyone of the best play of the game, the Follet hit!
by rbanner on Nov 2, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That hit was saaaa-WEET!
I think it’s the fake field goal that has alot of folks pissed at Kwan
by JazzyBBP on Nov 2, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No Question
the team was not in proper position on that play. But it is one play.
The offense needed to score more points (let us not forget who brought in BJ and North).
The defense was not able to rise to the occasion when needed on the special teams plays (yes, plural) I mentioned.
As much as I think the fake should have been played better, according to the broadcast, the attempt was not one the Rams had run before.
That is not an excuse, but I think its a bit extreme to call for Kwan’s firing.
(Bet you guys never thought you’d read that on one of my posts.)
by rbanner on Nov 2, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
100% AGREE
Bet you never thought I’d say that in a reply to one of your comments!
by JazzyBBP on Nov 2, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And like I told you Jazzy
sometime soon, Dez Bryant is gonna be a name you see on this board (other than now). Won’t that start the howls?
by rbanner on Nov 2, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh.....
The return game was pathetic, so much so that it was obvious that our players were out of position and not blocking properly. Kwan can not, and does not, have any control over how well Nick Harris punts the ball. I admit, our coverage on the punts was pretty good, but Harris was making it happen, not Kwan. The problem with Kwan is that he is not coaching the special teamers up properly. If he were, we would have been in position on the fake FG. If he were, we would not have gotten owned on special teams by every other team we have faced (except maybe Washington). Maybe a new ST coach would not make any difference, but I am not impressed with Stan Kwan…..when has our special teams ever been consistent with him as the coach?
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah
And BJ would be fine if he were not drawing a constant double team. Northcutt’s mistakes are inexcusable. However, I don’t fault Mayhew and I don’t understand why you do.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
34.4 & 23.0 ypg respectively. Who is responsible for this guys being on the team?
Is it not Mayhew?
Why give these guys contracts over other talent?
You are the one who keeps mentioning how many balls these guys drop.
Someone needs to be accountable.
by rbanner on Nov 3, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How about the players?
Why does Mayhew have to be the accountable one? Were there better WRs available when these two guys were acquired? Yeah, they haven’t exactly lit the world on fire…..but do you contend to believe that you knew that they would not or could not? Could you personally have found better talent with what was available?
I personally don’t think it matters a damn bit who the GM was. The fact of the matter is Mayhew went out and got what he COULD get.
by KDawg on Nov 3, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
7 points
Came against special teams and we lost by how much?
by lionsfan64 on Nov 3, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You had me...
…until you said trade Megatron lol. I agree about the field goal. When the Rams called timeout before kicking it, you knew something was up. Especially since they were going to go for it originally. Even if they were to kick the field goal after the timeout, at least bring your field goal defense team out in some sort of prevent or zone coverage scheme. Lineup like you’re going to block the kick then drop back into coverage once the ball is snapped. If they get the field goal, no big deal. Every single person at the bar watch that game knew the Rams were faking that field goal. And sure enough, it was the deciding factor in the game. It should have never happened. It was definitely a coaching fault.
by giggy09 on Nov 2, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Consider this:
Is Detroit economically sound to even keep the Lions as a franchise?? I don’t see how a city which has lost roughly half its population, skyrocketing unemployment and freakish local government officials can sustain 4 professional teams. I’m not sure Detroit is even a top 75 city in terms of population anymore (within city limits)
Maybe we move to LA and become the LA Lions and WCF stays in Detroit and finally, finally, finally, finally relinqueshes this team!!!!
Disclaimer: I don’t live in Detroit
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
PS - Don Banks at SI said it best
The Lions aren’t making the progress we all thought they would have made under Jim Schwartz after 7 weeks. It’s true – the honeymoon is over. Still this franchise sucks regardless of who is brought in to run it.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, well...
I don’t want them to move. I just want to watch the games and see them get better. I’m not pushing for a relocation here……
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Understood Drew
I don’t want them to leave Detroit either. It’s only a 2 hour flight from NYC and going to a Lions game is relatively easy for me.
I just think economically its tough to sustain 4 major sports teams in a beleagured city such as Detroit. How long can Detroit’s economic base hold up??
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
re: moving the Lions
Detroit, including all suburbs and nearby cities, is still the 11th largest metro area in the USA, even with the city of Detroit itself having declined so much the last few decades.
With 9 of the 10 metro areas larger than Detroit having a pro football team (NYx2, LA, CHI, DAL, PHI, HOU, MIA, ATL, WAS, Boston—that’s 10 NFL teams), that makes Detroit the 11th largest market in the NFL, right?
Plus, the Lions have as much history as nearly any other team in the league, and several generations of devoted fans to show for it.
There’s no reason Detroit cannot support an NFL team. They just need to stop putting shit quality on the field, and fans will come around.
by n4ry4 on Nov 2, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
11th largest metro area??
Hmmm, that seems awfully large to me but it is what it is.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thats believeable
for those who live in the area know that the suburbs make up for most of the population in metro detroit. also, most people that come to watch the game are from the suburbs. we also have windsor across the border, and many fans come from there.
so we a long way from relocation
The beginning of the end of the misery
by latif on Nov 2, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's right
If I recall, as recently as 1980 we were 7th……then we slid to 10th….now 11th. In the 1960’s we may have even been 6th.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Nov 5, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
all the way from london too
hey i had a choice…bills or lions…bills were losing sb’s left & right…lions had barry…c’mon easy choice! and now with the dollar so close…the market may depend on more cross border fans
by londonlion on Nov 5, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was at the game
First and foremost-A big THANK YOU goes to Bosco for e-mailing me his tickets. Bos, you are the man!
Now onto the game….
Stafford wasn’t good yesterday. I’ll get that out of the way right now. It wasn’t all his fault and I don’t think he nowhere played his way to a benching or a “bust” conversation that may inevitably pop up on here this week, but he didn’t play well at all.
That receiving corps. yesterday was absofuckinglutely God-awful. I lost count of the drops. Some throws that weren’t perfect and won’t show up on the stat sheet as drops still hit the receivers square in the hands. The way I see it, if you’re a professional receiver in the NFL and the ball hits your hands, YOU CATCH IT, plain and simple.
Hey defense, YOU CANNOT ARM TACKLE STEVEN JACKSON! Man the hell up and square up! Yes, the roughing the passer call in the 1st qtr. was ticky-tack, but the Delmas pass interference was right-on.
I’m glad I went to take a crap when the fake FG took place, I was sitting in the right “chair”…
by JazzyBBP on Nov 2, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LOL
At least the bathrooms at FF are good!!! Did you take a beer in with you Jazzy??
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Yeah the Stafford talk is probably inevitable as the Stanton supporters will probably see this as their window to start up his fan club again. I can’t blame this loss on him on his own, this was a team suckfest. I wish I had been in the John during that fake FG, because once I got done screaming I felt like throwing up!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stafford looked damn good to me.....
Especially coming off injury and being out for 3 weeks (including the bye). He did throw a couple of passes that were not spirals, but like you said Jazzy….if the receiver can touch the ball, HE HAS TO CATCH IT! The passes that sailed (all except for the hail mary at the end that was just poorly thrown) were the result of defenders in Stafford’s face or jumping to block the pass. He tried to throw the ball over the defenders and still make a completion…..unfortunately, his receivers sucked too bad to adjust and make plays.
Nobody can blame Matt Stafford one bit for the loss yesterday. He did the best he could, and it should have been good enough for a 24-33 performance, and if you added the average yards per completion from the game, he would have thrown for 288 yards. Who knows if he would have had a chance to throw a TD pass…..10 drops?? Ridiculous. And the lack of tackling on defense? The poor special teams play that allowed the fake FG to be successful? Those are the reasons we lost to the Rams.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Damn Good?
Are you sure you weren’t watching the Redskins game again? I counted only five passes that I would say were “dropped” and some of those were on short throws that probably weren’t going anywhere anyway.
Stafford had a bad game and is absolutely partially responsible for the outcome.
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Mushy on this one
seriously – when we had the ball with 1:20 to go did ANY of you think we were gonna et past midfield?? Honestly??? What Staff and the Lions did was putrid and just what I was expecting.
Now – both receivers and Staff should shoulder the blame but by no means did Staff play “Great”
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You're killin me KDawg.
I respect your opinion enough that you actually have me bamboozled. You’re gonna make me sit through that rancid game again when I get home to see if I just remember it completely wrong.
I’m tellin you, live and in person, Stafford looked really bad!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, the crux of my post is that...
I don’t know HOW Stafford looked because I couldn’t see him play.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wont say
he looked “damn” good, but it was what I would expect out of him.
we REALLY miss megatron, and i think we gotta find a second wideout this offseason, cause
Bryant Johnson aint gettin it done
The beginning of the end of the misery
by latif on Nov 2, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Guys.....
Put my words into perspective! I said he looked damn good:
Especially coming off injury and being out for 3 weeks (including the bye). He did throw a couple of passes that were not spirals, but like you said Jazzy….if the receiver can touch the ball, HE HAS TO CATCH IT! The passes that sailed (all except for the hail mary at the end that was just poorly thrown) were the result of defenders in Stafford’s face or jumping to block the pass. He tried to throw the ball over the defenders and still make a completion…..unfortunately, his receivers sucked too bad to adjust and make plays.
I didn’t say he came out there and looked like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in their prime……I said he looked damn good given the circumstances. I never even said he played “great”. I do think that some of you guys are letting your emotions over the loss to the Rams control your opinions and logic however,
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
u still gotta remember
that we went up against the rams. they have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. plus, the lions and stafford had two weeks to study this team, so the expectation was sorta high for this game in general.
The beginning of the end of the misery
by latif on Nov 2, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is quite interesting to see you...
take over my role in taking up for Stafford! I’m messing with you….
Actually, it’s very admirable that you truly call it like you see it with Stafford. I really thought that you had a serious bias with Culpepper, but you’ve proven me wrong. I haven’t watched the game yet, so I sense he was rusty but had some good throws here and there with a lot of WR drops. Fair assessment?
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Very fair assessment, Drew
btw, great post.
Stafford didn’t suck, but he didn’tplay that well, either. Both QBs played like they were afraid of screwing up instead of playing to win. Am I wording it weird?
I thought Staff played better than Bulger. Staffs pick was Nortcutts fault, it hit him right in the hands and bounced away. This was a brutal game to see live.
I can see where KDawgs coming from about Stafford playing good. The OLine was abyssmal, how Staff isn’t injured more after that game is a miracle. The receivers sucked, Staff should have gotten on everyones ass in the huddle. He was rusty, but he still should’ve done alot better imho
by JazzyBBP on Nov 2, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's a great point:
“Both QBs played like they were afraid of screwing up instead of playing to win.”
We were actually talking about that during the game and I believe it extended beyond the quarterbacks. Unfortunately, from a coaching perspective I think this is one I’d have to tip my cap to the Rams on. A fake FG late in the first half (on 3rd and 14 no less). The Lions actually punted on very short yardage at one point too (can’t remember when right now). Hard to win if you’re focusing on not losing.
by Mushy on Nov 3, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"Looked damn good"
to me means 3 TDs and 300+ yds., at a minimum.
Unless you were talking about his qualities as a male model???
KDawg, are you playing for the other team?
by rbanner on Nov 3, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You are an idiot
Perspective jackass……perspective.
by KDawg on Nov 3, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stop fighting guys
You’re being entertaining and cutting into my porn time/
by dylan415 on Nov 3, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like everyone needs a cheer-me-up
Watch that and try not to smile.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
by simscity on Nov 2, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was a great hit Sims
Unfortnately for you and everyone else on POD the ONLY thing that would cheer me up would be a WIN at Seattle next week but that’s about as possible as Millen being hired again as GM in the NFL.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You've got to put things in perspective
While I, like you, was inconsolable after the loss this weekend (with UofM’s loss and Brett Favre’s win piled on top), today I am at peace with the loss. In the long run, a win doesn’t change anything, except maybe the draft order. It sucks that we are again denied the chance to actually celebrate a win, and it sucks we couldn’t be a winless team, but another tally in the win column really changes nothing.
I see all these monday columns about how we are officially back to the “same old Lions” and any progress we’ve seen this year is suddenly nothing because we lost this game. I know its frustrating, but you cannot judge the progress of this team simply based on wins and losses. Look at individual performances. All of our young players are continuing to get game experience and learning from it.
I’m looking at this year a lot like I"m looking at UofM’s team last year. Sure I’d love the wins, but I’m more interested in individuals getting experience and improving throughout the year. Next year and 2011 is when I’m going to really be expecting some wins.
One bad week in 2009 is no longer going to frustrate me. Especially considering I know this team is better than they performed on Sunday.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
by simscity on Nov 2, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Your right Sims but we've heard this all before
In 1999, in 2002, in 2005, in 2007 and WE KEEP going either backwards or floundering between 0 and 5 wins per season FOR A DECADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (save 7-9 in 2007)
The only think I am putting in perspective is WINS anymore and at 1-6 we suck. Plain and simple. We are one of the 3 worst teams in the NFL yet again this year.
SORRY but yesterday’s loss has really put me over the edge today AND the markets are tanking yet again after a strong start AND my Orangemen suck again this year AND my gf refuses to give me head anymore AND on and on and on and on……….
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wins matter. We can't get stuck at the top of the draft
If we could win just a couple more games this year and work our way down to #4 in the draft or lower, we’d be in a tradeable spot. There will still be at least one blue-chip guy up there for us (whether it’s Okung, Suh, Berry, whoever) if we want to draft somebody, but I’m of the persuasion that we’re so thin at so many positions and so susceptible to injuries that I’d rather trade down for more picks and start next year with a broader and deeper young talent group. That just won’t be possible in the top 3 spots because nobody wants to pay the contract $$ that comes with those picks.
by n4ry4 on Nov 2, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see it as a matter of choice......
But I agree that being at pick 4-9 would be better for us that having one of the top 3 picks, even though there is no collective bargaining agreement in place now, or for the foreseeable future, and thus no cap next season as of yet. I think that the team is better off with picks in the top 10 of every round than picks in the 17-32 range right now, considering the state of our talent and depth.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That hit did rock.
It could have even been a turning point had the defense not decided to stink it up for the next several plays.
IT’S NOT TOUCH FOOTBALL, PLEASE USE SOME OTHER METHOD OF TACKLING JACKSON!!!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Yuor right Mushy. We had 100% of the momentum after the TD and the Follet hit. What did we do?? give up 3 first downs and let the Rams pin us deep for a truly awful 3 and out…………we needed to capitalize right then and there but both sides of the ball sagged miserably and I knew the LOSS was on its way.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was waiting to see that....
Great hit! I also loved Stafford’s response to the hit.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Zack Follett sacked Chuck Norris!!!
with all the Follett love we need to come up with more jokes like that.. lol
Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??
by det32 on Nov 2, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys...Rams fan here...
I know you probably don’t want to know anything more about the Rams right now, but since I see both our teams in similar circumstances, I just thought I’d drop by and give my two cents. First of all I’d like to mention the fact that Calvin Johnson wasn’t playing, which I truly lament both because it is a joy to watch him play and because Megatron is on my fantasy team that got shellacked yesterday. I honestly felt like it came down to who had their best player on the field and it was the Rams yesterday. That being said, the main thing we as Rams or Lions fans have to have is that disturbing “p” word: patience.
You guys have a young QB who made me say “wow” more than a few times yesterday. It’s unfortunate that the receivers dropped balls on him. That being said, the guy is only going to get better, and that rocket arm isn’t of the inaccurate JaMarcus Russell mold. Get him a better offensive line, maybe a tackle in the next draft, and that offense can shine. I also think Delmas was a steal. He may have missed the tackle on SJax at the end, but overall I was impressed with the guy and think he’ll be a great player soon. Pettigrew looks like a physical specimen, and I was particularly impressed by his run-blocking. He looks like that do-it-all TE and I think he’ll become one of Stafford’s major weapons soon.
You guys have a new coach that I think is going to be a winner someday. It isn’t BS when I say that these prospects you guys picked up looked good, and have looked good thus far this year. If you shore up the O-line and D-line, I don’t doubt that you can turn this around. Have faith. I know it’s hard after losing to the Rams of all people, but remember that there’s still a half (and a game for you guys) a season left to see progress in your young players.
Youth is the only way rebuilding teams can climb, and I know there’s been somewhat of a youth movement in Detroit this season. Wipe that Millen mess clean. I know a little something about your team because I was assigned to research it for our Mock Draft over at TurfShowTimes. I think your biggest need is an OT or a DT, so I guess that means we’ll both be after Ndamukong Suh. That guy looks special.
Just, keep your heads up is all I’m trying to say. Stafford to Johnson looks promising, and I think you guys drafted well enough to produce results in the near future. I’ve been through a couple of horrible seasons with the Rams (3-13 2007, 2-14 2008, 1-7 2009), but when management creates this big of a mess for each of our respective teams, its going to take a while to get the pieces there. The key is to stay positive, focus on the positives, and remain supportive as fans. We’re all tired of the losing, but these guys are as well.
If your players have twitter accounts or whatever, tweet them. Let em know when they’ve done well and impressed with effort, because it’s all a fan can ask with talent-devoid rosters. These guys do care, and if they’re playing hard on 1-6 or 1-7 teams, they want to hear that support. It’ll just make it so much sweeter when our teams find the success they’re working towards.
Here’s to our teams someday meeting in a game not labeled the “toilet bowl,” but the NFC Championship. Am I delirious? Maybe. But I know that the fans have to have the same visions the coaches and players have, and given the state of our teams, I feel everyone should still dream about it. I can’t tell you how much I mean it. I know it’s hard after losing to the lowly Rams, but I just want you guys to know that better days are ahead with our respective teams’ young talent. Schwartz looks like the man for the job, his demeanor seems strong and I haven’t seen him panic. Losing teams need that steadiness, and I also feel Spagnuolo has it.
Keep your heads up, and just look for signs of progress in your young players this year. I’ve seen it with the darts that Stafford was throwing for instance, and with some of the blocks Jason Smith was making. Due time guys, but just remember that these rough moments are what makes the triumphs of the future that much sweeter. Never give up on your team.
PS: FIRE SCOTT LINEHAN. He is a cancer, and the image of him was about as repulsively close to what Matt Millen is to you guys as I could possibly imagine. Good luck the rest of the season. I thought it was a really good game yesterday despite sloppiness from both things. It was competitive and there were signs of improvement on both sides. Here’s to our teams making strides the rest of the year. I have to say, we have to be the TOUGHEST fans in the league with what we’ve endured. We will be rewarded someday.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Despite sloppiness from both teams*
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, good comments......good luck!
I understand about Linehan. It’s like how we felt seeing Rod Marinelli on the sideline when we played the Bears, and how Bears fans felt a few years back when they saw Dick Jauron as our Defensive Coordinator.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Nov 2, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lmao, yeah.
Linehan has scarred Rams fans for life with his remarkable ability to turn a playoff roster into an aberration. He was calling a good game early for you guys but as he did in STL, he never adjusted. I just don’t see how it can work well, but at this point I wonder who is available at OC…
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree
I have not been overly impressed with Linehan, and I think we can do better.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And thanks for the respectful comments
Good luck
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
first of all
thank you Trojan..that made me feel a whole lot better
about linehan: i think he has called some solid games, given what he has to work with. the teams been without its biggest offensive player, and a terrible o-line for most of the season, but the offense has kept them in most games. its the defenses fault, and rightfully so, cause there is very little talent on that side of the ball.
The beginning of the end of the misery
by latif on Nov 2, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Trojan
Nice comments but you have to understand our frustration:
You had great teams: a Superbowl Victory, playoff appearances, playoff wins, Vince Ferragamo, Jack Youngblood, Joe Namath (well for one year anyway)
WE’VE NEVER HAD SUCH THINGS HERE. So please, let us not speak of “positives” and “going in the right direction” anymore – frankly we are sick of it. But thanks for the comments nonetheless – you caught us POD’ers on the wrong weekend.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can't say I get it completely...
…that would be selling you guys short since I’ve been fortunate enough to see the Rams win an SB. That being said though, we hadn’t won a championship in about 50 years I believe (since before it was the superbowl), so just, wait for that magical year. I think it’ll come someday. I know it’s hard. I can’t completely relate but I know it must be hard. But just, never lose that love for your team. It’ll happen someday, as unlikely as it seems. The chips just have to land in the right spots eventually, but they can and will. Hold on.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll hold on Trojan
as long as I can but I must tell you that in my 35 years of walking this earth and blindly following the Lions they are SERIOUSLY testing me………………….aww who am I kidding. I’ll never leave them. It will make it all the more sweeter when they do win…….someday………….soon……………..hopefully…………..maybe???
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lightning only needs to strike once...
…and doesn’t it usually come after rain? On top of that, it might spring you for a few years. If you build around that QB, you’ll have a chance. I think he’s certainly better than Sanchez, and I go to USC currently.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Sanchez and Staff will forever be linked. I think we got the better QB for sure with much more upside – thanks for saying that, particularly since your at USC now!!
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He is better than Sanchez.....
If the Jets had Stafford…..they would be even that much more dangerous.
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point, Trojan, about it springing us for a few years
Some of the dynasties of the Super Bowl Era were teams with little or no record of success up to the time of their first Super Bowl win. The Pittsburgh Steelers before 1974, the SF 49ers before 1981, are two teams that come to mind. The Buffalo Bills (4-time consecutive Super Bowl losers) and NE Patriots (2 fluke SB appearances before 2001) had inconsistency for many years, losing more often than they won.
We can be the next dynasty, like the Steelers or 49ers. Few believed it would happen there…….until it did. Keep the faith, baby.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Nov 5, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
I appreciate the perspective, but for a lot of us the frustration doesn’t run just a few seasons deep. Unlike the Lions, the Rams have at least been to a Superbowl (let alone the fact that they won one).
I left a similar post to this one on Washington’s site after their loss to the Lions, and not suprisingly their reactions are the same as mine is now. Without trying to totally disrespect your franchise, you guys still suck! The burn is, we apparently suck more and fans are pretty sick of it at this point.
I have to disagree about the quality of the game as well. While I know it’s refreshing to see your team finally get a win, it doesn’t change the fact that outside of a fake FG this team would have been 3-2 at the half…that’s dreadful football!
I do, however, share the same sentiment when I see Maranelli on TV as you do when you see Linehan. Ick! Yuck! Blah!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know...
…it wasn’t a football showcase, but it had a decent score at the end 17-10, and it can never be worse than the abomination the Bills and Browns had earlier. It just can’t be worse than that.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I just threw up on my keyboard...
…thinking about that Browns/Bills game!
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the comments, TrojanRam
I think you’re definitely right that
crappy team + Steven Jackson > crappy team without Calvin Johnson
(no offense, we all know we’re both rebuilding)
Since scheduling is partially based on divisional standings, we’ll probably play again next year, and yeah, hopefully the 2012 NFC Championship.
Since I haven’t really followed the Rams recently, what was the biggest problem with Linehan? I think GRLion is right that it feels the same way about us seeing Marinelli in Chicago, but then again, he’s always been a great D-Line coach (still is), he was just way the hell out of his league as a head coach. It was a terrible fit. I wonder if Linehan is the same way, or if he can really be successful in an OC role where he’s not making personnel decisions?
by n4ry4 on Nov 2, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No offense taken...
…I just thought it was fair to point out that CJ wasn’t playing, and his absence was felt. Biggest problem with Linehan…hmm…drafting under him was ABYSMAL. NONE of our 2006 picks are with us anymore. Of our 2007 class, we have 1 starter at DT, and it’s not our 1st rounder from that year, Adam Carriker. He’s on IR and has consistently been labeled a bust for his injury prone career, which has been compounded by unimpressive play, partly due to the fact that he was a DE in college and SHOULD have stayed at DE instead of being moved to DT. Our 08 class is still under the microscope. Chris Long just barely got his first sack this year, so that’s 5 in 1 1/2 seasons. Not quite #2 pick status. Donnie Avery has proven explosive but can’t stay healthy.
All in all, I think it’s just personnel decisions, and an inability to handle NFL players and gain their trust. He would bench Bulger to save his own ass, something Torry Holt/Steven Jackson called him out on. He just didn’t know how to handle people you could say. He might make a good OC still, but our play-calling wasn’t always the best when he was around.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Makes sense. I think Linehan is far enough down the totem pole that it’ll be Schwartz and Mayhew making the draft decisions (who nearly everyone here agrees have done pretty well so far), and Schwartz deciding when to bench somebody.
Bad playcalling though, that makes me nervous.
And yeah, we know what bad drafting does to a team. The Lions have exactly ONE PLAYER on our team from the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 drafts (Ernie Sims). Five drafts, one guy to show for it.
by n4ry4 on Nov 2, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Trojanram, good analysis
I agree. There is definitely a different skill set for a Head Coach vs. an Offensive/Defensive Coordinator. The HC needs to be great at handling players and gaining their trust. He must inspire and lead; people skills are paramount. A Head coach must also have a good feel for personnel……..listen to the scouts and coordinators, understand how good a fit certain players are for his system, and communicate that to the GM. Coordinators are more creative X’s and O’s type guys.
n4ry4 said it well…….Schwartz and Mayhew make the calls here on players; Linehan just calls the plays. Scott Linehan, like Gunther Cunningham, seems one of those guys who doesn’t have what it takes to be a Head Coach, but has had success in the past as a Coordinator. Playcalling at times this year has been creative, but inconsistent. The QB reads might also factor into that……we don’t see every route, just who the QB ends up throwing to.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Nov 5, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
give linehan one more year to get comfortable with the playcalling
correct me if i’m wrong, but i don’t know how much of that he was doing in st louis
by londonlion on Nov 5, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks TrojanRam
I respect your comments. Good luck in the future.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 2, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice post and well appreciated, TrojanRam
Good to get pertinent feedback in a very respectful manner from other team’s fans. There is some promise for both teams, but that patience thing is a real bugger. I have the patience to wait for a contender… and I’ve actually been one of the ones preaching that here for a while. But my post was more about my time investment versus having the patience to wait for the Lions to become winners. Millen destroyed this team and it will take several years to rebuild… that much is now clear.
As for Linehan… I’m starting to agree. I thought that he was initially a great hire because I thought he was a much better coordinator than head coach. So far, the playcalling has been suspect at best. I hope he’s simply handicapped by lack of talent. Time will tell.
Thanks again for the post.
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lmao, exactly.
At least neither Stafford or Bulger are Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson. It could have been worse.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Nov 2, 2009 2:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh no!
Schwartz just stepped down a full peg in my book after that presser! Refusing to acknowledge that losing to the Rams is worse than losing to the Steelers is just plain ol’ regular coachspeak!
That’s the first truly dishonest answer I’ve heard him give.
by Mushy on Nov 2, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I almost had a panic attack at your first six words “Oh no! Schwartz just stepped down”
glad I read the rest :)
by n4ry4 on Nov 2, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
With my job I can’t catch games because most Sundays I work, and being a college student with a low paying full time job and no help, the only channnels I have are those being sent to me free in the air. That being said, I haven’t witnessed an actually Lions win live, since 2006. I saw a couple taped (Mostly) in 2007, although my parents can not seem to understand the simple task of game @1 have tape in and ready by 12:59pm please … not … well we missed the first quarter. Oh we ran short and missed most of the fourth or something. In fact I’ve seen four games this year. Steelers v. Titans, Steelers v. Chargers, Steelers v. Lions, Lions v. Rams. I like the Steelers but this is ridiculious. I can see the Steelers because they play Sunday Night, they get off times for games in which I am not working, and every game is not at 1pm Sunday like the Pussy-Cats, because they are good. I took this first week of Novemeber off because I had a week vacation left and had to do some stuff extra for school and picked this week to do it over next because I follishly thought I could see the Lions beat the Rams. My first day off in Months, SUCKED. Not to mention my friend whom I watched the game with was housesitting and the 16 year old there, was a lying rotten little brat, whose parents maybe need to find an alternative when they leave town.
I ramble because I am freaking out, I have no idea what to do. How can a team be this bad? I feel like a Clipper fan. how can a team be THIS BAD. You take Steven Jackson off that team they have NOTHING. Its been over three years. Three years since I seen a live win. Three years. In no other sport could that even be possible. I hate the way contracts work sometimes, yes the te4am slary cap wise should take a small hit or something but … I’d cut bryant johnson so fast his head would spin. Not even gonna capitalize his name. northcutt to, cripes … these aren’t young rookies, they have been around the block, they look like children. if Michigan’s great (and by great I mean worthless as a dog turd) governor Gramholm wanted to really do something right in her 8 years of misery giving in office, work with the legislature to get millen and wcf in jail. Seriously. Jail. Their is no way this was not a conspiracy to get this team so bad they could move it to L.A. I bet they already got their mansions picked out.
its a good thing I live on the West side of the state I’d be raising hell in Detriot today, pure Hell in honor of this Halloween weekend debacle. I’d arrive at the stadium and taunt them all terribily every day this week they are in town before they go off to Seattle to lose 43 to 6.
Ben the angry, confsued, poor and girlfriendless Beerhero.
by Beerhero on Nov 2, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Beer..............
your signature ("Ben the angry, confused……….) is a little depressing!!
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yet hilarious.....and somewhat vaguely familiar.....lol
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on KDawg
only “Vaguely” familiar? Or a carbon copy
Just kidding (steam still protruding from both ears due to yesterday’s LOSS)
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
@ NYC … Rough semester. Mentally gets to ya at moments.
@ KDawg … Been there I take it?
by Beerhero on Nov 2, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Been through some rough semesters myselft
in undergrad and B school. One word: PORN
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Once upon a time.....not so long ago......in this very same state.....lol
I was a single man, full of anger and confusion, and girlfriendless……Now I am just an angry married man, much less confused and done with “girlfriends”….lol
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Porn?
Is like a heart-felt gift, sometimes it more fun to make it then to buy it
by Beerhero on Nov 2, 2009 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed my good man
But beggars can’t be choosers…………..when worse comes to worse try xhamster dot com
it’s free and has lots of great clips.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ever heard of Youporn?
Dane Cook told me about it….:o)
by KDawg on Nov 2, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have but never tried it
perhaps I’ll do a little “surfing” tonight kdawg. My tastes run a little on the dark side though……………LOL
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NYC nailed it. xhamster is awesome!!!
I mean, for a free site it is informative….
uh, I’m just gonna leave now…
by JazzyBBP on Nov 2, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Love it right Jazzy!!
xhamster is awesome!!!
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 2, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So this is what my post has morphed into... a lesson in best available porn
Nice……
I need to try harder on my posts….
lol
by DrewsLions on Nov 2, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this is sad :(
The beginning of the end of the misery
by latif on Nov 2, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meant to reply the post earlier....
and somehow this all spawned into something I did not wish it morph it into.
by Beerhero on Nov 2, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rebuilding...
Despite my name, I lived in MI for most of my life for 22 years, enlisted in the Army then lived in Germany and New York for 5 years total, then moved back to MI to complete my undergrad degree at Lake Superior State University (my alma mater will take the CCHA and beat the snot out of U-M, MSU, ND and the others, and will hope that U-M suffers a horrible hockey season). Having grown up on the West side of MI in Holland, I bleed Green and White, and Honolulu Blue and silver. I have stood by the Lions through all of my moves and I will root for no other team but the Lions (except for the SB when I root for the NFC team) in that I hope that any team that plays, Chicago, GB or MN wins and hope that any team that plays GB beats them horribly. I am a true MSU fan and hope that any that plays U-M soundly and horribly rips them apart in everyway possible. That being said, while I live in Tulsa, OK I still root for Motown.
The Lions have to mentally beat the opposing team before getting on the field. They have develop the ability to stare the opponent in the eye and not concern themselves with the stats of the opposing team, or which stars the other team is stacked with, and walk on the field boldly with confidence. It’s about belief and will. They also have to play like a team and not like individuals (cf. the 2004 Detroit Pistons who beat the star-studded Lakers by playing team-ball; headline read, “Detroit who?”). They also have to develop in other areas. Develop the GB to exploit the seams in the defense with 5-10 yd passes and WR’s, TE’s who can run the short routes and gain the extra yardage. Not focusing on players who are “stars” and about themselves (TO in the Metroplex and Buffalo). They have to play with a tenacity to win. They have to want the wins, they are not going to be handed to them.
There is still some cleaning house to do from Millen’s fingerprints in the front office, and on the field. First thing, move Culpepper to third string, he had his glory days in Minneahaha and why the hell was he ever brought to Motown? I have not seen good production from him. Move Drew Stanton to 2nd string. Second, the WR corps. I was not thrilled, and I have not been thrilled by the play of these men. CJ is only one man and he needs some help there. There is absolutely no excuse for dropping passes. If these continue to drop accurate passes move them to the practice squad and rotate up players who can do the job. Need another well-rounded player at TE. Hanson is still a great kicker, yet develop the younger backup kicker to be able to pull off the Fake PAT’s and Fake FG’s, as well as the longer 50-55 yard FG range. Yes a new special teams coach is needed. The fans need patience. WCF Sr. needs to hand all operations to Jr, or the fans and the city need to step up and buy the team like GB did with the Packers and other Fan-city owned teams in league.
Go Lions!
by TulsaOKLionsFan on Nov 2, 2009 5:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it's because I've only been a Lions fan for 6 years
Or maybe it’s because nearly all of my short life has been spent on the bottom of the pile sporting-wise (exception, cricket, Australia wins quite often in that). I’m used to losing, it’s what I’ve seen most as a sport fan. A win is something I cherish because it doesn’t come around often. My Rugby League team, the Wests Tigers, were similar to the Lions, talent-deficient, with a lack of winning will, needless to say, most of my gamedays were spent watching them lose. The first 10 years of my fandom was spent this way. Then, all of a sudden, BAM, in 2005, things clicked, we made our first playoffs and won the whole damn thing. It still feels like a dream to me, but it did happen. That one year made those other ten seem like a breeze. Now, a couple of years later, we haven’t made the playoffs since and are a middle of the pack team. So, in many ways, I’m still a fan of a loser, but I don’t care, since I got that win.
Now, when I picked the Lions I didn’t know about their history or their current position. I just picked them. Within that first year, I developed an emotional attachment which now can never be broken. So, I’m just waiting again, hoping for that one year in which we click and everything goes right, so much so that the years I spent waiting to feel so bad anymore. And, I do realise you guys have waited a much longer time than me, and if you’ve reached your breaking point, fine, that’s your decision. But I got a LOT of patience so I’ll be here for as long as it takes.
Now, onto the game. I’ve always had a funny feeling about those sorta games, you know, the ones we are supposed to win. We lost, as I feared, but I don’t really think the loss has changed much for me. Sure, we’ve regressed, things don’t seem as coherent as they were earlier in the season, but we all know how far we are from a competitive team. And when I say competitive, I mean, EVERY game.
Right now, we are outmatched in nearly all facets, so it requires a gargantuan effort just to stay with teams and give them a run, let alone win. On some days, the very few and far between, we may get lucky and pull out a victory. That’s one end of the Lions spectrum. On the other end is game’s like the Rams. Games in which we should win, where we aren’t outmatched, but still we lose. They are our most terrible games, and they are going to happen, probably just as much as those games in which we play well and win. The rest is all in the middle of the spectrum, and that’s what we see most of the time out of the Lions, a respectable effort with one or two facets playing sorta well but still ultimately coming out with a loss. I don’t think that spectrum is gonna change any time soon, things take time, as we know. But, many of you are thinking, “I’ve been here for X number of years, I’ve waited long enough”, and it’s probably true, you have waited long enough, but that isn’t gonna change the fact that with every coaching change, and GM change, brings a whole new cycle of rebuilding. We are probably right now in our biggest rebuild ever, I’m prepared to wait for it to pay off. If it doesn’t, I’ll be here for the next rebuild. Why?…..Because I’m a crazy mofo who loves sport and couldn’t live without it.
Now, I say, bring on the Seahawks…at least we are not favoured.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 2, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My experience at the Lions game yesterday
This is the third game I have to been to this year (I don’t have season tickets, I actually bought tickets to the 3 games and am going to the Browns game). I generally enjoy doing this, the tailgating, the seeing the game live, etc. I took my Fiance’s father to this game, he’s never been to an NFL game. I had front row, middle end zone seats. I was so excited when I got the tickets thinking wow, to be so close, maybe a ball would come our way, there should be plenty of TD’s scored, and after they win maybe they will come around and celebrate with the fans like they did after the Redskins win etc. As we took our seats, Hanson was practicing his kicks before the game. The 3rd ball that was kicked sailed into and rolled through the net. Fred (my fiance’s father) got a hand on the ball, it bounced off and was caught by the guy 3 seats over by him. Some ball boy on the field came up to him, and wanted the ball back!!!! The guy actually gave it back to him, and as I was asking him why he gave it back, another ball sailed into and through the net, and caught by none other than the same guy! Again, the same ball boy (and I say “boy” but he was old enough to be my father) came over to retrieve the ball! This time he played it off like he didn’t have the ball, and then said “This ball?” held it out, then pulled it back when he reached for it, and handed it to a little girl sitting in the row behind us. Can someone please explain to me, why in a stadium that is unable to sell out, why the Lions organization would need balls that sail into the stands back!?!?! With the poor performance that we are subjected to most of the time, maybe a souvenir would just make the day for a fan?? To be honest, the Lions did play poor, but the Refs were equally as poor. From yet another (I’m looking at you Ben Roethlisberger) phantom roughing the passer penalty, to the very next drive having Kevin Smith getting his head turned almost completely around from a face mask (and no flag), the Refs looked as though they were bussed in from St Louis with at least 3 of their calls. With that said, the Lions still sucked. Johnson and Pettigrew dropped too many passes, Stafford threw an INT (even though it ended up working in our favor), we got faked out on a field goal by a team that didn’t have a win in 17 games, and Stafford was over-throwing too many balls (the Hail Mary he threw at the end of the half looked like he was aiming for the giant Pepsi sign in the corner). The only plus of the game was Staffords TD. He ran it in right in front of us, and he spiked the ball which then bounced right up where Fred was sitting. I reached out and it bounced off my palm. Perhaps the Lions will draft me next year.
by Ken K on Nov 2, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Stafford bounces a football off your hands, then yeah
I think that means you’re qualified to play receiver for the Lions
by n4ry4 on Nov 3, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i donno i any of you have seen this but
lol
Zack Follett sacked Chuck Norris!!!
Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??
by det32 on Nov 2, 2009 11:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Haha that's awesome
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
by Sean Yuille on Nov 3, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Best thing ever!
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 3, 2009 1:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait a minute!!
I know I’ve seen that face before….
by n4ry4 on Nov 3, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
where did you get that
that is perhaps the picture of the year!
by londonlion on Nov 3, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't know where else to put this, but...
Has anyone else’s format changed. It looks all…different.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 3, 2009 6:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah mine looks different too
the folks at SBN must be monkeying with the stylesheets.
by n4ry4 on Nov 3, 2009 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah it frigtened me even though I knew it was coming
All SBN sites got a “visual refresh.” Definitely will take some getting used to.
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
by Sean Yuille on Nov 3, 2009 7:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
blackout
Sean,
Instead of complaining that your internet stream sucked. Why don’t you GO to the game. You live there right? I live in Alaska and am a die hard Lions fan. I watch every snap on TV. I wish I could could go to the live games.
by Jack H on Nov 3, 2009 9:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There are a lot of reasons
1. I spend enough money on tickets for Michigan football, basketball, and hockey games.
2. Lack of transportation and friends who would want to go to games
3. I hold down the fort here on Sundays
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
by Sean Yuille on Nov 3, 2009 9:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It would be tough for you to run the game thread from Ford Field
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 4, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!!!
There is he is…. the idiot that I wrote about! I knew it would happen.
Listen… first, Sean didn’t write the post, I did. I was complaining about not seeing the game. Actually read the post next time, Jack H. Ass. Second, if you cared to read the post, I referenced you in it. Re-read and see if you can find yourself.
Idiot……
by DrewsLions on Nov 4, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DrewsLions:
And for the idiot that’s going to come in here and leave the comment “just go to the game and you’ll get to see ‘em all”… I live 2 hours from Ford Field and have two small children. It’s just not possible for me to get season tickets. I usually can only make one or two games a year in person. But see… I spend my money.
Jack H:
Instead of complaining that your internet stream sucked. Why don’t you GO to the game. You live there right?
Yeah Drews, it’s sad when you can predict comments like that one so well.
The blackout policy is just indefensible. Unless you own an NFL team whose on-field product doesn’t deserve people to pay real money for tickets, then I guess it makes sense for you, Mr. Ford.
by n4ry4 on Nov 4, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
okay
Sorry I blew up dude. I’d still go to the games
by Jack H on Nov 3, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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