Tuesday Notes: Cliff Avril Talks About His Injury

by Sean Yuille on Sep 22, 2009 11:58 PM EDT in Notes Comment 52 comments

Ernie Harwell was honored before Sunday's game.
Unsurprisingly, Jim Schwartz isn't about to yank Matthew Stafford after only two games.
Cliff Avril talked about his injury in his latest blog post.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert had this to say about Jeff Backus on the first play of the second half:

I have no idea what left tackle Jeff Backus was doing for any part of the first play of the second half. He lined up across from Allen -- with no tight end help -- but never took a step to block Allen at the snap. Allen sacked Stafford untouched, forcing a fumble. Backus was facing the play at the time but made no move to recover the fumble, acting as if he thought the play was dead. (Finally, tight end Brandon Pettigrew fell on the ball.) Did Backus hear a whistle? Did he think that tailback Kevin Smith was going to block Allen? All the way around, a bizarre and crucial play for the Lions.
I still have to go back and look at the tape, but something went drastically wrong on that play and it really doomed the Lions for the rest of the game. I don't know who is to blame just yet, but there's no excuse for letting Jared Allen run cleanly at Matthew Stafford.
Speaking of Jared Allen, he's sort of a douche.
Charles Rogers pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while impaired.
The Redskins' offensive line is a bit banged up.
You know that video I posted yesterday of a drunk chick getting arrested at the Lions game? Well, she had some reason to be upset about halfway through the video, as some old guy got a handful during the altercation (click to enlarge).

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Comments

I go into every week thinking we have a shot

But I think this sunday will be tough. Washington has to hear about how bad they looked against an inferior opponent last sunday and will come out motivated.
At least they should if they want to accomplish anything this year.

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

by Leapin Lion on Sep 23, 2009 12:15 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't hurt...

…that the Redskins line is a little beat up though. Man could this team use a win!

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is like the shortest notes post ever

Go Lions!!!

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 23, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol

Definitely didn’t mean to post that. I got sidetracked with something else and didn’t realize it went up.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Sep 23, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Jared Allen is on KDawg's Biggest Douchebag list? ; )

by JCruize on Sep 23, 2009 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least he should be included

It`s not like I have a problem with people who directly answer directly asked questions, but I don`t think it was necessary to expand on subject like he did. Punk.

by Roustique on Sep 23, 2009 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bigger problem I have...

…is that calling him a douchebag is not appropriate revenge.
Minneapolis is clean, but who has time to litter when it’s so freaking cold you’re just rushing to and from your car. Of course, there is virtually no crime there, but it’s hard to pickpocket with mittens on.
He’s right about the fans though, I heard the stadium was about 2/3 full so that sucks.
He’s also right about levelling the playing field, which sucks too.

The bottom line is stuff like this is awesome fuel for what should be a great rivalry with the Vikings. Instead it’s just been like rubbing salt in the wounds. The Lions have to play better to truly avenge comments like these, the fans will show up and Gosder can put a meaty paw right in the business end of Mr. Mullet’s sweet hairdo. They say living well is the best revenge, well winning games is the NFL version.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Jared Allen was a member of POD.....

I would chastise him worse than I did “hey hey Ralphie boy”…..lol.

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol you would have to get in line for that

by JCruize on Sep 23, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On Backus

I said the exact same thing when that fumble happened, wondering why Backus just stood there like the play was over as Allen blew up Staff…

I was easing up on the guy before the season but PLEASE get a LT Detroit…

by Nate D. on Sep 23, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope LT will be drafted pretty high next year

Apparently, the man who is able to snatch short nap like that during the action will not contribute much to our improvement. I`ve read a lot of posts here regarding Backus and his performance. Now I was able to see some of that.

by Roustique on Sep 23, 2009 3:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was surreal.

It honestly looked on TV like Backus knew something that everyone else didn’t. He gave so little effort on that play overall he seriously had me convinced there was no play, and that it was all a big mixup (like the ball was never REALLY snapped, ya know).
I thought as a whole he held his own against one of the best past rushers in the league, but plays like that remind me how badly I wish they never re-signed him. Franchise player my ass, thanks again Millen.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boggled the mind

Maybe he did not know the 2nd half had started. I could not beleive he just stood there with the ball at his feet. Didn`t he also jump offsides when we were inside the red zone again ?

by lionsfan64 on Sep 23, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i can't comment on the fumble...that was rediculous

but i think he was expecting the fb (who was motioned over) to crack down on allen

by londonlion on Sep 23, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But who did he think he was blocking?

All he did was stick his hand out as if to slap Allen five for the inevitable sack. If it wasn’t a Lion, I would have thought it was hilarious.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was looked to block down on one of the williams

i think…but perhaps that was his cover

by londonlion on Sep 23, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's clearly obvious!

He had to blast a huge fart. Not his fault Staff didn’t account for this in the snapcount.

by JazzyBBP on Sep 23, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice...brainfart that is...

by londonlion on Sep 24, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think someone said it earlier, but a FB should never be matched up to block Jared Allen. If Backus thought that was the blocking scheme, he should’ve realized right off the bat that something was wrong and tried to step in. He just stood there.

by giggy09 on Sep 23, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think the fb was motioned over to chip on him

i think it was supposed to be a quick slant…no long 5sec plus blocks

by londonlion on Sep 23, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or a left handed Quarterback

Then he could see it coming.

by lionsfan64 on Sep 23, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Backus has......

…..been a issue since he was drafted……I just think we overpaid for an average LT talent that should have went in the 2nd or 3rd round…….That opening play in the 2nd half was enough for me to say put in Sallam or Jansen or whoever is on the waiver wire…….You dont just stand there let the guy fly by you as your QB gets jacked up and then stand there and look at the ball on the ground…..Unbelieveable.

by BennieBladesFan on Sep 23, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll defend Backus here.....

Backus was exactly as advertised, a dependable mauler who would line up every down for ten years. An average to better than average LT who would have trouble with the quicker, more talented Ends and OLBs.
I’m not sure what people expected of him. Out of the Lions draft picks over the last ten years or so, he has been the best outside of Calvin. And Calvin has a few years to go before he confirms that evaluation.

by NorthLeft12 on Sep 23, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

^ agree about Backus

Let’s not forget that we allowed a league-low 20 sacks in 2002 (on a 9th-highest 577 attempts), and then another league low of 11 sacks in 2003 (on 588 attempts). In ’04 and ’05 we were middle-of-the-road in the league. (Obviously LT is just one blocker of many).

Then we switched to the Martz-Kitna hold-the-ball-forever scheme, before running the “pound the rock through the air because you’re behind by three TD’s” offense for most of 2008.

I think Jeff Backus is a capable tackle. He’s not great, but he gets the job done most of the time as long as you don’t ask too much of him. Put him against one of the best pass rushers in the league all game and he’ll still hold up okay but probably allow a sack at some point.

We’ll have to find a replacement for him in the next few years, but I don’t think he’s close to being our biggest hole right now.
Plus, you can’t argue about his durability.

by n4ry4 on Sep 24, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think he is above average...not great...but good

they ran behind him 75% of the time last week…i think he is much more effective in the run block…he all but dominated allen in the run game…did ok other that the fart in the pass game

by londonlion on Sep 24, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sneaky old man.

can’t say i blame him.

by cridg1zt on Sep 23, 2009 7:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Camera phones rule!

The worst part of that freeze frame is the grabby position of the hand, and the creepy perverted look on the old guys face.

Seriously though, how drunk do you have to be to resist arrest? If a man has a gun, I’m pretty much doing what they ask me to do. If they are in uniform with a gun, I still do it…I just include “yes sir, whatever you say sir”.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Further proof that camera phones rule.

I hate to say it guys, but Redskins win regardless of the outcome of the game. I just hopped on their blog for a little insight and instead came away with this.

I am now a Clinton Portis Fan!

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice!!

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me and the great Herman Moore

by NYCLionsfan on Sep 23, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figured someone would like it.

For the record, I know nothing about the Redskins now then I did when I hopped on their site. I pretty much stopped at that picture.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rich Daddy's girl

what we have here is a rich daddy’s little girl who has always gotten her way and thought she could manipulate the world the way she has her dad wrapped around her finger. Get a clue sweetheart. No one will ever love you like your parents do. The world is not full of pushovers. “Jessica” needs to learn some respect, and I think she got her first lesson in it.

by birdseed on Sep 23, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Random thoughts going into Week 3

1.) At least we get the ’Skins at home (we have never beaten them in RFK – NEVER)

2.) Jared Allen IS in fact a douchebag

3.) I am confident in Schwartz

4.) Staff infection has got to play better (sorry, no more coddling)

5.) Defense has to have another solid showing

6.) I hope Ford Field is as loud as it was vs. Minnesota

7.) If we don’t draft a franchise left tackle in 2010 to replace Sackus I will lose my mind

8.) I look forward to talking throughout the game with the rest of the POD’ers

9.) Almost assuredly Jason Campbell will have yet another breakout game against us as he did last year (our D makes any QB look like Joe montana)

10.) I REALLY HOPE WE WIN

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me and the great Herman Moore

by NYCLionsfan on Sep 23, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

SS Aaron Rouse

i didnt want to make a post for this so will here
.
.
he was just cut by GB he has been a back up most the time but for the time he has played dosent seem to bad what yall think?

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 23, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like him, but may not be a good fit

Big at 6-4, 227; good speed, but a little stiff in agility……more of a traditional SS type. Might not be quite what we want here for our pass defense.

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

by GRLion on Sep 23, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DT Matthias Askew

we signed him yester day no word on who we cut yet

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 23, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We cut Brock Berlin

Stanton is back practicing.

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

by GRLion on Sep 23, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so Matthias Askew

is just on the PS or am i cunfused

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would assume so

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090923/SPORTS0101/909230399/1361/Lions-sign-ex-MSU-defensive-tackle-Matthias-Askew

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like he has the jersey

Her chest is way small, still you dont put your hands on a woman.

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

by Leapin Lion on Sep 23, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yea he didnt get her as bad as it looked in the video but still funney as hell

and she is still hot as hell

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 23, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking that the old guy was the younger guy's Dad.....

And he was trying to keep the crazy ho off of his son, because he knew that if she got too frisky that the younger guy would light her ass up.

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i donno the chick looked like she could crak some skuls

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 23, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He even said a couple of times....

I’m gonna grab this bitch by her neck!

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He definitely got more of her...

…then Backus did of Allen!

Zing!

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

If you didn't see it above...

…The Redskins definitely win the Hot Female Fanbase contest. But at least we beat the Vikings.

by Mushy on Sep 23, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Washington is the first win

I had it on my sheet before the season started. This is our best chance to win in this half. I’d call it a lock if Daunte was starting, but Staff can pull it out, I think. Let’s just say it’s going to be a lot more exciting with Staff back there.

Read “More Than A Game” by Brian Billick. It’s very good. It’s loaded with insights into the draft and rookies including one very telling story about why Ryan Leaf was a bust, which sheds some light on the wisdom of starting Stafford as a rookie. Namely, it’s a bad idea. The quarterback doesn’t see enough of the NFL defenses in four preseason games to be competent. That’s the lesson Ryan Leaf learned.

by birdseed on Sep 23, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

However

Ryan Leaf was also a pedantic hot headed cry baby who had the mentality of a 4 year old…..In Matt Stafford’s defense (God I can’t believe I am saying this) he is much more poised, mature, and level headed than Ryan Leaf ever was. I would agree with Billick that Stafford has not seen enough of NFL defenses to be competent, but I would not compare him to Ryan Leaf. Of course my agreement also lends to both sides of the argument.

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs