The Monday Morning Microscope: Week 3
by DrewsLions on Sep 28, 2009 3:40 PM EDT
55 comments
I just can't wipe that smile off my face. One measly little regular season win should never feel this good, but I can't help it... it just does. As I've read through this morning's local and national articles about the Lions' win, there is one underlying theme: this win felt just as good for the players as it did for the fans. Now that the losing streak is over, I think for the first time we can see what a massive stranglehold it had on the players. Maybe not so much the guys brought in this year, but definitely for the few remaining holdovers. And even going back to last year, I now firmly believe that losing has much more of a psychological effect on a game's outcome than I ever credited it for. The outpouring of emotion from guys like Backus and Raiola was very telling. This indeed was the proverbial monkey on their backs and was weighing them down more than I ever suspected. Now that the tremendous burden is lifted, we will see if the opposite is true - which I believe it can be - can a team be lifted to wins with a simple winner's approach and attitude?
But let's be real here. The next three games... at Chicago, home against Pittsburgh, then at Green Bay... are going to be very tough to win. I think if we can steal one of those, that would be a true blessing. That's the logical side of my brain talking, which is always trying to stay even-keeled and realistic. This side of my brain appreciates the win, but sees that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. But the other side of my brain, the off-the-meds, uneven, lack-of-reasoning fan side of me, says, "Yeah, but what if...." Hmmm... yeah, what if? I was sure to pay special attention to both the Bears and Steelers games yesterday (love my FREE NFL Sunday Ticket) and I spent the afternoon flipping back and forth between the two. Still punch-drunk and on cloud nine from the win, the fan side of my brain took over. I started to see how both of these teams looked beatable. Chicago fought back from behind, but struggled at times against a vulnerable Seattle defense. Pittsburgh looked quite average against a Cincy team with a new found sense of purpose. Heh... we could have beaten either of those teams today, I thought. If we play tough against both teams, we could legitimately be 3-2 heading into Green Bay. Hmmm....
See... this is what winning does for you. Too bad for me the logical side usually wins every day aside from Sundays. This morning, I am back to my senses. Still relishing the beautiful win, but fully realizing what lies ahead for our Lions. There are going to be more losses. There are going to be more horrendous rookie interceptions thrown by Stafford. Our defensive secondary will have streaks where they simply get torched. That's reality, I guess. But there is also a renewed sense of hope in the win. Yesterday showed that there will be more wins, too. Stafford has continually progressed and will have good games that actually help us win. The defense is much better than last year and has shown that it can be very tough at times. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting brighter each week... the true sign of progress.
Thoughts About the Game:
- I love what Jim Schwartz brings to the city and to the organization. I love that his first comments after the game were basically, "why is everyone so surprised... didn't we expect to win?" I love that the first thing on his mind when he got the team together in the locker room was the fans. I love that we have a coach that is a true asset before, during and after a game. From me personally, I just want to say "Congratulations on the win, Coach". I'm sure this is the first of many and the start of something wonderful.
- We got to see our first real glimpse of the Lions' future through the solid play of the talented young core of this team. Every rookie that saw significant playing time, played very well. Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas, Levy, Hill... all of them made contributions to the win. Other young guys like Cohen, Ramirez, Cherilus and especially Smith and C. Johnson, are the reasons that there is so much to be excited about in the years to come. If there was any doubt that Kevin Smith was the real deal... that debate can be put to bed. He was phenomenal against a solid run defense and would have ended the game over 150 yds if he would not have gotten hurt, no question. It may not all come together every game, but when it does, it is a beautiful thing.
- I am still quite pissed about having to watch the Lions' win on a grainy, lagged internet stream. I know that the NFL is pretty dead-set in its ways with the blackout policy, but hopefully the national attention it is getting from situations like this is putting a few dents in the armor. We can do nothing but hope, because I fear this wasn't even close to the last time we'll have to watch a game this way.
- Kudos to Scott Linehan who called a great game this Sunday. Unlike the first two games where there were many instances of questionable playcalling, I thought this game was nearly perfect. The only play I can remember that left me scratching my head was the Lions' last offensive play of the game. With as well as Stafford played, I thought they should have let him try to convert and let the victory kneeling begin, but that is being nitpicky. Hope you have another one up your sleeve for Chicago....
- I didn't realize this, but Phillip Buchanon was benched, not injured (per Tom Kowalski). He was even active for the game, but didn't play a snap. Not sure what this says about our already suspect secondary, but in my mind, this is the unit that scares me the most. I wrote about this earlier this summer and now my fears are confirmed about this being our weakest link. At times, Campbell was simply lighting up our secondary. It is a big concern that throws some clouds on an otherwise sunny defensive performance. We'll have to watch what happens with Buchanon over the coming days. If it is strictly a performance issue with him, I wouldn't be surprised to see him cut by the end of the week.
- Okay, so I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Stafford's performance yesterday. I need to be careful, because I don't want to either overstate or understate the significance of it. I don't want to understate it because it was truly his coming out party as an NFL quarterback. Not that he made all the throws, but he was confident, showed real leadership ability and was a huge part of the Lions winning that game. The big third down conversions again and again showed that he belongs at this level. He needed to have this game to prove his worth almost as much as the Lions as a team needed a win. I really think he won over the fans and the locker room with his swagger and ability yesterday. Then again, I don't want to overstate the significance, because it is only one of three games that he has played well. He is going to have more bad outings, more bad interceptions and probably lose a game or two for this team with his mistakes. But if you sprinkle a good performance and a win here and there and show consistent progress, they become forgivable rookie offenses. We just need to see the flashes of greatness from time to time, just to remind everyone why we made the investment. Yesterday was a big flash and everyone can collectively exhale (short-term). If there is any doubt that Stafford is significantly progressing, just look at his QB rating over the last three games .... NO: 27.4, MIN: 56.5, WAS: 87.8
Congrats to everyone here at POD on the win yesterday. What a great group of fans we have! I know the last couple of weeks we have all been a bit chippy, but this win should cure a lot of that. Kick back and enjoy this one for a few days... then it's time to get ready to kick the stuffing out of the "teddy" Bears!
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tempered expectations & tempered enthusiasm
well done Drew. i have been fighting over this one myself…trying to remind myself it is only one game…just as we have preached on “there had only been two games” going into this one. the progress is undeniable. week over week & game by game. we saw command of the offense. we saw throws to spots that he had no business throwing to but completing…ball thrown away (be it intentional or unintentional) they weren’t picks. we saw swagger & confidence. the look in his eyes, the winks…like “i told you i had it in me…i told you i could take control of a game”. we saw touch on the ball. into the first quarter i had an “ah-ha” moment…staff needs to learn touch. yes he has a strong arm…but not every throw needs to be rifled on a frozen rope. no sooner do i say that, almost as if he heard me, he seemed to remind himself of practice this week & started putting some touch on his throws. the one to keller was beautiful. i have tried very hard not to say it …so sorry in advance, but this is exactly why we couldn’t bench him after two games. we must allow for progress & learning. he has shown positives in both areas. he will make more mistakes, absolutely as Drew put it…but we finally have a glimpse of what is to come.
i didn’t think buchanon played that bad vs minn. he gave a bit too much cushion & missed some tackles because of it. i hope that this was a wake up call for him & that competition at the db position will be constant as there is no “clear cut” starter out there.
very proud to be a lions fan, especially after how the team respected the fans in attendance. all class & thank you mr schwartz for that. all the details are there…from practicing the national anthems…to remembering the game is as much about the fans as it is about the players.
i just hope that we can consistantly see this kind of improvement. we have a tough one coming up…but another defense that has become suspect & been put under question. lets see how much this high drives them, how quick the team moves without this monkey on their backs, how strong they are without carrying the burden. having been on a high school team that posted one win in two years…to go into a year where winning started, it is more contageous than losing because everyone remembered how badly contageous the losing was….so everyone chipped in that little bit extra. we ended up winning our division but lost at the next tier that year. i would love to see the lions even finish with five wins…but don’t discount the fire this will have lit under raiola/backus/manram…and the playmakers that have winning egos like kevin smith & calvin johnson…lets see what this taste can do for staff.
all the best to our lions…lets keep building one week at a time!
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff
I dealt with the same conundrum with you on Sunday. I was trying to fight back excitement, but I couldn’t help but watch all the NFC North games and see all those teams as vulnerable. It’s really hard to calm down after finally tasting victory. Even Favre’s play wasn’t enough to damper my Sunday afternoon. It was a great day.
Just one quick note, I was extremely FOR the last offensive play call. First of all, I think the chances are much better that the Redskins don’t got 80 yards in 1:10, than it is for us to convert 3rd and 10. If you don’t convert on a pass play, you give them an extra 40-50 seconds, which is A TON. Second of all, I thought the play call itself was brilliant. Instead of a boring predictable run with almost no chance of converting, they ran a crazy QB rollout that would both run 40 seconds off the clock and have a chance of converting the 3rd down.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
by simscity on Sep 28, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
can't say chances weren't great for a 80 yard drive
all the lions did all day long was drive out of their own endzone…first four drives started inside the 10
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
careful is all i'm saying
everything is that much more risky with a five point lead & two mins on the clock.
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kinda worded that funky
What I was trying to say was there were two options for the Lions on that 3rd down play.
1) Try to pass the ball for the first down
2) Run to run the clock.
With option 1, you (basically) have two scenarios. The Lions get the first down and end the game. Or, the Lions don’t get the first down, possibly stop the clock due to an incompletion and give the ball back with about 2:00 left.
With option 2, you also have two possible outcomes. 1) lions don’t get the first, but run 40 seconds off the clock. And give the Redskins the ball with 110 left. or 2) Get the first down and end the game.
While passing the ball gives you a better chance to convert the third down, the chances are still relatively low (especially because it was 10 yards). You also run the risk of throwing an interception obviously.
An incomplete pass is very costly as well. The difference between going 80 yards with 2:00 and 1:10 left is huuuuuuge with no timeouts.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
by simscity on Sep 28, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I see your point
I just thought that the offense was playing well, so go aggressive. If Stafford throws a first down… game over. He was so good at the third down conversions. Actually, the play itself was just a bit goofy. It looked like some sort of delayed QB keeper. I just remember going… huh?
by DrewsLions on Sep 28, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Staff is more experienced [like Brady/Manning experienced] the Lions would give him the green light to throw that pass.
At this point in time, that was the best call to make……in my opinion.
by NorthLeft12 on Sep 28, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with North and Sims
I think we played it safe in that situation and it worked for us.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 28, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
I liked the aggressiveness throughout the game, but the game/clock situation at that point favored what they ended up doing. I was ok with it.
Good post, Drew! (I liked London’s long reply too…good stuff)
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Sep 28, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry...
been trying to sit back and enjoy…i can ramble w/ the best of them
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I almost vomited...
…I couldn’t sit down, I could barely watch.
by doctorjcmu on Sep 28, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Winning begets winning IMO...
I know that sounds a bit corny but it is true. If Staff continues to pick up his game each week and has a good outing vs. Chicago, that is a very winnable game. Same for Green Bay. Hopefully Smith isn’t too seriously injured because he will be integral to keeping balance on the offense for it to be productive.
I have always contended that the talent gap between teams in the NFL is not as great as we sometimes imagine it to be. It’s atttude (good or bad) that tends to widen the margins. The Lions have a good slate of coaches and they are doing alot to change the mentality of the team for the better.
by MusicCityDawg on Sep 28, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great post, Drew
I kinda disagree about the secondary being the weakest link, I think it’s the DL. Tomato/tahmahto… I hope Buchanon isn’t cut, I think he’s solid.
Stafford wasn’t lights-out but he has shown significant improvement and was pretty good yesterday. I’m coming around on him.
Today is a great day to be a Lions fan!
by JazzyBBP on Sep 28, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We have been awesome against the run for the last two weeks.....
And if it was not for Drew Brees’s inherent ability to torch opposing defenses by passing, I think we would have been more likely to stop the run vs New Orleans too. Instead, the Saints had us thinking pass on every play, our linebackers were dropping into coverage, and Mike Bell had no problem getting 4-6 yards per carry. The fact that our defensive line is playing much better than it did last year, and the fact that we have played very strongly against the run in the last two weeks (Adrian Peterson had not been held to under 100 yards rushing in almost an entire year….in fact it may have been against us last year for the last time it happened) says that the defensive line is not as weak as we might have previously thought.
However, we have been getting schooled by opposing QBs (when they threw the ball). Brees absolutely destroyed our secondary, and Campbell moved the ball well through the air as well. Favre is the only exception so far, as we held him to 155 yards passing. The Vikings game was lost on field position and turnovers and Favre was still able to complete 23-27 passes (if I remember correctly). To me, that says that our secondary is most certainly the weakest link. Of course that is my opinion, and I am open to reasoning for the other side of the discussion…..in fact I’d be glad to hear it.
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree
The pass defence is a huge weakness which needs to be fixed before we can become a solid team. Personally, I’d like us to spend a top pick on a CB, either in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Also, I have high hopes for the run defence this year, they have done a darn good job so far and if they keep it up, they could finish top 15 this year.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 29, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
when you can play the run as effective as we have
there is going to be that much more passing involved…we are a ways from having a baltimore type defense out there
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The DL
they’re showing signs of life, no doubt, it just seems they are close to making the play but being a peachfuzz late. There’s only so long the secondary can cover when the QB has 3 or more seconds. I think the run-stopping credit goes to the vastly improved LB corp, Larry Foote especially. Dude is more than backing up the talk so far.
The DL is showing improvement every week and if they continue to do so, then yup, the secondary will no doubt be the weak link. As of this very moment, 9/29/09 @ 12:15PM, whats left of my feeble pot-damaged brain thinks it’s the DL. Tomato/tahmahto
by JazzyBBP on Sep 29, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smith, injuries and Buchanon
- The next 3 games will be tough, but could be made a lot easier if Smith is around. If he’s not around Morris, Brown and Felton will have to step up there game. Morris is your 1st and 2nd down back who can pick up yards between the tackles, Brown is your turn the corner back for big gains, but he much pick his holes much wiser because he is a much bigger weapon then Morris and like me I’m sure you can see Schwartz’s wish to play him more. Felton is your short yardage back but would love to see him more if Smith is out for a while, also so teams just won’t stack the line when he’s back there more often.
- I would love to hear more of this Buchanon story, our DB’s are so thin if he’s healthy and not on the field that just suprises me, I fear there’s a lot more to the story then not being told.
- This was a great win for the team, also a much needed one. But as of now the next 3 teams we face all can be beatable. I agree with you drew that taking 1 out of the 3 would be great, but like you I daydream and say 2 out of 3 is not out of the question. The Bears are not yet a power house yet, Pitt is looking very avg. right now and being down Troy also helps, " I’m looking forward to seeing if Ford Field is sold out vs Pitt being we got our 1st win, and if we do pull one out in Chicago I think the fans will turn out." Lastly were do against the packer at Green bay.
by msivits on Sep 28, 2009 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
With Buchanon...
I think Schwartz is telling him to “man up” with the neck injury. Nothing but pure speculation from me here, but after he was supposed to play against the Saints, then held out at the last minute, it sounded like Schwartz was not happy with him. We’ll see how it plays out….
by DrewsLions on Sep 28, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a big disappointment.
I was pretty happy when they signed Buchanon. He was relatively young [just turned 29] and appeared to finally be living up to his first round potential. I thought he might be the cornerstone of our secondary.
Whatever this injury situation is needs to be straightened out soon.
by NorthLeft12 on Sep 28, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Buchanon is a talent and without him in our already weak secondary, I think we could be in for more 300+ pass yards allowed days. I didn’t really notice during the game while I was watching but was William James covering Moss or Randle El. If he was covering the latter than I can say I was pretty impressed since Randle El didn’t get many touches. If not, then I can say we missed Buchanon because letting Moss have a 10 catch 150+ yard game isn’t acceptable.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 28, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
finally!!!
i was able to do something that i haven’t done in almost two years…..watch sportscenter after the game!!!!
kudos to the team, as i thought the first win might come against the rams. i hope buchanon does play, because our secondary can ill afford to lose a player, especially since he was one of our main offseason acquisions. man up!!!
by big smoove on Sep 28, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love POD after a win
The mood around here has changed and for the better. All the bickering and frustration was upseting. But now, the optimism is back, the words are all tinged with pride and happiness. I can only hope we feel a lot more monday (well Tuesday for me) mornings with a similar feeling.
In regards to our upcoming games, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. I’m definitely more optimistic about our chances since the victory but there’s no underestimating the Bears, Steelers & Packers. They are all strong teams and it would require an even stronger performance to pick up a victory. In saying that though, I’m not ruling our victories, just being a little cautious about our expectations.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 28, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not me. I have revised my season prediction from three wins to eleven.
LOL. Well, maybe to four.
by NorthLeft12 on Sep 28, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can beat the Bears.....
It is the Steelers and the Packers that I am worried about…….
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we're getting pressure and their oline stinks right now ... makes ours look almost probowl
nothing like sacking rogers five or six times won’t cure
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we beat the Bears and steal one from either of those other two teams (I hope we beat them all)......
I will be extremely STOKED going into the bye week with a .500 record!! If we are .500 at the bye…..I am going to start thinking DIVISION…..and I am not joking.
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets get there first...
then we can plan the parade…hell i’d walk from london if i had to in order to be at the final game of the season to see that happen
by londonlion on Sep 28, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IF
and please don’t think I am all drunk on the kool-aid, but IF Matt Stafford continues to play EXACTLY like he did yesterday (not worse, but if nothing else at least equal), I do not see it as out of the realm of possibility that we win enough games to make it a tight race in the NFC North. For real.
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also think that Kevin Smith is awesome.....
But I do not think that we can not win without him if the rookie QB continues to play as good as he did yesterday. Aaron Brown and Morris can get the job done, and I would be willing to bet that Brown would leapfrog Morris on the depth chart very quickly if Smith is out for any length of time.
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
smith has been my fantasy rb since we drafted him
knowing he’d get all the touches once jack-ass marinelli & whats his face oline coach turned oc got the gonads to give the kid the ball…i mean really, he was the best back from day one…don’t know why they didn’t give it to him from week one
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I smirked as I read that comment
Not only because it’s slightly crazy, because it is, but because I’m hoping for the same thing. IF Stafford can hold this sorta form and play consistent, mistake-free football (a big ask, I know) I think we have a good chance of exceeding my 5-11 record prediction.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 29, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude...you may not be drunk...but did you hit your head after the win
just yanking your chain my friend…nice to see his improvement has won your over even the teeniest bit.
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my one concern going into this weekend
isn’t the oline, isn’t chicago’s db’s…it’ll be staff’s first game not in a dome. the weather doesn’t look good for the weekend, a typical soldier field game…wet, cold & windy. it will no doubt be another lesson for staff…but…it took him three weeks to learn how to fit passes in indoors…i hope he is more like favre & throws better outside…perhaps that was also part of his problem through week one & two…he’s used to throwing with a bit of a wind interference…but either way, it is another important lesson for the rook, lets just hope his learning curve stays on track.
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should be interesting
Surely he would’ve played a fair few games outdoor games at Georgia.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 29, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Staff had only played 2 domed games in his life....
before he got to the NFL. The 06 Peach Bowl vs Va Tech and the 07 Sugar Bowl vs Hawaii.
Playing outdoors on grass will be more of what he is used to.
by MusicCityDawg on Sep 29, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i knew he was outdoors all through college
and i hope that is the reason for some of the off throws indoors. like i said, i hope he is more like favre here too in that he passes better outdoors.
having said that, it is another learning lesson, as i am sure soldier field all damp & cold will be much different than he played in college. not sure he came that far north for a game…and soldier field is built for these kind of games
by londonlion on Sep 30, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL, yep. Kentucky is the furthest North he ever played....
but he’s no stranger to cold wet conditions. We do get cold nasty weather down here starting in November, sometimes October. He’s just never been in bitter freezing conditions. Chicago is calling for upper 50s partly cloudy this Sunday. The big ? will be how windy it is. Overall the weather should not be an issue.
Fortunately he gets Lambeau in a couple weeks. After that, Seattle may or may not be a problem on Nov 8. Cincy and and Baltimore in December look to be the prime games where bitter cold and nasty weather could come into play.
by MusicCityDawg on Sep 30, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sheesh...should come play an exhibition a couple hours more north
not that it is too much different that outdoors in green bay, chicago, detroit or buffalo for that matter…but it falls off pretty quickly once mid-october hits…wet & cold dampness that gets right to your bones…quite a bit different than playing outside in the deep south … and as for soldier field…there is always wind lol
by londonlion on Sep 30, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game Grade A-
The play calling was better. Matt had lots of time to scan the field. The silly penalities where down. The pass coverage was pretty good minus the one play to Moss. I love the rushing defense right now. They have contained Portis and Peterson in back to back weeks. If teams are not running down hill all day i like our chances in the next few weeks. If we keep on some good coverage and the d-line gets some push somebody is in trouble. Right now the schedule has 5 teams on it with losing records ( 2 of them were in the Super Bowl last year ) 5 nfc north games and 6 home games. I was hoping for 6-8 wins, i think it `s possible.( Of course at night they are 14-2 and the Spartans go 9-3 ).
by lionsfan64 on Sep 28, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seattle reaction
One of my friends was at the Seahawks game and when they announced that the Lions had won a guy in the stands wearing Lions gear stood up and everybody in that section started applauding and he took a bow.
by seattle lions fan on Sep 28, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious
That’s just awesome.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 29, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good post Drew
I think you can immediately tell what the big WIN did for me…..:o) I am now hopeful that the kid can keep it up.
by KDawg on Sep 28, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it seems like you have...
a pretty excited nature about you. That’s great. I think Stafford needs to continue to improve his accuracy and settle down on some of his throws, which should take care of the “touch” issues he’s having. Those things are correctable. The intangibles that he showed Sunday is what you can’t coach or train someone to have. Those are the things many of the Lions top pick quarterback have not had. It’s an exciting time!
by DrewsLions on Sep 28, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not only did they not have it
they never knew what swagger was. when did you ever see joey pull out the michael jordan tongue? when did you see charlie batch strut on the field? garcia or even cpepp (aside from his rollin’)…and all kitna knew to do was point fingers at his rb’s for not picking up a block, his wr’s for running off route or his line for not rolling protection. it is something i have seen almost every where else in the league…except in a honalulu blue…but now we have seen it. i cannot remember that kind of command of a detroit offense for as long as i have watched the lions. so nice to see.
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
I love it. That aggressive mentality that plays to win, rather than trying not to lose. The attitude that we are as good as anybody else, that we belong on this field, and the other team better watch out for US.
It reminds me of a story. Early in the Civil War, General Grant (only a Colonel then) took his regiment out in its first combat action, to attack a Confederate camp. He was very nervous, his heart was in his throat…..he was scared. When he got there…….the camp was empty. The enemy had fled. Grant wrote in his memoirs, “I realized that the enemy was as afraid of me as I was of him. My heart resumed its place.”
That was an important lesson. Don’t be afraid to attack, and attack aggressively. The other guy might be afraid of you too. Give him reason to be afraid. Get the enemy back on their heels, and don’t let up. Go get ’em!
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Sep 29, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one neglected unit i think
huge props must go to the oline. that unit has taken a beating the last couple years. they held their own vs a solid line in N.O….a top if not the top (perhaps exception to NYG) line in the NFL and a redskins line that has a better than average line too. they have pushed people around. opened up holes for smith to blast through. and kept staff upright – 5 sacks in three games are you kidding me?!?! kitna used to see that almost weekly!
WELL DONE O-LINE…WELL DONE INDEED!!
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely.....
Goes to show you what a jackass Coletto really was. The new system is working out much better, and you have to love the downhill, aggressive style of blocking that we are doing.
by KDawg on Sep 29, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep
I love the new downhill blocking, and Coletto was a jackass all right. He embarassed himself out there. Somewhere, Drew Stanton is laughing.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Sep 29, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i sure as hell hope so!
lookie who’s still in the nfl jackass!!
by londonlion on Sep 29, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great point
Our O-Line has been much improved, at the rate they’re going they will allow under 30 sacks! That would truly be amazing.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 29, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a surprise to me HE
That was my prediction for 2009. Between the improved scheme, play calling, Staff and last, but certainly not least, their much better play they will surprise everyone this year.
by NorthLeft12 on Sep 30, 2009 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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