The Monday Morning Microscope: Week 3 - Built For Tomorrow, Tough To Watch Today

 Was when Farve was clealy throwing backwards to AP and a very quick whistle came out , this was one a Lion could have picked up and taken to the endzone. How could the ref not see Favre had his shoulder turned be fore he was even hit.

 The only thing I took from this game is the NFL refs are clearly in Ka-Hoots with the Vegas odds makers, the point spread and the calls made some people very rich this weekend.

F*ck that!

Just as you acknowledged the chiefs are 3-0 and the rams are 1-2. So obviously these Lions must suck. The only way they get better is through execution and winning games. In fact I would say this offense is worse than the slightly rejuvenated offense of last year and the Calvin Johnson show from 08’. Sure you can keep justifying their losses with excuses like bad calls and a few injured players. But those other guys are still pros that WE pay MONEY to go watch. They should at least perform like pros.
  PLUS COME ON we know this is the NO FUN LEAGUE and calls never go the Lions way. We should be desensitized to this nonsense.

Side note,
I really like what I see from the defense. It is really too bad the offense can’t keep them in the game at all. Brett Favre was ready to roll over and the Leos gave it right back to him LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO.

and thanks for the Game summary… I missed all but the last 2 picks by Hill as I was detained by the last Regatta weekend of the season.

What Stands out to me….

• Once again, no 3rd Quarter points…. that’s 3 straight games.

• No Huddle offense… non-existant until too late.

• No containment of peterson…. which means LB’ers gaps were exploited.

Overall, it still looks like poor halftime adjustments…. mainly on the offensive side of the ball.

Where are the gimics? Where are the deep bombs? Where’s the creativity?!@!!!!!

I keep holding onto this thought that….Its almost like Schwartz has this plan of keeping his schemes and game play totally bland until after the bye when Stafford will return… so we can suprise the NFL when the Lions are at full strength and potential.

LOL>>>> How’s that for kool aid.

This is my 51st year of watching the Lions. Every year we are told it will be better just wait and so I drink the kool aid. There is only one problem, I checked the shelf and have use my last pack!

I also have to question the timing of the poll…

I would place a wager that the poll would differ (answer A) if asked before the0-3 start.

I understand the poll, but reality has skewed it.

Your knowledge of the english language is obvious. Anyway, I agree with you on most points above and put in some of the major flaws I still see in the Lions:

1.) Too many big plays. This defense still gives up too many big plays and the secondary is still awful beyond words. I am shocked that we are ranked 31st in total defense through 2 weeks.

2.) We have no killer attitude. The Stafan Logan miffed punt was just what we do. That’s the Lions in a nutshell. Have a team on the ropes, the momentum, and let someone right back in the game and play soft the rest of the way.

3.) No leadership. Someone, other than Raiola has to lead this team. No one is a leader. Staff’s presence brings that – we need him for that if not for anything else.

4.) Horrific play calling. Ultra-conservative and non-creative are putting it mildly. I can only hope they are keeping it bland until Staff comes back. I find it hard to beleive S Hill cannot throw a football over 20 yards.

5.) Penalties. We really seemed to get a lot called against us. Even D Johnston said it during the game. The Vikes had 4 in the first quarter and not a single one the rest of the game until late in the 4th. Conspiricay??? Hmmmmm

6.) I’m sick of talking talent and coaching and penatlies and missed opportunities. Someone on this team has to stand up and say we are not going to lose this week.

Signed,
A disgusted NYCLionsfan

Games like yesterday remind me too much of the past truckload of non-competitive games that the Bears and Eagles games helped me forget about.

I understand the point Drew and others make about us missing Stafford and (of course) Best going down, but these are issues every team in every sport has to deal with. Being as how I am one of maybe less than ten Mets/Lions fans on earth, I am really, really tired of the “well, if we had all our guys healthy” excuse. Sorry, but Stafford has seen way too little of the field for me to be truly confident that when this injury heals he won’t be gone again swiftly. It certainly isn’t anywhere near time to give up on the kid, but this is his third major injury in a season and a game.

Those calls were also ridiculous. I mean, we got a lot of breaks against the Iggles (and some against the Bears which were all obviously forgotten after they basically decided the outcome of the game), but watching yesterday… it seemed like no matter what we did, there’d be a flag on either a technicality or complete BS. We aren’t a good enough team to overcome the refs jobbing us. That said, that also is part of the game and something every team has to deal with from time to time.

Whatever.

I think you straddled the line between homer optimistic and depressed realist very well.

I know the penalties are frustrating, but they are a fact of life in the NFL for CBs and pass rushing D linemen. The CBs can’t seem to touch the receivers down the field, at all, even if the WR initiates the contact. I have seen it too many times against other DBs too.
The pass rushers have to learn to ignore the ball when it is near the QB’s head as that is begging for a flag [re Peterson vs. Vick]. I think they just have to go for the chest and/or wrap up if they have that chance. The big hit is a flag waiting to happen, no matter how tempting. I like what Suh did later in the game, basically shoving Favre in the chest which made sure that there was no contact with Favre’s helmet or with Suh’s helmet.
The no hitting the head rule is fine in theory but it is being enforced as being that they cannot touch the helmet [re Avril vs Cutler]. What the rule was meant to punish was on display of Peppers vs Staff, when Julius clubbed Staff in the head. Staff gave him a pat on the shoulder after that one.

My biggest frustration with the defence is giving up the big play [re AP’s 80 YD TD]. It seems like they bottle him up all day [22 carries for 80 yds the rest of the day] then blow it with one big play. I guess that’s what AP does…..right?

My main positive was the pass blocking of the O Line. One sack given up in 44 pass attempts. That is pretty good against a D Line like Minny. Only five sacks so far this year, and that is playing behind in two games, and in obvious passing situations in the Chicago game. Let’s give them some credit.

I think this was a very optimistic and realistic point of view towards the Detroit Lions. It’s hard to have low expectations every year, but quite frankly, as much as I didn’t want to admit, we really are only 2 offseasons removed from being an expansion team. It will take some time to win games, especially since our starting quarterback, running back, and #2 receiver are injured. We have an incredible young core of immense talent on both sides of the ball, once we get the other needed pieces and some continuity, we will see a team that’s led by a franchise quarterback, a star running back and #1 receiver, and a defense led by a stud defensive tackle. We have talent, just not enough of it, plus we’re really young still. Good job Drew, you did very well on this piece. Thank you for staying optimistic buddy! Matthew/Jahvid/Nate…please get healthy soon!

I have to accept what we have… my bubble has finally burst… 0-4 is about assured now @ Green Bay… I don’t regret buying direct TV.. I can watch to see how we will improve every game… my confidence the the backfield is now shot.. I love our D line though and Delmas… The draft is the only way to fix the backfield… AM I giving up to early on our defensive backfield…. It is our lack of talent their right? The only light at the end of the tunnel for me is that “we have pieces and those will eventually come together” . Is Bly an option? I thought he did well in the offseason and he had great words to say about Detroit.

Offensively I understand Hill is our Qb and things may change once Stafford comes back. But I see B. Johnson will be gone next year… but then Nate Burleson will be back so I’d better wait on that statement. I hate to say injuries our our issues. It seems CJ is under used. I did like the new offensive sets we used yesterday. They are trying but the penalties and mistakes are killing us. i say this every year but I’m always going to be a Lions fan till they get through this. I like Schwartz and Mayhew we just got to hang on. .. Another year is all we need and we will starting really getting it on. LB, CB, S, LG away from a playoff team

Later on in the year the wins should start to take hold and the Lions will become spoilers with more game experience and Stafford coming back.. PROTECT HIM at all costs. With Best out, my bubble has burst, I will reinflate by Saturday. I’m a little down right now after being pumped up so high after the close losses.

The problem is the talent isn’t divided up well. I guess what I am saying is counting are injured QB we have a great core. Matt, CJ, Best, Grew all on offense. Defense we have Suh and Delmas by corp I mean players that cannont be replaced easily. I like Hill Levy and Avril but I wouldn’t call them core players. The defense is still missing ALOT of peices. We are at the point were just drafting BPA may not get the job done. Which is good in a way it means we have spots that have been adressed. It is showing though that we need to consided drafting a corner or O lineman over what could be a good reciver or RB. May not be popular but we need to build around the core group now. KC is 3-0 shockingly The Rams too. If you go back and look though. Its not a big suprise. All the Rams needed were the last few parts to show improvment there defense is young and finally comming together. KC defense is very young as well and is comming together with Romeo coaching them. The offense is being given the abillity to lean on them a little now. We are close to being in that position if we adress next off season correctly. Truth is though without Stafford at QB we will not win a game. I have accepted that.
  
 I decided I will not bash hill abillity he is a back up after all. I will no longer defend him though he threw too redzone INTS that were stupid throws and completly on him. I’d go as far as saying part of grews drops came from how Hill threw the ball. I also won’t be calling for Stanton either I wouldn’t be against at this point either. We lack the same things with Drew. Lack of Leadership, Arm strength and timing with the offense but inexperice is something stanton adds as well. I honestly could careless who starts at QB sunday. If its not stafford we will lose IMO be it GB or ST louis. You won’t like me saying that but thats how I feel. Even with Matt we still have the seconday being eatin alive. Remeber how everyone said a great D line can make sub par secodary look above average. I said only until they figure out how to take advantage of it. Well Vick did that and Favre did that and it will not change until we adress the issue. ( Trade date is still weeks away mayhew) until then are shot is a QB that can put up big scores and keep us in the game. As a lions fan you just have to have a certain level of exceptence that are chances of losing are better than winning.

 Derrick thanks for steping up huge sunday to shut some critics up. You were the only bright spot in sundays game that wasn’t Corey Williams.

it’s a combination of everything you said- lack of talent, questionable coaching and the zebras kicking our teeth in.
The O-Line isn’t too bad at pass-blocking, but they must step it up in the run-blocking department for this offense to be effective. It depends on who will be available and what position the Lions will pick in 2011, but if a stud franchise LT ala Jake Long/Joe Thomas is available, the Lions might have to go that route instead of defense. It doesn’t help that every Lions RB available not named Jahvid Best just flat-out sucks. A back-up QB should NEVER have to throw 35-40+ times per game.
Good God does Bryant Johnson suck or what?
The TEs were good except for a couple drive killing brain farts from Pettigrew.
5 of the back 7 are just plain lousy. Delmas is a stud and Chris Houston isn’t that bad. I’m thinking JP is about done and Levy should be moved back to OLB after this season. Hopefully the Lions can get a true MLB in the 2011 draft. I can see the Lions going CB in the 1st rd and a MLB in the 2nd.
The D-Line was great again yesterday. At the rate they’re going, they will surpass last years sack total around game 7.

and even two weeks ago, the Lions have a great chance at going 0-4 and already solidifying our spot in our division for the rest of the season. But people felt we had a chance because of the Viking struggling for this reason or that reason and to be honest, I can’t believe how many people (including the media) actually brought into that…

Shaun Hill played a little better but again, I still don’t feel he has done anything to even warrant him a starting spot at the QB position while Stafford is out. As soon as he was traded here, people were already labeling him as the 2nd string QB because he has “experience”, he’s a “good” backup QB, and has a 10-6 starting record. But towards the end of his stay with the 49ers he wasn’t hot, watched him during the preseason and was still failing to do anything against 2nd/3rd string players, and with all the warning signs people still feel like he’s the best backup in the league. Now by the weeks, that 10-6 record is inching closer to a record that will not mean jack (if hasn’t already).

Not all his fault but that offensive line played terrible today but again this is no news, they been playing bad for the last 10 years.

This team is bad but even when healthy this team was only decent and maybe had the potential to be more. But not being healthy can’t be used as an excuse because good teams lose their players too and find ways to fill those holes. Unfortunately, we don’t have that team that can find other players or other ways to fill those holes and we’ve proven it two weeks in a row.

And again, I said last week the only reason and I mean the ONLY reason that this team has stayed competitive on offense was because of surprisingly solid run game. And if it’s not there against the Vikings this will turn into a very ugly game because when you look at the games closely (and NOT on some phony stat sheets) you can tell this team is not moving the ball any other way. Hill in some areas looked better than last week but he’s not a good QB or even a good backup QB, so his skills are limited (then you add in a terrible effort by the offensive line) and what you seen out of him yesterday is probably the best it gets and if Lions fans are willing to settle with that than fine, just prepare ourselves for another dismal season.

It’s funny because it’s like I say a week or two before the game, people deny it for whatever reason and then it happens and the same people are in shock like they weren’t warned before hand….

  I based my expectations on progress against last year’s team, but I do expect a significant increase in wins this year (more than seven)

Personally, I don’t think things are going too badly. Our win against Chicago was stolen from us. We played fairly well against Eagles and we did alright in spurts against the Vikings.

Before the season, I predicted the Lions to finish 5-11, and I still think that can happen. When you look at our schedule you wince because there isn’t that many games in which you have a huge amount of confidence in winning. We, as a team, are still rebuilding and I never thought that this year would be the year in which we had finished that construction. You can see the holes in the roster, and those holes will take time to fill. My expectations for the season were exactly as stated by Option 2 of the poll. I’m looking purely at progress, and that progress should rattle up a few wins.

I think I look at things differently to most people here. I’ve grown up watching my favourite teams lose. My Wests Tigers were perennial cellar-dwellers. And when I took up the Lions, nothing changed, as we all know. In many ways, I’m conditioned on watching losses. They seem natural to me. For most of my life, and even now as a Lions fan, wins were like fine wines or ports you brought out on special occasions, to be savored and remembered fondly. You look forward to the possibility of another drink, although you know those special occasions don’t come around as nearly as you’d like. I’’m used to that. But I’m hoping that winning becomes a beer you have most Sundays (or Monday mornings). I believe it will happen, I watched my Wests Tigers slowly, but surely become a good competitive team which has won a title recently. And I’m telling ya, the victories feel that much sweeter when I remember all the losses I went through as a child. I know I’ll watch my Lions become a good, competitive team again. I’m not a man of faith, but If I have faith in anything, it’s in my sports teams, and especially the Lions.

I agree with you on the Raiola holding call. I mean that was run blocking 101. Dom got a great push. Kept his hands inside the shoulders. And when Williams reached for Felton as he ran by. Raiola finished the bolck by putting him on his ass. To me, that was a game changer right there. The Lions just are not good enough to overcome. stupid penatlies. Blown coverage in the secondary. And certaining not good enough to overcome horrid officiating.

Vikes game was one of the shittiest-played, shittiest-coached games I’ve seen in awhile. It wasn’t NFL quality by any means.

But the first 2, while not great, were better than I’d expected.

I think there’s progress and we need to keep supporting the new regime. They have made great deals and picked well, but they need more time to carry that plan out and see the team they are building develop.

My hat’s off to you! This was the most balanced and well written assessment of the game and the team as I’ve read in quite some time. You also touched on an important factor which was the basis for peoples expectations. It’s one thing to have a blind faith in the home team and it’s another to honestly evaluate the team and keep those hopes realistically in check. You sir have accomplished that. This is a hallmark to the frustrations that are sure to lay ahead of us this season and a model for the hope we can feel.

This team has improved from losers to heart breakers. And that’s an improvement! Let’s just hope they don’t follow the Boston Red Sox model and remain heart breakers for 80 years. I don’t really think this will happen.

and I’m not voting. Hell, you probably wouldn’t count my vote anyways.

Using logic, as opposed to reality, we might be the second best team in the NFC North. Everyone knows we won the Bears game, and the Bears beat the Packers. We lost to the Vikes and interceptions are part of the game so that’s a legitimate loss. But second best quality team in our division is pretty good considering where we came from.

The reality is that the other owners hate that the Lions have the Thanksgiving Day game. They arranged this schedule so we would go into it with a losing record and we have an opponent who was supposed to cream us, Patriots, just like the game has been set up in the previous few years. (Luckily the Pats are stumbling a bit this year. Buffalo gave them a scare?!)

I’m sticking to my prediction. We’ll go 0-4, then 2-6 and finish at 7-9.

Stay true. And we’re going to embarrass the Bears when they come the our house. It’s going to be awesome!

A few things jumped out at me, and it’s becoming apparent we’re getting very close to identifying

why

To me, it really boils down to this: Detroit Lion’s fans are some of the best in the NFL and they deserve a real honest-to-goodness competitive NFL team. I’m not actually looking for a Super-Bowl competitive team yet, but I want to feel like the Lions can win on any given Sunday against any given team. The Lions are miles away from that at this point.

I don’t feel it is unreasonable to expect competitive, even given the 2008 debacle. While I realize that every situation is different, too many teams in NFL history have gone from terrible to competitive (remember, I’m not looking for Super Bowl bound) over the course of ONE off-season, and the Lions have had TWO since “the season”.

It seems to me that Drew, and many others, are willing to “move the bar”, so-to-speak, in order to keep from pulling their hair out. While this is obviously a self-preservation mechanism, it doesn’t accurately reflect the reality of where this team is, or where it will necessarily be.

Furthermore, the emphasis that Drew and others put on “potential” is puzzling to me. Tons of Lions (and former Lions) have brimmed with potential. I wouldn’t torture you with a list. But when I hear that Stafford is gonna fix the offense, or Levy is the MLB of the future, I just chuckle a little bit to myself. I’ve been around long enough to know that potential isn’t enough; you have to show it on the field. While some of the early results from these “potential” players has been promising, it’s far too early to definitely say that ANY young and unproven player is going to help turn this franchise around long-term.