Lions Notes: Wrapping Up 2011

by Sean Yuille on Dec 31, 2011 12:02 PM EST in Detroit Lions Notes

With 2011 coming to a close, I went back and looked at which five posts had the most comments this year. They are as follows: Lions/Buccaneers first half open thread (1,662 comments), first open thread for the 2011 NFL Draft (1,660 comments), Lions/Buccaneers second half open thread (1,406 comments), Sunday open thread the day before the Lions' Monday night game (1,316 comments) and Lions/Cowboys fourth quarter open thread (1,277 comments). (In case you're wondering, the post with the most comments on the site is the second half open thread for the 2010 Lions/Cowboys game. It had 1,786 total comments.)
On a related note, I want to thank everybody who reads Pride of Detroit and participates in the many discussions we have. This year, POD crossed the 15-million total page views mark. More than eight million of those page views came just in this year, and that was despite there being a lockout for a third of the year. I'd say that's pretty good. Here's to POD (and the Lions) doing even bigger things in 2012.
Gunther Cunningham thinks Jim Schwartz should be the coach of the year.
For the third straight year, Drew Stanton has been named the Lions' Robert Porcher Man of the Year.

Dominic Raiola had some very, well, interesting things to say about Packers fans earlier this week. First, he had this response to a question about the tradition of Packers fans mooning opposing teams (via Dave Birkett):
"I get to the stadium too early. I don’t see that. But that’d be pretty awesome to see."

Raiola reconsidered the awesomeness of seeing that after thinking about it.
"I don’t know if I want to see any of those people naked. They’re not in real good shape up there."
Raiola then added this (via Chris McCosky):
"It looks like they live a simple life. They love the Pack and that's pretty much it."
The Lions practiced outdoors on Friday in order to prepare for Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.
With how well the Lions have played this season and with how many talented coaches are on the staff, it doesn't sound like Jim Schwartz would be surprised if some guys are hired by other teams this upcoming offseason. Specifically, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is someone who could be looked at by other teams for vacant head coaching positions. Although Linehan may choose to pass on offers that come his way this time around in order to stay in Detroit, the growing sense is that he will get another shot at being a head coach at some point.
According to Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, the Lions are the biggest trash talkers in the league, followed by the Falcons. Sounds about right.
Jason Hanson's 15-year-old son celebrated the Lions' playoff berth in the locker room with the team after last week's game. That had to have been a special moment for both Hanson and his son.

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Comments

Here's to you, Sean

Appreciate all the great work you put into the site.

Eat 'em up, Tigers!

by ahtrap on Dec 31, 2011 12:09 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

I'll raise my glass to that.

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

Love Beer? Me too! http://jimbobsbeerblog.wordpress.com/
Follow me on twitter: #JimBobsBeerBlog

by The Boourns on Dec 31, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

Thanks Sean, for allowing us to be apart of this site!

Datsyukian Deke, Detroit Red Wings Blog
Follow @cnsportsblogs

by Detroitnr1 on Dec 31, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

I don’t think I make it to Sundays without it.

by asol8mc1 on Dec 31, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I totally agree, this is a great site, very professionally done

And it is great to interact with and learn from other long-suffering Lions fans. I’m really glad I discovered POD. Also kudos to your regular contributors Simscity and Latif Masud … I look forward to their weekly analyses of our opponents. Great job guys !!!

Lion fan in the Great Land!

by AlaskaLion on Dec 31, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

Best blog about the lions bar none.

Great writers and bloggers(even the ones who drive you nuts)

Matt millen:He puts the oron in moron and the upid in dumb.

by awayfromthepride on Dec 31, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I don't want Schwartz to get Coach of the Year

For two reasons.

1) It means nothing compared to a Super Bowl. I would much rather he wins something that is truly earned rather than an opinion poll.

2) The track record of coaches that win the award is pretty horrible, many of them are fired shortly after winning it. I would rather keep Jim Schwartz in Detroit for a good long time. Like 20-30 years with a couple dynasty teams in there and enough success to start a petition to call it the Schwartz Trophy not Lombardi.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Dec 31, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions

The track record of coaches that win the award is pretty horrible, many of them are fired shortly after winning it.

#throws joshsun a bone.

"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching

by RealityIsOptionable on Dec 31, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

lol

good thing I do not think he is a legitimate candidate for COY.

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"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
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GROW THE F UP
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"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
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by joshsun on Dec 31, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

[grinding teeth] i think harbaugh has a better case anyway [/grinding teeth]

damn that was hard to type

by haywood on Dec 31, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Celebrate good times Come on!

ROAR Offically Restored ! 12/24/11
THE PHONZ ~ I LOVE THAT GUY
PCP 4 LIFE

Follow @baddog12k

by The Profiler on Dec 31, 2011 2:07 PM EST reply actions

thanks to P.O.D

Ok I’m in southern california….. Without pod I don’t know what the hell i’d do! Mlive is ok…but pod is where my allegiance is for sure….so thanks to Sean and all the members who make my so. Cal football existence great….. I’m a displaced fan for sure but pod makes me seem like I’m right there in Ford field….so thanks again,and here’s to greater successes ahead.

by hostage42 on Dec 31, 2011 2:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Mlive

Oh god those comments.

by Hurr Durr on Dec 31, 2011 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

frist

sigh

by joshsun on Dec 31, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Stafford sucks, trade Calvin

by Hurr Durr on Dec 31, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

Grow up

by joshsun on Dec 31, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously great job Sean

I’ve been to quite a few of these SB Nation blogs and they are 90% Garbage. This is well run with great contributors as well. Happy New Year everyone lets go Lions!

by Eddie Apoc on Dec 31, 2011 2:31 PM EST reply actions

Yeah Sean, thanks man

You do a great job, very introspective, great job by Latif and Simcity for sure and all the other guys that contribute.

I feel like I’m watching the game with my Lions Bro’s up in here and it makes the games so much more meaningful to me. Also being able to chime in and add my 2 cents is a very fulfilling feeling.

Go Lions, may the Schwartz be with us!

by SanDiegoMick on Dec 31, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions

POD has...

made the season so much more enjoyable. Why did I wait until this year to use it .

Thanks everyone for making this a terrific season.

2011 - The Year the Roar was restored!

by West Side Lions Fan on Dec 31, 2011 3:29 PM EST reply actions

Cheers Sean

Thanks for the hard work. We all appreciate it.

May God bless you and yours richly this year !!

The way , the Truth and the life.

by blair on Dec 31, 2011 4:56 PM EST reply actions

Hanson kid is probably the most popular kid at school

by msivits on Dec 31, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions

Congrats on the site doing so well

it’s nice to have a place to come and talk with other fans. keep up the great work!

"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."

by detroit_fan on Dec 31, 2011 5:26 PM EST reply actions

Congrats Sean and POD on a fine year

For the record: My scientific research on how GB game and playoffs will go has us tying GB tommorrow 20 to 20, winning firstround playoff game and then loosing second game. (source: Madden 2012) :)

Put me down...Lions win at least 11 games next season! 1/6/11

by LonnieLion on Dec 31, 2011 5:42 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for all the work Sean

Being in Germany right now makes it hard to watch the game (except for firstrow)so I get alot of info from POD. I do not post things often but I read almost everything especially since I do not have ESPN which really sucks so it is nice to talk to other fans and find whats going on with the Lions. GO LIONS!!

by bmehne on Jan 1, 2012 4:32 AM EST reply actions