Lions Notes: Corey Hilliard Getting Reps At Guard

Fear they are al losers

I already posted this for you, but here it is again:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2011/daryl-smiths-year-defeats

Only one 4-3 MLB had more defeats that Tulloch last year, and that was Urlacher. A defeat is any play (tackle, assist, pass defensed, interception, or forced fumble) that causes a turnove, causes a loss of yardage, or stops a copnversion on third or fourth down.

Those aren’t “stat padder” plays, those are big plays, and Tulloch made more of them than just about anyone at his position. The actual data doesn’t match up to your impression at all.

And true, the very first game against Cincy they looked shakey, but then they went out and lowered the boom on Cleveland’s run game. They’ll be fine, and they’ll sure as shit be better than last year. None of the three starters at LB week one last year are even playing professional football this year.

I certainly expect much better play in the regular season. I’m a little surprised it hasn’t been a little better – though if you look at the stats from when all the 1s have been in, it’s not bad. The Pat fans said they expect NE to run a lot (sort out their RB depth situation) and they have a pretty good oline, so I think how we do in this preseason game should be much more telling than any of the other are/will be…Vets don’t always show up for most preseason games…sad but true (not that I’m saying Durant and Tulloch aren’t playing hard or anything, I’m just saying – a lot of vets have an extra gear of toughness and focus when the games count…).

 From the reports out of camp, I get the impression that they’re still feeling each other out – and with the whole splitting the play calling/communication between Levy and Tulloch, I have to believe they’re still in a transition phase right now. Reports also say that they look much better together in the past week or so – but you could rightfully conclude there is some homerism in assuming these vets will translate and make our D that much better – I mean, what can you really trust from Gun’s mouth when he gives praise anyhow!?

While Tully has played in this type of defense before, Gun’s terminology is a little different and I’m sure he and Durant are still feeling out how the Dline improvises (it’s got to be something a little difficult to get used to if you come from more of a disciplined gap system – like most defenses). I’m thinking about it much like an RB needs to get a feel for the blocking tendencies of his lineman – how they like to pull etc.

BUT, at the end of the day, Tully and Durant are vets and should be up to speed by the opener. If Blount runs us over, I will begin my worries (though I wouldn’t mail our chances at a decent run defense in from one game obviously).

I wager texas with a $ sign!

he comes plain and simple to collect a paycheck.He’s a wanna-be rock star(hence the horns^).

he doesn’t take things seriously at all. Even though he admitted when going to Dallas that he didn’t lift much – he still hasn’t improved his work ethic by all accounts (recently anyway). On top of that, he didn’t even remember his drops from the last game. WOW – that’s just how much YOU DON’T CARE. I’m sooooooo happy we get to play him twice! (watch him show up for those 2 games just to spite us…)

Is I completely underestimated them last season, bad mouthing them left and right, how the D is old and the O under Martz is a joke.

I guess they’ll suck, I can’t imagine losing even one to them, butyou never know.