Lions Notes: Nick Fairley Begins Light Running

by Sean Yuille on Sep 15, 2011 5:35 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Notes

Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley did some light running today, indicating that he is progressing from his foot injury. He isn't sure when he will return, though.

"No idea," Fairley said today, when asked how soon he’ll be back on the field. "I’m just working with the trainers and everything now. I’m trying to get everything to 110%, so when I get out there, I’ll be ready to go for the long run."

Fairley did say he has been watching a lot of film and has been studying the playbook in order to not be too far behind when he can finally return to the field.
Running back Mikel Leshoure visited the team this week and said the doctors have told him he will "have no problem coming back from this injury."
Earlier this week, Jim Schwartz had this to say about the Lions' performance against the Buccaneers:

"It’s all about how we play," Schwartz said at his weekly news conference today. "We can play a lot better than that. We didn’t show our best. It’s one thing if you physically get beat. A corner gets beat on a touchdown pass, offensive line gives up a sack, wide receiver drops a ball, running back fumbles a ball. Those are things we all learn to live with as coaches.

"But some of the things that happen in the game didn’t show us in the best light, and that’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen again."

It's nice that the Lions are now at a point where the head coach is calling out his team even after a win. Just last year it was a major accomplishment if the Lions won a game, especially on the road. Now it's not necessarily just about getting a win; it's also about how you win.

(More after the jump)

Schwartz described Gosder Cherilus' personal foul late in the Bucs game as "stupid," and he said that's a mild way to describe it.
Schwartz had this to say when he was asked if the Lions will continue taking risks by not booting every kickoff out of the end zone:

"It will depend from game to game, but we want to be able to use our kickoff team," Schwartz said. "We're not always going to be satisfied with the 20-yard line. There will be time when we game plan directional kicks and try to pin them down. There will be other times where we just try to kick it deep. I think just about every team in the NFL is going to be the same way. We're not going to shy away from covering the football. "
Schwartz joked that Calvin Johnson could probably play any position on defense aside from defensive tackle.
The Lions' official site has video of Nate Burleson's interview with Johnson.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley thinks Johnson is "pushing toward" being one of the best receivers ever.
The Lions aren't going to announce their fifth captain each week. Instead they will just send out their captains for the coin toss and fans will find out which player is the weekly captain then.
The Lions appreciate all of the noise fans make when they are on defense, but they would prefer Ford Field to be quiet when they are on offense.
Sunday's game against the Chiefs will be on CBS since the Lions are hosting an AFC team. The announcers for the game will be Don Criqui and Randy Cross.
The Lions are 12th in SB Nation's NFL power rankings.
Matthew Stafford is seventh on Mike Sando's MVP watch list.
The Lions are favored by as many as nine points for Sunday's game. The line hasn't favored them this much since 2000 when they were nine-point favorites over the Bears, according to Dave Birkett.
Former Lions running back Ian Johnson has been signed to the 49ers practice squad and former Lions linebacker Caleb Campbell has joined the Colts practice squad.
Kevin Smith, another former Lions running back, worked out with the Dolphins, his hometown team, earlier this week.

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Obviously it's really early

But if Stafford plays well and the Lions go on a tear, he’s going to soar as an MVP candidate, because they’ll compare the team now to the team without him last year. Lions without him are a known quantity – if they succeed and roll over some people, he’ll get a lot of consider.

Probably won’t knock out Brady though as long as the Pats keep winning. Media loves Brady.

by JDSpartan on Sep 15, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

We will see

If he can continue to play well late in games, and keep pressure on. It could have been the play calling, but they obviously didn’t bury the Bucs like I believe the Pats would have done in that situation.

by Staffordno9 on Sep 15, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

cramps

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by rames on Sep 15, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you, why can't more people see that?

Here’s a little scenario that I saw playing out if we didn’t go conservative. Stafford drops back, he’s on the 4th of a 5 step drop and cramps up. He’s hobbling around in the pocket and 1)In a pathetic attempt to make something unnecessary happen he throws a pick or fumbles or 2)He can’t move around, the pressure gets to him and I’m commenting on Sean’s article about Matt’s new injury right now. I wish people would stop complaining about the late play calling there.

by fiendishdr.wu on Sep 15, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

rec'd

by letelenny on Sep 16, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

This is exactly what I have been thinking

With the different injury problems we had last year, I think playing conservative at the end of a blowout (not in score but in play) is a good idea. They had no serious injuries in their first game, that is big to me.

by letelenny on Sep 16, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

If he couldn't drop back, then he shouldn't have been in the game.

by AJSmitty on Sep 15, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It's called being tough

And with the stigma he has on him, he didn’t need to give anyone a reason to talk. So he stayed in the game.

by fiendishdr.wu on Sep 15, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

That is not being tough

That is being selfish. If he was, in fact, limited that badly by cramps he should have removed himself from the game because he was hurting his team.

That, IMHO, was not the case. The coaching staff took the game out of his hands in order to run the clock as much as possible while taking any real chance of mistakes out of the game hoping for the clock to run out on TB.

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by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

How would it be selfish?

The coaching staff and trainers both saw the shape he was in. It’s their decision to leave him in or not. The guy did his job to the best of his ability so long as he was told it was his job to do.

That’s toughness and self sacrifice.

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by Nate D. on Sep 16, 2011 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions

That is just it

I do not buy that he was so limited by cramps that he could not perform. I think the coaches took the ball out of his hands playing to not lose.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

haha of course they did

we were ahead, therefore running the ball takes time off the clock.

Duh….

by supupeoples on Sep 16, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

so does marching down the field and scoring again too.

The difference, one is playing not to lose and the other is playing to win.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand why you would think that

It’s not like he had a broken leg, but the thing about cramps is once you catch them they’re there. You can’t decide when they are gonna affect you. He could have gone out there and played a whole drive and be fine, then turn around and cramp up on the second snap of the next drive. That’s why you go pull on the reigns a lil, they were trying to avoid one of the those scenarios I was talking about.

by fiendishdr.wu on Sep 16, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

oh yeah

I have played many sports. I have suffered cramps more than my fair share. Hell, I have had cramped muscles on a third story roof top in 100+ degree heat while hustling shingles from the conveyor to the roof peak. Damn near fell off the roof. They hurt like hell and limit your movement but they do not stop you.

Like I said, I am not of the belief that the “reigns” were pulled back because of cramping. I think JS pulled them back because he wanted too. Some might call it smart football. I call it chicken shit football. That weak stuff will eventually cost us a game. I just hope it does not cost us a playoff appearance.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

To be honest with you, what you believe doesn't matter

None of what either one of us of is saying has been proven to be true or not. We will have to see it play itself out, there will be more close games. At least what I’m saying has some kind of plausible reasoning behind it, right now everything your saying is based on past Lion team’s mistakes and negative nancy bs. Hopefully this will be settled on Sunday.

by fiendishdr.wu on Sep 17, 2011 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Schwartz made a comment about having a QB who was limited in his mobility due to cramps...

to what extent, not sure. But it was a real issue nonetheless.

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by rames on Sep 16, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

cop out

Either you can play or you can’t. It is that simple.

We have more than capable back ups, who have both proven they can win, behind him waiting to play who were completely hydrated.

Blaming the “oh shit we are winning” play calling on cramps is just sad. The coaches decided to play the run the clock game more than try to go for the kill game plan. It was scared coaching for the better part of the second half of football and that is why Schwartz was so raging upset with Goz and his penalty. He almost singly ruined their chicken shit conservative plan.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

amen

by Staffordno9 on Sep 16, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

We had more than staff trying to play with cramp’s.Burleson as well was cramping.I can see it from both side’s but as we all know the coaches trust staff w/ cramps more than both hill and stanton without. Or they would’ve pulled him, kids a gamer and selfish or not is trying to get himself back in the swing of games.He needs that experience I’m sure this wont be the last time he gets cramps and he needed to learn to play through them to the best of his abilities.

by Michael21 on Sep 16, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Putting in a backup cold when you're only up a couple of scores

has just as much potential for disaster. Every time Hill or Stanton went in cold last year they were not as effective as when they had a chance to work with the 1st string offense.
In the end, the Lions would probably have gone to the conservative game anyway.

I can see it now — Stafford comes out, Hill or Stanton throw a pick, the Bucs come back and win the game. I wonder how you geniuses would dissect that move?

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Sep 16, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

If Stafford was really so limited that they had to stop throwing the ball

than I would not have had a problem with him being replaced. This team can win without him.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Wonder how many people would criticize that exact move you speak of. I agree though what do they think hill or stanton were gonna come out cold guns a blazin’…chyea right! They probably would have played the same vanilla game they did with either one of those two in

by Michael21 on Sep 16, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

He could easily be comback player of the year though

So long as he’s healthy for 16 games.

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by Bighaircut on Sep 15, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

'Healthy' Police, pull over!!!

You are in violation of PoD edict 13b. “No member shall ever bring up or refer to Matts health in anything other than glowing terms, unless or until he actually gets hurt”

j/king Big, I couldnt help myself..its a bit of a slow afternoon

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Sep 15, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

rec

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Sep 15, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Read my posts above

I am sure that opinion of our coaches will liven the day tomorrow.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

To qualify for that I think you actually have to play a season of football...

He never really “came back” from anything… Other than a successful college career.

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by ZWC11 on Sep 15, 2011 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Willis McGahee disagrees.

If Stafford plays for 16 games and plays well, he’ll be a front-runner for the award.

"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson

by Mavyrk on Sep 15, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Willis McGahee

he will win games for my Broncos this season!

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by the new Bradfather on Sep 15, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, I have always enjoyed watching Willis run the ball

He played his heart out for those miserable Balto fans. Denver needs to let him pound the rock, he’s always been such a tough 4th qtr runner

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Sep 15, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That's tough about Knowshen's hammy though

I remember those old Dawg teams with Stafford and Moreno. Ton of talent, it looks like he still hasn’t kicked the tough luck.

by fiendishdr.wu on Sep 15, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Stafford's luck has changed

it’ s only fair that Moreno’s does as well, we need to see them compete against each other in a Super Bowl on their present teams!

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by the new Bradfather on Sep 16, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

A 2011 Broncos v. Lions Super Bowl?

Wow. That would drive Vegas nuts, I love it. Although, I already have current bets on this years Super Bowl:

Browns 13
Lions 44

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to hear about Fairley

Can’t wait to see him out there in the rotation in a few weeks.

Also, I’m kind of bummed about losing Caleb Campbell. Obviously there’s no room for him here, but you always hope that when people get injured you could have someone like him as a back-up.

by WestsideLionsFan on Sep 15, 2011 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

we still could

Practice squads are poachable

by ATL Lion on Sep 15, 2011 6:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

As bad as that D is, he might be on the 53 soon lol

by WestsideLionsFan on Sep 15, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

One this about the players we cut that ended up on other teams PS

We know exactly what they are capable of on the field. If we have an injury, you can bet we will be looking in their direction for assistance.

Basically, we extended our PS by about 3 or 4 players by letting them go to other PSquads.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

^^^^^One thing about

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions

that's an interesting take on it

it conveys a positive message about the direction of the team and perhaps ability of the FO to plan. Who hacked into your account and have you secured it now?

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by Ee Oulo on Sep 16, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

lmao

I really like Mayhew. The guy seems to have it all together.

His reign as a competent GM is going to hang on his next two drafts. Its easy to find better talent when you have none. Now his real job begins. He needs to find ways to upgrade the talent we already have on the team. That is much more difficult.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I’ll be interested to see the confidence polls when it slows down a little and we see a few more draft busts sprinkled in. They can’t all be winners and it’d be supernatural and semi ridiculous to think this magical pace can maintain for much longer. However, I won’t be one calling for his head, he’s already showed in the first couple years that he can, in fact, evaluate talent and make good decisions. Sold.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

showed=shown*

showed just sounds too odd, or I wouldn’t have bothered to correct it.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I will call for his head if he fails to do his job

Which is to upgrade talent on the team.

Honestly man, I think any person with a clear head and the ability to listen to his scouts could have done better than the Moron. Quality GMs, IMHO, show their true skills in years 3-6 of their drafts.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Bask in it

Isn’t weird to read basically all good news. I guess I’ll go back to reading MHR for some bad news…dang.

$.02
Game on!

by HughSkarr on Sep 15, 2011 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

Good stuff on Fairley and Leshoure

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by JCruize on Sep 15, 2011 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

We’ll see next year with Leshoure but it would be great to see Fairley ready by the fourth or fifth game.

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by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Sep 15, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

My only critique for the Lions is

play 60 minutes, I went back and watched film of it the other day and Detroit smacked the Buccaneers around for three quarters but Tampa Bay was still within a play of tying the score so if the Lions play all the way through, then they will be a playoff team

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by the new Bradfather on Sep 15, 2011 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

This actually scares the hell out of me

The complete lack of a killer instinct in our coaching, unless corrected, will cost us a game or more eventually.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

+10000

I wanted to see us step on the Bucs throat and it didn’t happen. If we try that playing not to lose crap on a quality team we will most assuredly lose anyway. My signature sums that up very efficiently I think.

Wars are only truly won through annihilation of the enemy. May our coaches remember that football is war.

by Lionsrmycrack on Sep 16, 2011 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions

+0 +/-1

I can go either way on this right now. I’m up in the air as to is this going to be a trend? Was the heat a factor? and other such things. I’m going to give it a pass, just this once. The D did go vanilla, there was no knockout punch, but also Schwartz was piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissed so the problem could have been execution to a certain extent. I’m wary either way, but will hold for this Sunday before dropping the hammer. We should have that knock out punch for KC and we should stay alert til the ref counts ten.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree....

I’m staying neutral until I see more evidence. With the way that Schwartz was seething in the presser after our WIN, it really seemed like there was more to it then just us getting conservation. Tough to say, but I’m a guilty until proven innocent kinda guy and I don’t think the coaches simply got lax because they figured it was in the bag… I think there was more behind it.

by DrewsLions on Sep 16, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet that first practice suuuuuuuu

uuuuuuuuuucked.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt.

Especially if your last name is Cherilus or Peterman… lol

by DrewsLions on Sep 16, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I would bet

they both made tearful phone calls to their mommas.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Sep 16, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd probably be more scared

If Millen was still the GM, Harrington was still he qb, and Mooch/Marinelli/Mornhinweg was still the coach. But they are not, so maybe you should try to put more faith in this franchise now that we have competent people in place.

Just sayin’.

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Sep 16, 2011 9:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The common theme for all those players and coaches

An epically inept moronic GM. None of them were ever given anything close to a fair chance to succeed. With Mayhew leading the way, I would be happy with 2 out of 3 of those coaches. If Harrington was our rookie QB three years ago, he would not have missed anywhere near as many games as Stafford did. Joey did not miss a single start his first 3 years with us despite being sacked 53 times! I have no doubt all of them would have been successful if not for our douche bag GM of the time.

So yeah, the ONLY part of your post I agree with is the hate for The M Douche GM.

And finally, I know it is going to happen. Chicken shit coaching is going to cost us a game. I just hope it is not a playoff or playoff implications game. That hope is probably useless because every game every week counts in the NFL.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Anything new on if Phonz will play this week ?

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by The Profiler on Sep 15, 2011 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Read this morning he should be playing sunday, havent heard anything on a game time decision on him either so must be in the plans.

by Michael21 on Sep 16, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I need some help

I live in Tn. and the Titans and Lions both play at 1pm and so I will be stuck watching the stupid Titans..
Is there any sites I can go to and watch the game live? please help me out…

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Here's to a Healthy Stafford and a DOMINATING 2011 Detroit Lions!!!
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by lionsfan_772 on Sep 15, 2011 10:05 PM EDT reply actions

Show up on the game thread this Sunday.

Someone will have a feed probably.

"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson

by Mavyrk on Sep 15, 2011 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

There is always a link or 12 available.

I will have at least one personally. I live in Chicago. I need the internet to watch my team while at work.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

At least Leshoure looks to have the confidence of the medical staff

by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 15, 2011 10:07 PM EDT reply actions

All I need ...

is Fairley to play on MNF, wreck Cutler on one play, and validate the hype.

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by Wise_Man on Sep 15, 2011 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

That would be fairley nice...

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by Gee Garold Lembach on Sep 16, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha

Didn’t Kevin Smith want to play for the dolphins anyways? Best of luck to him, hope he makes the team

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by Hiyawn_Lions24twenty on Sep 15, 2011 11:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

agreed

He was a singular shining light during the season of tears. I wish things had worked out better for him here but he deserves at least one more genuine chance with another team.

by joshsun on Sep 16, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions