from 5 picks and 2 TDs in a come from ahead loss to 5 TDs and 2 picks in a come from behind win.  Just wanted to reiterate that the kid is nothing but a winner.  So puh-leeze stop with the Joey comparisons.  Staff just did something that NO OTHER ROOKIE QB has done in the history of the NFL, 5 TDs.  Yeah it was the Browns, but don't act like no rookie QB has ever played against a bad team.

Staff is the real deal and all the doubters and haters can GFT.

What up, Pride!!!

This is a very special day for me.  I am now officially a father! My baby son came to this world this morning. 6-20AM MSK to be exact. What a day!!!! And this is a sad day. My mom was hospitalized again. We`re still fighting cancer, you know, but we`re loosing. That`s the sad part. I was not really sure I`d make this one 75 words, but seems like I will. But I`m not sure I`ll watch the Lions tonight. Sorry, fellas.  I`m already drunk as fuck. My friends here gave me a timeout to check with my POD buddies...... So , GO LIONS!!!!!! Let`s kick some Brown asses and make it 2-8  PLEASE....

Peace... Rou`s out.

P.S. Back in 1995. I bought that pirate VHS with NFL Rocks. So, here`s the track from it. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeUf3xODPc0

Maybe someone else mentioned this, but the way the injuries are piling up, it reminds me of how some other teams have made incredible turn arounds following bad years.

The formula...

1) Good year drafting

2) Young QB who is learning on the job

3) Injuries pile up so your record is much worse thant it needed to be...

Then,

Because of the youth of the team and injuries you get another good draft position, do well with it and end up with 7-10 good Young pieces.

Seriously, without the injuries we would of probably ended the season with 4-5 wins, with them, we will probably only have 2. The injuries make us seem worse than we are and Kevin, Matt, Calvin ect are only going to get better.

Am I crazy for looking at it this way?

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/11/its_official_--_lions_put_step.html

Continue reading this post »

Looks like Cribbs is going to play Sunday. With all our injuries on defense, specifically the secondary, I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up a career day. Brady Quinn may look like Peyton Manning this week. I know one guy doesn't make or break a team, but it would've been nice to play one of the NFL's worst teams without their best player. We saw what Stephen Jackson did to us. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cribbs have similar success through the air.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4674264

You can read this article and more like it at http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142

This week, the Lions face the Browns in what promises to be the Game of the Week…that everyone ignores and makes fun of.  In other words, when you reach the halftime report of the game that you’re watching, it’ll be the game that they just flash the score of rather than show you any of the pathetic highlights.  They may even throw in a clever line like, “Detroit leads Cleveland 2-0 in the 2009 Toilet Bowl”, or “Could it be any more depressing in Detroit?  They trail 7-0 at the half to Cleveland.”  Nothing beats the hilarious antics of Terry Bradshaw.  Anyways, now that I’ve dissuaded any non Lions/Browns fan to read on, let’s go! (warning: video contains old white guy rapping).

Lions Pass Offense (21st) vs. Browns Pass Defense (19th)

The Browns pass defense is the definition of mediocre.  They’ve held about half of their opponents (5 of 9) under their season average for QB rating.  They’ve put up some pretty impressive numbers, like stymieing Jay Cutler to 225 yards and a poor 66.7 passer rating, but have also had some terrible games including a 417 yard disaster against the Steelers. 

The Browns defense is also quite mediocre when it comes to pressuring the opposing quarterback.  They have 18 sacks on the season which ranks them 19th in the league.  The Browns play the 3-4 defense, so a lot of their pressure is generated by linebackers.  Linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and David Bowens lead the team with five and 2.5 sacks respectively. 

When the Lions last faced a 3-4 defense (against the Packers), they gave up five sacks, 3.5 of which came from linebackers (for the record, Green Bay also has 18 sacks on the season). The Lions may struggle even more now that arguably their best offensive lineman, right guard Stephen Peterman, is very doubtful to play.  Last week, Matthew Stafford took a beating, getting pressured on 70% of passing plays.  Granted, Minnesota has a much better front seven than Cleveland, but I still fully expect Stafford to be on the run again this week.

Where the matchup leans in the Lions favor is the battle between receivers and secondary.  Cleveland boasts no real big names in their secondary.   Safety Brodney Pool is probably their most impressive player, as he’s tallied up three interceptions on the season and leads the team in passes defended with 8.  But overall, they are not too impressive of a unit.  Cleveland ranks 27th in opposing passer rating and dead last in interceptions with four.  Calvin Johnson and company have a good chance to be open, if Stafford has the time to throw.  In the end, I think both sides will make their plays.  Stafford will likely throw a pick or two, but he’ll also perform much like last week, somewhat effective.  Draw.

Lions Run Offense (21st) vs. Browns Run Defense (30th)

*QB rushes omitted

Every team other than the Bills outperformed their season averages for rushing yards.  This is not a surprise, given that most teams find themselves with a comfortable lead over the Browns and run the ball late.  The additional YPC stat is more telling.  Still, in seven out of nine games, the Browns’ opponents met or surpassed their season average YPC. 

Obviously, this is good news for the Lions.  Though the Lions will be forced to go against their former teammate Shaun Rogers, other teams seem to have had no problem with him.  Every team has surpassed the century mark, even the 30th ranked rush offense of the Bears.  The Lions have been struggling to have a consistent running game, but are still averaging 103 yards per game.  Though the Peterman injury may hurt the Lions, they’ve actually had their most success running behind Backus anyways (<---awesome site).  I expect the Lions to outperform their average and Kevin Smith to reach the 100 yard mark for the first time since the Lions beat Washington.  Lions +2

Browns Pass Offense (32nd) vs. Lions Pass Defense (32nd)

Brady Quinn games in italics (pulled in week 3 game vs. Ravens)

My dear lord.

This is about as ugly of a matchup that you can get.  Think Stevie Wonder versus Helen Keller in a game of charades.  Cleveland is last in points per game (8.7) and Detroit is last in points allowed (29.3).  Cleveland is ranked last in QB rating, passing yards per game, completion percentage and passing touchdowns.  Yet Detroit ranks last in every single one of those defensive stats (well, 31st in passing TDs allowed, thanks Tennessee). 

Quinn is starting his second consecutive game after Derek Anderson was promoted and demoted in the middle of the season.  Quinn has yet to put up a passer rating about 75 this year and has one TD to his five interceptions.  In Cleveland’s defense, they have little options at the receiver position.  This year, they traded away their two best options, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards.  They’re now left with former Lion Mike Furrey and Josh Cribbs.  Cribbs is a great playmaker, but he’s much better utilized in special teams and in the running game.  More on him later.

I’ll be honest; I have no idea what is going to happen here.  The Browns have been sacked 23 times (22nd in the NFL), but they also have one of the best LTs protecting Quinn in Joe Thomas.  I have no faith in Detroit’s pass defense, especially considering how many injuries they’re suffering from in the secondary, but Cleveland put up 23 passing yards in a game!  They’ve only thrown for 200 passing yards twice this season!  Instead of giving one team an advantage, they both get two points taken away. Lions -2, Browns -2.  You should both be ashamed of yourselves.

Browns Run Offense (26th) vs. Lions Run Defense (19th)

*QB rushes omitted

Though they rank 26th, the Browns run offense may be better than advertised.  The Browns have faced five out of the six top run defenses in the league (Baltimore twice).  That means out of their nine games, six of them have been against top six run defenses in the league.  Jamal Lewis remains a pretty solid back, but he has struggled recently, only gaining 173 yards in his past four games.  Again, the stats may be a little misleading, as the Browns have often found themselves behind games early and have had to focus on the passing game to climb back into games (of course, this makes their passing statistics even worse). 

Josh Cribbs is also a big factor in Cleveland’s running game.  Cribbs is being used in Wildcat formations successfully as he’s clearly the most athletic player on the field for Cleveland.  This season, he has accounted for nearly 20% of the Browns’ running game and is averaging 6.6 a carry.  This season, the Lions have not faced the Wildcat (have they ever?), so it’ll be interesting to see how they adjust.  They may not have to, however, as Cribbs was injured on the last play of the game on Monday night.  UPDATE: Cribbs practiced on Thursday, so it’s quite likely that he will play. 

The Lions are fairly inconsistent when it comes to stopping the run.  Though they rank 19th in yards allowed per game, they’re giving up 4.7 a carry which ranks them 28th.  I don’t expect the Browns to run all over Detroit, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lewis break a lot of tackles and bust out a long run or two.  Still, I think Detroit has the advantage, especially if Cribbs is out.  With Cribbs: Draw; Without Cribbs: Lions +2.

Special Teams

Although Jason Hanson is struggling, I’m not too worried about it.  He is not shanking any kicks, so I expect his accuracy to come back to him.  Phil Dawson is also reliable.  He’s 100% on field goals this year, but has only attempted four.

The advantage here completely relies on Cribbs’ availability.  Cribbs burned the Lions in their preseason game this year.  He returned the opening kick for a TD (though it was called back) and later returned a punt to the house.  Though it was a preseason game, I fully expect that Cribbs has the potential to do the exact same thing.  He has returned three kickoffs for more than 40 yards (1 TD) and he has returned a league-high four punts for 20+ yards, one for a TD.  Cleveland ranks 1st in punt return average and 8th in kick returns.  As always, I have 0 confidence in Detroit’s kick coverage.  Detroit’s defensive special teams ranks 31st in kickoff return average and 22nd in punt returns.  Given how terrible these teams are, special teams may make the difference.  If Cribbs is in, look out. Browns +2.  If he’s out, Draw.

Overall

I don’t even know what to say.  This game is actually quite enthralling to me.  Not because it’s one of the few games left that Detroit has a chance of winning.  Not because there’s actual importance to this game, in that the loser has a very good chance at having the #1 draft pick.  No, my interest in the game is much more depressing than that.  Both these teams are awful right now.  There’s a part of me that actually thinks the world might end when the Browns’ pass offense goes against the Lions’ pass defense.  But I can’t wait to see what happens.  Much like The Beatles’ “A Day In the Life”, most people will turn away from this game on Sunday.  But I just have to look.  Having read the book?

Anyways, if Cribbs is in, that leaves the Lions with 0 and the Browns with 0.  A 0-0 draw.  If Cribbs is out, however, the Lions have 2 and the Browns have -2.  I think this is going to be a low-scoring game, so a big special teams play from Cribbs could make all the difference.  Obviously, this is a must win for Detroit if they ever want to win a football game again.  Of course, Cleveland fans are saying the exact same thing.  With no confidence at all, I’m picking the Lions to win regardless of Cribbs’ availability.  Without Cribbs, 13-7 Lions;  With Cribbs 13-10 Lions.

All Lions fans are with you Chris...  Many here have felt your pain and all others will now share yours.  My condolences to the family.

Stay tough,

CLF

 

 

 

 

ALLEN PARK, MICH. – Stefanie Spielman, the wife of former Lions’ linebacker Chris Spielman, died yesterday (November 19) at her home in Columbus after a 12-year battle with breast cancer. She was 42. The Spielmans have four children – Madison (15), Noah (13), Macy (8) and Audrey (7).

 

I'm sitting around today wondering why the hell I had the luck of being raised in a state with a collapsing economy with no light at the end of the tunnel, with everything going wrong in the country in the peak of my life (24-years-old) ... no jobs, shitty health care (couldn't get it if i wanted), and on and on ... why I get the added pleasantry of the having the Lions as my home team. I've been a sports nut my whole life. I played football, baseball, soccer, hockey, basketball, bowling in organized leagues and many other in unorganized fashion.

Football has been the biggest sport in my life though. Ever since I was young I remember devoting the WHOLE weekend to football, playing or watching. I remember the obvious good times with Barry and the gang and even managed to stay ignorantly positive, enthusiastic and hopeful through the after-Barry years when we were touting James Stewart, Germane Crowell, Stoney Case and Cory Schlesinger as our prime weaponry.

But the thing I keep replaying in my head over and over and can't help but wonder if things had been a little different, what would have happened...

That situation is two years ago, when we led the division after 8 games, then collapsed from rising threat to laughing stock of the WORLD.  

Now I'm not gonna say we weren't a worse team than we let on those first 8 but I do believe there was a key to the fall. That key was Calvin Johnson. Once again, I remind you this is in no way blaming Calvin for what happened, I'm blaming the circumstances.

If you remember, the first few games of the season our offense looked like the Colts, well not the Colts but at least TCU. We put up 36, 21, 20 and 37 in the first four games and Kitna didn't have a game under 245 in passing yards. He even had a 446er in there. What I remember was that was this was Rod Marinelli's 2nd year manning the helms our offense was clicking on all cylinders, except one that is.

After the first four games, we had a 3-1 record with a blowout loss to Philly (If you remember, Kevin Curtis ran up and down the field on us for about 1000 yards receiving). Roy Williams and Kitna were hitting on all cylinders and Furrey and McDonald were fitting in nicely working the seams and underneath stuff. Our run game was nowhere to be found but that didn't really hurt our offense because we were so good passing in the second year with Martz as offensive coordinator.

A little niche in Martz's offense was if you get a hot receiver, go back to him until they stop him. Roy Williams was really taking to this quite well and was in top shape. I remember so many great catches and runs after catches that I hadn't really seem as a dimension from another receiver before. His hands were above average then, he ran like the wind, didn't give up on routes and shined beautifully in the first four games. But then something happened that I blame partially for his and the teams fallout — the fans and pundits started in on the Calvin Johnson era and demanded more playing time and to throw him in there.

While it didn't seem like a bad idea, even to me, it led to increased pressure to get him the ball, indirectly taking balls away from Roy and subsequently beginning the end for both him and Kitna, as well as the rest of the offense, mostly. 

Nothing from that point on clicked the rest of the season. We were blown out in Washington and managed to scrape together two more wins before disappearing into mediocrity and ultimately down right awfulness. Roy and Kitna never recovered the rhythm they had and if one concentrated you could see Roy giving way emotionally and physically in presence to Calvin to take over as the main guy.

It's hard to have two top level receivers on one team, ask Ochocinco or TO or Boldin or Marvin Harrison. To be a great receiver you have to always want the ball and want to push your team. But if there are two franchise receivers they aren't both going to get a significant number of balls thrown their way and eventually one will get significantly more or less depending on the quarterback relationship. QBs tend to subliminally pick favorite targets and with the shallow psyche of a receiver that only leads to destruction as was the case with Roy.

Like I said before, I don't put much thought behind it, but it does make you wonder for sure.

I think maybe had Calvin not been demanded to produce right away and had been eeked into the offense throughout the course of the year, things could have been a bit different. I'm not sure if anything could have kept the offense from imploding but who knows.

What do you guys think? Let me know in the comment section. 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/cleveland-browns/09000d5d81451f7b/Weather-update-Browns-vs-Lions

Things wrong with this video:
1. its posted on NFL.com so it is an assumed knowledgeable source.
2. the banter of the weather man, "Brady Quinn Looking Like a Linebacker...did get fined"
3. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER AT FORD FIELD
4. IN CASE YOU ARE SLOW THERE IS NO WEATHER AT FORD FIELD ITS A CLIMATE CONTROLLED INDOOR FIELDDDDDD!!!!!!!!! Sometimes people are dumb.

Was thinking about the lions, really a lot of different teams and cities in the league for that matter.  Oh yeah, and before I continue I know a posted on Detroit moving to LA and got everyone riled up, but whatever.  I freaking was pissed off at the time and the crazy idea popped into my head that we would get better quicker by shipping out our team and bringing in a team like the vikes.  Truth is I wouldn’t ever pull that trigger even if we were offered the colts.  I want to see this team rise.  Its what keeps me reading all the news I can about em and watching and hoping this is finally the game when the all pistons click and we explode to the next tier of talented teams.  What is ironic though, I bet when we do finally reign supreme I may end up missing these days when we were the underdogs every Sunday and always had the chance to deliver an upset and shock the public. 

Is there anything you guys are gonna miss when we are the best and winning SBs when thinking back to seasons like we’re in now?