- The Lions returned to practice on Tuesday in pads on the outdoor field. This week's practice routine is similar to one the Lions will follow during the regular season.
- According to Rod Marinelli, wide receiver Devale Ellis will miss "one to two practices" due to a hamstring injury. Ellis is now on the bubble when it comes to making the team after at one time seeming like a lock to not be cut. Brandon Middleton is challenging him for the 5th spot at wide receiver, and there's a good chance the Lions may only take 4 receivers anyways, meaning Ellis could be gone by the end of the month.
- Even though he was removed from the PUP list over a week ago, tight end Dan Campbell still has not practiced.
- Drew Stanton has gotten much better since training camp opened. He is improving his passing abilities and is learning to use his running abilities only when necessary.
- The Browns are limping into this Saturday's preseason game at Ford Field. Derek Anderson suffered a mild concussion on Monday against the Giants, Josh Cribbs has a high ankle sprain, Braylon Edwards will be out as he is still not healthy enough to play after being cleated by a teammate during practice, and former Lion Shaun Rogers missed Monday's game due to soreness in various places.
- Every year this is usually the time when the Kool-Aid is flowing in Lions country. There is always a great amount of optimism during the summer as all Lions fans are hopeful that this will finally be the year where things are turned around. Sadly, that year hasn't come yet, but many believe 2008 will bring the Lions a turnaround that at least gets them a record of 8-8.
Message boards and even this site are filled with optimism from some, but I don't think anyone is as drunk on Kool-Aid as Mike O'Hara. He not only believes the Lions will win 9 games, but he also thinks they could win more.
When the 2008 schedule was released, I wrote the Lions could win nine games. It wasn't a prediction, just a somewhat humorous way of showing how a 9-7 season was possible.
After a couple preseason games I can say that the team looks like they're improving, but a preseason game can only tell me so much. Hell, a regular season game can only tell me so much. Remember, after 8 games last year the Lions were 6-2 and nearly every single Lions fan was drinking the Kool-Aid. I am included in that category as even I began uttering the "p" word (playoffs).
From what I've seen so far, I was wrong. The Lions will win nine games, maybe more. They're super fast on defense, they will build a running game, protect the quarterback and have talent at wide receiver. I say 9-7 is the standard. Whether that earns a playoff spot remains to be seen, but this team will not fall apart, unless shredded by injuries.
We all bought into the Lions and in the end were only setting ourselves up for disappointment. This year if they start 6-2 again, I will wait until the end of the season to pick up the glass of Honolulu Blue-flavored Kool-Aid. And at the very least, if they win 9 games, I'll be too shocked to be able to drink anything anyways.
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