Detroit Lions Weblog

Kevin Jones- a tale of two halves

Opp—-1st Half—–2nd Half—-Totals
Att/YDS
Vikes 15/95/——4/5/—— 19/100/
Colts 9/83/——3/16/——-12/99/
TTL 24/178/—–7/21/——-31/199/

Kevin Jones is starting to finally show signs of potential as a nice addition to the team. Granted, he gained a lot of yards versus very poor defenses but still if one is seeing the glass half-full…. It is a genuine testament to the Lions poor performance of late that they have been unable to utilize his rushing success towards controlling the time clock and managing to execute any sort of efficient offense. Furthermore, his second half drop-off in production is very puzzling. The saga continues…..

Put a fork in ‘em, they’re done!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of sharing and enjoying the company of relatives. Football has always been a major part of the joyful celebration of the holiday for me. I wouldn’t describe either game I witnessed today as enjoyable. Furthermore, one would have to question if the parity of NFL teams isn’t egregiously damaging the league with the quality of the performances I viewed from the three of the four teams Thursday.

The Lions started the game looking like they might be able to remain competitive for awhile. They were moving the ball at will. They almost looked sharp. Their major failure today was their complete inability to pose any sort of resistance to the high-powered Colts offense. Going into the game, the odds were slim that the game was going to be at all competitive, but I knew that the Lions would be treading in dangerous water if they were to engage themselves in an offensive shoot-out. When the Lions did have opportunity to score they were only able to answer Indianapolis TD’s with Field Goals. Jason Hanson’s missed field goal seemed to deflate any spark the Lions offense had(and should be a major cause for concern, he has been among a LONG list of Lion disappointments thus far). Mariucci calling two pass plays (incompletions) instead of keeping the ball in the hands of the then, red-hot Kevin Jones, when the Lions were in scoring position was mystifying. Poor time clock managment at the end of the half(yet again, they had 2 timeouts!) was also very costly.

Total Yards Offense
DET 386
INDY 356

Avg gain per off. play
DET 6.2 yds
INDY 5.9 yds

Time of Posession
DET28:48
INDY31:12

Peyton Manning 6TD passes 0 INT
Joey Harrington 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 Fum Lost

The major determining factor in the outcome of the game was the 4 lost fumbles. It seemed to really effect both sides of the ball. The only positives that could even be taken from this game was the Shaun Rogers blocked PAT and the fact that Kevin Jones looked pretty good running the ball(99yds rushing). Otherwise, the season is starting to take on a familiar cast to that of other recent Lions teams and that is a major disappointment. The injury to Eddie Drummond that appears to be for the remainder of the season is a particularly impactful blow to the team. Pulling Joey Harrington, a decision a long time coming, also enacts the process in where we will probably yet again watch another quarterback’s carousel, not unfamiliar territory for Lions fans. Harrington’s poor performances and the team’s inability to capitalize on their opportunities have revealed that they are truly a very poor football team. The Lion offense has only scored three offensive touchdowns in the last 18 quarters of football, the team has lost it’s last 5 games and has achieved the dubious distinction of losing three games in twelve days. At least under Mornihnweg, the offense was aggressive and at times productive!

It is time for this organization to circle the wagons. They will have to re-evaluate every roster position. Mariucci has burned his free pass, he has to be held accountable for the regression of this team and the organization’s complete inability to develop it’s players. I think they will need to completely evaluate the team’s chosen offensive and defensive philosophies and determine if they are truly effective in their design. The fact that we as Lions fans are continually observing essentially the same ad hoc season ad infinitum with little tangible improvement should be a cause for alarm for the Fords. How long will they settle for this team being continually found amongst the doormats of the league like Cinncinati, Arizona, and Chicago.

Lions being honored today

Many Lions are being honored today. Robert Porcher is the Grand Marshall of the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Lomas Brown is on the inaugural NFL float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York with Tony Dorsett, Joe Namath and several others. We can’t forget the three Great #20’s:Billy Sims, Lem Barney and Barry Sanders, who will be receiving his Hall of Fame ring. All three will be honored by the retirement of the #20. At least until the next high-priced free agent signee demands their old jersey number ala Pat Swilling or Jerry Rice.

Lions vs. Colts Traditional Thanksgiving Day Game

It is hard to be very honest with myself while attempting to write this entry. I have always felt that the Lions have an excellent chance for victory on nearly every Thanksgiving Day Game. I still want to feel good about the Lions chances even though I have reached the following realizations A) Placing the Lions current losing streak within a baseball context, they have lost 40 games in a row B) They are horrendous on offense achieving 300 yards total offense only twice this season, unable to establish the run consistently and Joey Harrington has been off the mark of late C)The Lions Defense is beginning to falter due to the inefficient and ineffective offense and the fact that their secondary has been a disappointment. Yet, with this being the team’s only opportunity to be broadcast uncontested on the national stage, I believe the Lions will turn in a credible performance.

The Offense will need to be efficient and control the clock. If the Lions enter into a shoot-out with the Colts offense they do not stand a ghost of a chance. They will have to (and should be able to!) get more than 300 yds total offense. I think they will have to gain closer to 400 yards in total offense in order to have a chance for victory. The Colts secondary is currently slowed by injuries and they have been unable to limit most offenses this season. Running the ball may pose more of a challenge. The Colts defense has done the job against the run, although running succesfully against them is not implausible. Most importantly, the Lions can ill afford to continue their recent trend of giving away points by dropping touchdown passes or suffering from ill-timed penalties. Joey Harrington will have to show the same character and composure that Lions fan witnessed in last year’s season-ending victory over the Rams. His game management and offensive efficiency will be pivotal in any success for the Lions for the remainder of the season.

On defense, the Lions will have to hope that with the injuries to the Colts two starting guards that “Big Daddy”and “Big Baby” are able to disrupt Edgerrin James and Dominic Rhodes’s ability to run the ball. The Lions entire defensive tackle rotation will have to be counted on to pressure Manning, too with their desirable match-ups. This would also limit the highly effective play-action passing game of the Colts offense. As far as dealing with the passing onslaught of the red hot Peyton Manning, you have to hope that the Lions can limit him to 2 or 3 TD passes and keep the big plays at a minimum. The Lions ability to control Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison isn’t unreasonable, but how they address other effective weapons like Brandon Stokely and Dallas Clark will have a major influence on the game’s outcome. If the Lion’s front line can pressure Manning and force a couple of picks, then they may stand a chance. The Ford Field crowd will need to be virulent and unruly. If the Lions can perform well enough to recapture the same airplane hangar full of roaring jets-effect that Lion fans once had in the Silverdome, they could potentially hinder the audible-crazy play calling of Peyton Manning. With the current bad blood between the cities if Detoit and Indianapolis, it should not be difficult for the Ford Field faithful to express their disgust.

In the end, the downward slide will continue Colts 34 Lions 24. Steve’s Deep Fried Turkey Consumption, 12 lbs!
By the way, have I mentioned how cool the “throwback” Lions uni’s are?

Lions VS. Colts Tales of the Tape

31 Detroit Offense vs./ 31. Indianapolis Defense

Yardage
Yards 2,470/3,749
YPG 247.0(31st)/374.9(31st)
Scoring
Points 183/230
PPG 18.3(21st)/23.0(23rd)
Passing
YPG 164.3(26th)/261.0(31st)
TD 14(11th)/16(22nd)
Sack 24(19th)/26(8th)
INT 7(8th)/12(7th)
Rushing
YPG 82.7(31st)/113.9(15th)
TD 3(30th)/9(20th)

24. Detroit Defense vs./ 2. Indianapolis Offense

Yardage
Yards 3,488/4,190
YPG 348.8(24th)/419.0(2nd)
Scoring
Points 216/339
PPG 21.6(21st)/33.9(1st)
Passing
YPG 223.4(22nd)/290.7(1st)
TD 16(22nd)/35(1st)
Sack 29(4th)/6(2nd)
INT 9(17th)/7(8th)
Rushing
YPG 125.4(23rd)/128.3(9th)
TD 8(18th)/7(16th)

——–Turnovers—
TEAM——-Takeaways———Giveaways
———–INT/ FUM/ TTL/—–INT/ FUM/ TTL/—DIFF
DET(5th) 9/ 9/ 18/ 7/ 1/ 8/ +10
INDY(1st) 12/ 12/ 24/ 7/ 5/ 12/ +12

Injuries:
DET:OUT Boss Bailey (LB) QUES Az Hakim (WR) PROB Eddie Drummond (RS),Shaun Rogers (DT), BIG DADDY Wilkinson (DT), Damien Woody (G)
INDY: OUT Tupe Peko (G), Bob Sanders (S) DOUBT Rich DeMulling (G), G. Gardner (LB) PROB Nick Harper (CB), Joseph Jefferson (CB), R Mathis (DE), Mike (AKA the IDIOT kicker!) Vanderjagt

QB Comparison
Player——ATT—CMP—PCT—-YPG—-TD/INT—Rate
1.Manning 324/ 214/ 66.0/ 296.0/ 35/7/ 122.2
18.Harrington294/ 167/ 56.8/ 177.5/ 14/7/ 80.5

By the way, Peyton Manning has nearly as many TD passes this season as Harrington has had in his entire career! (In 2 and 5/8 seasons “Champagne” Joey has 43 TD passes)

Lions Trends

Am I the only person amazed that the Lions were only able to gain 41 total yards in the second half versus Minnesota in 5 drives! It has become apparent that the Lions offense is ineffective and getting worse:

Team/ TTL YARDS OFFENSE
———-DET/OPP./+/-
GAME1 262/342/-80
GAME2 266/386/-120
GAME3 256/402/-146
GAME4 227/279/-52
GAME5 125/434/-309
GAME6 325/325/even
GAME7 284/357/-73
GAME8 322/229/+93
GAME9 190/415/-225
GAME10 213/319/-106

The Lions have only attained 300 yards total offense in two games. One of which they lost. In only one game have they gained more than their opponent (the atrocious Mark Brunell QB’d Skins). As you can see in most games they have been outgained by a sizeable margin. It is very apparent that through time of posession and the differential in yards gained that as the season wears on it may even become more difficult for this team. The defense has played too many downs and logged too much time on the field due to the lack of a running game and the horrible slump that Joey Harrington has been mired (or Mirer-ed?) in.

USA Today Factoid

USA Today had another interesting factoid in regards to playoff contention. Several teams went into last week with a 5-4 record. Throughout NFL history 69 of 143 (48.3%) teams that were 5-4, made it to the playoffs. The tenth game was even more decisive in the potential for a team to enter the playoffs. 5-4 teams that lost and became 5-5, were 29 of 122 (23.8%), relatively unlikely to make the playoffs. However, 5-4 teams that won, becoming 6-4, were 76 of 123 (61.8%). There were no odds posted for 4-6 teams but judging by the likelihood of entering the playoffs at 5-5, the chances of making the playoffs at 4-6 are slim and none. Many teams realize that there season is over around this time of the season once they have hit 6 losses.

Thanksgiving Game

The Lions again have their one chance(usually the only chance each season) to be featured on a national stage this seaon, with Thursday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Lions also have a chance to achieve the dubious distinction of losing three games within the span of 12 days! The team will be a featured in front of most of it’s peers and millions of families nationwide. It is their last chance this season to gain a sizable measure of respectability.

The Lions 33-29-2 in Thanksgiving Games (.532 winning percentage). The annual tradition which began in 1934, was the brainchild of the Lions first owner, G.A. Richards, who had moved the franchise from Portsmouth, Ohio. The 1934 game was against the George Halas lead, Bronko Nagurski-era Bears. The game had high stakes, it was to determine the winner of the Western Division. The game was broadcast nationally on NBC radio and was a huge success, becoming an elemental part of an American tradition that includes turkey, cranberry sauce, indigestion, and gross overconsumption. The Lions lost the inaguaral game, 19-16.

For me, the game still possesses all of the magic it did when I was a kid. I enjoy nothing more than seeing the Lions playing in the “throwback” uniforms (the greatest uniform in all of professional sports, in my opinion!). The Lions usually turn in a competitive performance, even if the game doesn’t end in victory. The game will be especially festive when it recognizes it’s three great #20’s from the franchise’s history, two of whom are Hall-of-Famers! Lem Barney, Billy Sims and Barry Sanders all inspire pride among Lions fan and all are deserving of the respect and adoration that they will receive this Thursday. One thing I have always enjoyed about Turkey Day broadcasts is that in order to maintain a thread of continuity, the television broadcast will often feature film clips from past Thanksgiving games. I would gladly sit through an hour documentary about the history of this game and thoughts and reflections of Lions players who participated in it. It is really a shame in the era of national broadcasting, there would be little interest in something like that. Yet, we are going to be inundated with media glitz and an empty half-time performance from America’s second favorite “everyman” songrwriter, John Cougar Mellencamp. No other performer in America has better utilized the misfortunes of others (the plight of farmers) towards their achievement of their own personal gain. I am sure that Thursday’s performance will be just as earnest and credible as we have grown to expect from this erstwhile flannel-shirted ersatz rocker.

All of that aside, I look forward to Thursday’s game no matter how gut-wrenching the outcome. Nothing can match Chicago’s Dave Williams 2 kickoff returns for TD’s that defeated the Lions in 1980. That was the penultimate in Lion misery.

From Lions.com:
(http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=170724)

Memorable Thanksgiving Games:
(http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=4585)

Turn out the Lights, the Party’s over….

Sunday’s loss in Minnesota, a game in which they had posessed a commanding lead, rang the death knell for the Lions hopes in 2004. Any team playing for it’s playoff life who can’t preserve a 12 point lead in the 4th quarter of a football game, must yet again resume it’s rightful place among the rest of the leagues have-nots. The same elements that have factored into most of the Lions losses this season (and many in the past) again came into play in this game.

T.O.P.
Team 1st Half/ 2nd Half/ TTL/ +/-
DET 18:04/ 9:32/ 27:36/ -4:48
MINN 11:56/ 20:28/ 32:24/+4:48

DET +6:08 1st, -10:56 2nd

The Lions have now scored 3 offensive Tds in 14 quarters of play. The special teams have scored an equal number

Third Downs
Minn 8/15 or 53%
DET 4/11 or 36%

Passing
Minn 22 cmp/ 32 att/ 1 INT/ 212 YDS/ 6.1YDS/pass
DET 12 cmp/ 19 att/ 1 INT/ 67 YDS/ 3.0 YDS/pass

Penalties
Minn 7/51-7.3 yds/penalty
Det 9/116-12.9 yds/penalty

The Lions don’t have the margin of error to continue to play this poorly and hope to win games. There has been a lot of discussion over Mariucci’s decision to accept a pass interference penalty that turned a fourth-and-2 yards play to a third-and-12 yards, which Minnesota converted. Mike Tice later revealed that he was going to kick a field goal on fourth-and-2 yards to go. Mariucci didn’t think the Vikings would kick a field goal and he had hoped his defense would hold on third and long, which of course they did not. This one call, may have lead to Minnesota’s eventual game-winning touchdown, yet it was the poor, uninspired play of the offense and three very stupid penalties that were the team’s undoing.

Damien Woody, upon realizing what all Lions players eventually understand (and most fans, too), said that he had “never seen anything like that. So many different ways of losing football games, it’s amazing. It’s so bad I’m laughing (probably to keep from crying) I don’t understand it. I’m trying to laugh it off. It’s like we’re bipolar, and we forgot to take our medication. The first half is exactly how we wanted to do it. The second half-totally the opposite.” In a first half where the team played well enough, to control the ball and was able to spring Kevin Jones for 95 rushing yards, it appeared the Lions had a convincing 10 point lead going into the half. No Lions fan in their right mind could believe
that the Lions were in complete command of the game at the half, though. The scenario for the game’s eventual outcome has been played out far too often during the Lion’s history not to expect the worse. Even more difficult to swallow, may be the fact the Lions have yet to defeat a team quartebacked by Daunte Culpepper (8-0).

Again, at the center of all the debate in regards to the state of the Detroit Lions is quarterback, “Champagne” Joey Harrington. I am beginning to believe that Tony Siragusa’s comments were more prescient than we all wanted to admit when he originally uttered them. Harrington hasn’t been able to withstand the questions about his performance or leadership capabilities, he has yet to rise to the occasion like all great QB’s eventually do and lead this team with conviction to victory. It maybe a different time and place, but these comments from Yale Lary seemed to best represent the failure of Joey Harrington as much as any.

“When Bobby (Layne) said block,you blocked. When Bobby said drink, you drank.” taken from Michael MacCambridge’s “America’s Game”

Again, I realize these statements were made in a different era, but when have you seen Harrington’s presence command the respect and confidence for the rest of the Lion’s to overcome the odds and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? The reason I believe Siragusa’s comments may have some weight in regards to Harrington I have also taken from Michael MacCambridge’s excellent book:

Brian Billick: “I was at Stanford (as Bill Walsh’s asst.), and that’s a great place to coach and it was an enjoyable place to recruit and you interacted with a great class of people. But one of the difficulties at Stanford, was you had in large part a bunch of kids who when it’s fourth-and-goal on the one yard line against Notre Dame, know in the back of their mind, ‘You know, if this doesn’t work out, I’m going to be okay anyway. I’m going to go make my money. I’m going to have my career. I’m going to have my Stanford degree.’ And that’s all well and true, and in the bigger perspective that’s the way it should be. But at that point, I want them to have a little more at stake. Kids from less-advantaged backgrounds take more of that perspective. ‘This is my way out’”

A recurring theme of MacCambridge’s book is that many NFL personnel people have found it advantageous to acquire players from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and broken homes. As calculated and implicitly racist these views may be, you can start to see the validity of this view in regards to the career of Harrington. He doesn’t appear to have experienced the adversity in his life and lacks the motivation by which someone can become successful as a player in the NFL. He doesn’t exhibit the fierceness or resolve to overcome adversity. After the game, Harrington revealed the depths of his denial by stating that he felt he had played a good game (90 yards passing and a game losing interception?) and that he just wished he had that one pass back.

This season is a couple of losses away from being a complete wash. Any tangibly perceptible improvements over last season’s performance are now gone. This team must do what it can to salvage respect for the remainder of the season. As it begins it’s evaluation process for 2005, it may be facing it’s greatest challenge yet in their interminable rebuilding process.

Shaun “Big Baby” Rogers and Damien Woody selected to Pro Football Weekly Mid-Season Team

Both Shaun Rogers and Damien Woody have been honored by Pro Football Weekly magazine as members of their all Mid-Season team. Taking it one step further, both editors, Dan and Hub Arkush, said that Rogers might deserve the Defensive MVP award. It has become common knowledge throughout the league that Rogers is one of the most athletic and unblockable Defensive Tackles in the league and seems destined for an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

That being said, Rogers has had an interesting short career with the team. The Lions were fortunate to have him drop into the second round due to a serious ankle injury he suffered while still playing with the University of Texas. At any rate, he had a very promising first season. Then the following season, Matt Millen attempted to trade Rogers because he was overweight and supposedly lacked motivation. Thankfully for the Lions, Millen did not pull the trigger. Yet, Tom “Killer” Kowalski, Detroit Lions insider for MLive.com has reported that the team and Rogers’ representatives have broken off contract negotiations recently and the Lions will probably have to place the franchise tag upon him next season. I realize that you can’t build your entire organization around a defensive linemen, it leaves me baffled that the Lions front office have not quickly rengotiated the terms of the offer so that both sides can reach an agreement. Rogers is by far and away the team’s best player. Definitely a situation to keep upon your radar screen.