Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions help another team rise from the ashes…

This was another perfect example of the quintessential disappointing Lions performance. Facing a team with 2 practice squad receivers, 1 aging receiver, an effective young Tight End, no running game to be spoke of, and a lead-footed 41 year old QB, the Lions defense managed only one sack ,gave up several big plays to the two obvious weapons,gave up a scrambling TD to the aforementioned lead-footed QB and allowed the D.O.A. running attack of the Cowboys to be exhumed from it’s grave. That doesn’t even begin to factor poor special teams play into the equation.

The Lions are a young team and it is expected to experience it’s share of ups and downs. That being said, this is one of those games when the Lions are hovering on the periphery of playoff contention they will wish they had back. The Lions have yet again also contributed to the awakening of a sleeping giant. It is obvious that there will be continue to be bumps in the road and we as fans will have to learn to roll with the team’s varied performances week to week. Yet it is not unfair to expect more, I realize that Corey Schlesinger was unavailable yet again and that Stephen Trejo was injured early in the game leaving Shawn Bryson as the team’s lone fullback, still is it too much to ask that this team attempt to run the ball against a squad who had been recently giving up 5 yards a carry to teams with less than effective running attacks? Also, when a team appears as limited as the Cowboys were personnel wise on offense, why did the Lions not attack Testaverde more after pressuring the QB played such a major factor in winning earlier hard-fought road games against the Giants and Falcons? If Lions front four were unable to garner more than one sack(they actually didn’t get one Alex Lewis did), why not having the linebackers pin their ears back and pressure Vinny?

Their are two positives to be taken from this game:1) the Lions have yet again won the turnover battle and it yet again appears to be their M.O., they are an astounding +12. 2)Joey Harrington played a pretty good game considering that Roy Williams was unavailable and their was no running game to be spoken of.

The Lions MUST(!!!!!!) better utilize the young talents of Artose Pinner and Kevin Jones if it is going to continue to play the style of football that it currently exhibits. They do not have the playmakers, with the exception of Roy Williams, necessary to place the game entirely on Harrington’s shoulders without the benefit of a more balanced attack. It is time to take stock in the performance of this offensive line, too. If they are unable to provide more of a push upfront, the Lions will have to continue to address their personnel at this position. Otherwise, they might as well bring in Mouse Davis and 5-6 Arena league receivers and go back to the run and shoot.

By the way, make sure you vote. This appears to be one of the more important elections in a very long time!