Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Perform Admirably in Victory Over Falcons

The Lions were quite impressive in their Sunday victory over the Atlanta Falcons.  They exhibited a toughness and resilience that has been sorely lacking within this organization for a long time.   One particular moment that should stand out in future Lions lore as a defining moment of this team occurred late in the game.   QB Jon Kitna scrambled from out of the pocket during the 3rd quarter on Sunday, and as he gained a first down, he entered into a feet-first slide.   While Kitna was sliding, Falcons LB Michael Boley and CB De Angelo Hall entered into the play.   Hall, who is developing a negative reputation around the league as a dirty player, delivered an ugly cheap shot to Kitna’s head.   Kitna, understandably angered, immediately went after Boley and Hall engaging in a brief melee, rather than stepping away from the pile.  Obviously, it is not advisable for Kitna to make a practice of engaging in these type of physical altercations, but Kitna’s stubborn unwillingness to back down from the Falcons was emblematic of the Lions performance throughout the day.

One element of Sunday’s game that I thoroughly underestimated prior to the game was Rod Marinelli’s previous involvement in successful game plans (in Tampa Bay) which have been able to limit the damage incurred by Michael Vick.   Vick, who prior to Sunday’s game was being trumpeted throughout the league as finally fulfilling his anticipated potential, played more like the inconsistent, incomplete player that has unfortunately marked his career rather than playing like the stalwart that everyone so anxiously awaits.  I never believed that the undermanned Lions defensive front would be able to exhibit the type of discipline necessary to provide capable resistance against the dynamic Vick.  I take a great deal of joy in the fact that Vick’s Hall of Fame enshrinement will have to wait at least one more week.

The Lions offense is beginning to establish a new watermark for the level of performance that it can provide each week.  The emergence of RB Kevin Jones and WR Roy Williams, along with the steady, defiant hand of journeymen QB Jon Kitna all represent players that this team can hopefully begin to depend upon.  The healthy return of veteran offensive linemen Ross Verba and Rex Tucker are also worthy of mention, because it is obvious to me that the Lions offensive line is much better with them than without them.

Most important for the Lions, at this season’s midpoint, is their ability to build upon Sunday’s success and string together a few wins.  As the old adage goes, a blind squirrel will eventually find an acorn, and it is up to the Lions to prove that Sunday’s performance was no aberration, but a representation of games to come.