Detroit Lions Weblog

Embarrassing Loss Expected, Harbinger of Things to Come?

There are no existing adjectives that can define how poor the Lions are currently playing.  The fact that the Lions were able to lose a winnable game, against a one win opponent, who had previously lost eight straight games, highlights just how low this organization has sank.   During Matt Millen’s 23-67 tenure, the team is an amazing 5-40 in road games.

There are no means in which to defend this loss.   It is actually quite astounding that the Lions were able to keep the score as close as they did Sunday.   After Sunday’s loss, and the increasing likelihood  that they will suffer a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Joey Harrington-lead Miami Dolphins, what remains for Lions fans?  Are there any more organizational setbacks that they can be expected to weather?

As much as I have held faith in Rod Marinelli’s ability to change the culture within the Lion’s organization and implement his core coaching principles, it is now becoming clearer that if the Lions continue their free fall, with a massacre on par with last year’s horrific Thanksgiving Day loss to the Falcons, then no job within the entire Lions organization should remain safe, including Marinelli’s. 

Marinelli’s ouster would be premature, but also an unfortunate necessity.   Let’s be objective, how much farther can this organization be allowed to denigrate?  When will fan apathy increase to the point where it will pose deleterious effects upon the future health of the organization. 

The Ford’s have been criminally negligent in their treatment of their dysfunctional organization.   Owning a pro sport’s franchise is a folly that few can afford.   The Ford’s, though well-heeled, aren’t completely stupid.   This organization can’t continue to chart it’s current course without seriously dire consequences. With that in mind, there is likely no bigger game than this Thursday’s against the Dolphins.  Within the addled minds of Lions fans, Thursday’s game is a source of pride.   The game is a long-standing tradition in which fans have grown to expect that the Lions will perform admirably, irregardless of their current standing in the league.  If that myth is shattered, there will be no sane reason left to follow the sad-sack Lions