Detroit Lions Weblog

“Stone Hands” Mike Williams Dashes Remaining Chance for Salvaging the 2006 Season

When Mike Williams was drafted, 10th overall in 2005, he was expected to be a little rusty, since he had missed an entire collegiate season after an aborted attempt to make an early entry into the NFL for the 2004 draft.  Williams was expected to use his long body, athleticism, comparative largesse, and excellent hands as an inside receiver who would move the chains and would pose an unmatched threat inside of the red zone.

Instead, he has been late or missed practices and team meetings, battled weight management issues, had his work ethic repeatedly questioned and failed to seize every opportunity that he has been given to succeed.   In spite of what he purportedly has to offer to the organization, and the gross sum of money he is being paid to offer those services, Williams has been a colossal disappointment. Williams had a major chance for redemption on Sunday, in what could have been a defining moment for the entire beleaguered Lions organization.   Instead, he dropped the ball, literally and figuratively.

Williams’ failure, if the Lions had not already weathered the failing of Qb Joey Harrington and WR Charles Rogers, would stand as among the worst the worst ever by any NFL player.   Williams will likely be given one more chance to return to Detroit next season.   Unless he makes a major turnaround, he will likely will never be given a better opportunity for success, than the one he was given on Sunday, against the NFC’s best team and Lions divisional foe, the Bears.    Taking that thought one step further, the Lions can ill afford to have the patience or optimism to expect any more than they have already received from Williams.

The Lions have one merciful game remaining left to play in their 2006 season.  The Lions seem to have a firm grip on the overall first draft pick in the 2007 draft.   Hopefully, the organization can learn from it’s collective failures, and draft the cornerstone player necessary to begin their arduous march back towards NFL respectability.   At one time, the Lions thought they may have made that selection in a gifted, young wide receiver from USC.  The continued failings of Williams should serve as a reminder how difficult it to truly is to make that giant step in becoming a professional athlete and how costly a misstep in that process can be to a professional franchise.

Impressions of the Upcoming Fan Protest, Personnel Issues

Lions fans plan on walking out of Sunday’s game with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.   As much as I want to support an organized expression of fan discontent over the Lions, I have to wonder, why bother even going?

The Lions are an abysmal franchise who are clearly brushing up against professional sports infamy and are residing on a short list of the worst professional sports franchises in history.   Why would anyone, attending a holiday game of their own free will, decide to walk out?  Will it make a difference?  Other than a few brief moments of attention on national television, I believe that any fan protest that doesn’t include not spending money on the marketing umbrella of Lions brands (concessions, merchandise, tickets, etc) will, in essence, change nothing. 

The Ford’s have shown that previous fan protests will not alter the course of this sad organization.  In fact, they appear completely immune to the apathy and anger that they have generated by consistently fielding such a poor team.  The charade is over, the Ford’s want your money and don’t care whether their paying customers are happy with the product they are receiving or not.

The Lions have placed 14 players on their injured reserve list.   The most damage has occurred on their offensive and defensive lines.  This is a continued indictment of the poor performance of the Lions front office in scouting and personnel evaluation.   The Lions need to to make it a priority to build a solid, quality offensive and defensive line through the draft, rather than assembling a mismatched, patchwork representation of what stands as quality line play.  A certain amount of these injuries are attributable to bad luck, yet, entering into agreements with Rex Tucker, Ross Verba and Barry Stokes came with a certain amount of risk involved.

Matt Millen should issue passes out of town for G Damien Woody and DT Shaun Rogers, by any means necessary.  Their disappointing performances provide a stark realization for the Lions, these are not the type of players that can be allowed to stunt the organizational growth necessary in the rebuilding process.

 Millen’s pre-eminent concern should become re-signing versatile DE/DT Cory Redding who has thrived in his new role as the team’s DT.   He has exhibited a great deal of untapped potential.  If the Lions lose Redding, they will be beginning completely from scratch along their defensive line.

Matt Millen also needs to start angling to move from the Lions current draft slot, be it 1, 2, or 3, and find a way to package players like DT Shaun Rogers and CB Dre Bly into trades for draft picks.   The Lions need to have their most successful draft in team history, if they plan on ever changing their current course.  As time passes, they are further and further away from possessing the necessary pieces to build a respectable franchise.   If they intend on changing their current direction, no stone should be unturned, no methodology should prove too unorthodox, in their efforts to rebuild their franchise.

The Detroit News’ Mike O’Hara made an interesting point during today’s appearance on the Tim Staudt show.   O’Hara says that the Lions should consider bringing in a consultant for Matt Millen (like former Packers GM Ron Wolf) to assist in the process of rebuilding the team.   The Texans attempted the same type of procedure by hiring Dan Reeves, which obviously hasn’t panned out for them, yet.   That being said, an outside influence can only help, when you are in the dire situation that the Lions are currently in.

Lions Lose Their 15th Cosecutive Game at Lambeau Field on Sunday

It comes as no shock that the Lions lost Sunday’s game against the Packers.  The Lions continue to show that their chances of achieving victory in their remaining games this season are slim, if not impossible.  The means in which they found to lose this game are growing increasingly familiar.

Brett Favre did not have one of his more memorable outings on Sunday.  He threw three interceptions, one of which could have led to a late Lions lead, had they been capable at all of scoring a touchdown inside of the “red zone”.  The Lions again found an embarrassing opportunity to defy conventional game logic, in the most inopportune of times.

Jon Kitna twice chose to audible from the play that was originally called to a quarterback sneak.   The first one, on a third-and-five yards situation, was an unbelievable decision that failed miserably.   The second sneak, on a third down inside the “red zone”, was an unfathomable decision when you considered that the same play had been stuffed earlier in the game.  The botched sneak eventually lead to the Lions having to settle for a Jason Hanson field goal.

Jon Kitna continued his string of 12 straight games with an interception.   The offense sputtered without the eminent threat of a ground attack.  Kitna was sacked six times, three of those coming from DE Cullen Jenkins.   The combination of an utterly absent running game and a leaky, patchwork offenive line has spelled disaster for Kitna in recent weeks.   At this point, despite the poor play by Kitna, it would be nearly impossible to evaluate Josh McCown or Dan Orlovsky if they were utilized instead of Kitna.   It would actually be patently unfair to throw them out to the wolves, or Bears as it were, when you consider the current state of the Lions offense.

So at 2-12, with another fan protest on the horizon in store for this Sunday’s home game against the Bears, what is left for this miserable excuse of an organization in it’s remaining games?  What can the powers that be do to assuage the growing discontent and apathy among Lions supporters.   The Lions will likely surrender meekly to the Bears, hopefully the Bears will exercise enough Christmas mercy that the embarrassment is kept to a bare (or Bear?) minimum.

Kalimba Edwards “I’m Stealing”

I really appreciate Lions DE Kalimba Edwards’ honesty.   In a recent Detroit News article written by Terry Foster , Edwards is quite candid that he is stealing money from the Lions.    Entering this season, Edwards was a free agent.  He was given a 4-yr., $20 Million contract by the Lions, who may have ultimately been bidding against themsleves, depending how strongly you believe that the Cleveland Browns had a genuine interest in Edwards’s services.

Edwards has always been the type of player whose physique and athletic ability have generated excited projections about his future in the league.   I have referred to Edwards as “Kalimba the Ghost”, because he often disappears as a legitimate factor in games.  Edwards has earned one sack this season and promises to rectify that by producing a more significant pass rush for the Lions during their last three games.

This pronouncement is the heart of the problem.   Edwards has been fully capable of providing flashes of potential that make coaches heart flutter and causes scout’s with stop watches dangling from around their necks to stand agape.   This is the very essence of the “tools” vs. performance debate, more commonly found in baseball.   Edwards possesses all of the raw tools, but never has been able to emerge as a consistent entity in the Lions pass rush.  His actual performance does not bear out the role he has been given by the organization as it’s designated pass rusher, a role he has been heavily remunerated for.  

Edwards is a well-paid, professional.   He understands the nature of the business.   I would not be surprised to see his contract re-structured this offseason, if he is not released all together.   He has openly admitted to have committed a crime by his lack of production this season, now he will likely have to pay a costly price as a result.

Only Certainty for 2007 Lions is Complete Uncertainty

As the 2006 seasons continues to evolve into one of the ugliest in Lions team history, it is only natural to begin to look forward.   Many observers believe that the Lions should retain Team President Matt Millen for one more season in order to allow Head Coach Rod Marinelli another chance to deliver some positive results with the team under his guidance.  After Sunday’s loss, I think this position should be reconsidered.

Rod Marinelli “wegged” himself on Sunday.   For those of you who have read my entries for awhile, you may remember me applying the derisive suffix of “-weg” to Lions head coaches, since they have all seemed to eventually bumble and stumble their way to infamy.   By choosing to run on their first two plays on the Viking one-yard line Sunday, along with choosing to try for a touchdown on fourth down rather than take the guaranteed three points when the team would eventually need two scores to tie the game, Lions Head Coach Marinelli, by proxy of a decision likely made by Off. Coordinator Mike Martz, became Rod Marinelli-weg.   He essentially “took the wind” (ala Marty Mornihnweg) and by defying logic, handed the game back to the Vikings, when the Vikings had been so generous as to allow the Lions the opportunity to get back into the game.

I really wanted to by into Marinelliweg’s program, just like his predecessor’s before him, he seemed to be offering the panacea du jour necessary to alter the course of this perennially moribund franchise.   Both he and Matt Millen are consummate football men who, it has become increasingly apparent, are incredibly ill-qualified for their current positions.  Marinelliweg possesses many of the necessary elements to be a successful NFL coach, I just think that turning around the Lions, considering their current situation, is a much more daunting task than he is capable of handling at this point.

The Lions are going to be rebuilding from the ground up in 2007.   They have an aging, journeymen QB in Jon Kitna and unproven backups.   Their only bonafide franchise player, RB Kevin Jones, will likely miss most of, if not all, the 2007 season.   Their offensive line has been dogged by injuries and never has been given full opportunity to gel into a cohesive unit.  They have been short a receiver to compliment Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, a player who they may also lose next season, all year.   Their defensive line also has been completely decimated by injuries.   Their secondary doesn’t have the type of personnel necessary for their cover-2 zone scheme to operate effectively.

Among projected Lions free agents, DT/DE Cory Redding, WR Mike Furrey, and possibly S Terrence Holt are the only players worthy of consideration for return to the 2007 roster.  In fact, I would let all of their other free agents leave and would also liquidate disappointing players like G Damien Woody, CB Fernando Bryant, CB Dre Bly, DE Kalimba Edwards and DT Shaun Rogers.  I would first attempt to trade these players for draft picks and then, depending upon each players salary cap ramifications, release each one of them I am unable to trade.

Here is a short list of players I think that the Lions are likely to retain: K Jason Hanson, P Nick Harris, RS/WR Eddie Drummond, WR Roy Williams, WR Mike Furrey (if resigned), DT/DE Cory Redding, LT Jeff Backus, C Dominic Raiola, TE Dan Campbell, LB Ernie Sims, T Jonathan Scott, G Frank Davis, RB Brian Calhoun, DE James Hall, DE Jared DeVries, LB Alex Lewis, LB Donte Curry, LB Anthony Cannon, S Daniel Bullocks, S Terrence Holt and CB Stanley Wilson, Jr. are the only players I am relatively certain will return.  That is 20 players out of a 53 man roster. 

Do Matt Millen and Rod Marinelli-weg deserve a chance to undertake a complete rebuild of this team, one they are highly unlikely to see to it’s finish?   It is becoming increasingly clearer to me, that a team that will eventually end this season 23-73, or just one loss short of the “Creamsicle” Buccaneers 74 losses in six seasons, needs to start anew in hopes that it will not remain in the same condition that it currently has found itself in.

Lions Loss Indicates Situation Will Likely Get Worse Before it Gets Better

I have been a fan of the Lions for about 30 years.  The vehicle for expression that I have been given through this blog has been both enjoyable and rewarding.   That being said, the 2006 Lions are without a doubt the worst team that fans have had to suffer through in my lifetime. It is also clear after Sunday’s game that the Lions are as far away from playoff contention as they have ever been at any point in my time following the club.

The most disheartening factor during their continued unraveling this season is the fact that the Lions have few, if any, players who seemed to be troubled or concerned over the continued disintegration of the team.   The enculturation process that is involved in joining this organization must be thoroughly examined and serious steps need to be taken in changing that process.   You can easily strip the names off of the backs of these Lions player’s jerseys and it would not be difficult to confuse them for any of the other inept teams in the organization’s long tenure.

The uninspired brand of football that the team presented on Sunday is inexcusable.   Most Lions fans believe that Head Coach Rod Marinelli was a reasonable choice for the job.   At this point, Marinelli’s incessant refrain over stressing fundamentals, discipline, etc has evolved into a nonsensical drone that is easily comparable to Marty Mornihnweg’s favorite expressions like “that is correctible” and “we have raised the bar.”    The truth of the matter is, the players have not responded to these core concepts and can’t be far from completely “spitting the bit” as the team’s season continues to be derailed.

The loss of Kevin Jones to a serious injury is a devastating blow.   If his injury is a Lisfranc fracture, as it has been rumored, his career may be finished.  The Lions again will have to undertake a near complete rebuilding of the organization from the ground up with few essential components in place.   Does Matt Millen, or Rod Marinelli for that matter, deserve the opportunity to oversee this process again?

Week 12: Detroit vs. New England

Entering into Sunday’s game the Lions are an astonishing 5-40 on the road since 2001.   They are also 23-68 during Matt Millen’s tenure.   I am trying with all my might, but there is not a tangible way that I can conjure that the Lions leave New England with a victory this Sunday. 

Offensively, the Lions have sputtered horribly of late.  They have committed too many penalties and turnovers. They have grossly inefficient trying to score inside the red zone.   With that in mind, the Lions are facing a staunch New England defense that will likely pressure Kitna mercilessly and is likely to generate a few turnovers.  New England’s defense can occasionally be vulnerable to allowing big plays, especially in the passing game.  Even if the Lions are able to capitalize on some big plays, it will likely be too late. 

The Lions defense is allowing teams to complete nearly 70% of their passes and have been unable to slow their opponent’s ground attack ever since they lost three of their starting defensive linemen.  If the Lions allow Tom Brady to complete 70% of his passes, they may lose by 40 points.   I completely expect for RB’s Corey Dillon and Laurence Moroney to each run at will against the depleted Lions front.  New England has committed more turnovers than normal of late, so it is possible they could help keep the Lions in the game by turning the ball over.

New England usually reserves it’s best football for December as it prepares for the playoffs.   This is the bleakest outlook I have ever had for a Lions team, so I am expecting Sunday’s game to be a brutal loss.   The biggest mystery may be who will play QB for New England in the fourth quarter–Vinny Testaverde or Matt Cassel. 

Pats 41 Lions 17