Detroit Lions Weblog

Kitna’s Costume Faux Pas,The Kevin Jones Factor

The Detroit Free Press’ Drew Sharp was not impressed with Jon Kitna’s recent costume choice for a Mike Furrey Foundation charity event.  Kitna, dressed as Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen, and his wife, Jennifer, dressed as a Wendy’s fast food employee, were lampooning Coach Cullen’s drunken, late night, naked drive-thru incident of last season. 

Kitna’s ribbing, albeit a little insensitive, seemed good natured and Sharp’s critical comments didn’t include any response from the Lions front office or Coach Cullen.  Cullen’s struggles aside, I think that Kitna’s costume helps lighten things up for the Lions as they approach the most difficult stretch of their schedule, where their games are exponentially more meaningful due to their surprising 5-2 start.

The response from Allen Park will be more telling, than any of our assessments of Kitna’s choice of costume.   Sharp did also recount an incident where Scott Mitchell dressed as then Lions Head Coach “Cocaine” Wayne Fontes, which frankly, would make a wonderful T-shirt, if any photos have survived.

As the Denver game approaches, Kevin Jones ability to run with the ball against the league’s worst rushing defense looms large.  The rushing totals are a little misleading for Denver’s defense, since most teams are unwilling to tempt fate and challenge the Broncos CB’s Dre Bly and Champ Bailey(except for the Packers on Monday).

That being said, Kevin Jones will be the single biggest factor for the Lions on Sunday.   If Jones runs with success, the Lions will control the ball effectively and keep the Broncos offense off of the field. 

They will also be able to open up their passing game, giving them a lot more play action pass opportunities than they are normally provided with, if Jones runs well.  Stay tuned….

Jonathan Vilma, Broncos, Charles “Green Bud” Rogers

Pro Football Weekly.com’s “Spins” section has an excellent feature on the Lions surprising 5-2 start.   In that column, PFW.com also makes mention of the fact that the Lions are hampered by the play of MLB Paris Lenon.  Meanwhile in New York, the Jets 4th year starter Jonathan Vilma has been lost for the season due to injury.  

In Pro Football Weekly.com’s “The Way We Hear It” column for Oct. 26th, they mention that Vilma is likely trying to force his way out of New York, who plays a 3-4 defense, so that he can play in a defense he is better suited for, the Tampa Cover-2.  The Lions would be an excellent landing spot for Vilma, so the situation bears watching.

The Broncos season hinges upon gaining a road victory against the Lions this Sunday, after their surprising overtime loss to the Packers last night.   The Broncos will have a short week to prepare for the Lions.  The Lions are going to be playing in front of a rabid Ford Field crowd.   All of which makes me incredibly nervous about Sunday’s outcome.

At any rate, Mike Shanahan, who is creepier than the recent news that Barack Obama and Dick Cheney are distant relatives (as if we needed any more evidence of the presence of a Washington/Weishauptian Bavarian Illuminati conspiracy lurking in the shadows….), will have his team prepared.  

Brett Favre did expose the Broncos vaunted secondary with some deep balls last night, so that may bode well as the Lions face former teammate, CB Dre Bly.  Nothing would give me greater joy than to see Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams burn the departed Bly on some deep routes.

The embarassment of drafting fragile WR Charles Rogers several seasons ago refuses to cease for the Lions.  Hopefully, after tomorrow’s hearing, in which the Lions are attemptiing to recoup $10 Million of Rogers’ original signing bonus, the two parties may be able to finally find some closure from their failed former association.  Regaining that money, is likely as dubious as Rogers’ failed career, but at least this sad episode will be finally finished.

Emergence of Ground Game, Opportunistic Defense Points Toward Future Success

The Lions have recently discovered a reinvigorated ground attack.   It is no coincidence that their once dormant ground game has been positively impacted by the return of Kevin Jones to the starting lineup.   Jones’ high effort, hard-charging style of running has always showed potential to produce.   If Jones remains healthy, the Lions ground game should continue to deliver bountiful benefits towards most games final outcome.

The emergence of two players may be more directly responsible for the amount of success the Lions have enjoyed while running the ball of late.   G Stephen Peterman and FB Jon Bradley have provided significant personnel upgrades and still possess untapped potential that can still be mined by the Lions offense.

Bradley’s tank-like roll through the middle of a pile at the line of scrimmage is particularly impressive.   At an athletic 300 lbs, Bradley is a hole-filling linebacker’s worst nightmare.  Especially given the Cover-2 zone team’s propensity for smaller, faster linebackers.   Bradley will not be mismatched frequently, if ever, when teams utilze safety-sized linebackers to stop the Lions ground game.

The Lions defensive ability to generate turnovers is a completely unexpected development.   Turnovers are a difficult to project variable, and the Lions have certainly faced some teams who have been piss poor in their ball preservation.   That being said, a defense will rarely be passive and find themselves gifted with turnovers, they do have to create them.

In a mediocre NFL, it it appears prudent to play a “bend, but don’t break” zone defensive philosophy since most teams are helmed at QB by either inexperienced, confused rookies or journeyman, perennial 2nd stringer’s who will eventually, when given the appropriate length of rope to hang themselves with by the zone defense, find ways to implode.

The Lions defense stands as an example.    Teams have moved the ball at will during most games, but the Lions have found the means to make the necessary plays to win five games.   It does remain questionable if this success will bear out when they play more accomplished teams, like the upcoming Dallas, New York, or San Diego, but in a weak division, that participates in a weak conference, the percentages for winning more than losing are pretty good. 

The Lions are on a track for future success.   A healthy Kevin Jones, along with the compliments of players like Peterman and Bradley gives the Lions a much brighter outlook for the future.

Hey Tommie Harris, Scoreboard!!!

In a game that effectively ended the Bears season Sunday, Tommie Harris’ pre-game guarantee of a victory seemed to have little or no impact on the play of his teammates.  In fact, the Bears, even with all of their success in recent seasons, are about as lost as any team in the NFL right now, in my opinion.

However, in Sunday’s game, the demise of the Bears was far from the most significant occurrence.   The Lions near-inconceivable emergence as legitimate playoff contenders, in a parity-saturated league where mediocrity is king, was bolstered mightily. 

The Lions certainly don’t provide their fans with much cause for relaxation (a games final outcome is never completely in hand) and they certainly don’t garner many style points for the methods they utilize in achieving victory.   That being said, Rod Marinelli’s Robert Duvall in “Apocalypse Now”-demeanor and Robert Bly-style male power affirmations seemed to have a taken a firm hold, and potentially have begun to transform the pathetic Lions franchise. 

As the season takes shape for the Lions, they seem to be developing a previously non-eixstent intangible for ekeing out narrow victories, where previously they would have been more inclined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.    The Lions defense, warts and all, has developed into a physically imposing, opportunistic bunch in spite of the relative success their opponents have enjoyed in moving the ball against them.

Offensively, the emergence of Kevin Jones, better play from their offensive line, and Jon Kitna’s recent ability to manage the game more effectively, and dial offensive turnovers down a notch, have all led to the very distinct possibility that this team will play meaningful games throughout the month of November. Unfathomable.

It’s surprising to me that the Lions are halfway to the seemingly premature prognostication of 10 victories by QB Jon Kitna. A 5-4 finish will get the Lions to those fabled 10 wins.   There still will be difficulties along the way, but as a Lions fan, all I really want to see is the continued tell-tale signs that a Lions season is not a complete exercise in futility.

Week 8: Lions Vs. Bears Preview

On the heels of Tommie Harris’ proclamation that the Lions will lose in Chicago this Sunday, I have been wondering, just exactly how can the Lions win this game?  Given the Lions 4-2 start, and the fact that Sunday’s game is against a divisional foe, this may be the biggest game the Lions have played during the Matt Millen-era.  It certainly is the most critical game of this season, in my opinion.

The Lions offense has been significantly less potent of late.   The Lions made some progress towards improving their rushing attack by making the decision to start Kevin Jones over Tatum Bell last Sunday.   Jones is a physical runner, and he seems to be a more complete fit in Mike Martz’s offense.

The Bears have a pretty good run defense, however, their defense is nowhere near as staunch as it was last season against the run.  In fact, I would not be surprised if the Lions were able to achieve a moderate amount of success in running with the ball on Sunday.  

I think that T.J. Duckett could be especially effective, albeit with a limited amount of carries. Situations where Duckett carries the ball, featuring Jon Bradley as a lead blocker for him, will give the Lions a major size/strength advantage over the Bears LB’s and DB’s, with which they could pound the Bears defense.

On the other hand, if they are going to win, the Lions must be successful with their passing game.  The Bears secondary has been depleted by injury for most of the season.   Given the slowly improving Bears offense, the Lions will need to rack up a lot of points through the air to account for how effective the Bears likely will be scoring against the Lions defense.   In order to be effective in their aerial attack, the Lions offensive line will have to slow the pass rush of Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson.  

The Bears will likely be without CB Nathan Vasher, which means the Lions may be able to exploit matchups against the Bears nickel and dime defensive backs with Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey.  

The Lions defense will have to continue to generate the high number of turnovers that have come with a surprising frequency in recent games, in order to win.   The Lions secondary has been picked apart in most games, in an attempt to limit big plays by playing their safeties deep, or using a “bend but don’t break” philosophy.  

The Lions front four has been a major factor in all of the their wins, and will continue to have to do so for the Lions to dream of having any  legitimate chance of winning.

The Bears have been effective utilizing double tight end formations in recent weeks.   It will be interesting to see if the Lions will utilize a safety, LB’s or a nickel back to slow Bears TE Greg Olson who could be dangerous, if the Bears use him to exploit the deep middle soft spots of the Lions zone defense with their vertical passing attack.

This has been one of the more difficult games me for me to project this year.   Most experts figure that the Bears defense will slow the Lions offense enough to give their offense the ability to score enough points to win.  In other  words, as bad as the Bears offense and defense are, the Lions defense is poor enough for experts to believe that the Bears will likely win.

When it is all said and done, I disagree.   If the Lions limit Devin Hester and play adequate defense, they will eventually outscore the Bears with a surprise 27-21 road victory. 

Lions Need to Ratchet Up Their Offense

The Lions are 4-2 entering the rough part of their schedule.   They easily could be, as many observers assert, 1-5 at this point, so apparently things are going well in spite of their performance up to this point.

The Lions defense has been opportunistic, but has not exhibited the ability to slow a better than average offense.   In order to win most games, especially against slightly better than average offenses, it would figure that the Lions need to outscore their opponents in a shoot-out, rather than trying to grind out a close victory.

In recent weeks, the Lions offense has been a little out of sync.   Combine the absence of a running attack, poor blocking in passing situations, and a more mysterious general lack of offensive output, the Lions offense doesn’t appear as explosive as it did when the season began.

The Lions have positioned themselves quite nicely to place themselves within the conversation as a potential playoff contender.   If they are able to continue to run the ball as effectively as they did against Tampa Bay with Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett, they might be able to rediscover whatever element of their passing game has been missing in recent weeks.

Jon Kitna doesn’t seem to have the rhythm with his receivers that he had earlier in the year.   Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald, in particular, should really benefit from teams attempting to game plan for Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson.  During recent games, they have been a little invisible.

Roy Williams, given his rare combination of size and ability, needs to step up his game.   In recent weeks he hasn’t exhibited the ability to make plays that the Lions need.  As a veteran, he needs to assert himself and not disappear in games. 

The passing game will need to be present on the road this Sunday against the Bears.   The Bears will likely slow the Lions ground game, so it will be up to the Lions offense to put pressure on the Bears with their passing attack. 

The Bears will employ a conservative, plodding offensive game plan to keep the Lions offense off of the field.  The Lions will need to score when they are given the opportunity under this scenario.

Bears Tommie Harris Provides Some “Bulletin Board”-worthy Quotes

Tommie Harris has thrown down the proverbial gauntlet.   Harris, as excellent a player as he has been, clearly must have jarred something loose in his head on Sunday, though.   Is stating the obvious really a motivational tool?  Are the Lions his Bears team will be facing on Sunday the same Lions team of seasons past?

Harris’ not-so-bold statements could eventually be damning ones.  “Detroit don’t come to Chicago and win in our stadium…” said Harris.  Clearly, the Bears 3-4 start hasn’t fully registered with Harris. 

The fact of the matter is that week to week, the NFL is as unpredictable as any professional sport can possibly be.  One week’s triumph doesn’t protect a team from the next week’s failure, that’s for certain.  

The Lions have proven to be a resilient bunch through six games.   They have embraced concepts like “slaying media dragons” and a we-against-the-world frame of mind that allows Mike Furrey to say “The Lions are 4-2, media. Kiss my butt.” which apparently, doesn’t sit well with the Detroit News’ scribe Rob Parker . (or the better informed Pro Football Weekly)

Parker’s column misses the point, clearly.   In spite of the Lions struggles, both past and present, they currently have a different quality about them.   I, like nearly everyone who has watched this franchise flail away miserably, have been waiting for, and expecting, the much cliched “other shoe to drop” this season. 

Something catastrophic may yet still happen, but the mere presence of players like Mike Furrey and Jon Kitna, among others like Corey Smith, Paris Lenon, and Troy Walters, all whose NFL careers have clearly defied odds, leads me to believe that this Lions team is built with another type of fabric which has been woven of a much higher consitution by Head Coach Rod Marinelli.

I wrote the Lions off on Sunday, and should have known better.   Jon Kitna’s two yard scramble/plunge is indicative of the type of desperation the Lions have utilized to achieve every victory that they have earned this season.

These victories don’t guarantee anything.   Yet, if I were Tommie Harris, or the Lions for that matter,  I would focus clearly on the task at hand.   Sunday’s game will be a huge factor in determing which team will emerge as Green Bay’s primary divisional competitor down the stretch.

Welcome Back, Kevin Jones (TFG!!!!!!)

The Bucs rushing defense isn’t necessarily the greatest predictive barometer for future production but, Kevin Jones 74 yards rushing and 36 yards receiving are easily the most encouraging elements of the Lions season, thus far.

Jones has provided glimpses of this type of production (or more) throughout his brief career.   Poor playcalling and serious injury have both hampered him from reaching his true potential.  

In spite of Jon Kitna’s 147 passing yards and the Lions continued offensive struggles, Jones’ production Sunday, and the potential expansion upon that production, may be the initial sign necessary to indicate that the Lions aren’t entirely frauds (at least not at the warm confines of Ford Field).

Given a 4-2 start and a healthy return of Jones before the season, most Lions would have embraced that promise with open arms.    Unfortunately, with each victory, no matter how meager, come increased expectations.   For at least one brief moment though, Lions fans have something to celebrate.

The Ghost of Lions Qb’s Past?

One thing I haven’t conveyed, or was too paranoid to try and convey clearly in my earlier preview, was my reticence about the Lions facing another QB in Jeff Garcia whose former employer, as we all know, was the W.C. Ford’s.  

Garcia, sans a Harrington-like chip on his shoulder, likely still relishes the opportunity to return to Ford Field, as he savors the possibilities. Garcia was not a very good QB for the Lions, in fact, he gave the appearance of someone whose career was likely nearing it’s nexus.  

Garcia’s phoenix-like rejuvenation is nearly unprecedented.  He has become a better game manager (zero turnovers through 6 gms.)  since leaving the Lions, but still possesses the same patented toughness and doggedly, stubborn ability to make plays in situations where seemingly no options were previously available.

Tampa is going to be hampered in their ground game, which places a heavier load upon the veteran Garcia. Garcia appears equipped to thrive in spite of the lack of a ground game, though. 

Considering his ability to scramble from the oncoming pass rush, and the Lions willingness to allow teams to dink-and-dunk underneath their zone pass defense, Garcia may be in for a field day.  

Their is a precedent of former Lions QB’s performing well against them during recent seasons.  Joey Harrington, Charlie Batch, Gus Frerotte, Jim Miller and Erik Kramer all immediately come to mind as players who have had success against their former team.   It would be nice to see the Lions put an end this trend. 

If you haven’t read Terry Foster’s Detroit News story today, (Soldier to Receive Purple Heart….)you must.   I wish I had this guy’s courage.

Week 7 Lions Vs. Bucs Preview

The Buccaneers trade deadline acquisition of RB Michael Bennett seriously changes the complexion of this game.   With the losses of “Cadillac” Williams and Michael Pittman to serious injury, the Bucs were going to have rely upon two young, inexperienced backs to carry the load for them.  

Bennett, although madly inconsistent in his NFL career and  also very injury-prone, has been a thorn in the Lions side in the past.   He has incredible speed and if he remains healthy, could help the Bucs emerge as strong playoff contenders in a weak division.

A lot of familiar faces have left the Bucs in recent years, but they are still utilizing a strong defense and a conservative offense to win games.   One familiar face to most Lions fans is QB Jeff Garcia, who has enjoyed a major career renaissance after fleeing Detroit two seasons ago.   Garcia has become an excellent game manager and he is the prototype for leading Jon “Chucky” Gruden’s “West Coast” brand of offense.

The Bucs will continue to do a lot of the same things that the Eagles and ‘Skins did to beat the Lions.   On Defense, the Bucs are going to pressure with their front four and drop seven into coverage, utilizing the same “Tampa-2″ zone coverage as the Lions.   

The Lions offensive line is going to have improve immensely if Jon Kitna is going to remain effective.   In particular, the Jeff Backus vs. Kevin Carter/Gaines Adams matchup may go along ways towards determining the success of the Lions.

Offensively, the Bucs will run the ball with Bennett and Earnest Graham and dink-n-dunk in front of the Lions zone coverage and force them to make tackles and limits yards after the catch.   Given the recent success teams have utilizing max-protection schemes to slow the Lions front four, the Lions may have to consider utilizing more blitzes to get to the QB, and relying upon man-to-man coverage in those situations.   Otherwise, Garcia will surgically pick apart the Lions secondary.

The Bucs opponents have a moderate amount of success running with the ball.   This is the week that the Lions absolutely need to mix in a heavy doses of carries to Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell, and T.J. Duckett.   Considering the undersized Buccaneers linebackers, the Lions may need to utilize some power football and force the Bucs to move one of their safeties up into the box, in hopes of opening up the deep, play action passing game.

Ford Field should be a major factor for the Lions Sunday, especially since Lions fans have had a week in which to distance themselves from the Lions recent road embarassments. 

The Lions have been opportunistic in their three victories against lesser opponents.   This will be a truer test of where the ‘07 team is developmentally, the Bucs aren’t likely to make many mistakes.  Bucs 24 Lions 20