Lions Owe a Big Thanks to the Detroit Tigers
December 5, 2007 on 2:03 pm | In Uncategorized |The flames of discontent and disgust were roiling, and were about to thoroughly engulf the Lions, to the point that I believe that Sunday’s home game against the Cowboys will be like adding an additional road game to the schedule, but then, the Detroit Tigers bought this pathetic franchise a little bit of time(or at the very least briefly staved off the inevitable).
William Clay Ford should be sending Mike Ilitch a big thank you card, balloons, and a new car in gratitude. The catastrophe that is the 2007 Lions season, has been ousted completely from the spotlight, and has been rendered essentially irrelevant, given the incredible trade that Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski was able to engineer during the baseball winter meetings.
That being said, with the Lions mathematically (don’t laugh) still playoff relevant, what a sad commentary, and a stark reminder, of the considerable dysfunctionality of the Detroit Lions franchise. Lions fans have absolutely no faith that the Lions will find a way to dig deep and fight for their playoff lives. It is commonly assumed that the season is finished.
The general consensus is that the Lions have mailed in another season and should just fade meekly to the background, which I am sure they will gladly oblige. In the halls of the Allen Park offices, the Lions “braintrust” should be a little dismayed. In an incredible sports town, with three incredibly succesful pro sports franchises, they are a mere afterthought.
The Lions should examine the considerable success of the Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers and take note. There is a clear, unwavering organizational plan that has been executed beautifully in each case. Meanwhile, the Lions continue to piss directly into the wind, 50 years after their last championship as a franchise.
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Not only are the Lions pissing in the wind, that wind is gale-force. I have to admit, yesterdays fireworks took my mind off the debacle that is the 2007 Lions. I really think this is the low point right now. They have reached an apex at six wins and now it is time to start over from scratch? Ford has to look to the Tigers and think that better things can happen. This change has to start from the very top. If they are going to “blow it up”, this had better be the last time. It’s getting kind of old. Really, really old right now. I can’t believe that they are going to have to start rebuilding from scratch.
When does Spring Training start? No. Go Lions. I still maintain hope. Hope that will be dashed in four miserable days, but it is hope nonetheless. The hope is that this sorry bunch will make a stand based on pride, whatever of that is left.
Comment by Hondo — December 5, 2007 #
Hope is for losers my friend. I hate to be harsh, but in a results biz, the Lions get a failing grade.
From the top down, the Lions front office, needs to make a avowed commitment to change, no matter the cost.
The Lions will continue to be “the Same Old Lions” until further notice otherwise.
Ilitch and the Tigers are taking a huge risk, but they are also “manning up” and taking their opportunity by the balls, rather than talking about incremental improvements, “loafs”, “poise or panic”, “one snap at time”, etc.
These are organizational attributes that don’t need to be reinforced, but apparently the Lions need a strong, constant reminder of what their directives are.
Comment by Steve — December 5, 2007 #
I’m not even wishing for a win against Dallas, all I want is for the Lions to run the ball.
I think that losing Roy Williams is the best thing that could happen to Calvin Johnson, Kevin Jones and the Lions for that matter. If only they could lose Kitna. This way they would be forced to run the ball.
It may sound weird but maybe that’s what they need. Forced to run the ball. That’s the only way they could really commit to it. Martz is so smart that he keeps outsmarting himself. Keep it simple. YES they know that a running play is coming, but so what. Play better than them and you’ll still be successfull at it. Do you think the Lions defense didn’t know the Vikings were gonna run, yet it still worked.
Every game the Lions won, they not only set-up the pass with the run but more importantly they kept the defense off the field. That defense is good, they’ve just been spending too much time on the field. That’s why they look like they give up in the 4th quarter. They’re dead tired.
Please Martz, just run the damn ball. AND STICK TO IT NO MATTER WHAT. Even if it doesn’t work. You have to practice it, not in practice though, in real games. You’re not gonna win the Superbowl this year use sunday’s matchup to practice. And practice the run game. I know it sounds stupid but I’m convinved that it’s the right thing to do.
What do you guys think???
Comment by Simon — December 6, 2007 #
The Lions were, and will remain, a pass first offense. I have no problem with that. The fact that Martz’s playcalling has rendered them one dimensional in most games is what I find problematic.
I believe there is some kind of coach/player internal standoff that is fueling Martz’s idiocy. That and the complete lack of quality offensive line play.
That beign said, Martz could use more max protect and dumb down the offens considering how unproductive it has become.
The Lions will be forced to run the ball to keep opposing offenses, and their defense, off of the field in hopes of keeping the score close. Without Williams, they are really going to have trouble scoring in my opinion.
Comment by Steve — December 6, 2007 #