Heartbreaking Loss Just Not Good Enough
December 10, 2007 on 3:13 pm | In Uncategorized |Leave it to the Lions. Jason Hanson misses a late chip shot field goal, which would have forced the Cowboys to have to score twice in rapid succession as the clock expired in order to win. One miracle Cowboys turnover, inside the red zone, as the Cowboys were about to score, was unfortunately followed by poor offensive playcalling and inadequate time management.
Another later botched fumble recovery during the Cowboys game winning drive, which, if it had been recovered by Paris Lenon, would have likely finished the Cowboys chances, and the inevitable flourish, a Romo-to-Witten score that completely, and deeply, drove the nails into the coffin of the improbable Lions 2007 playoff hopes.
An exciting denouement to be sure, but also a heart-wrenching one, too. It is utterly amazing how quickly the Lions allowed this game to turn on them. As a Lions fan, I have seen this script unfold so MANY times that I nudged my friend and told him, “You watch, we’ll lose this 28-27, yet,” after the Lions had made the score 27-14.
That is where the problem lies, the Lions organization has not been placed into a position by it’s leadership where they can routinely win this type of game, and that will likely remain the case for the foreseeable future.
As a fan, there are no moral victories to be gleaned from this one. Yes, they didn’t get blown out like I expected, but ultimately, if you don’t produce a victory, in a clearly winnable game, than you have failed.
Where this leads for the Lions I am unsure. All I know is that if you have an opportunity to make the playoffs, and clearly the Lions 6-2 start put them in ample position to do so, and you don’t, then there is a major problem.
In my eyes, the positives of their performance will not resonate long. What will stand as symbolic of this organization’s continued struggles will be things like kickoff coverage being so poor that the Lions were forced to “pooch” kickoffs and concede the 35 yard line as the Cowboys drive starting point. The fact being that franchise building blocks like Shaun Rogers, was unable to play during the most critical time of the game because he is clearly in poor playing condition, and players like Cory Redding, Jeff Backus, and most conspicuous by his absence, Kalimba “The Ghost” Edwards, are not getting the job done. In which case , the Lions face the undesirable, and interminable, rebuilding process staring them in the face, yet again.
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On the bright side . . . you won’t have to worry about me making any foolish predictions any time soon. I was heartbroken. Not to sound like a little kid, but IT JUST ISN”T FAIR!
Comment by Hondo — December 10, 2007 #
The Lions Special Teams is one of the main reasons they have been placed in a 5 game loss situation. They prooved it again this week against Dallas where they were forced to pootch-kick to their 35 yard line each time with one return back to the Lions 40! Next season, they must make changes in this Dept!
Comment by waiting4theyear — December 10, 2007 #
I am so f—ing angry right now. I was on a Lions board which had a link where somebody pointed out that the Patriots, who have San Fran’s first rounder (and didn’t lose it on the videotaping incident) may actually pick second in the draft. WTF is that all about? This is absolute bulls–t. How in the hell? What is the point anymore? Parity in the NFL? I wish I was a Dolphins fan. Then I would have hope. How the Sam Hill do the Patriots, who may very well win the Superbowl (Note to Lions fans–the Superbowl is a game which pits the top team in the NFC against the top team in the NFC) get to pick higher than the Lions? I’m actually going to lose sleep over this. They will actually pick higher than the Lions? I guess it doesn’t matter because Millen will just blow the flipping pick anyway.
Comment by Hondo — December 10, 2007 #
ha ha noonan…root for the Wings, or the Pistons. Much as the Wings were laughing stocks under the Norris ownership, and the Tigers under Monaghan (and the Orioles under Angelos now) the Lions WILL NEVER contend under the Ford ownership. Get over the Patriots success; they have owners who know what the (obsecene word deleted) they are doing. Be happy with the Wings, Pistons, Tigers, and Spartan BBall teams!
P.S. Get some Wings tickets (7 in a row and top points in the NHL) and I will meet you over Christmas break!!! Oh, and Rick and I will split Tiger season tickets if any are still available.
Comment by T Rick — December 10, 2007 #
You know….rooting for today’s Lions is just as embarrasing as rooting for George Bush….they’ve both failed miserably and their cheering sections have been all but depleted.
Someone call me when Millen’s gone, please.
Comment by SleePac — December 11, 2007 #
I probably won’t root for the Pistons–Kind of sick of the NBA. The Wings, much like tiny bubbles in my wine, make me happy. The Tigers (you are referring to the team with the best line up in baseball right?), won’t be around for three months. It would be so nice to be a Patriots fan. The excitement. To actually be up by two touchdowns and expect to win. Must be nice.
SleePac–Don’t wait around for the call–Millen will engineer the rebuilding phase we are about to enter.
Comment by Hondo — December 11, 2007 #
About to enter??? Holy crap….I thought we’ve been in this phase for the past 6 seasons!!
Comment by SleePac — December 11, 2007 #
We’ve reached the apex of our progress. When a team reaches the top, it is natural that they will have a slide and need to rebuild. We got as good as we could, now we have to rebuild. We knew this day would come.
Comment by Hondo — December 11, 2007 #
Yup-Yuk I was talking to Whitey about the Pats getting McFadden. Scary. What’s truly scary is the fact that Millen gets outperformed so consistently by his peers. It’s unfathomable. The Lions 3 second rounders:Drew Stanton (dnp/injury), Ikaika Ilama-Francis(3 games), and Gerald Alexander (played the whole season, due to injury). These draft picks are TOO valuable for Millen to keep screwing up. Stan Kwan is counting the days until he is the among the Lions end of season sacrificial lambs…….
Comment by Steve — December 11, 2007 #