Detroit Lions Weblog

Cursed Still?, Credibility and Quality of NFL Officiating is an Eminent Concern

Even with the recent expiration of the “Bobby Layne Curse”, amidst one of the worst start’s in franchise history, the Lions found the means to clutch the bitter agony of defeat from the ever elusive jaws of victory on Sunday, again.

The Lions definitely provided their most capable and inspired performance of the season on Sunday, in a difficult, at least for them, road environment where it is a near given that they will leave without victory.

The Lions defense was much more stout against the run, against one of the better rushing offenses in the league, and with their five sacks, and a near constant stream of pressure, the Lions kept veteran Vikings QB Gus Frerotte from getting too comfortable the entire game.

The “Polish Pop Gun”, Dan Orlovsky, acquitted himself well, and deserves a shot to continue to compete for playing time.  Orlovsky, far from proficient, was an adequate game manager who did little to hurt the team’s chances for victory, which is the most you can expect from a career backup earning his first start, in my opinion.

Aside from Orlovsky’s costly end zone scrambling mishap which earned the Viking’s a safety, and the litany of “wounded duck” deep balls that Orlovsky chucked to the mostly open Lions receivers, one of which nearly got WR Calvin Johnson beheaded, Orlovsky seems worthy of another shot in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the Lions secondary, a unrelentingly chronic thorn in the franchise’s side, that too often allows lethal big plays, with mind numbing coverage breakdowns where opposing receivers are surrounded by nothing but green grass, and the only thing that the Lions DB’s can boast of is possessing a bird’s eye view of the backs of their opponent’s jerseys, as they streak down the field for another gut-churning score.

There is no excuse, in a zone coverage, for the Lions secondary allowing the number of “chunk”, or plays that gain large “chunks” of yardage.   In man-to-man coverage, occasionally, a player is just going to get beat.  In zone, the objective is to keep the opponent from gashing you with costly big plays, by forcing them to throw in front of the defenders.  In year three, these breakdowns, with all of Rod Marinelli’s handpicked Buccaneer vets included in the mix, are inexcusable!

The Lions secondary, particularly Leigh Bodden, seems to operate better in man coverage, especially when the Lions are blitzing, where the opposing QB has to make a quick decision and usually decides to just check down to a safer play.

Unfortunately for Bodden, who had his best game as Lion, he was marked with a horrific pass interference call that ultimately cost the Lions their victory.

I usually avoid commenting upon officiating.  With the recent news that Roger Goodell conducted a “pep talk” conference call in support of the league’s officials, and the Ed Hochuli blown call in the Broncos/Chargers game earlier in the season, along with a higher incidence of clearly blown calls, I think it is high time for the credibility and quality of the league’s officiating to come into question.

It goes without saying that NFL officials have an incredibly difficult job.  That being said, the frequency of game-altering, or game-deciding refereeing decisions this season is alarming.

The phantom, late pass interference against Leigh Bodden, and the lost play review on Calvin Johnson’s “fumble”, that should have been overturned, where it was determined that the evidence of Johnson’s knee hitting the turf before his “fumble” was not irrefutable, will each stick out like sore thumbs, as the Lions continue to blindly grasp for their first victory this season.

The Lions did their noble best to not place their loss upon the shoulders of a poorly officiated game, but they would have been within their rights to lambaste the staff who refereed Sunday’s game, in my opinion. The Lions are facing long enough odds each week in their quest for victory, they don’t need any other obstacles placed in front of them.

I do believe that the playcalling of Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto needs to come into question, again. Especially in a crucial third and one yard situation, after a third quarter Leigh Bodden interception, where Colletto “dialed up” a dive play to fullback Jerome Felton, with the Vikings near impenetrable defensive front standing guard.

Against any other team in the league, I would back Colletto’s call, but with the Viking’s stout interior, the Lions should have either faked the dive and hit a short play action pass or ran a QB sneak, which usually stands a better chance for success than a handoff, anyhow.

Had the Lions actually converted there, and eventually scored, the horrific series of events which closed out the game never would have been a factor in the game’s outcome.

What did you say about that “Bobby Layne Curse”, anyways?