Detroit Lions Weblog

Culpepper Not Superman, Roy Williams Believes that the Lions Can Go 0-16

Well…I guess that Daunte Culpepper can’t change the facts…The Lions stink!(I believe the euphemism is, if you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig?)

Culpepper looked like someone who had been away from football for a full year.  That doesn’t mean he won’t still be productive for the Lions,  but the hoped for overnight positive results aren’t going to happen.

So now what?  Sign Jeff George? Vinny Testaverde? Doug Flutie?  There is no panacea for the Lions losing ways, especially if the Lions defense can’t tackle better than they did against the Jaguars.

That’s where the problem lies, band-aids over bullet holes are never a successful method of treatment for someone who is critically injured.   The Lions organization is currently terminal.

Even their star ex-receiver, Roy Williams, who went directly from the frying pan into the fire in Dallas,  believes that they will be unable to find a victory this season.   We all know that Roy has a propensity for running off at the mouth, so everything that he says has to be taken with a measure of salt.

That being said, the Lions look impressively close to NFL infamy.   Looking at their schedule, I defy you, tell me where their elusive “victory” resides, and can a single victory in sixteen games constitute a “victory”?

Kevin Smith, and to a lesser degree, Drew Stanton, provide a small measure of hope for the future.   Smith’s angry post-game tirade, where he was openly disgusted about the Jaguars laughing at the Lions futility, show’s that the Lions toxic losing culture has yet to take hold, at least with him.

In regards to Stanton, he proved that he wasn’t going to “embarrass” anybody, even if he was facing a prevent defense and still managed to be sacked several times.  His youthfully exuberant touchdown celebration, after throwing his first touchdown, was a genuine expression of joy, and did not appear at all contrived.

On to Carolina, another ass-kicking awaits…

Thoughts on 75 Years of Lions Football

If you would, as a Lions fan, like to feel some “warm fuzzy’s”, and get genuinely sentimental about the history of Detroit Lions football, look no further, The Detroit News   has provided an incredible, interactive package for the 75th anniversary team.

The News also has interviewed several players who are members of the team and the venerable, eminent Jerry Green recounts the day that Bobby Layne left the team for Pittsburgh.

As the Lions continue to embark on their journey towards an 0-16 season, I hope that this all was a necessary stage of the process of beginning to rebuild the organization in a manner which hearkens to it’s heyday, back when the organization actually won championships.

The Lions have a winning fan base, all the organization needs to do, it’s finally get all of it’s ducks in a row, or to use a Marinelli-wegism, “everybody needs to row in the same direction.”

The state of Michigan and thousands of Lions fans, have been patient and supportive, for long enough.

Week 10 Preview: 1-8 or 0-9, Jacksonville the Lions Fate is in Your Hands…

The Lions are facing their most winnable remaining game Sunday.  The Jaguars are actually an accomplished team, in a difficult division, who are clearly underachieving.

If the Jaguars can circle the wagons, and grind out a tough road victory, their season will be put back on track Sunday at Ford Field.   The Jaguars do appear to be a team rife with internal dissent and discontent, though.

The Jaguars coaches and front office are attempting to jolt the team from it’s malaise by providing a much more spartan, accoutrement-free locker room, an unpopular measure which is an transparent attempt to help the team regain it’s focus, after surrendering a loss last week to the previously winless Cincinnati Bengals.

The Lions still provide a convenient whipping boy for the hapless Jaguars, but the Lions do appear to be a team who have yet to wave the white flag of surrender, for now.  This very fact alone should gives the Jaguars cause for some concern.

The Lions face their most winnable game because the Jaguars may not be just an underachiever, they may actually be flawed.  The Lions can exploit their opponents weaknesses in a number of ways Sunday, and potentially garner the improbable victory that has been just beyond their grasp in recent weeks.

The unfortunate scenario for the Lions, amid their numerous keystone cops-esque mental breakdowns which have damned them each week,  is that they will feature a whole new center/QB combo on Sunday.

In the Lions vernacular, this is a strong indicator for a healthy dose of interceptions, missed communications/misreads between the QB and the WR’s, blown blocking calls/assignments, and poor snap exchanges.   The Lions are treading upon volatile territory here, whether they eventually feature either a green QB in Stanton, or a washed-up journeymen in Culpepper.

The Lions may actually be able to run the ball against Jacksonville, especially with DT John Henderson unavailable to play in Sunday’s game.   If they can establish the run, the Lions can allow Culpepper to shake the rust off, and exploit the Jags weak secondary with some deep balls to Calvin Johnson.

The real issue is whether the patchwork Lions offensive line can keep the Jaguars from enjoying a productive pass rush, or not.   If Culpepper, or Stanton, remain untouched, the Jags are in trouble.

David Garrard should enjoy a solid game, and could explode upon the Lions with his ability to utilize his feet, and remain admirably efficient.  His receivers are less than dependable, and the Jaguars have inexplicably struggled with their once vaunted ground attack, though.

The likely winning formula for the Lions is to keep Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor reasonably contained and force the Jaguars to the air.  Garrard is quite good, but his receivers, even against an awful Lions defense, are not a lock to make big plays.

Ultimately, short of suiting up some of the younger members of their all-time team, I think it is an awful lot to ask of the Lions defense to contain the Jaguars rushing attack and keep the game close for whomever is in place at the Lions quarterbacking helm.  The Lions will keep it respectable, but continue their march towards infamy.  Jags 20 Lions 14

Lions TV “Blackout” #2, Or How Do Poorly Run Franchises Celebrate Their 75 Seasons of Existence?

The Lions will have egg all over their faces again this Sunday.   Their home game against the Jaguars will be “blacked out” in accordance with league rules.

In a game where the Lions plan on celebrating their 75th anniversary as a franchise by wearing their “throwback” jerseys and are bringing several of their all-time greats to Ford Field as part of the commemoration of their 75th season’s All-Time team, their game will not be televised.

Not only that, but in what is likely their most winnable game left on the remaining schedule, where they also likely will feature another new starting QB, be it Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper, Lions fans are no longer even ambivalent about the team’s fate, they plain and simple don’t care any longer.

The Ford’s have no one whom they can conveniently direct a finger at either, except themselves.  Their failed, abysmal franchise is rotten through the core, and will not be embarking upon a phoenix-like ascent to NFL respectability, at least any time soon.

One strange scenario has emerged for Sunday’s game, by the way.  We all know that the Lions will have a new starting QB at game time, but they are also likely to feature a new center on offense, too.

The steady, reliable Dominic Raiola is more than likely going to miss Sunday’s game with a broken thumb.  Apparently, Andy McCollum is his replacement, if Raiola is unable to play.  Nothing spells burgeoning offensive disaster like a new QB and center combo, operating in an already ineffective and undermanned Lions offense.

The Raiders have released former Pro Bowl CB D’Angelo Hall.   Hall, who is among the league’s leaders in interceptions during recent seasons, is an underachieving malcontent, albeit a talented one.

I don’t expect the Lions will exhibit any interest in Hall, especially with the Cowboys being desperate for help in their secondary.  Hall is not a natural fit within the Lions defensive scheme, either.

Still, should Hall eventually pass through waivers, the Lions owe it to themselves, and their next coaching staff, to at least discuss a contract with Hall, if he remains available longer than expected.

The Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin is an especially good evaluator of the NFL draft.   Recently, Gosselin mentioned than the Lions, who are desperate for a pass rush, should consider selecting Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson in the upcoming draft.

Johnson is a 6-7″, 258 lb physical freak of nature, who runs a 4.67 40-yard dash.   Johnson passes the “eyeball” test and possesses all the physical measures of NFL success.   Gosselin is usually right about these things, too.

With that in mind, I am still very frightened by Johnson’s lack of production in college.   Johnson should dominate collegiate tackles, something he has rarely done this season.

The other element is, depending upon the next Lions coaching and front office staff, Johnson may not be a natural fit for the Tampa-2 scheme.  He may actually be more of a 3-4 outside linebacker who can put his hand on the ground during pass rushing situations.

There is no denying that Gosselin knows far more than I will ever dream of about the NFL, but the Lions need to hit a home run in their upcoming draft.   They have struck out far too often over the last 10 years, or so.

Culpepper to Start Sunday? The Lions 75th Season’s All-Ignoble Team (Millen Edition)

The Lions, at least if Rod Marinelli’s Monday press conference and the vagaries surrounding Dan Orlovsky’s current injury status can both serve as indicators, plan on having Daunte Culpepper start Sunday’s home game against the flagging Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars game is important because the organization plans on commemorating it’s 75th season’s All-Time team and is wearing it’s awesome “throwback” jerseys (Jerseys that deserve to be worn each and every week, in my opinion!).  I am quite certain that the decision to play Culpepper is driven by the team’s incredibly transparent desire to avoid a “black-out” of it’s game telecast and squeeze blood from a turnip, err–I mean try to coax a few more thrill-seekers to view the carnage of Sunday’s game.

I also believe that the Lions ignorantly believe that Culpepper, fresh off of the street, gives them a better chance to win against their upcoming foe, who also surrendered a victory to the winless Bengals last Sunday, than the plucky, Mike McMah–err, I mean Drew Stanton would.

The Jaguars are reeling and may present the Lions best remaining chance for victory.

In the spirit of the upcoming festivities,  I have created my All-Ignoble Team, the Millen edition, which essentially collects the misfits, malcontents, and underachievers who have been members of this moribund franchise over the last seven seasons, or so:

The Lions 75th anniversary All-Ignoble Team

Matt Millen Edition

QB Ty”7 INTS” Detmer-Joey Harrington-Mike McMahon-Jeff Garcia

H-Back Marcus Pollard

TB Tatum”Bell Hop” Bell-Olandis Gary-LaMont Warren

TE Mikhail Ricks

T George “False Start” Foster-Aaron Gibson-Jeff Backus

G Brendan Stai

C Damien “Duke Clinic” Woody

G Rick DeMulling

T Rex Tucker-Stockar McDougle

WR Charles Rogers-Bill “Alligator Arms” Schroeder

WR Mike Williams-Az-Zahir Hakim

DE Kalimba Edwards

DT Luther Elliss-Cory Redding

DT “Big Daddy” Wilkinson-Shaun Cody

DE Alonzo Spellman-”Kalimba 2.0″ Alama-Francis

LB Chris Claiborne-Teddy “China Doll” Lehman

LB Earl Holmes-Jordan Dizon

LB Boss”IR” Bailey-”Dirty” Davis

CB Todd Lyght-Fernando Bryant

CB Terry Fair-Bryant Westbrook-Otis Smith
Ss Kenoy Kennedy-Corey Harris

FS Terrence “Tory’s Bro” Holt-Eric Davis

P Leo Araguz

You’ll notice, I left off Jason Hanson and Corey Schlesinger’s positions.   They are both consummate pro’s, and neither deserves to  be on the list.  Got any others to add that I forgot?

Close, But No Ceegar..

The Lions, to their credit, are a much more competitive team entering week 10, with an 0-8 record, than most of us would like to admit.  That being said, they are a flawed and incomplete team, and the only thing that has been truthfully accomplished by their numerous near-miss losses is an enhanced sense of disappointment, for both the team and it’s fans.

Dan Orlovsky, had his career best game, on the road, with the obvious realization in mind that his days as a starter were clearly numbered.  This mere fact alone, should earn Orlovsky more respect than what he has previouly been given.

Orlovsky may never be a franchise QB, but he has proven that he can be depended upon, when called upon, which makes him a valuable commodity in NFL circles.

The Lions are ushering in yet another “new” era, the week that they are commemorating their 75th season as a franchise, with the addition of QB Daunte Culpepper.  How will Culpepper look to Lions fans, while holding a clipboard and wearing his Lions “throwback”, as fans chant his name in Ford Field next Sunday?

Much like everything else they have tried to accomplish this season, the Lions have bungled the Culpepper signing.  There has been a shroud of mystery around his signing, and the Lions apparently have kept Culpepper’s new teammates very much in the dark about his arrival, too.

Brian Van Ochten, who writes for the Grand Rapids Press, and MLive.com quite eloquently sums up the current Lions situation best:

“It reeks of the desperate and combined act of an interim general manager, Martin Mayhew, attempting to prop himself up for a full-time gig, a chief operating officer, Tom Lewand, attempting to keep Ford Field from being half filled, and in-over-his-head coach attempting to salvage a few meaningless wins so he can snooker owner William Clay Ford, Sr. into handing him a contract extension.  Nah, that’s never happened.”

Heed this, if the Culpepper signing turns out to be the disaster that it looks like it could possibly be upon first glance, Ford Field will have five fans, “Roary”, and the Kwame-lookalike who sings the Lions “fight song” after each score, in attendance for their last couple of home games.

The Lions did do a better job of putting the ball into Calvin Johnson’s hands Sunday, and Kevin Smith even scored another rushing touchdown.  The Lions defense also held Chicago to five three-and-out possessions in the second half.  All can held as signs of marginal progress.

Unfortunately, the meager progress and fight that the Lions coaching staff has been able to eke out of this talent-starved roster has proved fruitless, so far.   I can guarantee, with near surety, the Lions will find a way to wrap their paws around a cheap victory or two, as the season winds down.  In the process, all that will actually be accomplished is downgrading their high first round draft choice a slot or three.  Progress?

Week 9 Preview: Lions At Chicago, Michael Crabtree, and Culpepper, Signed?

Amid Rod Marinelli’s current 1-14 stretch as the Lions head coach, the Lions, at least according to numerous reports, have finally decided to add QB Daunte Culpepper (two-year deal) to the mix.

This roster move actually has no bearing on this week’s game, except for the likelihood that both Dan Orlovsky, and more conspicuously in his absence, Drew Stanton, will be highly disappointed about the news of Culpepper’s addition.

That being said, Daunte Culpepper, Steve Young, or Tom Brady, or any quarterback that you could insert, all would likely struggle within the Lions vanilla offensive scheme that features a poor offensive line and is decidedly bereft of playmaking ability.

Culpepper’s performance in both Miami and Oakland stands as firm proof that the whole is distinctly greater than the sum of it’s parts in the NFL, or in other words, in order to be successful, the offense as whole, needs to be of quality, one or two quality players will not be enough to get the job done.

That’s also assuming that Culpepper still is a quality Qb, too.  That is a dubious proposition, to say the least.

The Lions are going to be disemboweled by the Bears this week, at Soldier Field.   There is not one thing, short of the absence of both Nathan Vasher and Charles “Peanut” Tillman, that leads me to believe that a Lions offense helmed by Dan “The Polish Pop Gun” Orlovsky will be able to be more than pedestrian against the Bears.

The problem is, during most seasons, a pedestrian offense would cut it against the Bears.   Not this season, though.  Bears QB Kyle Orton has matured a lot, and he has an expanded palette of playmaking weapons that include RB Matt Forte, TE Greg Olsen, and WR Devin Hester with which he can exploit the weak, ineffective Lions defense.

The Lions do boast a better kicker, though.  Bears 31 Jason Hanson 9

By the way, anyone who watched last night’s thrilling Texas Tech/Texas game, and is still a Detroit Lions fan, has to be breathing of huge sigh of relief.   Had Matt Millen remained in charge, is there any doubt the Lions would have used their first overall draft pick in the April ‘09 draft to select the supremely-gifted Crabtree, should he decide to leave school early and enter the upcoming draft?