Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 3: Redskins Vs. Lions PreView

Football is a wonderful game that generates more passion, and feelings of commonality, than any other sport I can think of. As I was walking to my local library, to use a computer (to write this entry), I heard/saw a guy who was clearly disheveled and missing a few choppers, the remaining ones appearing somewhat gnarled, hollering at me. I was certain the guy was about to serve up a story about being from another town and somehow ending up unfortunately stranded here in Lansing.

The next question would likely be, in my mind, at least, whether I could lend him the bus fare money necessary so that he could return to the misbegotten locale that he had came from. But, I was wrong. He started shouting out of breathe, “Are you a Giants fan?”, in his best and seemingly, authentic Jersey-ite accent, as he ran towards me. I said “No, I am just a huge football fan, ” standing ashamedly (for pre-judging) in my Giants Jeremy Shockey-jersey, which I had purchased at a Goodwill about a year ago. We had a brief discussion about the Giants being 2-0 and he even had time to discuss the Lions with me, “F@ck the Lions, They Suck!” I guess that does unfortunately sum it all up, doesn’t it?

Entering this week’s game, with the roiling discontent over Matthew Stafford’s early performance bubbling up at it’s earliest, least igneous stage, in what will likely end up as conflagration by mid-season, this game represents one of the Lions best chances for achieving a victory this season. This is also Matthew Stafford’s best chance to begin to prove his mettle and future worth to the organization.

In order to do so, the young Stafford needs to manage the game better, make better decisions (such as not throwing across his body, back into zone coverage, while rolling out to the short side of the field, with several defenders surrounding his “intended” receiver), and just take what the defense has given him, in most cases.

Offensively, I think the Lions game plan will similar to the one they had against the Vikings, especially in the first half of the Vikings game, before they had fallen too far behind. They are going to find it difficult to pound the middle against the Redskins DT’s Albert Haynesworth and Cornelius Griffin, so they will likely try to get to the edge of the ‘Skins defense, both running (sweeps, off tackles, quick pitches, etc) and passing (screens, swing passes, slants, etc.), where they had similar success against the Viking’s much stout-er ‘Williams Wall”. The good thing is, the Redskins offer nowhere near the quality of edge rushers as the Vikings did with Jared Allen and Ray Edwards. Aging veterans, Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels, along with rookie OLB Brian Orakpo, who is likely to occasionally play with his hand on the ground in clear passing situations, are exploitable for the Lions, if Gosder Cherilus and Jeff Backus come to play.

Another player, Brandon Pettigrew, who was largely drafted, in part, due to his success against players of Orakpo’s caliber in the Big 12, could be the difference-maker necessary to exploit the ‘Skins, since they have a very good secondary who will likely direct nearly all of their attention (like all teams) towards limiting Calvin Johnson. Teams are going to play a combination two-deep zone with Johnson bracketed (double-covered), until the Lions prove that their other receivers, enter Pettigrew, along with Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, et al can make them pay for doing so. Pettigrew will need to work the seam, and take advantage of any match-ups he has with linebackers in coverage and find the soft spots in the ‘Skins zone coverage. as they open up.

The ‘Skins safeties are big, physical, fast and can cover a lot of ground. If Matthew Stafford felt abused by Chad Greenway and Darren Sharper, he had better be careful throwing into a tight window against LaRon Landry and Chris Horton, or he could be in for a very long day.

Defensively, with the struggles the Redskins offense has in scoring, the Lions need to play a sound game, like they did against the Vikings (for the most part), with a little better defense against the run. Embattled Jason Campbell will be content to serve as a game manager, handing the ball off to Clinton Portis, and delivering safe, short passes to Chris Cooley, Santana Moss, and Antwaan Randle-El.

The Lions safeties, Louis Delmas and Marquand Manuel, were very active last week. Look for the ‘Skins to attempt to play action them, as they fly up in run support, to throw the occasional deep ball to Santana Moss.

With DeAndre Levy almost assuredly taking Ernie Sims place on Sunday, look for the Skins to run his way, and to attempt get him matched up with Chris Cooley, whenever possible. Levy’s play, in Sims’ stead, will be a major factor Sunday for the Lions defense.

In the end, as much as I want to see it happen, I just don’t think the Lions defense will be able to rise to the occasion enough, to slow the ‘Skins plodding, exciting-as-watching-paint-dry brand of offense. This will be a tough one to watch, Thanks heavens for “black-outs’”, eh! Redskins 17 Lions 13

At the very least, do what you can to honor, commemorate or celebrate, whatever you choose, today being the one-year anniversary of Matthew George Millen’s termination, one year ago today, as a Lions executive!