Detroit Lions Weblog

If a Lions Team Plays In Ford Field During Week 17, And No One is There, Does a Game Still Happen?

Upon the news that Lions Qb Matthew Stafford was going onto the injured reserve list, in order for Stafford to have knee surgery, the Lions season went from poor and disappointing to a completely unremarkable, shrugging, “who cares?”-stab at dull moribund-ity(is this a real word?), at least for this Lions fan.

A Lions Season Without Matthew Stafford?

The Lions did pick up veteran journeymen QB Patrick Ramsey to take Stafford’s roster spot, and hopefully, provide the team with an unforeseen capable backup moving forward, at a low cost, given that the future’s of Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton are dubious, at best, in Detroit.

Lions Fans New Favorite Player, Patrick Ramsey?

Lions fans traditionally become fixated upon the team’s backup, hoping for a ready-made, “cure all”-panacea for the team’s interminable organizational woes, with quarterback being the most obvious place to begin making improvements, as the team’s fortunes perennially flag towards futility.

Ramsey is no franchise savior, but he does have some much-needed experience as a clipboard holder, and if he becomes familiar with Scott Linehan’s offense, could prove valuable to the Lions organization as a cheap, reliable option, who already believe that they have a “starting quarterback”, he is just unavailable for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Hopefully, Matthew Stafford will find the time during his “busy” off-season, to begin to become the player that the Lions believe that he will become, moving forward.

“Hey Ladies, Didju Know That I am a NFL Qb?”

At any rate, besides a likely 50% personnel overhaul this off-season, the Lions desperately need for Matthew Stafford to have a quick rehabilitation period, and for Stafford to make exponential leaps and bounds in his poise, understanding, and approach to being the Lions franchise Qb, as the team continues to fight towards respectability.

In regards to Sunday’s game, with a short week, after the improbable and unexpected victory that they enjoyed over the Vikings Monday, who knows which Bears team will show up to play at Ford Field this weekend?

One thing that is readily apparent is that Bears coach Lovie Smith is on the proverbial “hot seat”, and has even been unable to receive the dreaded “vote of approval” from his boss, and also heavily embattled, Bears GM Jerry Angelo. The discontent of Bears fans appears to be significantly on the rise, as they continue to fret over the sad state of the Bears organization.

One thing that I am sure of, regardless if the Lions starter at Qb is Drew Stanton, Daunte Culpepper, Patrick Ramsey, or Bob Gagliano, from this point onward, the Lions are going to have to work much harder to generate some needed fan interest, and even harder not to have lovely Ford Field become the most poorly attended site for NFL games in the entire league.

Welcome To Ford Field, Please Forgive Our Tumbleweeds...We are Attempting to Build a Respectable Football Team.

So as one season comes to close, the Lions have a ton of work ahead of them. After what appears to have been a successful 2009 draft, the upcoming April 2010 draft will be a good place to start, regardless if the Lions pick 1st, 2nd or 3rd overall…

Martin Mayhew Uses Rod Marinelli’s “Shovel” to
“Upgrade” the Fecal Detritus Known as the Team’s Personnel

Update:The fact that the Lions appear on the verge of a “sellout” for this Sunday’s game does not mean that there won’t be plenty of empty seats at Ford Field Sunday, especially when news breaks that Daunte Culpepper is likely to be the team’s starting Qb in that game.

Week 16 Preview: Lions Vs. San Francisco, It’s A Drew-Ish Christmas

I hate to “punish” you with such a ridiculous title to this entry, but I couldn’t resist. Even with this game being Drew Stanton’s inaugural start as a Lion, the bigger story is the fact that the Lions have lost 19 straight road games and are 3-35, in their last 38 games. What else is their to talk about? Hey, the draft is in April…

Lions Fans Hope to Have a Happy Holiday, Despite Their Team

At any rate, put your egg nog down, or else you might spit it out in exasperation, even though the Lions will likely lose, they might actually have a puncher’s chance against the Niners Sunday.

The Lions fatalist in us all, with a lustful glint directed towards this April’s draft, can see the unfortunate nightmare scenario playing out in such a manner that the Lions will improbably muster the performance necessary to defeat the Niners, and move the team further down the draft board, and futher away from, an eventual selection of a much-needed starting defensive linemen. Sorry, I am not subscribing to the ridiculous notion that wins in either of the two Lions remaining games could be the template for building momentum entering next season. To Quote Chad Ochocinco:

Child Please!

A win in either of the last two games would be the equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig, the Lions would still be a terrible team with 3 or 4 victories, instead of 2. What’s the difference? There are signs of improvement, I’ll concede, but not enough to get carried away.

Lions Fans Wouldn't Be Overjoyed By the Lions Adding Victories at This Juncture

The Lions will be facing a formidable defense in the Niners, who will utilize it’s front seven to pressure Drew Stanton, and force the newbie Qb into mistakes and poor decisions, with their blitzing 3-4 defense. Stanton, and the Lions will need another substantially productive performance from RB Maurice Morris to take the pressure off Stanton, and tax the safeties who will be bracketing Calvin Johnson all day.

Dre Bly Looks Forward to Facing Stanton's Lions

Ex-Lion Dre Bly is a Niners corner now, it will be exciting to see whether he is particularly motivated facing his former teammates. I expect that he will rather talkative, especially if the game devolves into a blow out, or he makes a play that could eventually impact the game’s final outcome.

I believe that the Lions defense will likely be their undoing in this game. The Niners offense, which is beginning show the promise necessary for them to become a viable playoff contender in the future, could really go off against an undermanned Lions defense.

I expect that Alex Smith will enjoy a Brady Quinn-like statistical boost from the defense who has allowed their opponents the most points scored of any team in the NFL. Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Josh Morgan comprise the makings of a devastating tandem of receivers, whom the Lions will likely have no answer for.

The mere thought of it reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas presents ever:

The Niners Could Enjoy A High Scoring Game Against the Lions Sunday

As I mentioned earlier, the Niners are not entirely formidable as opponents. There is still a possibility that the Lions could make similarly opportunistic plays to those that they made in last week’s game against the Cardinals so improbably close.

In the end, I expect that the Lions will lose by a score of 24-14, and Drew Stanton will not have an outstanding game, but will adhere to Scott Linehan’s game plan and acquit himself in the hearts of Lions fans with a mediocre, but game performance.

Apparently, Stanton Gets His Shot Next.

Let the Drew Stanton era begin!? Apparently, the Lions are going to keep Matthew Stafford’s sore shoulder on ice, and it is quite possible that he could be done for the year, too.

Drew Just Got His Very Own “Red
Ryder” BB Gun!

For Stanton, this has to be the ultimate realization of a dream, and likely the best Christmas present that he has ever received. He has to be legitimately excited by his finally being given an opportunity to start.

Most Lions fans, at least those who still bother to actually watch their games, have to be ecstatic that they won’t be subjected to another brutal performance from a clearly washed-up, Daunte Culpepper (0-9 as a Lions starter). Culpepper has no future in Detroit, but Stanton might. This is a prudent organizational decision, even if the Lions uncover that Stanton, with all of his “gutsy and spunky” (or, with props to Neil from Armchair Linebacker, “Grit Merchant” Drew Stanton) effort in tow, is not the answer as the Lions backup, either.

Stanton even provides us with a glimpse of his feelings on his blog:

Those plays are the ones you learn from and make later on. Just as you remember the bad, the good plays are indescribable. When I got into that end zone to tie the game I had an emotion run through my body I cannot explain. Unfortunately, I followed it up with a horrible attempt to jump into the stands. I can explain why it looked so bad, though. It was because the person I was jumping toward was looking and I stopped for a second. Not to mention my “ups” are limited as is.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun playing in a meaningful game and it was great to hear the fans chanting my name. It’s always nice to be appreciated.

So as always it will be another interesting week in Detroit at the quarterback position. Matthew’s shoulder has had two weeks to rest, so we will see how much he can do. After all, he is the starter.

Stay tuned as I will try to update what’s going on this week.

Drew, Be Careful, or You Could
Put Your Eye Out!

Lions fans have an unrequited fetish for the team’s backup Qb’s. We had all better take notice and be careful what we wish for. Stanton resides in a special place in many Lions fans heart’s. Stanton, a local boy made good, exhibits an unrestrained enthusiasm, which despite any of his on-field foibles, is contagious.

Little Drew Thinks He Can, Thinks He Can...

The fact of the matter is, Stanton will be starting his first NFL career game, on the road amid the team’s 19-game road losing streak, and will be leading a team that is clearly limping to the finish. The Lions may not actually be able to glean much from his performance, since they have chose to thrust him into such an untenable situation.

Remember Mike McMahon, the QB All Lions Fans Wanted to Be Great?

Drew Stanton is a convenient analogue to his organizational antecedent, Mike McMahon. Lions fans desperately wanted the spirited, athletic McMahon to emerge as a contributor for the team. I believe that there are remarkable similarities between each players style of play. In much the same way, Lions fans are pining for Stanton to live up to the expectations of his 2nd round draft selection.

For all parties involved, I hope that Stanton’s start is an organizational revelation, and not another tacky, “remember-the-good-old-days” footnote in Lions team history. More than likely, he will be the organizational equivalent to this popular slice of Christmas ephemera:

Merry Christmas, Lions Fans...It's Better Than Eating Crow, Right?

Updated: Here are Drew’s comments about the official announcement that he will indeed be Sunday’s starter:

“I found out this morning going to the team meeting. Coach Schwartz pulled me aside and said that I’d get my first opportunity to start,” said Stanton, who will get first team reps all week. “It’s huge, getting an opportunity to get in there and get comfortable and get on the same page with these guys is vital. I haven’t had the luxury of doing that before.”

and

“I’m looking forward to it and I’ve got to take a deep breath and take it one game at a time.”

Right Now, Stanton is a Vision of Composure,
But Come Sunday, He Might Be Ready To Hit the…

Lions Storm Back From 17-point Deficit, Bench Culpepper, Still Lose

The Lions played an awful, mistake-filled, uninspired first half Sunday in their loss to the Cardinals. Drawing Jim Schwartz’s ire, he benched offensive linemen Manny Ramirez and Gosder Cherilus and said:

“If we had more offensive linemen active, we may have benched more. My patience was worn out with false starts and things like that — missed assignments. Did it make a difference? I don’t know.”

Schwartz also got fed up with the sputtering Lions offense, benching Daunte Culpepper, inserting Lions fans favorite, Drew Stanton, into the lineup for a hoped for spark. The sparks were somewhat unremarkable, but explosion plays by Stanton’s teammates, Louis Delmas and Maurice Morris, in Kevin Smith’s place, made the game much more interesting than it seemingly should have been.

Louis Delmas Provides Hope for a Different Future for the Lions Defense

Delmas has been an absolute revelation. The Lions have not had a ballhawking, playmaker on defense for many years now, and as if Delmas’ play wasn’t enough, he had a post-game outburst of anger and vitriol that I believe is his own symbolic drawing of the proverbial, line in the sand, demarcating the “new” Lions from the “old” Lions:

Delmas to his teammates, which side are on you on?

“We lost!” Delmas yelled at reporters. “What you want? What you got to ask me?”

Delmas stared at reporters defiantly.

“That’s what I thought,” he said. and later…”I don’t really pay attention to the record, because if I did, I’d probably kill myself,” he said. “I just pay attention to the game. But obviously once you’re losing, you’re not going to see no smile on this face or nothing.”

Delmas has had a remarkable season, especially as member of this awful Lions defense. He has now returned both a fumble and an interception for TD’s this season, recorded a safety (he is the first rookie to intercept a pass, return a fumble for a touchdown, and record a safety in NFL history), and is second on the team in both tackles and passes defended.

In regards to Stanton, he deserves every chance to start each of the Lions remaining games, if Matthew Stafford is unavailable to play. Stanton’s stats were less than stellar, but he did seem more emotionally engaged than Culpepper and the few fans who cared enough to attend Sunday’s game were decidedly in Stanton’s favor, upon his entry to the game.

In Keeping With the Holidays, Stanton
Exclaims “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

The Lions still have significant issues of concern to ponder. The complete uselessness of both Dennis Northcutt and Bryant Johnson stupefies me. In particular, after muffing a punt, Northcutt should be served his walking papers, post haste.

Calvin Johnson was essentially unproductive, again, even if the Cardinals shaped their entire defensive scheme around preventing him from devastating them. That being said, as each week passes, Johnson’s frustration level must be growing exponentially.

Jason Douglas Hanson, as trustworthy and dependable as an evergreen, is mired in the worst extended stretch of poor kicking that he has experienced during his entire career.

Hanson Is in Disbelief Over His New Found Mortality

Hanson is 16 for 23 this season kicking field goals, with a long of 50 yards. Even a kicker of Hanson’s sterling organizational reputation and stature, may be dancing dangerously near the edge of the Lions personnel precipice, now that he is struggling.

If there is any consolation to Sunday’s loss, the Lions are now going to be drafting second in April (They are a longshot to be drafting first overall), as long as they don’t screw up and break their 19-game road losing streak or find a way to defeat the hapless, “Cutler Interception Machine”-helmed Bears, at home. I have faith that they are well on their way to another 2-14 season.

Cliff Avril Surprisingly Candid About ‘09 Performance

Cliff Avril recently posted some surprisingly candid comments about his 2009 performance for the Lions on his blog.

Entering this season, Avril’s performance marked one of the team’s few bright spots, and gave many Lions fans considerable hope that he would continue to develop and thrive as a pass rusher this season.

Cliff Avril Is Not Happy With His Performance This Season

Upon his draft selection, Avril was viewed as a 3-4/4-3 “tweener”, it was debatable whether he should be a linebacker or defensive end. Avril came out of the gates last season looking like a draft day steal, even if he was seemingly one-dimensional, as a pass rushing specialist.

Avril had a surprising 5 sacks in 15 games (in four starts) last season. He also had 4 forced fumbles, to go along with 17 tackles (5 assists). This season, Avril has 3.5 sacks in 10 games, one forced fumble and 20 tackles (8 assists). He has yet to start a game this season.

Here is Avril’s assessment:

December 18, 2009

I really feel like I’m not having that good of a season, and I have no one to blame it on but myself. I’m not being as productive as I expected I would. I don’t have as many sacks as last year but I still have three games left and I want to go out with a bang this season.

I don’t feel like the team gave up against Baltimore but I haven’t seen the film yet. Coach was real mad at us and gave us the day off today and yesterday. I really doubt that anyone gave up, I think we just got beat bad.

It’s been a frustrating year, for me personally because it’s been an up and down season. I’ve had to deal with a lot of different things, injuries, a new coaching staff, getting used to how things are run and just expecting to win and not winning.

Have You Seen This Ghost?

The most convenient analogy is to compare Avril’s demise to that of the once-promising, but seemingly indifferent, career of Kalimba “The Ghost” Edwards.

Edwards possessed a similar kind of skill set to the one that Avril possesses, and had a tantalizing amount of potential, early in his career. In Edwards’ six years as a Lion, his development as a pass rushing terror seemed to be perennially, just one off-season around the corner.

Unfortunately for Avril, he and Edwards’ first two seasons are eerily similar. They each have suffered from stunted career development due to their “tween-ness” as players, and both have had to endure too many coaching and schematic changes to not struggle, given their relative lack of football I.Q.

Unlike Ernie Sims, who has a tremendous desire for the game of football, to the point of being undisciplined, in Sims’ case, Avril seems to be lacking a “killer instinct”, much like his disappointing predecessor, Edwards.

It remains to be seen if Avril’s career will continue upon it’s current disappointing track, or if the addition of quality defensive players along the defensive front, (Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, Please!?!)with some much needed organizational continuity, will allow Avril to overcome his sophomore slump.

As a Lions fatalist, I figure that Avril will wash out, like so many before him. Given the fact that Avril is cognizant of his shortcomings this season, hopefully, I will be proven wrong.

Avril Still Might Develop Into a Force

Week 15 Preview: Cardinals Vs. Lions

The Arizona Cardinals are coming off of a very poor performance against the Niners on Monday night and, if anything, they have been inconsistent performers this season.

That being said, this week’s match-up likely represents a perfect storm for a team who desperately needs a punching bag, in this case the Lions, that they can tune themselves up with. The injury-depleted Lions, coming off of one of their worst all-time performances in a brutal road loss to the Ravens, seemingly are running out of bullets to slide into the chamber, and pose little or no threat to their opponents.

Culpepper Will Not Be Remembered Among Lions All-Time Greats

The Lions intend on starting Daunte Culpepper, who is 0-8 as a Lions starter. Even if Kevin Smith was no star, the Lions rushing attack will be impotent without him. The Lions have no receiving threats with which to compliment Calvin Johnson, which generally renders their best player ineffective.

The Lions offensive line still struggles mightily, and this week will be no different, especially with the number of different players that the Cardinals utilize to pressure the passer. The Lions will desperately try to get the ball out of Culpepper’s hands quickly, in order to stem the tide of the Cardinals blitz pressure.

With shifty backs Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown, the Lions might utilize more screens and swing passes, and will likely utilize Jerome Felton in short-yardage situations. If the Lions can get the ball on the perimeter with Brown and Morris, they could each break for big plays.

Aaron Brown Will Get a Chance to Show His Worth Sunday

Defensively, this is the worst match-up of the season for the Lions. If the Cardinals Kurt Warner and his receivers are unable to throw for at least 400 yards (they might throw for 400 in the first half!) against the Lions defense, then the Cardinals should be very disappointed. The Lions defense has been historically bad for two straight seasons, and last week’s exhibition of poor tackling and a general lack of will, against the Ravens, may hold ominous portent for a truly awful Lions defense.

The Lions Secondary Will Have A Similar Expression,
After the Cardinals Passing Barrage

The only hope for the Lions is that Larry Fitzgerald is either unable to play or is limited. Even if Fitzgerald is slowed, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, and Jerheme Urban can do plenty of damage, especially with the revolving cast of misfits that the Lions are fielding in their secondary.

At this point, it is difficult to expect anything but the worst from a Lions team who is clearly limping to the finish line, decimating any sort of optimistically perceived sense of progress along the way. In a season of struggle, I can’t help but sense this will be a brutal blow out that has the few fans in attendance heading to their cars, or the Greektown bars and casinos, for a respite from a truly awful franchise.

Greektown, Please Save Us From the Lions

Cardinals 41 Lions 7

How Jake Locker Has Effected the Upcoming Draft, On the Ridiculous Idea of Trading Calvin Johnson

This past week, Washington Qb and recent MLB draft pick Jake Locker decided to return to college for his senior season, rather than enter the NFL Draft as a junior.

For the Lions, this is bad news. Locker likely represented the one player, had he been able to flash his stuff at the NFL draft combine, with the big arm and athleticism necessary to push Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh down the draft board in April’s draft, and increasing the Lions opportunity to have a chance at either of the top two defensive linemen (Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy).

Theo “Gridiron” Spight Would
Love for the Lions to Draft Ndamukong
Suh.

Here is Wes Bunting from the National Football Post on Locker:

It isn’t often you find a quarterback with his overall skill set. Locker possesses the ability to make all the throws, anticipate routes, create on the move and, most important, be a team leader in the face of adversity.

Jake Locker completed a career-high 58.2 percent of his passes and tossed 21 TDs against 11 INTs this season.
Locker improved dramatically this season under new head coach Steve Sarkisian, completing a career-high 58.2 percent of his passes and throwing for 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, with 11 interceptions. His combination of athleticism and accuracy on the move made him an ideal fit for Sarkisian’s offense as he was consistently able to make plays outside the pocket and force opposing defenses to react to his run/pass threat.

I view Locker to be the kind of Stafford-esque player who NFL front offices have all kinds of unfiltered salacious thoughts about. Bunting has a good point, however. There is still a chance that Arkansas Qb Ryan Mallett could emerge as the top prospect, should he decide to toss his hat into the ring and eventually enter the draft.

There have been reports out of Fayetteville, Ark., that Mallett and Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino have had some discussions about the NFL but are obviously more focused on their bowl game at this point. However, it’s tough to overlook Mallett’s impressive size (6-7, 238 pounds), cannon right arm and endless potential at the next level.

Now, we likely won’t be hearing anything on the Mallett front until after the bowl season, but with Bradford’s injury and Locker’s decision to go back to school, this could very easily open up the possibility of Mallett not only entering the draft but ultimately cement himself as the nation’s top quarterback prospect and potential No. 1 overall pick.

Could Mallett Help The Lions By Entering the Draft?

The Lions have to hold out hope that someone emerges at the Qb position that the teams who draft ahead of them can’t pass on. Otherwise, their draft may take on a whole different course. Of course, when you are as bad as the Lions, adding players atop the draft board should provide immediate help, regardless of position, if the front office is doing it’s job capably.

Would You Trade the Lions Second Biggest Asset?

As the draft approaches, there have been a few people who have suggested that the Lions should trade WR Calvin Johnson, while he retains his maximum value, and turn him into a Herschel Walker-level, bundle of draft picks with which they can re-stock their team.

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, is one of the first to publicly sound a loud clarion call touting a Johnson trade.

The Lions are facing their own Curtis Granderson moment.

If it wasn’t apparent before, it should be clear now after the Bailout in Baltimore. The Lions are looking at 2012 — at the earliest — before they’re relevant, leaving them with no alternative but to re-evaluate the worth of their one measurable asset.
Calvin Johnson is worth more in draft picks than he is in the lineup.

Trade him.

Send him to a team confident that they’re a big-play receiver away from a championship and get in return a bounty of early-round draft picks that could help the Lions address their No. 1 problem — a cavernous void of talent.

In my view, this makes no sense. Players of Calvin Johnson’s caliber don’t just miraculously fall from the sky. Johnson resides in a whole different stratosophere than Curtis Granderson, I believe that Johnson is comparable to Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez, in his league stature.

If the Lions were to add a competent running back, and another wide receiver who is dependable, runs good routes, and doesn’t suffer from dropped passes, then Johnson could blossom into one of the top five players in the NFL.

Sharp also doesn’t consider the development of Matthew Stafford, which if it continues with experience, he will need talented playmakers of Johnson’s ilk to work with.

The other fact that Sharp fails to consider is that Herschel Walker-type trades don’t occur with anyone not named Jerry Jones, at this point. The Lions are very lucky that Jones was crazy and desperate enough to overpay for the disappointing Roy Williams. Few NFL teams would have made that deal or one similar to it, involving Calvin Johnson.

Would You Deal With This Man?

Recently, Tom “Killer” Kowalski suggested that the Lions might need to consider continuing to build their offense, then address their defensive deficiencies, during upcoming drafts.

Clearly, the Lions are much closer to fielding a competent offense than defense, at this point. Should the Lions trade Johnson, then they would be pushing their timetable for respectability back even further. As an organization, I don’t believe the Lions can afford to delay that timetable, even one second. Even if that means, that their defense is awful at the expense of a competent, high scoring offense. So be it.

Lions Put TE FitzSimmons and RB Smith on IR, Release FB Smith and Add Three Players

The Lions may be talking about putting their best players onto the field and continuing their pursuit of winning games, but their recent personnel moves seem to indicate otherwise. After putting RB Kevin Smith and TE Casey FitzSimmons on injured reserve, the Lions added RB Cedric Peerman (practice squad), TE Michael Mathews and CB/KR Brian Witherspoon (Jaguars), all young players who will fill positions of need.

Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz insists that the Lions aren’t going to begin looking to the future in these statements:

“During the season, the thing to talk about is putting your best group on the field on Sunday, coaching them up during the week and finding a way to get that win on Sunday. It doesn’t do any good to talk about those things during the season.”
Even at a key position like quarterback, where Drew Stanton has languished since being drafted in the second round in 2007, Schwartz said the desire to win a game would trump any motive for making evaluations for the future.
“Our desire is to win a game on Sunday,” Schwartz said, “and I think any agenda that we have that goes beyond that does a disservice to that game on Sunday, it does a disservice to the guys in the locker room, and it does a disservice to the game. What it looks like for the future, what it looks like trying to find out about a player, those kinds of things — that won’t go into the decision.”

To the contrary, the Lions released veteran FB Terrelle Smith and added G Roy Schuening off waivers from the Oakland Raiders. That move alone, with Smith being the nominal fullback starter, indicates that the Lions are hoping to find some young players of value moving forward.

Tom “Killer” Kowalski observes that the Lions could be taking a more conservative and thoughtful approach with Matthew Stafford’s playing time, as a result, too.

He probably feels well enough to play this week and wants to get back on the field, but the coaching staff and front office are looking at this a little differently.

What they see is an offensive line that is vulnerable on the inside because of poor and inconsistent play from the guard position. They see a quarterback who is likely to take a lot of hits against Arizona.

They see that the tight end position, with Brandon Pettigrew and Casey FitzSimmons on injured reserve, is decimated.

They see that Kevin Smith also is on injured reserve and the running back position is loaded with young players who will have trouble picking up the blitzes sure to come Sunday.

They see superstar Calvin Johnson as Detroit’s only threat on offense. Bryant Johnson, the No. 2 receiver, has given the Lions next to nothing — he hasn’t had more than two catches in any of his past eight games and he’s caught just one pass in each of his past three games.

The organization sees all these things and it doesn’t want to put its franchise quarterback in the middle of it. That’s because the Lions were starting to see something else they didn’t like: the development of bad habits.

Another in a Long Succession of Failed Lions Receivers, Bryant Johnson

I have no problems with the Lions picking their spots with Stafford. A 3-4 win season, as much as this organization is desperate for wins, proves nothing, especially if their hoped-to-be spectacular young Qb continues to receive an unmitigated battering.

If anything has become clear, the Lions may be on firmer footing than they were one season ago, and make more prudent decisions, despite their publice declaration of intentions to the contrary, recently.

Mayhew Has Accomplished More in One Season than Matt Millen Did During His Entire Brutal Tenure

Jim Schwartz Sheds Some Credibility After Retracting Sunday Post-Game Statements

An angry, frustrated Jim Schwartz made several bold, apparently impetuous statements in regard to the coaching staff holding player’s accountable:

During the post-game press conference, Schwartz implied to the media that players’ heads could roll. “There’s further accountability other than just benching,” he said.

Admittedly, these statements were made with a head full of steam, in the thick of the heat of the moment, but one day later, even if he tried to convince reporters otherwise, Schwartz softened his stance, significantly:

“I’m not backing away from that at all. I spoke those words and I still feel the same way,” Schwartz said. “There is accountability that goes beyond playing time, but again, there are only so many things that you can do on a weekly basis, particularly at this point of the season. If there is somebody out there that we think can improve the team, we’ve proven that we’ll make that point.”

When asked if players might eventually be released or benched because of their performance Sunday, Schwartz said, “That remains to be seen. Again, we’re going to exhaust every avenue, every opportunity that we have.

“If you’re asking, ‘Are there going to be any sacrificial lambs that we’re going to throw out just to make a point?’ The answer is no. Every one of our moves is going to be from the standpoint of evaluating what talent we have and whether we can improve by going somewhere else and that’s always the bottom line. We don’t do things just to make a point and that’s where we’ll go forward..”

Translated, this is Schwartz saying that he should/would like to address the team’s lack of talent, but at this late juncture, there are not really available resources with which to do so.

There Will Be Accountability, Next Season

I don’t think any Lions fan, at least any in their right mind, expected a significantly better season than the one they are currently undertaking. That being said, losing 48-3, during now a 19-game road losing streak, really is a poor reflection on Schwartz and his coaching staff, regardless of the organization’s talent deficit:

“Did we always play tough, did we always play physical? The answer to that is no. When you get rushed on for 300 yards on defense, you didn’t play tough and you didn’t play physical. When you’re 1-for-5 on short yardage plays on offense, you didn’t play tough and you didn’t play physical. Like I said, quit is a strong word and, to me, quit has connotations of not trying. There’s a difference between not trying and not getting it done. We didn’t get it done.”

In Lions Land, Actions Reflect Integrity of the Person You Want to Be, Unless You are Lacking in Talent.

“There is a significant portion of our roster that’s on our roster because they were castoffs from other teams,” Schwartz said. “There were teams that didn’t want them or let them go, or stuff like that, and we need to make sure, or the players need to make sure, that they’re not in the same position this year with us.”

The issue of talent is a loser’s lament. Every Lions fan is fully aware of the talent deficit that the team has been saddled with, especially as each week passes. That being said, the Lions have enough talent available to not to lose 48-3, and that is the real crux here.

The Lions are dancing around the reality that it’s defense, although already bad, seemingly quit very early in Sunday’s game, and will likely continue to do so as this season plays out. By saying that the defense didn’t get the job done, he is merely retracting observations that he made while he was in an angrier, more unfiltered state of mind.

Now I Know Why Jeff Komlo Lost His Mind

If talent is truly the heart of the matter, then the Lions need to attempt to begin future evaluations, rather than trying to eke out empty victories with players who are unlikely to return. Beginning that process, Drew Stanton should be named Sunday’s starter, if Matthew Stafford in unavailable to play. Schwartz disagrees:

Detroit Free Press:Schwartz said Stanton would receive consideration to start but that the depth chart would not be affected by Culpepper’s performance — 16-for-34 for 135 yards and two interceptions — in Sunday’s 48-3 loss at Baltimore.
The door for Stanton, however, seems decidedly more closed. Even though Culpepper is 0-8 as a Lions starter and Stanton (from Michigan State and Farmington Hills Harrison) has seen limited action in four games since he was drafted in the second round in 2007, Schwartz said he only makes personnel decisions based on winning a game, not to evaluate players.

“When we make a decision, it’s not based on trying something new, experimenting, all those kind of things,” he said. “It’s based on what we think gives us the best chance, and we’re going to ride with that decision.
“But it’s not going to be based on just saying, ‘Hey, look, it’s time. We’ve got to change just to change, or we’ve got to make this decision just to make this decision.’ Everything’s based on a set of criteria we’ve established.“

There is not one Lions fan remaining who feels that Daunte Culpepper is capable of ever winning a game as Lions Qb. That is not Culpepper’s fault, it is just a fact. I realize that Stanton has had every available opportunity to surpass Culpepper, and for whatever reason, has not.

The Detroit News, Dec. 14: 10. QB deal: The Lions made what amounted to a minor deal at the end of the exhibition season, trading quarterback Kevin O’Connell to the Jets for an undisclosed draft pick. The Lions had claimed O’Connell on waivers from the Patriots a few days earlier.

O’Connell was the Patriots’ third-round draft pick in 2008.

Kevin O'Connell's Finest Career Move Thus Far, Being Traded By the Lions

The common refrain is, if Stanton can’t play during a 48-3 blow out, why is he still holding onto a roster spot. The trade of O’Connell was considered a small victory for the Lions organization at the time that it happened. Given the Lions current QB situation, one has to wonder if he would have been more valuable to the Lions than the draft pick that they will eventually receive from the Jets.

As the Lions season continues to go down in flames, and some of the excitement and glimmer gets buffed of of Jim Schwartz’s nascent coaching tenure, time will tell whether or not he is just another Lions head coach, or if he will eventually make a difference.

After his statements in the last two days, I am edging towards believing that he will eventually get “his bus ticket out of town”, just like one of his predecessor’s used to threaten during anger-fueled post-game press conferences.

In the End, Who Got the Bus Ticket Out of Town, Bobby!

Kevin Smith’s Shredded Knee Was Appropriately Symbolic of Failed Lions Season

Anyone who watched yesterday’s game knows the scenario, during the fourth quarter of a brutal and embarassing blow out loss, Lions RB Kevin Smith, who has been the target of criticism this season, catches a pass and the football gods curse the Lions, yet again.

Wake Me Up For Training Camp!

Smith’s knee, much like the rapidly improving Brandon Pettigrew’s was, just gave out. Kaput! For all of those Lions fans who had issues with Smith’s performance, wait till you see this stinker of an offense without him!

Lions Fans, It Goes Without Saying, Use the Stairway!

There will be a lot of criticism and analysis about Smith’s still being in the game, during the fourth quarter amid a 40-point blow out. Schwartz, didn’t provide a mea culpa, but he did say that Kevin Smith was:

“…a tough player and was one of the few bright spots in this game and was playing his butt off,” Schwartz said. “He wasn’t quitting. He was trying to gain yards. He was trying to get first downs. He was trying to get in the end zone as that game was winding down.”

Hindsight is always 20/20, in this case, I am sure that the Lions hoped that Smith could spur on his teammates and stand as an organizational example of how you play, even in a ridiculously awful blow out loss. It is also is a sign that he is not viewed as irreplaceable or an essential component to the team’s future, or they would have considered protecting him at that point.

The fact of the matter is, the Lions have lost their last 19 road games, have only won 3 of their last 37 games and are 32-104 (.235294118 winning percentage!) during this most black of all era’s in the team’s history, the Millen era (2001-). The Lions reside in a different quanta of sports ineptitude, than all other franchises, in all of professional sports.

Why Was I Allowed to Leave Detroit Without Being Placed in Stocks and Having Rotten Fruit Thrown at Me!

One thing that has become clear, all cynical Lions fans included, you can never rule out the chances of this team suffering a complete and total meltdown, at any point, during any season. It is arguable that this might be the poorest showing the Lions have given since that fateful 2001 season, and they have had so many poor performances (too many to count?). In a season where people were looking for signs of even mediocre improvement, the Lions have completely rendered any meager gains moot after Sunday’s loss. Aside from the pain and agony involved, nothing that could have happened to the Lions Sunday would have been more apropos, than having one of their few reliable and tough-minded players have his knee explode, without being tackled.

The Lions have a very good shot of clinching that first overall draft pick in April, after all.

Intervention By Saint Jude, Could be the Lions Only Hope