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Backus-n-Raiola
I agree with JD we should look at moving these two players, and maybe we could get some late round picks for them. It seems pretty clear that we will be finally replacing Sackus through the Draft. I would love just to have one probowler on the oline that would help Matt big time.
Because I live in Dallas I don't get to see the games or highlights, but I went to the Lions website and Stafford looks good even for losing. We FINALLY have a BONA fide quarterback JOHN! I started following the Lions in 91, and in 18 years we have not had a potential star at QB this kids got it. We should all be happy as Lions fans to know that we are piece by piece atleast heading in the right direction.
"Potential" remains the operative word there, but I do think he'll be the guy fans have been waiting for -- finally. But Raiola's not getting traded and neither is Backus. I suppose I could see the latter getting cut at some point, but nobody's trading for him on the back half of a big contract.
Rough One
John,
I feel sorry for you because the Lions are not giving you much to write about. Since you have taken the post they have lost 22 games, so how do you find different ways of being creative to write about the Lions losses?
This was a tough one, and this whole week I was thinking "On paper the Lions are suppose to win this game, but somehow they will figure out a way to lose it". I can relate with the Lions because I coach a CO-ED softball team, and for three seasons we are 4-20. I have several players that are new to the game of softball that is part of it, but there is also this losing aura that gets a hold of you. Mentally you start to think "how will we lose this week" "What's going to go wrong this time". You just can't seem to shake this losing aura, and I know they say we don't have the talent but I hear prognosticators say that the talent level is so close in the NFL that the difference from losing to winning is miniscule.
Obviously you agree the mental aspect is apart of the cause of their losing ways, but would you say that it is much bigger than we realize. Think about it the expectations of the fan base is so low, and coupled with the players who have been here the last 8 years through all of this losing. I mean Barry Sanders retired early because of the ineptitude, and atleast in the 90's we had a few winning seasons could you imagine if he would have been in here the last 8 years. You and I both know that the fan support would be crazy if the could field a competitive team.
I have said it before several times in this forum, and I will say it again winning organizations build from the lines out. When you have a powerful offensive line your entire offense builds confidence from that. Sackus is a joke, and we have nobody who can play guard for us its very frustrating. You can build a dominant offensive line through the 2-5th rounds of the draft it doesn't always have to be in the first round. The same goes for the defensive line look at the clinic Minnesota's dline put on Green Bay yesterday it was beautiful baby.
Living here in Dallas you can't help but notice the Cowboys, and they have a great O-line which gives Tony plenty of time to get the ball to his receivers, and they have the best rushing attack in Football. Put Tony, and his skill players behind our line he becomes just another pedestrian middle of the pack qb's. Minnesota, New Orleans, New England, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta get this concept of building a team from the lines out. I am getting on one of my tangents again. Thanks for your input John, and appreciate your work on the Detnews!
Thanks!
You're right about Dallas. Ditto Minnesota and Atlanta (somewhat). Disagree with you on New Orleans a little bit. NE and Pitt obviously have systems that have been in place for a long time, so it's less about building inside-out as it is reinforcing with young players each year.
Again, though, I'll say this about the '09 draft -- the Lions essentially had three first-round picks, and they used one on a "franchise" QB, one on a big TE that helps both the OL/RBs and the QB, and one on a defensive playmaker in the secondary. I don't have any big issue with that. They also added what look to be a couple second-day keepers -- something the previous regimes never got -- at LB and DT.
Now then, do they still need to find OL and DL help. Yep, a lot of it. And I will be very surprised if they don't address that high in this next draft.
Fluellen?
John what is Fluellen thinking..... Here is a quote by him, "He came out earlier this week and really got on us and told us that the game is always going to be on the defensive line, and he really wanted to see how we responded to that. I think we did a pretty good job, even though we lost."
I think we did a pretty good job even though we lost...In professional sports you are judged by one criteria and one criteria only W and L's. Thats it end of story nothing else matters, and Fluellen's mentality is what is wrong with some of these stupid hold out players from the Millen era. I understand the goobly gaga talk of lets focus on the positive...reinforce the positive...save that crap for the self help gurus and hypnotist therapists this is Football, and the only thing you are judged by is winning.
Professional football is a business, and its a business of winning football games. My job is to bring revenue into my boss's business. Now if I were to go into my bosses office week in an week out telling him I am losing his company money and not bringing in revenue, but tell him "Hey boss I did a really good job on making you coffee this morning, even though I just cost you a 100K contract" what do you think would happen to me. That's right see ya later pal. We are not done cleaning house, John there is a lot more cleaning to be done these types of mentalities "I think we did a pretty good job, even though we LOST" "Hey Dad we designed a pretty good cup holder in that nuclear hybrid car, even though it blew up a city block due to a fuel delivery malfunction" I think I heard Bill junior say that to his Dad while attending the Cincy Packer game, apparently the Ford's are Packer fans after they switched to 3-4 defense and drafted Raji.
This is bold, and would make a huge statement. Get rid of everybody from the Millen era, and I mean everybody....ok ok everybody but Calvin Johnson. You get rid of Sims, Raoila, Sackus, Smith you flip the entire roster. Keep cleaning house baby...What do you think John, and I will calm down now.
Well, I don't have a problem with young guys latching on to some positive progress as they try to climb out of this mess. I know what you're saying, though. Fans don't want to hear about progress. They just want a win.
As for the housecleaning, it'll continue, definitely. But it's simply not realistic to get rid of an entire roster.
Deagle Can't help himself!
Admit it you cant help yourself....you are addicted to stupidity. You know deep down in your heart of hearts you want the Lions to get it turned around, but you find it more comforting to talk about how much they suck.
I must say I agree with you that we are going to get SLAUGHTERED. AP could rush for 250-300yds which will help me big time cuz he is on my fantasy team. Detroit is also helping me in Survivor Football on Yahoo because I just pick whoever is playing the Lions and I should make it to at least week 10!
Jdavis if the Lions do make a game of it I am willing to eat crow.
The streak's gotta end sometime. You're playing with fire, just like Deagle! Peterson actually hasn't had a huge day yet against these guys, and he had four fumbles in two games last year against the Lions. I bet he'll finish with about half that -- 130 or so -- with a TD or two. But watch out for Harvin. I have a funny feeling about him tomorrow.
In response to the Lions
J Davis,
I am right there with you. Heartbroken, downtrodden, deeply frustrated about the Lions progress. I remember my dad being a die hard fan in the early 80's but things got really bad so we started rooting for the 49ers. But in 1991 we finally make a run it was a magical season for the Lions we went 12-4 and actually won a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. Wow do I wish for those days again in the 90's when we were going 9-7 and 10-6.
Jdavis, you and Deagle make this forum, and I love hearing you guys go back and forth its a real pleasure. I am like you I read all of the postseason analysis for the Lions from either detnews or the freep. What I saw this past Sunday was deplorable, and it was heart breaking.
Here is the deal, I truly believed the Lions were going to lose and I was ok with that, but the defense did not look like it had improved whatsoever. I would have been happy with only giving up 30 points, and for signs of improvement like 1-2 sacks with a few qb hurries,nothing...nada..zilch. I don't care if they were playing the number one offense in the league, they should have shown some improvement from last year. Now Jdavis I have read your posts on how that defense wins championships is a myth, but after Sunday is it starting to become clear to you how important a solid defense is.
I am not asking for the best defense in the league, all I am asking for is a solid respectable defense is that too much to ask for? Heartbroken I am, and guys like you, me, and other people who post in here will go on wishing and hoping someday that the Lions will be good again because its just the way we are wired....were optimists. God bless the realists in this forum because they see the Lions for who they are not what they could be. We optimists year in and year out see the Lions for what they could be, and not for what they are.
Peace Out
Barber
Schwartz
It seems as though Schwartz has shown very little if any improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Schwartz was an excellent dc for Tennessee, but if he cannot turn the defense around here in Detroit than he proves nothing as a head coach. Sure he could probably get another job as a DC, but his legacy will be decided by how well he is able to turn around a god awful defense.
I don't care how amazing or dominant a quarterback is, if he is pressured he will make mistakes. We put very little pressure on Brees, and he should of had 7 tds. Example Tom Brady in 2008 Superbowl, the Giants defensive front won that game. They kept Brady on his toes the entire game. Example Peyton Manning 2005 AFC Championship game against the Steelers he was getting frustrated with his offensive lines inability to stop the rush. Dominant defensive lineman or outside lb's in the 3-4 system can shut down any dominant qb.
I hope that Schwartz will leave Linehan alone with the offense, and jumps in with both feet to address the defense then will I have respect for him as a coach. Gunther needs some help, and the two of them working together on this defense takes more priority than anything else on this team. Winning football games starts in the trenches. Look at all of the teams that have been consistent winners over the last 7-8 years what prevailing theme do you see in their teams not a Quarterback who passes for 45 tds and 4000 yds (JDavis) or highly skilled playmakers, but dominant defensive and offensive lines. The year Brady throws 50 td's and 4800 yds loses the Superbowl against a dominant dline. The years he won the Superbowl 25-30 td's and 3000 yds, but the difference was the dominant dline of the Pats. This isn't rocket science the Steelers last year number one dline, and ours is the worst and we wonder why we suck.
I don't think too many people are wondering, actually. The defense was awful last year, and probably will be bad this year. The only question is whether a more aggressive approach and gameplan -- and a talent upgrade with the LBs -- can help create more turnovers and give an improving offense (or at least a far more creative one) some more chances.
I wouldn't read too much into Week 1, thoough: We all could see that coming, especially with Buchanon out.
Conditioning, Conditioning, ......
I will say that the more I hear sound bites from Schwartzie the more I like this guy. He actually has the audacity to expect our players to be in shape before camp starts. Come on isn't that what training camp is for, so our high prized stars who get paid millions of dollars a year can figure out cool ways to spend their fortunes in the off season but still have a chance in training camp to comeback and get in shape for the season. (Except Phillip "Trump" Buchanon he has money working for him)
I don't know if we can handle this talk of conditioning, and making our skill players hit the gym. "Weights what are weights....oh you mean those things I see all the other NFL teams making their wide receivers lift up and down...yeah they cool... I guess Jerry Jones wants me to start doing something like that or what not. I miss Millen he wasn't so demanding he told me that it was important for me make up really cool celebrations when I get close to the first down catch and what not" Roy Williams. Mayhew is laughing all the way to the bank for what he got out of that deal. The natives in Dallas are getting restless with ol Roy they are starting to see that Jerry got duped by the Lions wow.
Ok I will be serious now John, what key differences are you seeing in preparation and conditioning from the new regime that are distinctively different from the Marinelli family?
They hit the free weights much harder, and they frankly did more of that Olympic powerlifting than a lot of teams do. Their pre-practice stretching is much, much better than it was before, too, which seems like a silly thing, but it's not: There's less wasted time now than there used to be.
Stafford
Was very impressed with the two part series by COTSONIKA from the Freep about Stafford.(Sorry, John I really like your reporting too!) After reading that piece, I am convinced Stafford is going to be strong quarterback in the NFL. Now he may not make it to several pro bowls, but I believe he will be the sure handed starter we have been missing for almost twenty years. I do believe if he has a stellar training camp he is the starter. What would he have to do in training camp to overtake Daunte as the starter?
I too like jdavis have a man crush on Stafford, and I am looking forward to rooting for this guy until he signs with another team because we can't make it to the playoffs.
Yeah, Nick did a nice job with the look back at Stafford's background. And like we've all said, he's a sharp kid who seems to be pretty comfortable with everything. But I do think he's got to be clear-cut better in camp and preseason to get the starting nod. If all things are equal, or close to it, I think you err on the side of the veteran, and that's why Schwartz has left himself the out with saying he's got to be the best AND be "ready"
Lions
I agree we need to have faith that the lions can turn this around, or catch lightning in a bottle for a couple of years and make a playoff run to the super bowl. In addition to the patriots having Tom Brady, they have one of the best scouting departments in the league. They continue to uncover great players in the 2,3,4, & 5 rounds of the draft. You build a team from the inside out from line to line then add playmakers on both sides of the ball. And the patriots have given Brady one of the best o-lines to work with, and the lions have never addressed the o-line with the same effort of your teams like the patriots, titans, and indy.
When the giants won the super bowl last year it was because their dline shut down brady to put their playmakers into a position to win the game for you. This year pittsburgh's dline (Harrison pic) was the difference in the win over the cardinals. What have the lions done with either of their oline or dline NOTHING worth writing home about. Sackus is a joke, and the jury is still out on gosder. Jansen is in the twilight of his career, and unless he finds the fountain of youth what do we have there? Petermen blah, blah, blah, who knows what we have at RG which Jansen said is willing to play there for us. Raiola dude has no patience I can't tell you how many times he is off the line 7 yards ahead of the RB while the dline is taking there shots on our ball carriers. Raiola is energetic ill give him that, but does not have a lot of patience to let the blocking schemes develop so that the ball carrier can find the holes our oline is suppose to be opening up.
OUR DLINE is make me nervous as hell. I know Schwarts and Gunther have a scheme that is funneling everything to the middle, so that we can have our LB's do the work but I want to see a ferocious dline wreaking havoc in the backfield because that's what shuts down great qb's and running game. (Giants, Eagles, and Steelers)
When the lines are efficient doing there job then your playmakers on O can make plays and put points on the board, and your playmakers on D can force fumbles and get picks to change the momentum of the game. Dallas in the 90s won three superbowls because they had arguebaly one of the greatest olines in nfl history, and they had one heck of a dline to go with it. To win in the NFL you have to build from the lines out. OUR kiddy kats refuse to do that, but I will remain optimistic to see if the incoming coaching staff believes they can couch up what we have on the lines.
Lions 2009
Come on Tom 9-7 is crazy you must be like me we read all of John's great articles about what the lions are doing to improve the roster, and how are head coach is demanding every player on the roster (Hanson included) weigh 275 and run atleast a 4.5 and we get excited. I know we drafted a quarterback than can throw the ball through a steel wall, and Culpepper is the new spokesperson for weight watchers but 9-7 is highly unlikely.
Having said that I would be ecstatic over 9-7 heck I would be happy with 5-11, but don't get your hopes up. Living in Dallas has taught me to laugh at my lions, and enjoy the losing tradition because when they do string together a couple of winning seasons great I will celebrate but I am not going to agonize over them turning things around right away.
Find a way to laugh at our losing tradition you will be happier in the long run. I just feel bad that John has to cover these team.
Don't cry for me now. The 0-16 experience was rock bottom for this NFL rookie. Nowhere to go but up.
Orien Harris
We can't be looking at the Harris guy as a starter. At best his is rotating in at end because if you get cut from a team that had one of the worst defenses in the league somethings not right with you.
I hope to God Harris is just a spare part to make Sackus feel good in practice cause he can block a third stringer, and maybe keep his spirts up when Sackus gets shallacked in the regular season by real defensive ends.
No, he's not getting penciled in as a starter -- not at all. It's just a case of the Lions dumping a player that was expendable, but doing so in a way that at least might prove to be useful. Millen would've just cut Curry later. Mayhew at least gets a big DT who maybe has a chance make the roster out of him. He did that with Alexander-for-Northcutt as well, and in a different way he did that with Redding-for-Peterson. They weren't going to get a guy like Peterson in free agency without way overspending -- when you're 0-16 and you're Detroit, you're not exactly a destination team -- so they gave up something to get what they wanted, rather than standing pat. Not exactly rocket science, but give the Lions credit for being proactive, for a change.
Improvement?
Deagle i love that you are keeping it real. Your my favorite person to read posts from your a non conformist and its refreshing.
Unfortunately for most of us sad heartened lions fans we are like those kids in high school who got stuck at home because nobody asked us to the prom watching romantic comedies believing one day we would find true love. Only to grow up and realize that life doesn't work like that in the movies. Same goes with being a lions fan because here we are on this forun seeing posts that with all these change we feel like the lions could win 6-8 games this year. NO WAY.... Granted I will be the first lions fan talking smack in Dallas if the lions were ever to get back to 500, but until that happens we have to keep our mouths shut and enjoy agonizing over these buffoons we call a football team.
Calvin Joneson
Deagle you are kidding right? I know you are kidding and maybe your are suffering from John not answering the forum in a while. I believe Calvin Johnson will go down as the greatest receiver in Lions history. (which is not saying much) He has more discipline in his toe than Matt Jones will ever have. Deagle your comment is absolutely crazy, and for him to put up numbers like that without a good Quarterback makes him that much better.
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