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WC:Mack
Mornin Golfer. Maybe you're right about Raiola. My feeling is they could have traded him for something, like a draft pick in '10, and not "cut him". It probably would have required them to "eat" some of his salary, but it would have been worth it. As for another good center, that's the same approach on Pettigrew, only even more so on Mack. There was no center the equal of Mack, nor one close. IMO, he was the best center in the draft by far...not only this year, but probably in the past three to five years. Only time will tell, but he has so much skill and size, he could be All Pro by his second year. While people complain about Off Linemen in last years draft, it turned out to be pretty good. Ohur at the Ravens, Loadholt at the Vikings, and Mack with Cleveland. Except for the Browns, the other two teams seem to be OK.
Pettigrew ?
I'm a lousy communicator. Just can't get the right message across on this issue. It's not that Pettigrew is not a good TE...he looks like he'll be good. My point on Mack and Pettigrew is what would have been better for the Lions? Would the Lions be a better team with Alex Mack at Center and Raiola on another team, and have another TE. JMO.
Nice Win, But Sober Up
Everyone (well, everyone except those in Cleveland, who thought that pass interference call was bogus) is happy the Lions won, and Stafford's play was heroic, but it's Monday, folks, so wake up and it's time to face reality. The LIons' defense was beaten to a pulp by the Browns..the Cleveland Browns. The Browns nearly tripled the LIons on the ground. It wasn't only Stafford who had his best day...so did Quinn. The Browns scored more points in one game yesterday than they did in their previous four (FOUR) games...COMBINED! The Lions' offensive line was, well, to put it succinctly, offensive. It's amazing that Stafford only has a bad shoulder. But, despite all this, once again Stafford showed more than the usual rookie QBs. That pass he threw to Calvin could only have been thrown by maybe two other QBs in the entire NFL (Cutler and Rivers). Calvin finally scored the way he likes...special. Aaron Brown showed more promise. And, fans of the Pettigrew have something to crow about, although if they were real football knowledgeable, they would also have recognized that Alex Mack cleaned out the Lions' defensive line, and may be Pro Bowl bound as a rookie. One of the reasons that the Browns were virtually unstoppable on short down conversions was Mack's play. Still, the LIons won, so let's cheer for a short while, and get ready for a new game.
Another TV Blackout
Well, the Lions' game Sunday against the Browns is blacked out. This is the third or fourth game IN A ROW that is blacked out. Just one more example of the dismal performance of this organization; off and on the field. What is going on in the mind of the Lord of the Manor? Or, is it the "Vast Wasteland"? I guess the old expression, "A fool and his money..." was wisdom indeed.
Mrs. Spielman
Disco, I hope that everyone who voted recently on that advisory committee in Washington, DC to recommend no breast cancer exams for women until they reach 50 will see this article. Another "cost cutting" BS move in this age of dealing with people as if they're an accounting sheet. Society has changed. Sorry for the soap box, but I have a wife and daughter, and anyone in here who has, should make sure those nimrods in DC understand that this recommendation should NOT become policy. Thanks for the note.
Mr Kelly
Touche...very good. Not 80, but I'll gladly take it, when I get there. But, you hit a good point. It's sickening to see what's going on. The only phase that the Lions were competitive, and seemed to know NFL-rated talent was during the Vanisi Era. Other than this brief period, it's been bad, and getting worse. Thomas, Millen, Schmidt? And, now Lewand/Mayhew/Harris? Absolutely Pathetic.
Correction
I said 1966. Obviously, it was 1956. Yicks. Saw it on TV. The first game I ever saw on our new Christmas TV. Man, another time.
Buenos Dias, Senor Motah
There was that great photo from behind the goal line of Schmidt driving into Brown, who was trying to climb over his OL into the end zone. Brown didn't make it. To coin popular vernacular, "In Your Face!" But, Schmidt would probably would have just walked off, the strong and silent type from western Pa.
Brownies
Motah, if they bring out Jim Brown, then the Lions should bring out Joe Schmidt. Remember what happened in 1966? Brown, trying to climb over the line for a TD? Schmidt stopped Brown in his tracks. Ouchhhh.
O'Hara's Gutless Rant Yesterday
For years, Mike O'Hara was the Lions' shill here at the DetNews, passing on the usual weekly swill sliming down from the Lions' Organizational Tower. It was pathetic then, and his rant yesterday was even more pathetic. He wrote about how Fox mocked the Lions with an on-program contest to come up with a nickname for the Vikings Defensive Front Four, ala the past Lions Fearsome Foursome coined by the late, great Van Patrick after they sacked Bart Starr 11 times. What gets me is that O'Hara tried to convince Lions' fans that Millen and his entourage were making progress, sucking them into buying season tickets. Just three weeks ago, I "guaranteed" a Lions' victory against the Rams. Now, this same guy is pouting over Fox making fun of the Lions, and how the Lions' organization should be embarrassed. No kidding, Mike. Where were you all those years when we were saying these things in here, and you were touting Uncle Mattie and his motley crew? And, where were you when some of these same incompetent "Hanger-oners" were promoted last year? NOW, you write they should be embarrassed and ashamed. Well, that's just great! Only, it's about a decade late and a million dollars short.
Wheres the Hope?
Start at the top. The owner. Change him. He needs to go, replaced by someone who demands superior performance, holds people accountable for not delivering it, and knows that people who don't have proven success on their resume aren't likely to deliver it. Then, bring in a President and GM with a proven successful track record. It doesn't exist now. Third, bring in a player personnel man with success. James Harris isn't that guy. Losers don't suddenly change and become winners. They don't know how. Losers are just cheap...cause no one else wants them. This is where "Hope Lies". Otherwise, changing coaches every three years won't work. It hasn't for the last 10 years.
WC:Poor Memory
Golfer, not mentioning Hutchinson because I think the Lions should have taken him. I don't know if the Lions could have traded up and then get him. My point relates to "Foundation Building", or building the "Dirt Boys" rather than the "Glory Boys" first. Hutchinson is an OLman, and is only one of many. Guess I wasn't clear enough, or used Hutchinson too much. More important is the Viking's OL. How about Loadholt...want to use him? He was in the second round. There's plenty to choose from beside Hutchinson...or Mack.
Shaq on Mack
Since I didn't see the Browns game, I don't know what position he played, but he's listed as Center on the ESPN Brown's depth chart. If you saw their game, and he was moved to OG, I'll take your word for it. As for Mack stopping the Williams "Twins"? I don't recall anyone saying he would have stopped them either. What I said is that he wouldn't have done worse. IF you saw the Lions' game, Raiola was beaten to a pulp, and had two bad snaps. This guy is mediocre, at best. That's not good enough if you want the Lions to be a winner against defenses like the Vikings. Mack? As a rookie, no worse, and probably better. Certainly, down the road. Tell me..what did Pettigrew do yesterday that warranted a #20 draft pick? I watched every play. Heller wasn't even drafted and outplayed him. Who's zooming who?
Offensive Guard
Steve Hutchinson is a good example of an exception. Exception One: He was a OG drafted in the first round (Seattle). Was he worth it? Six time All Pro. Nuff Said.
Billy on OG
Most OG's are drafted in the second round. That sounds fine to me. Ofcourse, the key is to draft someone who has potential, and then give him a chance to play and develop that potential. Just like they're willing to do with Stafford. it's nice when a team can bring in a player who happens to be a "Once-in-a-decade" talent. Maybe Schwartz can bring some sanity to this group "kids" playing a "mans" game.
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