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Lions
The defense was so sad to watch--all of those plays against the Browns---only the Lions. But they came back. Stafford, Johnson, and Pettigrew were sweet. They can't run the ball.
Bryant Johnson is only decent as a #2 wide-out. They have so many holes on defense--end, corner, dt, safety opposite Delmas. Ot, but on that last drive, especially but for a fleeting moment it didn't matter if they were 1-8. Even against a team like the Browns, I don't remember a Lions
qb leading a team to victory on final drive. Stafford's game
kind of reminded me of Mitchell's game against Dolphins bad
early on--better as the game went along, Lions won this one
though. Stafford has the tools and he is tough. He is having
his ups and downs but he is a very solid nfl qb.If only his
o-line was as tough as he is.
Lions
The first quarter was progress. Defense fell apart, typical.
Offense sputtered--Shouldn't have been down 5 with 8 minutes
to go. Then it was a pile-on bad finish. The games just spin
out of control. Obviously, 2 of the first 3 turnovers played
a big part in this one. Still Detroit just seemed to lose their game plan and lost another road game they very well
could have won, especially with the start they had. Only the
Lions could start out so good and lose it the way they did
today.
Lions
Always something to get taken care of---when nothing gets done
that is what it looks like. Lions went from bad to absolutely horrible during Millen's time. I suppose Swartz can now try to
take an easy way out and take a rb or receiver to go with
Stafford, Johnson,and Pettigrew. That will take care of the
offense, except for the o-line. Still need Dt, De, and Cb.
But there is always something to get taken care of for the Lions. At least Millen can go home and sleep now.
Lions
The Lions have talent, a lot of talent on offense. Bryant
Johnson is more than capable to be a very good #2 receiver.
Pettigrew has pro-bowler written all over him. Even Kevin Smith can be a very good running back-----if the line improves. Hard to throw the ball downfield in good situations
when defense can get high quality pass-rush with only
4 linemen and can stuff any running play because they push
the line back into the back field on a majority of the plays.
Hope is though that Ramirez can develop and Cherilus steps
up to be dominate tackle. Peterman, and then there are the
holes---to be sure especially Backus.
Defense, Henry might be a better safety, that is ok because
the Lions need help there, too. Definitely corner and Dt.
Getting Hill back and finding top talent at Dt and De would
help tremendously. That would ease the pressure off the
linebackers and not leave the corners to cover far too long.
Anybody can see if a qb and receivers are looking for a big
day, when Detroit is on the schedule, that should be expected. Give credit to Swartz for at least trying new players but too many holes in key positions to make a difference.
Lions
If the injury to Stafford is more serious, he does need to
sit and have the surgery. That isn't the worst thing. It is bad, the injury, and the lack of a full season but he has played about as much as last season counting practices. The
Lions can't risk further injury, though. Without Johnson this
offense is lame. The O-line makes the running backs look terrible. They aren't that bad. Sanders would complain about this line. As for the defense it is time to think about the
top prospects in each round for next season. 3 or 4 wins tops
for this team. They look worse than pathetic on grass.
Lions
Lions are moving slowly in the right direction but they still have issues even before they address their holes. Phillip Buchanon and Anthony Henry need to be more consistent---and
those are their 2 best corners? Will James was ok but that
play where the Steelers receiver dropped a sure touchdown
and was followed by his interception, I could swear the teams
switched jerseys for those 2 plays. The Lions need more from
Petersen and Hill to be out there but a lack of defensive line
doesn't help the linebackers or the defensive backs.
As for the offense Pettigrew continues to look better each game out. The offensive line is ok but Backus is still horrible. I can write the same thing about him every week.
I have to disagree but Kevin Smith may not be a speed burner
but he is a good back. Too many times he doesn't have any room. He is quick and shifty inside the tackles and has
decent enough speed. Not elusive but a good hard runner
who can find holes when they are there and when he does get
going he is pretty tough. Not quite Rodney Hampton but given
a better line the comparisons are fair. So maybe James Stewart. Good to see other
receivers step up and some plays in the returns. Coverage still gives up too many long returns though. I still think
the Lions should be able to get at least a 3rd round pick
for Culpepper. They could find a quality starter for help on the defense with that range of pick. If Swartz wasn't
coaching this team and they didn't have Stafford or Johnson
and some others like Avril this team would be without hope.
Those are the main reasons they might be able to turn this
around. At least with this crew they won't draft rb, wr,
with first 2 picks next season though it always tempting
to always draft a franchise back or receiver to try to
hide holes when you have a lot of them.
Lions
It appears the Lions are looking at the reality of the state
of their offensive line. Especially sad sack Jeff Backus.
Smith says he looks at yards he left on the field. By design the Bears stacked the defense and were looking to rattle
Stafford. He had a quality 1st half. When the Bears dropped
back and mixed their coverage that is when the Lions should
have been able to run the ball. SHould have been able, but
behind that line---that is a tall order. THe left tackle should be their best lineman--he is their worst. Enough said.
They still need huge help on their defense hopefully Hill,
Avril and White will be in there together. I would slide Fluellen back to dt even if they are short at DE. That would
at least help. They still need a dt and De. another good
corner and another good safety.
Lions
It appears the Lions are looking at the reality of the state
of their offensive line. Especially sad sack Jeff Backus.
Smith says he looks at yards he left on the field. By design the Bears stacked the defense and were looking to rattle
Stafford. He had a quality 1st half. When the Bears dropped
back and mixed their coverage that is when the Lions should
have been able to run the ball. SHould have been able, but
behind that line---that is a tall order. THe left tackle should be their best lineman--he is their worst. Enough said.
They still need huge help on their defense hopefully Hill,
Avril and White will be in there together. I would slide Fluellen back to dt even if they are short at DE. That would
at least help. They still need a dt and De. another good
corner and another good safety.
Lions
Second half fold--again. They did a decent job but then
it was 34-21 and they needed a drive. Didn't happen and suddenly 48 is on the board. They are a little better on
defense, perhaps but still awful, and Backus still looks
really slow off the ball.
Lions
I will say the Lions run defense is definitely improved if they play well on grass at Chicago. Their pass defense has
been horrible though predictable. If they can run the ball
and pass effectively tomorrow I would say that is an improvement. The Lions can take a step toward respectability
by winning a road game on grass they could win but always
seem to find a way to lose.
Lions
I doubt the Lions will win at Chicago. Not that Chicago is
that tough of a team even with Cutler, Briggs, and some others. Detroit may even have a decent chance, because
they aren't tough enough to hold their own and though they have some players who can make plays to hold it close. It
is just their protocol to lose to a team they could beat
when they are on the road on grass. If Swartz can change that
then he can change the Lions.
UGGG Darby again, I thought they were finally through with
this pushover. The Lions needed help at dt but a quality dt.
Lions
I think that crazy streak is still alive---the Lions need
to win in Washington D.C. to break that drought. Winning
on the road on grass would be a good step in the right direction, even against a mediocre team. Peterman and
Ramirez at first glance appear to be playing better but
Backus still stands out as struggling to hold his own. It is
a credit to the o-line though. Kevin Smith looks good running
the ball. Morris, Brown, and Felton have found their niches.
The passing game with Johnson and Johnson is a lot better. Stafford will settle in even more as the season goes along.
Sure he will struggle at times but all in all he will have
a decent season. Pettigrew will improve as well. Biggest
areas of need:DE, Dt,---perhaps if they find a very good
de Fluellen could slide back to dt. Avril return helps some, too but Grady Jackson will only hold-up for so long.
Cb and Safety. Will James might be able to help.
Lions
A win-----finally, now just another mediocre football team.
At least a few more wins will follow but not many I believe.
However, there are some hopeful signs like Smith running. Stafford could have had an even bigger game if Johnson didn't
push off and he learns to tone down a few throws. Billick was
fun to listen to. He knows football and has a somewhat endearing voice. Lions defense held on and only allowed Santana Moss get loose once and not a lot from Portis.
Swartz and the Lions' next challenge is to find ways to play
respectable and win on the road.Particularly on grass. Defense
still needs pass rushers and some more help in the secondary.
Lions
The Lions played about as well as could be expected for the
1st half--the half they tanked. Rushing the ball they had about the same total at the end of the game as they did at the end of the 1st half. Backus still missed quite a bit of
key blocks. Ramirez seemed to play well. Pettigrew is starting to come on. Good to see the pash rush and the defense play better--again, first half in particular, I guess. Another loss. Stafford had a decent game. He completed some good passes, misfired on some. The Lions
could very well be improving but still be staring at 0-6 in the face.
Lions
Predicting 5 wins is hardly a bold statement. The Lions seem
to have 5 winnable games on their schedule. They may only win 3 or 4---doubtful they could anymore than that. It is predicated on the observation that the offense finds a way
to score more points as Stafford grows more comfortable as
an NFL qb. The fact that he is able to have 200 yards passing with a team that is one dimensional because of its
pathetic o-line particularly Backus is a testament to the
fact that he is more than capable. The Lions have good receivers and good running backs. This almost sounds like the 1990s team description. Of course the defense is awful.
Hopefully 5 wins is reached and that convinces some quality
defensive players that the Lions are on an upswing. Unless
they can draft 4 pro-bowlers one de, dt, a corner and safety. Now do you see why I insist the Lions should trade
Culpepper? Who else do they have besides Johnson, Smith,
Pettigrew, Stafford, and their linebackers, Buchanon and Henry, and Delmas that would fetch at least a 2nd or 3rd
round draft pick. Cherilus and Hill will probably develop
into quality players given time, too. Forgot to mention
Avril, Fluellen, and Cohen though they are quality players
they seem to be only part of the rotation along the line.
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