Gentle Lion’s fans,

Well, we’ve seen it before. Detroit’s ‘Silver Sieve’ defense allows an opponent to run up 400 yards of offence but the Lion’s passing game ekes out a win with Prater’s last second field goal. E. Ebron, aka ‘brick hands’ has a great game but managed a fumble and drop a critical 3rd down reception in a critical situation. Nothing to see here, moving on. Offence without a running game is like a two legged stool. Enough said.

The ‘good news’ is Stafford did not get the ‘crap’ beat out of him. Good strategy for a $28 million dollar investment.

As we stagger to seasons’ end be prepared for at least one more let down. It’s the Lion’s way of tempering fan’s eternal optimism. May the ‘Force’ be with us in our 60th year of rebuilding.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

As a fortuitous act of mercy I only watched or listened to part of the Lion’s game against the Ravens. Can we now get off all the “losers’ blather” and get on with our 60th year of rebuilding. Looking at the game stats and one wonders how the final score could be so lopsided. Always the answer is of the: coulda, woulda and shuda litany from a Chinese menu of excuses. We’re to far into the season for those alibis. Execution is a two sided coin; players and coaches. Time to produce or move on.

Even die hard Lion’s fans like myself are approaching our patience’s limit akin to other fans expressing distaste over the insidious ‘political correctness’ BS infecting the core of NFL football. Ignoring disappointment and/or sensibilities of the fan base is a slippery slope. May God help us if soccer and cricket become our favorite national pastime.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

The game stats tell the entire story. Detroit not only got ‘run’ over but ‘passed’ over. Spot a team a 13 point lead in the first quarter and then try to play ‘catch-up’ football with no running game, let the infamous ‘silver sieve’ defense allow over 400 yards of offence and presto a valiant struggle to another loss.

We’ve been here before. Maybe with the remaining schedule a wild card playoff is possible but never underestimate the Lion’s ability to ‘play down’ to an opponents level. Early exit from the playoffs is a historical Lion’s reputation with or without referee help.

As the sun starts to sets on another ‘blah’ season we can look forward to our 60th year of rebuilding. Keep in mind that Stafford is only mortal and has quarterback ‘shelf-life’. And folks still wonder why stars like B. Sanders and C. Johnson retired?

The Bobby Lane curse continues.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

As usual the Lion’s played down to their opponents level. Evidence is in the game stats. Chicago had more first downs and huge rushing yardage advantage. Third down efficiency is not playoff caliber. If the tools existed to execute a ‘balanced’ offence, they should be evident by now. Bottom line, the Lion’s are a passing team with a mediocre run game for what ever the root cause is defined to be.

Against the Vikings its time for an all out aerial assault. If the receiving core can’t hang on to the pass and the offensive line can’t give Stafford time to throw, so be it. Win by playing with your strengths and without exclusive dependency on Prater’s foot.

May forces of ‘good’ not ruin your Thanksgiving dinner.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Yes a win is a win but this one was troubling. A record losing team with a little known QB manages to run up 423 yards of offence including 200 yards of rushing. Time of possession was the inverse of expectations. Where was everybody during the first half of the game? This type of play guarantees express lane elimination from play-off contention or early out if you get there by some fluke of scheduling. And penalties are back. Credit to Stafford and the passing game for avoiding a disaster.

Time to ‘walk the talk’ and play consistent, complete games. More hapless half game performances during the remaining schedule is failure beyond hype and excuses.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Good game to view. First the positives. Time of possession was dominating. E. Ebron (aka “brick hands”) caught three passes and made some good blocks. Stafford did not have
to run for his life to many times. On the negative side remains some more of the same. Lack of a ‘smash mouth’ running game. Starting with ball on the one yard line and no TD is unacceptable. Abdullah suffers another bout of ‘fumble-lites’. Predictable play calling on goal line scoring situations. Failure to ‘finish-off’ opponent and alter their game strategy. Apparent prevent ‘defense’ at games’ end was not impressive.

Even though the Lion’s remaining schedule looks ‘soft’, never underestimate their ability to ‘play down’ to the opponents level. Keep your seat belt fastened and adult beverages nearby for the rest of our ride into our 60th year of rebuilding.

Gentle Lion’s fan,

As you have discovered by now, screaming at the TV does not alter our Lion’s execution. Harbinger of things to come arrived almost immediately when ‘brick hands’ Ebron dropped a pass from Stafford that unfortunately hit him in the hands. Amassing 480 yards of offence and yielding 5 field goals is an astonishing accomplishment for a sand lot performance. Actually, the Lions had seven scoring opportunities. Enter the usual mistakes, tepid play calling, dropped passes and wallah another entry into the “L” column. Seventeen percent third down efficiency is terrible.

Based on the Lion’s history we can expect a valiant resurgent during the rest of the season that will amount to naught. Another “close but no cigar” accomplishment. Stay tuned for a melody of excuses, scapegoats, injuries, trades and recriminations. Question remains as to who will be sacrificially thrown under the bus to justify entry into our 60th year of rebuilding? Hold off for a few more dismal performances and Lion’s paraphernalia at Sam’s Club will by BOGO (buy get one free).

Gentle Lion’s fans,

With apologies to the Bard, it was a ‘Comedy of Errors’. Bizarre is a fitting description for the Lion’s game with the Saints. What a titanic defensive display by both teams. A meager 726 yards of total offense was allowed. Easily lost in the melee of stats is the Lion’s total 66 yards of rushing vs the Saints 193 yards. Stafford proved that he cannot magically generate a win without an offensive line. So much for the ‘ole college try’. Unfortunately by games end, Lion’s injuries resulted in the the cheerleaders preparing to suit up.

Stay tuned for a season of futility and exasperation. This game was not an omen but reality of what to expect the rest of the season. The light at tunnels end was not generated by Jim Bob’s magic play calling, Caldwell’s coaching or Stafford’s arm but the siren’s glow of our 60th year of rebuilding hurtling down the track.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

This game was painful to watch. First off, the offensive line execution put Stafford’s life in jeopardy. In case you missed recent events, he was signed for ‘BIG’ money as a franchise QB. Must give some credit to the Panthers defensive line and secondary. They kept Stafford bottled up and Lion’s pass receivers well covered. And yes, stadium fans finally had enough of Ebron’s ‘brick hands’ performance. Carolina’s ‘big/tall’ folks took full advantage of the Lion’s defensive secondary. Newton had significant time to find alternate pass receivers in spite of initial good defensive coverage by the Lions. Time of possession and net offensive yards by Carolina sums up why the final score was not really as close as perceived at first glance. The Panthers also ‘donated’ an extra 90 yards of penalties to the Lions.

This game was probably a prescient preview of games to come. Stay strong gentle Lion’s fans, year 60 of rebuilding is just around the corner.

Gentle Lion’s fans,
Three positive perceptions and one negative from Sunday’s game. Time of possession was very good. Fair running game displayed. Stafford passed to eight different receivers. Official’s perceptions went the Lions way on two possible pass interference calls late in the game. One was clearly missed and the second a toss up. Clear case of ‘luck’ over passing defense skill.

Teams on the rest of the schedule will note that keeping Stafford ‘bottled’ up in the pocket is an effective strategy against his deep pass threat. Could be an indictment of the Lion’s offensive line or the Viking’s talented defensive line rush. Also, an appearance of predictability to not pass on first down is open for some consideration. Detroit still gave away net 50 yards of penalties vs Vikings.

I’m not quite ready to leave the fortified bunker of memories from prior seasons’ performances just yet. And yes my overall NFL viewing time is absolutely minimized because I want to watch and enjoy a football game without dilution by political posturing. This also extends to the obnoxious so called end zone celebrations. Auto ejection would cure that disease quickly.