Gentle Lion’s fans,

Game recap: score big points in the first half, then do practically nothing on offence until the Eagles give you a gift allowing you to win the game. Second half produced three possession with three and out. Just for novelty sake, let’s try to put two half’s of a game with the same result. But that would eliminate all the suspense of the ‘heroic’ comeback try or agony of a ‘failed’ defensive stop. Sounds like an issue coaching could effect.

Did you notice the Eagles suffered from the same ‘penalty disease’ and ‘gifted’ the Lion’s an extra net ‘offence’ of 92 yards? Take away Stafford’s run for life stats and Detroit’s rushing yards was a meager 64 yards. New offensive formations were a welcome deviation.

Perhaps the league should consider ‘gift wins’ to replace the ‘tie’ category. Detroit: 1W-3L-1GW. But this would not have the same effect as always remembering the ‘one that got away’. Guaranteed, more ugly but standardized Detroit Lion’s manic outcomes to arrive on cue in future games.

Wow, where to start. First, condolence to all of you who watched the entire game. One can assume three pathetic routine plays have cemented themselves into the Lion’s playbook. First we have the ‘don’t get called on a stupid penalty unless it materially effects the games’ outcome’. Second, drop all passes that can potentially create gains for a new set of down. Third, all receivers may optionally disregard the designed pass pattern as defined by the play called by the quarterback.

Eric Ebron should have his agent update his resume because his time has come and gone. What a ‘bonehead’ demonstration by giving up on a play before the referee whistles the play dead. Was he wandering off to offer contrition to the coaching staff?

Discipline and spine are going to be the differences between a seasonal outcome of 8/8 vs 6/10. The time for platitudes and excuses has expired even if it is only four games into the season. It’s one thing to be defeated but significantly better that aiding in your own defeat. With apologies to the ‘bard’, “a loss by any other name is still a loss”.

Gentle Lion’s fans,
First a disclaimer. Due to a social committment, I was only able to watch the game’s first half. The outcome was never in doubt as I turned off the TV. As usual, our boys put on a performance not suited for those with a weak heat or stomach. How can you have a significant edge in time of possession and more than 167 passing yard vs the opponent and still lose the game? Check the ‘run’ stats vs GreenBay or can someone say ‘secondary defense’? Something is wrong when the ‘bright spot’ is that only four penalties were called but blunted by a 66 yard beauty for pass interference.

The Detroit Lions have two game plans: A- Score lots of points in the first half and allow the other team to dominate the second half and secure a win in a ‘thriller’, B- Score no or limited points in the first half and score lots of points in the second half to still produce a loss in a ‘heart-breaker’ effort.

For the sake of the fan’s well being, can we please have a game plan the combines the best of A and B in spite of the opposing team’s adjustments? It’s way to early to conjure up that ugly 59th year of the ‘rebuilding’ Zombie but with the Detroit Lions you can take nothing for granted. A few more of these spastic performances will create a splendid opportunity for a ‘half off’ sale on Detroit Lion’s paraphernalia at Sam’s Club.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

If you sat through this entire game you encountered a sense of deja vous when the Lion’s had the ball on Titan’s 1 yard line and settled for a field goal after consecutive penalties eliminated a possible touchdown. You knew dead certain the outcome. Perhaps the offense misplaced Jim-Bob’s play book and used a Lion’s oldie but goodie offensive scheme that includes: stupid penalties, dropped passes and other assorted mental brain farts. You just cannot give away 138 yards of offense to penalties. Stafford still had to ‘scramble/run’ to many times. Great way to shorten a QB’s career. Unfortunate injuries are going to further insure a dismal seasonal outcome.

The worst is yet to come as the season progresses. A season of 8-8 may be a stretch. J. Caldwell,can you hear the ghost of B.Ross saying “this is not the way I coach a football team”? An opening exists in Detroit Lion’s graveyard of coaches but you will be in good company.

Ever inventive, the Lions used a blown PAT to create an opening for a loss. For reasons yet to be divined, the Lions seem to ‘back off’ every time they build a substantial lead. It drives me crazy. Yes, some credit must be given to the opponents for adjustments in tactics. A look at the Colt’s passing and running stats provide a glaring view into the Lion’s defensive issues. Yes, they shut down Gore but will face other teams with a significantly more potent running game. The glaring issue is allowing Luck to throw for 385 yards. Also, Luck had plenty of time to throw. Any opponent with a decent running attack will exacerbate the Lion’s weakness in the passing secondary. And, stupid penalties are still with us.

On the positive side, Stafford was not pounded into the dirt and made good choices on pass management. He could use a little more time to set up passing opportunities. Riddick proved his dual purpose as runner and receiver and is to be respected. Abdullah can be an asset if he remains healthy.

The game was way more exciting than it had to be. And a win is a win but don’t allow your expectations for the season to be contaminated by one game. The ‘ghost of seasons past’ still has a firm seat on the Lion’s bench.

Folks,

Here we are on the eve of the 2016 season and injuries have already altered the resurrection process. Calvin Johnson’s retirement and Stafford’s future as good/bad/mediocre QB linger in the air like stale beer. Preseason play is a babbling flourish of could’a, should’a, and would’a that fill space on the sports pages.

However, hope springs eternal as a Detroit Lion’s fan. Maybe the 58th year of rebuilding is just below the horizon. Sit back and enjoy the sunrise before reality arrives to rear its ugly head as has happened the past 57 years.

Calvin, we will always remember you and your spectacular catches as we gird our loins for another football season in Detroit.

Just what you would expect from two lower tier performing teams. A ‘spirited’ battle to the end. Listening via radio did not make the game any more scintillating. Blah is blah. Detroit’s running game was mediocre and run defense was sub-par. And Cutler managed only to pass for 53 yards less than Stafford.
Now the waiting begins for whatever changes will take place. Expect some fan ‘pain’. However, if it can be done, Jim-Bob deserves a future if he can be a ‘complementary’ fit into the new structure. Upward and onward to our 58th year of rebuilding!

Looks like the ‘boys’ had some fun today. Somehow the 49ers stole the ‘timely stupid penalty’ play book from the Lion’s locker room. Hats off to ‘brick hands’ Ebron for hanging onto passes thrown in his direction. Whatever effected Calvin seems to be wearing off. To bad he missed the one ‘circus catch’. Would have been like old times.

Be not deceived and remember statistically the 49ers are not much better/worse than the Lions. Barring unknowns the Lion’s could ‘squeak’ out a win against the Bears. Win or lose it will not amount to a ‘hill of beans’ in the upcoming ‘big picture’ of changes after seasons’ end.

Don’t be lulled into euphoria. Spend your ‘loot’ on wine, women and song instead of saving for 2016 playoff tickets. Our 58th year of rebuilding is at hand.

Well, well. Another first half performance followed by a ‘meltdown’ in the second half. What should have been a complete ‘blow out’ game evaporated because the Lion’s failed again the show the ‘killer instinct’.

One has to question why they took a ‘delay of game’ penalty at games’ end when a successful field goal attempt would have sealed the game. I understand running the clock down but why tempt fate and just kick the field goal? When you tempt fate to kill a few seconds, she can be a fickle creature.

This game and the next with SF is not going to change anything currently in the Lion’s future outlook. The light in the tunnel is not the tunnel exit but a mass corona ejection coming at lightning speed.

Merry Christmas and happy new year. May your new year be blessed and may the Lion’s 58th year of rebuilding be fruitful.

Initially, I was ‘bummed out’ because of a TV blackout where I was. Listened to most of the game via internet radio. In retrospective this was a blessing in disguise. Lack of visual input saved about 30 points in elevated blood pressure. This game is typically what you would expect from two 4-8 teams. Pepi Le Pu, a skunk cartoon character for all of you to young to know, would be proud of the stench emanating Lion’s style from this game. One must assume a giant “brain fart” overtook the entire Lion’s organization.

Suffer we must as long term Lion’s fans. But agonies end is visible in the season’s sunset with the siren call of a 58th year of rebuilding rising like a zombie from the cesspool of lost promises from 57 years past. Surely at seasons’ end an organizational exorcism will take place to placate the disillusioned fans and conjure up fantasies of great things to come.