If this game was a demonstration of Lion’s progress in our 58th year of rebuilding,  we’re already ‘screwed’ for the season.  Beyond pathetic are the words that immediately come to mind.  I think allowing an expensive QB to function as a piñata is something new even for the Lions.  So much richly deserved criticism is like shooting fish in a barrel.  Lets start with Stafford being the leading rusher.  Was he rushing for yardage or trying to save his life?  Based on the beating he took, I think it was the latter.  Now we have the “Silver Sieve” offensive line as part of the game plan.  Oh, did I mention the running backs took the week off.

Fear not, as a gesture of good will, the Lion’s perfectly executed an insane penalty on a crucial goal stand line giving the Vikings a second chance for a touchdown.  Somehow, when your two biggest pass threats are ineffective, it’s a good move to institute plan “B” passing schemes.  On the other side of the line, A. Pererson had a great day against the Lion’s defence.  Who possibly could have anticipated that performance?  Yes good people we’ve seen the same scenario from games past.  Last but not least, pass receivers developed a terminal case of ‘stone hands’ instead of catching the ball.

It’s hard not to be deflated as a fan but fear not, Lion’s paraphernalia will shorty be on the 50% off table at Sam’s Club if this level of execution continues.

After the first 21 points you could sense the ‘ghost’ of seasons past.  Then things began to fall into place.  The first was the ‘stupid’ encroachment penalty giving San Diego an automatic first down and subsequent touchdown.  From then on it was “downhill” in a hurry for the defense.     Stand back and watch San Diego score a ‘shit load’ of unanswered points.

We knew the pass defense was suspect but this performance was despicable.  And C. Johnson was totally absent from the offense.  If pass coverage was that tight with double coverage, who the hell was open?

Maybe this week was a ‘fluke’ but it could be the start of another ‘Nightmare in the Motor City’.   Do the Lion’s have any ‘killer instinct’?  It did not show up in San Diego.

Setting aside the final score, the stats tell the ‘real’ story.  It’s to early to concentrate on our 59th year of rebuilding but the ghostly apparition of Bobby Lane’s famous curse is in the air.

Now that the pre-season is in the review mirror,  the ‘real deal’ playing starts.  What can we expect?

Stafford is in his ‘make or break’ year.  He’ll move on up in stature or become just another ‘coulda bin’.

The newly reorganized running back scheme will make or break the season. No running game just guarantees lots of blitzing by opponents with Stafford trying to pass while falling on his “ass”.

Same goes for the offensive line.

Can C. Johnson continue his spectacular performance with advancing age and will G. Tate repeat last years performance?

Pass defence has to ‘show-up’ big time this year!

Is the kicking game for real?

Discipline by special teams has to be a given.

Way to many variable have to come  together to end THE DROUGHT.  But the season could be fun to watch.

Stay tuned.

Well, the boys got beat.  In the end our defence could not hold Dallas for the entire game.  Our pass coverage in the middle of the field was our Achilles heel.  We can debate the absolute terrible reversed pass interference call that changed the entire momentum late in the game but that goes into the ‘breaks of the game” category.  Errors by our special teams unit did effect the game’s outcome.  An atrocious punt late in the game, decision early on to run a kick-off out of the end zone into good coverage and ongoing sloppy open field tackling were a few notable uncalled for errors.  Will no one ever learn that arm tackling a huge tight end under a full head of steam is not going to work?

Since television coverage did not show down field coverage of C. Johnson, it’s not fair to critique the lack of ‘deep’ throws to loosen up the pass rush.  But, the ‘oldie but goodies’ critically timed penalty deserves honourable mention especially when it gives another set of downs at the goal line.  Mistakes are the gifts that results in losses.

So now we drift off into the winter doldrums dreaming of what can be in our 58th year of rebuilding.  Can you hear Bobby Lane still chuckling?

Blessedly, I only saw the ‘screwed-up’ punt returned for a Green Bay touchdown before boarding a three hour plane flight.  Saved a lot of consternation and agony.  Our boys in Honolulu blue trotted out almost every conceivable mistake possible in pro football.

The ‘Coup De Gras’ was Suh’s apparent flagrant stomping of Rodger’s leg.  He would have been better off just falling on him after he stumbled on the first step.  And now the single game suspension is lifted in lieu of a fine.  Sponsors probably figured with him out no one would waste time watching the game. Or, maybe the ‘bookies’ weighed in.

You have to admit the on-side combo punt-kick-off was pretty slick.  That tactic may have some ‘legs’.

Off we go to Dallas and what most likely is to be a stirring but brutal defeat unless the Lions shed their ‘Big Running Dumb-****” ways and somehow play a game befitting of a contender.

With the ‘Golden Boy’ Harbaugh returning to University of Michigan, maybe hell did freeze over and our 58th year of rebuilding will be the Lion’s fans salvation.

Fortunately I was unable to see the last two games live on television.  Forced to wait for update ‘tweets’ and instant updates on the internet were much less stressful than watching the games ‘live’.  However, the summary for both games is that for two teams that should have been handily defeated were allowed to look respectable.  Where to start.  Stafford was ‘ugly’.  The pass rush was marginal.  Rushing offence was mediocre.  Penalties were still ‘stupid’ and timed for the most negative of effects.  Red zone efficiency was unacceptable.  These are the qualities of a team looking forward to the 58th year of rebuilding.

The play-offs do not have a ‘next week’.  Unless all the pieces-parts of the Lion’s team come together into a cohesive unit with continuity, the post season will be short and bitter.  The finally game with Green Bay would be a good game to matriculate into a contender.  Much to my chagrin, I see a cold and bitter winter just over the horizon.

Well, well, guess who showed up?  Yep, almost all the parts arrived on time.  Even with J. Bell’s break-a-way run, the running game was less than noteworthy.  Penalties still were nine to many.  Suh needs to forget about the fore arm to the quarterback’s head move.  This one will cost him some $$$.  Next week’s game against the Vikings should be a repeat.  Notice I say  ‘should be’.  It will be a good test to see if the Lions can play consistent football week to week.

Why do I highlight the negatives?  Our Lion’s history is replete with great games followed by putrid performance against teams they were supposed to beat.  The play-off and championship games do not allow for ‘fool’s mistakes’ or reversion into old habits.  Lack of discipline in big games is the difference between celebration and those that hang their heads and wait for the 58th year of rebuilding.  A trip to the Super Bowl is beyond expectations, but legitimately not giving the game away in an effort to win is expected after all these years.

Bobby Lane is watching from somewhere!

Well boys and girls, the “A” version of the Detroit Lions showed up on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.  Keep in mind that da Bears are not exactly a contending team this year.  I had a strange case of deja vu early in the game when the 14-3 score favoured Chicago.  Enjoy the euphoria while it lasts but be aware that the merciless thing called reality is lurking out there somewhere close by.  Also, did you notice the Lion’s only had 5 penalties?  Two of which resulted in 1st downs.

Hats off to C. Johnson, J. Bell, G. Tate and others who caught passes and made good yardage runs when needed.  Stafford was definitely “on” this game.  A season of 11-5 is definitely in the Lion’s grasp.  Don’t disappoint us guys.  Getting beat by an opponent is one thing but self immolation is still the “boggy man” in the closet based on Lion’s history.

Condolences to those fans who watched the Lion’s game on Sunday.  After the Lion’s two trips to the ‘red zone’ and settling for field goals, the eruption of gastric bile up into your throat was to be expected.  How did all the receivers develop “brick hands” at the same time?  They all owe Stafford an apology.  And then our vaunted defence allowed the Patriots to score 24 points in the first half.  The secondary played soft and Brady was allowed to pick his pass targets at leisure.  Time has passed for excuses.  Sundays performance puts an explanation point on the fallacy of this team being a contender. Welcome to anther season of could a, should a and would a.

Agreed, we need a power running back.  J. Bell would make a good complement as part of a running duet.  R. Bush appears not to have physical longevity as a future.  With the exception of Stafford and Johnson, trade anyone and get a power running back.

The Lion’s season’s finishes will have some unsustainable flares of football highlights but culminate, unfortunately, with more Lion’s “UGLY” at Green Bay.  Our 59th year of rebuilding is mere months away.

Well, well here comes a dose of ‘reality’ to our optimistic version of the 2014 Lions brought to you by the NFL schedule.  Anyone notice the the Chicago Bears are not dead and buried?  The Lions resurrected visions of the ‘good ole days’ of harmful penalties, poor pass protection, questionable play calling and  an untimely doses of the dropped passes.      Two trips to the ‘red zone’ with 6 points as a reward.  Have to admit Prater’s ricochet shot was a moment of excitement.

Green Bay continues to preview a contenders performance.  Optimistically, Chicago could be  a split and New England goes directly to the ‘L’ column.  Tampa Bay and Vikings should favour the Lions but never discount the Lion’s failure to execute.  A 10-6 season at best with a chance for a 11-5 performance.  This portends the vision of another first round play-off elimination.   Oh well, we still have our 59th year of rebuilding to look forward to during the cold winter months and following spring of fan optimism.