Marvinudy's World

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Bent but did’t break

Written By: marvinudy - Oct• 23•24

Stats reflected games’ final score. Lion’s inspired tenacity won the day. Singular turnovers on either side appeared destined to decide the games’ outcome. No doubt this game could be the ‘hallmark’ of more performance consistency by the Lions for seasons’ duration.

Goff maintained disciplined control avoiding ill advised ‘passes. Rushing was balanced between slashing speed and brutish N/S assault. Lion’s offensive line mostly held Vikings pass rush at bay and set up running lanes. Menu of passing targets can still be broadened.

Defensive efforts stymied Viking’s full out productivity in spite of A. Hutchinson absence. Refresher lessons are required illustrating what constitutes ‘holding’. And, in spite of the failure, an unexpected ‘trick’ play has it’s time and place but maybe not deep in your own territory.

All in all, the ‘grit’ of Detroit Lions defeated a dangerous Viking’s effort. We can expect more ‘cake walks’ like the Dallas game and repeats of the Minnesota game. Injuries and replacement depth will define coach’s talent and skills to the max. .

Cowboys charge Lions with ‘assault & battery’

Written By: marvinudy - Oct• 15•24

Professional football is between inordinately skilled, physical human specimens at the ‘edge’ of capabilities. Physical injuries will happen, even as gruesome as suffered by A. Hutchinson. We all hope for the best recovery possible in his own best interest.

In summery, Dallas Cowboys got run over by Lion’s rushing game and stymied by Lion’s defense across the board of Dallas’s rushing and passing. When was the last time Dallas Cowboys failed to score a touchdown in a game? AI responded with ” 11/22/92 vs NY Giants”. One could but wonder what if A. Hutchinson had played the entire game.

Balance in run and passing was text book execution. Montgomery and Gibbs were in perfect balance. Goff spread receivers’ choice across the entire selection of target opportunities. When necessary he ‘ate’ the sack and avoided risky desperation ‘quail quality’ pass attempts. Fundamentally, Lion’s offensive line was linchpin key to both rushing passing attacks. Continuity as demonstrated in this game could potentially be a harbinger of ending the Bobby Lane ‘curse’.

Who are these guys really?

Written By: marvinudy - Oct• 02•24

Game stats would tell you the final score was an inversion of reality. Almost every stat favored the Seahawks., except for one. You guessed it. Stupid penalties chipped in an additional 30 yards on top of the other 516 yards by Seahawds just for the ‘hell’ of it. Deep pass defense needs remedial education on basic rules, especially what constitutes ‘holding’.

In an almost schizoid manner, Lion’s offense made almost every opportunity count. J. Goff warrants all the kudos cast in his direction. Beside pass completions, he took ‘sacks’ rather than making ill advised pass attempts. Balance of attack was augmented with great rushing efforts by Gibbs and Montgomery.

In what has become fashionable as part of Lion’s play, at least one ‘razzle-dazzle’ play is expected and fans were not disappointed. Surely, Vince Lombardi is turning over in his grave with the oscillating Lion’s performance half to half and or game to game.

Maybe the Lions have created a new paradigm on how achieve the ultimate NFL goal. Not for the faint of heart who have watched the last 66 years of rebuilding.

On the knife’s edge

Written By: marvinudy - Sep• 25•24

The first half of the game made the Lion’s offense look like a well oiled machine. Not so much after that. Lion’s defense aroused in second half to put the game away. Looking at the stats, especially time of possession, Goff’s pass completions and offensive blocking was text book game ‘blow out’ predictor.

Then game’s tenor shifted and then that old sicking feeling bubbled to the surface. Seen this before. With efforts by A. Hutchinson and D. Montgomery the slug-fest emerged. Lots of ball movement but very little production by the Lions. Compounded by the unseemly stupid penalties.

Taking into account the see-saw overall performance balance one has to conclude this is what the entire season will look like. Always on the knife’s edge with the outcome uncertain. Injuries, current or future, will make or break the season’s outcome. Unplanned depreciation in QB, RB, DL or OL leaves no room for redemption in the season’s long run.

17-0 is lost forever(pun)

Written By: marvinudy - Sep• 16•24

Reviewing the game stats you could conclude the Bucs were a great team or the Lions played ineptly. Marvinudy leans more to the latter. Lion’s aerial assault was genuine but futile. Thirty four completions out of fifty five attempts gets the games’ ending result. With a little less than 500 yards of offense and A. Hutchinson’s defensive efforts, one would expect a blow-out.

Without delving into historical misery, we’ve been here before. Tampa’s net offense peaked out at 216 yards. What happened you ask? Lion’s lousy ‘red zone’ productivity. March up and down the field and settle for a field goal. Maybe J. Goff had a really off day. Let’s hope he cleansed his system. If not a plan “B” better be in Campbell’s s hip pocket.

In spite of the macabre insult penalty for having approximately 20 men on the field resulting in the first half ending loss of a field goal, the Lion’s were saved from “Dufus” of the week award going to Green Bay with the center ‘barfing’ on the ball just prior to the snap.

On to our next game with the Cardinals remembering what they did to LA Rams.

Nirvana or Horror show?

Written By: marvinudy - Sep• 10•24

Let’s start with a circumstantial view. This game should take the “bloom off the rose” from all the press falderal about the Detroit Lions waltzing into the Super Bowel. Stafford may be older but as the Terminator said, “not obsolete”. Even hindered by losing two of LA’s major weapons, they still produced over 300 yards of offense.

On the Lion’s side, it was just nostalgic beauty to watch the seasoned offensive line seamless mesh with D. Montgomery for some old time N/S ‘smash mouth’ football. Gibb’s speed to the outside was a welcome asset. Goff’s performance was adequate but 18/28 will not carry the team unilaterally in every future game scenario.

Stupid penalties at critical moments seem to be a Lion’s specialty. Hutchinson gets a pass because he stumbled before hitting Stafford low. Fortunately, LA reciprocated late in the game to keep the game close.

Downfield pass defense was exposed by LA’s C. Cupp. Even acknowledging that he is a premier receiver is not an excuse to allow him to perform as he did. It’s trite to acknowledge but future opponents saw the same game we did.

Even with the seasoned OL and very good running backs, J. Goff and the offensive coaching has to successfully exploit better execution to open pass routes for good hands’ potential receivers. Limited one dimension offense will not carry the day.

Haunting, consistency performance relapse

Written By: marvinudy - Feb• 02•24

Setting aside pregame fervor coupled with post game depression, this game was almost a duplicate of a season’s earlier game where Lion’s functioned flawlessly and finished with a whimper. At first half’s end, initiate Super Bowl plans. Detroit ran all over San Fran on the ground and in the air. The other ‘guys’ can’t score if they don’t have the ball. Time of possession was almost criminal.

Oh wait, must play two more quarters of football. Other team makes second half adjustments and nothing seems to work. Did Lion’s counter adjust? Maybe, but now receivers could not hang onto passes, passes were slightly errant of hurried or both. Run game became stagnant and ‘football gods’ granted favor to the 49ers.

Time to ‘suck it up’, conjure up sensible ways to address fixable flaws on both sides of the game and stride confidently into our 67nd year of rebuilding.

And they keep winning!

Written By: marvinudy - Jan• 23•24

Incremental improvements continue to evolve. Game with Tampa Bay Bucs again not deigned as a defensive duel with almost 800 yards of total offense. Lions donated only 17 penalty yards, committed no fumble and threw zero interceptions. Lion’s defensive rush made QB sacks when they counted. Play calling had its moments, seemingly innovative or ‘bland’ depending on your risk tolerarnce.

J. Goff had a great 4th quarter surge and needs to find a way to go ‘balls out’ from start to finish. Downfield pass defense is still weak and containment of ‘running QBs’ is suspect. At this stage not much can be done to mitigate pass defense shortcomings except score big allotment of offense.

Looking ahead, San Fran’s 49ers can be had. B. Purdy needs to be contained and allowed minimum time to work his pass progression. Lion’s need a strong run game from Montgomery and company.

Every game is ‘crunch time’. No need to waste on ‘what ifs’ at this juncture.

Obie1-Stafford vanquished from Lion’s psychic

Written By: marvinudy - Jan• 15•24

This playoff game with the LA Rams had it all. From the opening methodical Lion’s drive for a touch down to LA’s Staffords final drive for failed win salvation. Defense made the difference when it counted. In no way can you ascribe over a total 640 yards of passing offence as a defensive duel. Lion’s defense rose to the occasion when it really counted in the ‘red zone’. Throughout the game, Lion’s defense harassed Stafford and for the most part forced quick progression to receivers with errant or dropped passes.

Lion’s offensive line and Detroit rushing game allowed Goff the keep LA’s defense ‘honest’. Zebra intervention almost evened out with the exception of a ‘call’ on Decker that was a ‘Ray Charles’ faux pas. Ram’s A. Donald was mostly held at bay but Lion’s cadre of Anzalone, Hutchinson, Gardner-Johnson and Campbell had a productive day.

If a ‘cliche’ ever fit a game, this was it. The Lions bent but never folded and our ‘boys’ in Honolulu Blue earned this win.

Savior the moment!

Written By: marvinudy - Jan• 12•24

For a moment set aside the last game with the Vikings and relish gains made this season. Even with external forces outside of anyone’s control, the Lions had a very good season. Yes, the division was less robust than historical norms but the Lions are undisputed NFC North champions. From here the road traveled becomes treacherous and unforgivably fatal to those that falter.

Now onto the Viking’s game. No denying the Lion’s pass defense is still lacking. Viking’s N. Mullens, far back in the QB rotation, still passed for over 400 yards against Detroit. Based on the game ‘stats’ this game should have been a blowout. Rushing yards and time of possession were grossly lopsided. Unfortunately, victory came with unintended injury consequences.

No matter what the post season brings, the Detroit Lions are for real. They may be solid, ragged, sloppy or ugly in any given game but they will show up to play warts and all.