Gentle Lion’s fans,

After four games into the season, this scenario should be blatantly familiar. Only item missing is a ‘sacrificial lamb’ who was exiled to the west coast.

What have we seen that is new? Well, an innovative way to fumble was superbly executed when a unexpected snap from center ricocheted off the QB into the arms of an opposing lineman. Goeff wishes he could have a redo on a few errant passes. Failure to score in the red zone is old hat for the Lions. And, not to beat a ‘dead horse’, the Lion’s secondary is mediocre at best.

After the upcoming Minnesota game the Lions have a splendid opportunity to gain a solid grip on last place in all of the NFL standings. However, all the prior 63 years of rebuilding have so calloused us fans that failure is our lot and place in football fandom.

Let’s hope that coach Dan Campbell has enough fortitude and toughness to survive until the seasons’ injury situation rectifies itself and in future seasons, draft choices can help rescue the franchise. Countless other teams have done the “Phoenix” thing in less that 64 seasons.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

First a look at the game. A quick review of the overall stats would seem to give you the impression that the Lions outplayed the Ravens and won the game. However, remember the 2-3 dropped ‘gimmie’ passes the Raven receivers committed early in the game? Gifts to the Detroit defense who struggled the entire game. Wide open receivers made for easy targets for Jackson. Fourth down calls were not controversial in my opinion.

What drives me nuts is the ‘prevent’ defense. You cannot stop the passing game by a ‘running’ QB so why not give him more time to pass or run the ball as an option. And, Detroit made its usual quota of penalties most effectively to each critical situation.

Now on the big ‘bug-a-boo’. Go back into history in 1970 when Dempsey kicked a record setting 63 yr field goal to defeat the Lions. Fast forward to the playoff game with Dallas when a penalty flag was picked up on a genuine ‘pass interference’ call. Videos of this call are probably used as part of an NFL referee training film on what ‘classic’ pass interference looks like. Moving forward, remember the invention of the famous “Calvin Johnson” ‘catch’ rule that sealed the Lion’s fate in another critical situation.

And, for all the non believers, we have a record setting 66 yd field goal executed after what appears to be kicked 2 seconds beyond the expatriation of time which should have been a delay of game penalty. Who knows, could have saved the Lions from the ignominy of having a 71 yd field goal kicked against them to ensure another loss.

It appears the “curse” permanently resides in Detroit City and does not transfer with players as a contagion. Those that watched our alumni M. Stafford manhandle Tampa into submission saw proof he was not contaminated.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Yes this is truly another year of rebuilding. Nothing to see here so move along and stock up on Tums antacid tablets. Monday night was truly reminiscent of any prior 63 years. Blast out of the starting blocks looking good and then retreat back to past form. Start out by killing a momentum drive with two stupid penalties. Downhill from that point on. Overall stats are deceiving.

Add turnovers and fumbles into the game mix and it’s all over but the shouting. Goff has got to forget about those heroic passes when he is being pummeled into the ground. Lion’s inept defense made for easy pickings for A. Rodgers. Bottom line is that Green Bay made their offensive gains count compared to the Lions. As an aside, Hockenson may be the next wasted talent for the Lions to squander.

The upcoming game with Baltimore is going to be really brutal to watch. Keep you ‘adult beverages’ close at hand.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Nothing like the feel of smashing your fingers with a hammer to remind you that being a Detroit Lion’s fan is not for the weak or feeble. Ok, I’ll concede ‘febble minded’. Opening day’s game with the 49ers validated that our “Silver Sieve” defense was fully migrated intact from last season. Consistency is so reassuring.

Don’t be deceived by the final score or the stats. This game was over at half time. San Frans ‘prevent’ defense made the games’ last half ‘entertaining’. Nothing you saw was of any significance with the possible exception of a glimmer of a Lion’s run game. Still way to early to bank on.

Same ole grimace on the new coaches face after every failure to execute on defense. Well, next week we will find out if A. Rogers has really ‘flamed out’ or the just had a bad day. Get ready for the usual barrage of platitudes and commitments to rectify last weeks’ folly of a game. Don’t expect to hear from the new ‘Crown Princess’ of the Ford family any time soon.

For any who had the opportunity to see any of the LA/Bears game, our old QB alum had a great day. Good to see him smiling from the sidelines and not from the bottom of a ‘sack’ pile. We look forward to retribution day on October 24, 2021.

The bells tolling in the background are for the end of the Stafford era in Detroit. Our decimated Lion’s need to be put out of their misery. Matthew Stafford deserves a better outcome than dying on the rotted Lion’s vine. Maybe the Rams could use a seasoned QB?

The Buccaneer’s game was a splendid example for the need of a “mercy” rule in the NFL. Slice and dice was the order of the day. The Lion’s philosophy of putting a thoroughbred as leader of the pack supported by much lesser talent has to be changed. It has not worked for 63 years and will not make any difference in the 64th year of rebuilding.

Our seasons’ finally will, at best, be like watching the dying embers of every other year of rebuilding revealing the same old smoke and mirrors we’ve endured for 63 years.

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Well here we are again. After 62 years of practice, the ‘fat lady’ has the script down pat. Start with high expectations followed by mediocre results. Add in a few dramatic moments of coaching changes with predictable let downs from ‘coulda/shoulda’ moments wrapped around key injuries and initial signals of twilight from an exceptional athletic talent. It’s called the “Detroit Lion’s Way” and registered and patented as a trademark of the franchise. Yes, three more games still remain but ‘blah’ is the order of the day.

Against Green Bay the score only reflects Green Bays sloppy execution during the second half otherwise it is a ‘blowout’. Anyone remember when Cleveland went 0-16? See any of their performances this year? What is Detroit missing?

Sixty three years is a long time for a “rerun” program and some di-hard fans are nearing ‘expiration dates’. So as one of the di-hards, please pick up the pace during our 64th year of rebuilding.

As a beleaguered fan, could we please have the team that played the 2nd half of the Chicago game play out the season? This request is not to awaken dark thoughts of coherent team play but just to demonstrate a reasonable resemblance to competitiveness.

In the fading minutes of Chicago’s last gasp drive, our beloved Lions seemed on the verge of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again with a stupid penalty. However, this time it was not fatal.

In summary, remember Chicago has a mediocre win/lost record resembling the Lions. We can hope to salvage some ‘Lion’s pride’ if they can capture whatever they conjured up in the games’ 2nd half against the Bears and finish out the season.

Well, you have the answer to “how low can you go?”. This Lion’s performance almost warranted genuine pity. Except, we’ve seen this act before over and over. Patricia should have a hood over his entire head, not a bandit o face mask for this turkey of performance.

In addition to the legacy baggage of feckless execution and performance, an element of ‘social justice warrior’ is now part of the pitiful mess encompassing the Detroit Lions. Never doubt asinine creativity when the Detroit Lions are on national display. Makes one pine for the good old days of W. Fontes and company.

Maybe this was the last act before the launch of our 64th year of rebuilding.

No need to elaborate after reading the title. Don’t bother looking at the stats. Nothing to see there but disaster. Key question. How much more abuse can Stafford absorb before a critical injury ends his career?

In spite of all premonitions, I’ll watch the Thanksgiving day game. Di-hard to the end. Plenty of ‘Tums’ and other anti acid remedies at the ready. Avoiding ‘Adult beverages’ because the effect is only temporary. Also, by definition you have an inherent deficiency of common sense when it comes to being a Lion’s fan.

Upwards and onward to our 64th year of rebuilding.

Let’s start with a ‘victory’ for the “Silver Sieve” defense effort. They barely managed to hold Washington to under 500 yards of offence, 464 yards specifically. Time of possession was lopsided by almost 11.5 minutes which in perspective approaches a quarter of game playing time. How about blowing another double digit lead starting in the third quarter? Sound familiar?

Now for the ‘good’ parts. The Lion’s generously contributed to Washington’s offensive drives with well timed pass interference penalties. Smith was allowed to get into rhythm and resulted in 375 yards passing.

Not to be outdone, Washington upped the level of stupid penalties with a hit on Stafford that was really dumb resulting in a fresh set of down. The rest is history. Prater’s kick looked like it could have cleared 65 yards with ease.

Notwithstanding, this performance does not portend a winning season. The 64th year of rebuilding is still on schedule with new geniuses at the helm.