Gentle Lion’s fans,

A quick reminder that over the last 63 years of ‘rebuilding’ we have seen this train leave the station before. Yes, the Lion’s are undefeated so far BUT to many unanswered questions remain. Sunday’s game was won by Stafford’s passing. Just check out the ‘rushing stats’. Eagles offense was much more balanced. The Lions are still a ‘passing’ team offense. Well after efforts to ‘establish’ a run game expired, the Lions kept up the futility.

The Lion’s still committed silly penalties at critical moments. Some were refereeing errors going both ways. In addition the Eagles had a severe case of passing ‘dropsies’.

In summary, this game should have been over early but in true Lion’s style they failed to apply the ‘cup de grace’. Not to diminish the Eagles’s effort but having a games’ outcome hinge on a blocked field goal attempt and aborted ‘hail mary’ passes to secure a ‘win’ is not the way playoff teams work.

It looks as if we’re gearing up for a reality 8-7-1 season or die hard Lion’s optimism expectations of a 9-6-1 record.

Ugly does not even describe this game. Your ‘bingo’ card of penalties would be a sure ‘coverall’. A premonition of disaster started with the missed PAT on the Lion’s first touchdown. Stafford’s time to throw was minuscule compared to the time Rivers enjoyed. If this performance was the new and improved Lions, get ready for a plethora of Lion’s game tickets in your Halloween bag instead of candy.

Missed field goals by LA were part of the gift package along with their 9 penalties that the Lions repaid with 8 penalties of their own. Lion’s defense only gave up a little over 400 yards to LA. Not exactally a stellar defensive outing.

The next few games are with way less forgiving teams so gird your loins for some tough sledding. On the bright side, our Lions avoided starting the season with a 0-0-2 record.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Well here we go again. Another innovative way to make a loser team look good. Never one to let a game escape into the ‘win’ column, our beloved Lions continue to evolve.

For starters, we watch a rookie quarterback flounder on trying to pass down the middle. When he switches to slant pass patterns the defensive adjustment are minimal or useless. Oh yes, we have not forgotten the use of mental mistakes causing dumb penalties. Can someone please explain who or why a ‘time out’ was called when Stafford was still within the snap count on a crucial third down? The Cardinal’s defense was not touted to be highly rated but our Lion’s offensive line manage to expose Stafford to a few brutal hits. It’s a good thing his legs are still functional. If this flaccid protection continues he could be out by mid season. The rest of the seasons’ schedule against premier defenses could be extremely hazardously to his health.

A few positive aspects of the game were the exposure of a potential ‘north/south’ running game. The newly drafted tight end looks like the ‘real deal’. Stafford still has his arm. If you watched any of the Viking’s game you saw a preview of the reality of the ‘bright light’ in the schedule tunnel. And it is not daylight portending a rainbow into the playoffs.

A few more stunning(sic) performances like this and Matt will need more than a crutch to escape the dashed expectations of Lion’s fans and cement his place in the ‘Grave Yard of Lion’s Coaches’.

marvinudy

The answer will be displayed in the final Green Bay game. For the Viking’s game you needed a “barf bag” compliments of the airlines. Fortunately, I only saw bits and pieces of the game due to a travel schedule and that was more than enough. Review of the game statistics drove home the picture of total surrender with no hope of survival.

Stafford looked ‘ugly’ in spite of the drops by intended receivers. Makes one wonder why he even started. Anyone still believe you can achieve victory via the field goal route? Apparently the second half adjustments included “just lie down and die” components.

Alas, another year of expectations, no matter how modest, founded on personnel changes dashed into the dustbin of NFL statistics. Our 63rd year of rebuilding has abundant historical linage to anticipate more of the same.

Being a Detroit Lion’s fan is a psychological disorder made up of masochism and schizoid optimism.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Finally the hopes and dreams of another season of disappointment are relegated to the trash heap of expectations. Yes, there are still two games remaining for current players to demonstrate their worth for another year’s employment. Nothing else left but hype and bloviating about our upcoming 63rd year of rebuilding.

This game captured all of the inadequacies of the entire season. Lousy 3rd down conversions, no run game to speak of, ineffective QB protection, penalties, and defensive secondary failures. In addition, play calling was ‘stale’. Makes one pine for the old days with W. Fontes.

Maybe the Lions can ameliorate fan frustrations by executing ‘old time football’ against the Packers and Vikings.

Gentle Lion’s fans,

The blog was “dark” for two weeks.  Thanksgiving’s game caused so much gastric re flux that it could not be put into words.  No TV availability last week prohibited meaningful commentary.

 However, this weeks game against the Cardinals was just plain boring.  Just what you would expect from two out of contention teams.  Watching, if not on mute, or listening on the radio was like withstanding an assault of bad tasting leftovers on the third day.  Appeared obvious that Stafford was not 100%.  Rest assured the remaining games will be just as bland, win or lose.

Listening via radio it was interesting to hear Lomas criticise the offensive plan during the second half.  Refreshing but probably a “no,no”.   Zenner is a reasonable speciality asset but his final minutes drive was way above his pay grade.  Speaking of which, Blount should fade way into retirement at seasons’ end.

Get ready for the siren song and fuselage of ‘rebuilding BS’ for the rest of the season.  Maybe, Santa will contribute to our 62nd year of rebuilding.      

Gentle Lion’s fans,

Detroit had a running game until the injury of Johnson. Bleak omen for the rest of the season. Blount seems to second guess his self to much and gets stuffed. Third down conversion are still miserable. Touchdown opportunities need to be ‘cashed in’ instead of settling for field goals. Major weakness against good teams. A gigantic improvement of only one penalty for 5 yards.

I think Newton had an ‘off’ day even though he threw for 331 yards. His receivers dropped catch-able passes. The 2 point gamble at game’s end was a gamble by a team out of contention for the playoffs.

Keep your optimism in check until after the Packer’s game.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

If you had any doubts, this game punctuated all the flaws, shortcoming and fallacious enthrallment about this being the season of recovery. Stafford continued to function as a pinata. Hopefully, he survives to seasons’ end. Even though the Lions are weak in many areas, this game squarely falls on the entire coaching staff. Ugly does not do justice in describing the overall team performance in this game. I highly suggest some sort of self medication prior to the remaining games. Unfortunately, there are still 7 games on the schedule so gird your loins and make ready the brown paper bags.

The singular pertinent question remains as to why other NFL teams have descended into the depths of mediocrity and risen to respectability and the Lions languish after only 61 years of rebuilding.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

The Vikings put an end to this seasons’ pipe dream of a ‘work in progress’. Little did we know that Stafford was put on a ‘run for your life’ or ‘eat dirt’ diet. The harbinger of futility was evident on the very first play of the game. How do you have a significant time of possession and still not out score the opposing team? Play Detroit Lion’s style football and let the Vikings make the most of every scoring opportunity. And yes Lion’s penalties are back in vogue and making sure they are scheduled to do the most damage.

The entire coaching staff looked like they were attending a funeral. Partrica’s facial expression and body language looked more like coach Bobby Ross who ‘threw in the towel’ early. Time to break out the brown paper sacks for all the souls that attend or watch games on TV. We’re watching the destruction of a great quarterback by and inept organization.

Well, it’s time to face reality and resume the position of our 62nd year of rebuilding.

marvinudy

Gentle Lion’s fans,

It’s really hard to be a Detroit Lion’s fan without a masochist’s personality flaw. Sunday’s game against Seattle was made to order. Stafford did his magic for the games first score and then team ‘B’ showed up. Seahawk’s running backs must have been exhausted exploiting Detroit’s defense against their ‘run game’. No need to mention Detroit’s pathetic running game. All it produced was a lopsided time of possession. Ball control anyone? Wilson found the defensive backfield’s weak spot and ate them up.

Special teams were not to be outdone. Beside a kickoff fumble, the “creme de la cremes” was allowing Seattle’s punter to run for a first down when his original intention was to accept a safety. Brown paper bag anyone?

An 8-8 season now looks optimistic. Get ready for the shrill siren claim of the “final fix” is eminent with the ” insert your favorite” addition or hiring to emerge from the shadows preceding our Sixty First year of rebuilding.

marvinudy