2014 Detroit Lions

[emu steve]

Has it been confirmed Tulloch's out for the season? It's a torn ACL I bet.

Yes, a torn ACL.

Was it REALLY from celebrating???

[gnome]

When the NFL's reigning ironman pulls a Gramatica while dancing, who dares question the existence of a jinx.

[Thruster315]

When the NFL's reigning ironman pulls a Gramatica while dancing, who dares question the existence of a jinx.

I don't believe in any of that hooey. I'm all about facts. None of this hyperbole and voodoo. You can go check your psychic turban on that as I consult my all-knowing bunion about this supposed jinx.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Trust me, I know about freak accidents. I ruptured my quadriceps tendon stepping off a curb. Anything can happen, at anytime.

[Hermod]

Unless they really go off the rails, I think the Lions have the division. Bears, Packers, and Viings are all on the skid.

[Thruster315]

Unless they really go off the rails, I think the Lions have the division. Bears, Packers, and Viings are all on the skid.

I tend to agree that the rest of the division blows this year. The Bears are highly over rated, Packers have fallen back to mortality, and the Vikings sans Peterson are doomed. So that leaves the Lions to run away with it BUT this team has spent more time OFF the rails than on it. Sorry but I still have that bitter after taste of "We got this" to losing so many of the last few games that we turned into a laughing stock.

I'm still gonna cheer for the Lions- ALWAYS, but I'm also a bit of an agnostic. Show me and then I'll really buy into it. I've had my hopes and dreams crushed far too many times to bet the house on them. I might hedge my bets and maybe bet the one car unattached garage on them to win but no way do I go all-in that easily. At times this team can look like a Super Bowl winner [[not just contender) and then there are times it looks like my nephew's Pop Warner team could clown them.

I'm hoping that this is where Jim Caldwell steps in and convinces me that this team is going to be alright. I do see some serious signs of optimism. They say teams to take on the personality of their coaches a little and Caldwell seems like a pretty cool cat. I have yet to see any Schwartz-esque penalties by the defensive linemen in jumping offsides, no stupid bouts of being over aggressive, and there's a certain calmness in the coach. Just listening to his presser yesterday I heard how he danced around the topic of Freese when asked if he thought he looked dejected; he wasn't going to publicly rip the kid a new ass by agreeing with that reporter's leading question. Caldwell seems like a pretty smart and cool cat around the mike. He didn't snap back at the reporter and still managed to keep Freese's dignity intact even though he was shown the door. And I'll assume he's this way with the team too; hopefully it'll get some results and we can win a few more games.

[Pickford-Bentler]

Nine years of wear and tear may have made Tulloch's ACL ready to pop at the next jolt. IOW, he may have survived the "dance", but popped it on the next play.

[loveDetroit]

Nine years of wear and tear may have made Tulloch's ACL ready to pop at the next jolt. IOW, he may have survived the "dance", but popped it on the next play.

Good point. He's a playmaker and will be missed.

[gnome]

I have had to actively tamp down my fandomness. The Lions are untrustworthy. I hate them for making me love them so much. They are the bad girlfriend who has mastered the Bankok Basket Trick, who can shoot a ping-pong ball across the room, who is always excited to be excited. They are the cheater, the liar, the crazy one who delights in getting revved up and then shutting down.

they the ones who are never happy with success and are happiest when you are sad.

I don't trust them. They are going to break my heart, I know that, but I still go crawling back.

it is a sickness. I am ill.

[Thruster315]

I have had to actively tamp down my fandomness. The Lions are untrustworthy. I hate them for making me love them so much. They are the bad girlfriend who has mastered the Bankok Basket Trick, who can shoot a ping-pong ball across the room, who is always excited to be excited. They are the cheater, the liar, the crazy one who delights in getting revved up and then shutting down.

they the ones who are never happy with success and are happiest when you are sad.

I don't trust them. They are going to break my heart, I know that, but I still go crawling back.

it is a sickness. I am ill.

There, there, brother gnome. I feel for ya. I'm in the same bed with that skeezy Honolulu Blue & Silver woman too.

Just FYI I always wear protection when it comes to bedding down this thing. She's a temptress and a fine one at that. She looks mighty fine and then breaks our heart when we're about to propose.

Keep it all in perspective that she's entertainment and not one you take home to momma just yet.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

I hope the Lions watched the Bears/Jets game last night. Rex Ryan blitzes constantly, which should leave some plays to be made downfield, providing Stafford can deliver. The Jets D-line is good with DE Muhammed Wilkerson leading the charge. Jets should have won that game, but TO's did them in. Not going to be a easy game, Jets have some talent with Ivory and Johnson running the ball and that read option offense.

[nain rouge]

Nine years of wear and tear may have made Tulloch's ACL ready to pop at the next jolt. IOW, he may have survived the "dance", but popped it on the next play.

Exactly. People are giving him a hard time, but if that's all it took to tear his ACL, it was only a matter of time. At least this early in the season, the Lions were able to find a replacement. I don't hold Tulloch's celebration against him.

[Thruster315]

Exactly. People are giving him a hard time, but if that's all it took to tear his ACL, it was only a matter of time. At least this early in the season, the Lions were able to find a replacement. I don't hold Tulloch's celebration against him.

[/COLOR]

Somebody tell me if I'm wrong here but didn't Tulloch come back and play a set of downs after the celebration/ disaster?? I don't think he even knew how bad it was until it really got painful for him.

No one should question the guy's heart or desire. He's one of the better guys on the team, a leader, and a character guy who gets out into the community.

[gnome]

You hear that Stafford was behind the truck that hit that skywalk on the Southfield?

The Curse is real and the fact that Stafford wasn't crushed only means it is sniffing around waiting to pounce. Don't tempt temptation and cast your disbeliefs to the internet gods.

It's alive. Believe, don't feed.

[Thruster315]

You hear that Stafford was behind the truck that hit that skywalk on the Southfield?

The Curse is real and the fact that Stafford wasn't crushed only means it is sniffing around waiting to pounce. Don't tempt temptation and cast your disbeliefs to the internet gods.

It's alive. Believe, don't feed.

There's crazier things than that, brother gnome.

Somebody explain to me how the Lions defense [[for this week at least) is the #1 in all the NFL. Okay we played against a feeble ass Eli Manning/ NY Giants team the first week where the G-Men looked as though they couldn't compete in the Lingerie Bowl much less an NFL game. But to somewhat contain Cam Newton & Aaron Rodgers?? HUH? HOW?

I get it. It's a small sample size and this is about as groundbreaking as getting new kicking tees, but I'm left wondering how is it even possible. We've lost more defensive backs than hillbillies with their own teeth. There are guys playing the defensive backfield that are probably closer to working Starbucks midnight shift than walking onto a legit NFL field on a Sunday.

Last year we were chatting away about how porous the offensive line was going to be and miraculously they ended up being one of the better units in the NFL. Is the Lions defense going to be out little bundle of miracles this season? Or are the law of averages going to come back and kick our asses back into reality? For all of the disappointments that this team can inflict upon us, they can still shock and awe the hell out of me at times.

[smogboy]

It was a rough & tumble game for Matt Stafford. He absorbed some hits and got sacked multiple times but he stuck it out and led the team to another victory. He got bloodied and dinged but still managed to toss 293 yards + two touchdowns. He didn't have Calvin Johnson but boy, did Golden Tate look good; he's worth every nickel we're paying him now. I haven't had a chance to look at his Yards After Catch but I'd be willing he had some nice jumps after getting the ball. Jeremy Ross looked pretty good too with his touchdown scamper. It was good to see Broyles step in after being inactive and make a nice reach to get the team a nice first down conversion. Knowing Calvin was a little dodgy, the rest of the receiving corps stepped up big time.

Defensively Geno Smith made it easy for us. I'm still agog that Rex Ryan left him in there especially when his accuracy was so off. He ended up with a horrific 68.9 QB rating and when he was spot-on, his receivers didn't help him at all. It seemed as though the defense really focused on stopping the run and they kept the jets at bay. Darius Slay got burned a few times but he also got an interception late too; he's still a young man with a decent upside now.

Defensively both teams stacked the line really well. Running the ball between the tackles was not going to be an easy chore; we were reduced to only having one healthy back in Reggie Bush by the end of the game. I loved the one run where Reggie very well could've got an extra yard or two late in the game but kept fending off the defender to stay in bounds to keep the clock running. it was a smart and heady play; it showed a late game maturity that we haven't seen here in a long long while.

Good game, Lions. 3-1 is looking pretty good right now as we're a lone on the top of our division. But let's not look past an up-and-coming Buffalo team next week now. One game at a time and keep the focus. Remember that this is the team that shocked the Bears in their first game awhile back.

[Thruster315]

Commissioner smoggy- are you and I the only ones left to comment about this team after a victory any more? We lose a game and all of the nay-sayers are out pumping their chests saying "I told you so" but where are they now that the Lions have won back-to-back?

The Stafford bashers suddenly can't find their keyboards. Someone cue up the crickets.

But even in victory there's still room to criticize this team fairly. And when I mean fairly- there's still plenty of room for improvement with this bunch. They've won three games- not a Super Bowl. Here's where I think the Lions could step it up:

1) The right side of the O line. Reynolds & Lucas pass blocking needs to step it up. It really punctuates the absence of Waddle in those situations. For far too many plays they seem a half step behind the other team's rusher and poor Matty Stafford's scrambling for his life. They do seem to do okay late in the game where run blocking is needed but that could also be because they platoon and the defense is getting gassed too.

2) Tahir Whitehead in the first quarter proved to me he's no Stephen Tulloch. That first drive orchestrated by the Jets scared me and I thought "damn, this is going to be a long ass afternoon especially if they continue to pound the ball like that". Sure a part of the blame goes to the front four but it's also up to the linebackers to fill those gaps. Ivory was running like a fiend and gashing us hard up the gut. Fortunately the defense stepped it up in the Red Zone and the Jets stalled but it very well could've been a day of ground and pound on us. Whitehead was also given the role to make the defensive calls- and that could've weighed heavily on him. I'm hoping he shakes the butterflies soon as he really needs to step up his game.

In the end we still came up in the W column. It was at the expense of a really bad Jets QB but against teams like that with obvious deficiencies we should feast on them. There's no weak ass mercy rule in this man's NFL.

[Pickford-Bentler]

I see a positive in the Lions being able to get 400 total yards in offense when it was obvious to the Jets that Johnson was a decoy and right tackle is a turnstile. So far, I see a more disciplined team than we had under Schwarz. Another ray of sunshine is that Waddle is getting better and Van Noy will add LB depth after the bye week. Also, Atlanta had their offensive line savaged by injuries in their loss to the Vikings. I will say with my 8-8 prediction, but like what I see with the Caldwell coaching staff. Maybe Mayhew made the pragmatic move with Suh. Long ago, I read that there was no possible way, due to the negative impact of high rookie contracts, to keep Johnson, Stafford and Suh. Although he does earn his pay, Suh has a personality that is best described as self-centered. Stafford, for all his "flaws" is a cool dude. So maybe the Lions should let Suh go to NYC to promote his career and hope that there is some fill in either next years draft or free agency. There will be a huge cap hit, but it will still be millions less than what is required to keep Suh. Anyhow, it is, at least, nice to have a Lions team that has to be taken seriously by most of the other NFL teams.

[gnome]

A fine victory and for the second straight week, and third time in four games, a time-killing drive at the end of the game.

Being able to close out a contest by controlling the clock is a new and refreshing trait, a trait I will do not mind seeing more of.

We need Waddle back, real bad, and a limping Calvin is ungood, toss in a brain bruised Bell and we have a slew of goo. The holes in the defensive backfield have not - yet - been exploited. We are missing Tulloch and that ain't looking solid.

people love to complain, more than sing praises, it is what humans do. Nothing to worry about.

[Thruster315]

A fine victory and for the second straight week, and third time in four games, a time-killing drive at the end of the game.

Being able to close out a contest by controlling the clock is a new and refreshing trait, a trait I will do not mind seeing more of.

Another trait that we used to bitch about until we were long in the tooth was the amount of penalties this team used to take under Jim Schwartz. I dunno what Caldwell & Co. is feeding them but they sure seemed to have backed off on a LOT of them. Seriously, in years past you could almost book it that someone on the D line would jump the snap and sustain the other team's drive. It was almost a given. We used to shoot ourselves in the foot so many damn times it was maddening because we wanted our front four to be ruthless; instead they turned out to be dopes.

More coaching kiss ass here has me digging what Caldwell has done with the team's psyche as well. After a pretty emotional high of beating the Packers, he's managed to keep the team's focus on the immediate game. There was no emotional roller coaster with this bunch. They played smart, focused and didn't turn the ball over.

We need Waddle back, real bad, and a limping Calvin is ungood, toss in a brain bruised Bell and we have a slew of goo. The holes in the defensive backfield have not - yet - been exploited. We are missing Tulloch and that ain't looking solid.

I think we'll be okay for another week taking on Buffalo. They have a semi-potent running game with Spiller but I'm also curious to see Sammy Watkins and see if he was worth the hype lumped on him last year. I'm hoping that with Kyle Orton manning the helm on short notice, they won't connect too often and torch us.

people love to complain, more than sing praises, it is what humans do. Nothing to worry about.

Thanks gnome-sie for keeping it real.

[Thruster315]

I know this is one place where I can bitch about the media and be somewhat understood but I'm just silently rolling my eyes at the New York media as they started that rumor about Suh leaving Detroit after the season to go to the NY market.

Now whether the big fella stays or goes is anyone's guess. It's his choice obviously because he holds all the cards. What gets me is that the OTHER big name free agent in this town is Max Scherzer of the Tigers. I don't recall anyone badgering his ass they way the media wants to climb all over Suh for his future plans. They leave Max be and let him do his job. Has anyone noticed a decline in Suh's play for us? I don't see any of it so let the man play his ass off for us and be done with. Leave him be and be freakin' thankful he still plays as hard as he does.

Not meaning to compare any of us to Suh or Scherzer but how many of us are even asked about our NEXT job while we're still currently employed? It doesn't happen, but I get it to a certain degree; these guys are multi-kajillionaires and play on a different level than most of us mortals. I even heard the report that supposedly Suh left some presser yesterday angry and was slamming doors only to have it contradicted by some of the local reporters that were there- and there wasn't any anger in Suh's voice. He, Caldwell and the Lions management have been steady with the line that they won't talk about it- so why the hell does the media continually bash them [[and waste everyone's time) on this contract topic? It's insane and piss poor journalism; it's leading and not even reporting. Quit trying to make a story where there isn't one…. YET.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

"Ivory was running like a fiend and gashing us hard up the gut."


He does that to most teams. I had hoped the Lions would go after him in a trade, when he was with
N.O. Didn't happen though. He's a good back, runs angry. Lions have another running team coming in next week with the Bills. They need to lock down Spiller and Jackson.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

^^ Not to mention, Scherzer was not once vilified for turning down that 148 million dollar extension earlier this year, yet Suh is punished for not revealing his desire to stay or leave Detroit.
I wonder if Jay-Z being his agent has something to do with it?

[Thruster315]

14-3 halftime lead.

I'm disappointed. Not in the score but I'm thinking Stafford's accuracy is sucking eggs. He seems to have plenty of time back there and yet can't connect with his receivers. He's seems to be throwing behind and just not zeroing in on the guys who should be open. We getting a case of the dropsies again? Ebron, Collins and Bush should'a could'a and it doesn't help.

Now don't get me wrong, Buffalo's D is decent but we still should be able to carve them up. Stafford's getting hurried, bumped & thumped even with a fresh Waddle back there.

Defensively it's what I'm anticipating against a rusty Orton. I feel no pity for Buffalo imploding with their penalties either.

I'm curious as to how Caldwell will adjust at halftime. I don't think it was something that Schwartz did when he was coach here. I'm hoping for a stronger second half on all fronts.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

The Tigers need a bullpen and the Lions need a FG kicker..... WTF? They had this game won, 3 missed FG's, and the last one wasn't even close. Buffalo's kicker nails a 58 yarder.