Oh and Another Loss

LIONS 10 Vikings 24

Frequent power cuts Sunday evening made this an absolute nightmare game for me to follow as I waited for the power to return and then once it did for the PC to start up, after telling me it hadn't closed down properly, only for the power to go again. Throw into the mix an aggravated wife moaning about missing X-Factor due to power cuts and slow start up of Sky+ box while I'm reverting to my i-phone for game coverage and you might start to understand why this particular loss was all the more frustrating in my fraught home.

I also got the sense that Coach Schwartz found this loss particularly frustrating too as it was mistakes by Lions players on defense that essentially kept Vikings drives alive or allowed them to score TD's while mistakes on offense failed to keep drives alive or convert TD opportunities. And yes, the prediction curse of this blog also saw the reliable duo of Hanson and Logan miss a kickable Field Goal and muff a punt return respectively. But the curse aside, when I look back at that preview and then at the final score I see the Lions did better than, at least I, expected. So why the frustration?

Well I guess when you predict how a game might go you tend to think in general terms whereas once the game has played itself out you tend to look at specifics. I think it is also fair to say that for this game I, and I'm sure I'm not alone on this, hadn't expected the Vikings to be as bad as they were. So, despite predicting a beating, when the game got under way and it became apparent it was there to be won the Lions beating themselves was all the harder to take. It is not unreasonable to state that the Lions could be 3-0 going into the Packers game. 

Coach Schwartz defended himself and his coaches for their game management which is starting to come under increasing criticism. It is true to say that had players not made mistakes at key moments (or officials had seen things differently on some of those occasions) then the game plan and game management would not be being questioned. But they did make those mistakes and so fans and media alike will be less forgiving of a conservative approach that falters on mistakes rather than a more flamboyant risk inherent approach where mistakes are more likely. That said, fans and media will criticise losses whatever the approach when they come along with the frequency that the Lions manage.

Overall I think the defense is performing at about the level it was predicted to given where the talent lies and, by holding the Vikings to 24 points, gave the offense the chance to win the game. Losing Best to injury obviously didn't help an offense that was already missing Stafford and Burleson but despite this it should have performed better. Once again I thought some of Linehan's play calling was questionable and was disappointed that Schwartz chose this week not to take a shot at the end zone before the Field Goal attempt just before half time. Yes we'd got burnt just before half time the last two weeks, and it was obvious we would have been looking end zone, but I think you've got to have some belief in your team to get the job done or at least do no worse than leave you exactly where you are with less time on the clock. I'm also starting to get a little concerned about what is going on in the locker room at half time as the Lions have now failed to score a 3rd quarter point in three games.

When the Lions made Nate Burleson one of their two big Free Agent signings earlier this year I thought it signalled the departure of last seasons wide receiver acquisitions Johnson and Northcutt, who had both either failed to get open or dropped key passes throughout the season. Northcutt finally got cut just before the season started and Johnson carried on Sunday where he left off last year with another crucial drive ending drop. If Derrick Williams starts to consistently show up like he did against the Vikings then I see no reason to keep Bryant Johnson on the roster. I'll put the Pettigrew drops down to inexperience (although that may be generous) for now and will trust that this does not become an element of his game.

The challenge for Linehan is to ensure that the offense scores a minimum of 21 points per game. This may well mean he has to keep getting the ball to Scheffler, Pettigrew and Williams (Burleson when he returns) with short passes in a West Coast style offense if opposing D's have loaded up on Calvin and stopping the run. The weapons are there and it is time the coaches found a way to make use of them and ensure they work properly when they do.

The Packers are probably already relishing the chance to get back on track against the Lions after losing unexpectedly to the Bears, while the Lions are looking at an 0-4 start with what would then be a real crucial home game against the improving Rams before the bye week. The performances against common opponents in the Bears and Eagles should give us hope that Lambeau need not be the fearful place of recent seasons. With no snow forecast we can head off to Green Bay with every confidence of upsetting the odds so...

Bring on the Pack!!! 

Week 3 Preview

LIONS @ Vikings

Although starting a season 0-2 has become somewhat familiar, this particular 0-2 is definitely different. The reason is it could so easily be 2-0. That's not just an opinion garnered by looking through Lions tinted eyes, it is borne out by the reality of the two games played. In both games the Lions had the ball with a chance to either win the game or send it into overtime but, before we get too carried away, they didn't take their chance (yes they got hosed by the call against the Bears but they still had chances after that they didn't take) and so find themselves 0-2 rather than 2-0.

The divisional opponents we face today have also started the season 0-2 and in contrast to the Lions that does not have a familiar feel to it. Last seasons NFC Championship finalists have struggled to get out of the starting blocks this season and Brett Favre has looked like this was the year he should have finally retired for good. So the question on every ones lips is "Who will start the season 0-3? Lions or Vikings?" Actually, that's not strictly true, the question most pundits are asking seems to be "Will the Vikings get their first win of the season at home to the Lions?" The general answer seems to be yes and I, regrettably, have to agree.  

The 2010 Detroit Lions are definitely better than recent editions, they are fighters and will battle for the full 60 minutes. The pre-season predictions generally fell between 3 and 6 wins this season and from the evidence of the first two games that looks about right. After losing franchise QB Matthew Stafford at halftime of the first game the Lions offense bounced back reasonably well last week behind backup QB Shaun Hill. When the Lions acquired their various star offensive players we all assumed it would be impossible for opposing defenses to stop us as we invited them to "Pick your poison". Last week the Eagles chose rookie running back Jahvid Best and 2nd year TE Brandon Pettigrew as their poison and got torched for over 300 yards in total offense by the pair. The Vikings defense is better than the Eagles though and for the Lions to be productive against them Linehans game plan needs to find a way of exploiting the mismatches where they occur and Hill needs to be able to have the time and vision to execute the gameplan.

After last weeks predicted break out star performer earned himself a spell out by getting himself concussed making a monster Special Teams tackle and following on from the first weeks predicted break out star finding himself on injured reserve for the year I have decided not to make any predictions on player performance this week (cue large sighs of relief throughout Lion land). The return of DeAndre Levy should see some improvement and his return will hopefully spark a performance out of Julian Peterson who has been disappointing so far this season. In a team that will be prone to mistakes due to inexperience there is little room for veterans (especially highly paid ones) who seem to be regularly blowing assignments and tackles. The D-Line remains the saving grace of the defense and will face it's sternest test to date against the Vikings formidable O-Line. If they can find their way to Favre early on there is every chance that Favre's nightmare start to the season will continue.

The Lions Special Teams remain solid if not spectacular and will face a stern test against the Vikings returners. Jason Hanson kicks well indoors and if asked to kick a Field Goal from 50-yards in should make it. Logan is showing some nice consistency too as a returner and it'd be nice to see him break a big one against the Vikings.

I really hope I'm wrong about this game but I feel we'll be coming out of it less closer than we are going in to it.

Prediction: LIONS 17 Vikings 38

NFL Week 2

Oh the joys of games not running to schedule.

In the old days I used to stick a 4 hour vhs tape into the recorder and it would record the overnight game while I slept. But every now and again I would mistakenly place one of those 3 hour tapes in and the next evening, having studiously avoided the score, would find myself watching a game that abruptly ends only for me. I thought those days were behind me with the advent of the intelligent life force that is the Sky+ box - how wrong I was.

So if last week was all about the nostalgia of the NFL being on Channel 4 this weeks less welcome nostalgia trip was all about a game you've been enjoying for over 3 hours suddenly ending on the screen well before the game in the stadium has ended. I thought I was being clever when I series linked ESPN's Monday Night Football, however, this weeks 49ers Saints game ended for me when the programme was scheduled to end but  before the 49ers TD & 2-point conversion tied the game and before the Saints kicked the winning Field Goal as time expired. You'd think, I thought as I stared at the message telling me my programme had ended, if it is as clever as it likes to think it is that this Sky+ box would know that the game hadn't finished wouldn't you?

No such troubles with the Sunday night game, where rather bizarrely Channel 4 decided that this weeks dip into the archives should be to dredge up the presenting pair that hammered more nails into the coffin of the sport on Channel 4 than any other. Did they think we look back fondly on the guys that turned so many away from the sport? Mike Carlson clearly wasn't impressed with his "idiots" comment when the clip finished but then Carlson does give the impression at times that he believes himself to be a superior being than the rest of us, with knowledge about the game not to be found in the audience and, most noticeably, his co-presenter. Gary Imlach seems to be aware of this because he's positively bursting with all sorts of interesting snippets to prove he really does know things about the sport. I finished the game fast forwarding through the studio segments and would think this will be the case for the rest of the Channel 4 season.

Watching the game live, of course, removes the ability to fast forward through the studio drivel and so, still fuming because Schwartz hadn't taken the points and gone for it on 4th & 1 (yes I know I really should let it go now), I joined the Sky team and the Patriots at Jets game. I realised this week just how much Nick & Kevin rely on a good guest because when they don't have one they are not good enough to carry the show. Surely by now Sky could've found a third presenter that can not only make every show but has a reasonable NFL background (whether coaching or playing) so can provide insightful, intelligent observations. 

Looks like I missed another good early game on Sky while following the Lions so this week will have to give serious consideration to adding another game to the Sky+ recordings although I have a feeling I will miss the end of an awful lot more games if I do.     

So Jah S'eh

Eagles 35 LIONS 32

If I may continue the homage to Bob Marley theme of the headline a little longer "If you are a big tree, then we are a small axe, coming to cut you down".

For me that is where the Lions are right now, unafraid, still firmly in the underdog category and yet, you do get a sense that they will start swinging and cutting down some big NFL trees before too long. Unfortunately Sunday wasn't the time for this to happen and to follow on from last weeks buzz word, it is clear the 'process' of rebuilding the Lions has yet to be completed.

The game against the Eagles saw the emergence of Cal running back Jahvid Best in the Honolulu Blue. Yes he scored two TD's last week but outside of his two TD carries he averaged a paltry 1 yard per carry rushing and 3.5 yards per reception, hardly the stuff to give opposition DC's sleepless nights. Against the Eagles he laid down a marker that if he comes anywhere near for the rest of this season he will probably be the biggest landslide victor of Offensive Rookie of the Year there has ever been. 

The Lions offense took to the field for the second time in the game and, finding themselves 7-0 down, decided to see if the 10 yard run Best had managed in the first drive could perhaps be repeated. It could. Suddenly the Lions O Line were blowing holes in the Eagles D Line and Best was gashing through for gain after gain, Aaron Brown even chipped in while Best got his breath back before returning to punch it in through the heart of the Eagles D from 14 yards out. After two Lions offensive possessions of the ball Best had the following numbers: 5 carries for 74 yards at an average of 14.8 yards per carry with 1 TD. The game was just over 9 minutes old, the scores were tied at 7 and yet somehow in the remaining 50 minutes Best managed 12 carries for 4 yards and 1 TD. Yes he added a 75 yard TD run off of a pass and racked up a total of 154 yards receiving but what happened to the Lions running game? During that field long TD drive the O-Line resembled a rolling maul, such was their dominance.

My fantasy jinx ensured Brandon Pettigrew had an impressive game receiving and as an added bonus he blocked effectively as well (I replaced Pettigrew with Scheffler after last weeks showing and then to prove it wasn't a selection fluke replaced the Dolphins D with Baltimore! Oh yes I am the harbinger of Fantasy doom). Also for someone playing in a position that is notoriously difficult to impress in as a rookie Ndamukong Suh is seeming to have little trouble living up to the expectations we had when he was drafted. That's a sack in each of his first two games. Kyle Vanden Bosch and the rest of the D Line gave their all and looked impressive but after that it's difficult to get too excited about much else on either side of the ball.

Hill didn't have the best of games at QB but then he is the backup and, as such, you can't expect him to perform to the level of Stafford. Do we win with Stafford behind centre? Possibly. The defense do miss DeAndre Levy and it is noticeable that Louis Delmas is not 100% which makes our back 7 too weak and vulnerable in this league. Throw in a few key missed tackles and a dropped interception and it's not hard to see how we give up 35 points to a Vick inspired Eagle offense. The fact that the game was kept close has given the defense a bit of a free pass the last two weeks. Not much was expected of the D outside the front 4, as we all knew the weakness of the linebackers and secondary, so giving up in excess of 400 yards each week is no surprise. The signs are there that we have a spirited, never say die bunch but it is also clear you can't make up for lack of talent.

The offense performed well enough too given the starting QB was absent and yet the feeling persists it could have done better. So for this game for the first time since they came on board I found myself questioning coaching decisions (is that in itself a sign we're getting better?). Was Linehan's play calling becoming a bit too predictable at times? Were we making the most of what we had on the field? Shouldn't we be taking a field goal here?

That last one did it for me. I know through reading the comments on the forum that I'm in a minority here but I really do think that was a key moment and one that Schwartz got wrong. He was right in saying in his post game interview that you have to be capable of making a yard with 2 carries of the ball, it is also true to say if you score the field goal you still need a 2 point conversion which is further to go than 1 yard and it is also true to say that it is right to back your offense to gain that 1 yard as there is no guarantee you will make the kick. I still think that you take the points in that situation though, especially with plenty of time still on the clock.

Rather than try and justify decisions though in his post game interviews I thought Scwartz would have been well served this particular week to have taken a leaf out of Rod Marinelli's book and taken one for the team. "Hey fella's that loss is on me" would have taken the focus away from the players not making key plays (and they would know as well as the rest of us how crucial some of those mistakes were) and, I believe, had them wanting to burst through walls for him in Minnesota next week.

The games in the record books now though, and this seasons 0-2 is looking a lot more competitive than previous years. We have a meeting with fellow 0-2 division rivals the Vikings to look forward to and, I don't know about you but, I can't wait to see Suh sack Favre, so... 

bring on the Vikes!!!

    

Week 2 Preview

Eagles @ LIONS


When assessing this match-up pre-season I regarded it along with the Week 1 Bears game as a likely indicator to how the season would pan out. Win both and an 8-8 or 9-7 season looked to be on the cards, win one lose one then a 6 or 7 win season seemed likely, if they were to lose both closely then 4 or 5 wins would probably be where we'd end up and if we were to lose both heavily I ... well lot's not go there.

Unfortunately when trying to forecast this game last weeks games don't really help. The Lions lost to the Bears but had CJ's TD catch been allowed (and I think we all agree it should have been) then the Lions would be 1-0. But if you look at pretty well every statistic from that game it tells you the Lions got a bit of a thumping. So, do you put the fact the Bears came up short on a number of occasions down to a ferocious ball hawking Lions defense or to a mistake riddled Bears offense? Similarly the Eagles were being wiped from the field with new QB Kevin Kolb behind centre. He get's concussed and replaced by Michael Vick who then looks like he'll lead the Eagles to an amazing comeback victory but falls just short of doing so. If Vick had been the starter would the Eagles have beaten the Packers?

I'm hopeful the Lions will get the season at Ford Field off and running with a victory but think it should be close as I believe the Eagles have a slightly stronger team but think they're not that much better than the Lions to overcome the home field advantage. 

Key for the Lions success on offense will be establishing a credible running game, something they failed to do against the Bears. Jahvid Best may have scored a brace of TD's but the team averaged less than a yard per carry. Until the Lions get some respect for their running game then opponents, including the Eagles, will take away CJ and the passing game. Best looks to have the capability to break open the big runs and it'd be great if he can burst through early in the first quarter for a long TD run. I'm going to put our Week 1 offensive woes down to early season rust, having seen a number of other teams struggle as well, so think this week we'll see the offense we believed we had prior to the Bears game. It may be without Stafford, but I still believe we have the league's best backup in Shaun Hill, so don't think we'll suffer too much as a result of missing Stafford.

Key for the defense may well be the return of DeAndre Levy who was listed as questionable pre-game as was our Lion of the Year, Louis Delmas. Against the Packers Vick looked most dangerous when breaking from the pocket and running to his left. If I'm right, we will have Vanden Bosch at right DE and Peterson at right OLB. So with the surge up the middle from Suh & Williams and Vanden Bosch & Peterson collapsing the pocket from the right Vick will be forced to run to his right. If this little scenario plays out then we will need big games from Turk McBride and Zack Follett as Vick will either be scrambling their way or looking to throw from their side of the field. I am therefore going to boldly predict that this proves to be Zack Follett's breakout game and he finishes it with 2 or 3 sacks (hopefully he doesn't suffer the same fate as Aaron Berry who I similarly predicted great things for last week! Ouch!!).

In close games it often comes down to the play of Special Teams and I think we should hold our own against the Eagles even though they have better returners. Stefan Logan is the best we've had taking the ball back for a while and I'm hopeful that former London Monarch Danny Crossman has us capable of preventing the Eagles returners from taking it to the house.  

Whether you are watching the game in the stadium, via TV feed (legally or illegally (ssshhh)) or the radio then I hope you enjoy the game and, of course, the Lions win.

Prediction: Eagles 27 LIONS 31   






  

NFL Week 1

The start of the 2010 NFL season here in the UK reminded me a bit of the old waiting for a bus adage 'you wait for hours then two come along at once' as the NFL returned to our screens from its 7 month absence. If you are a fully paid up member of both Sky & ESPN then the opening week provided you with the chance to watch a whopping 6 games live and in HD! This, of course, was subject to living with an accommodating partner and not requiring to be awake for normal working hours.

Personally I managed just the Vikings at Saints opener live as I didn't have to go to work the next morning. Even then I still struggled to stop myself from extended periods of eye resting that I was jolted from by increased commentating voices. The game was not the best and, as it turned out, it set a tone for the standard of the games played on opening week as the 49ers were blown away by the Seahawks, the Redskins & Cowboys fought to see who could score least and the Jets and Ravens did similar but in a tougher chest beating manner. The Chiefs and Chargers probably served up the best of the TV games (didn't see the Giants v Panthers as clashed with the Lions) but even this was mistake strewn. Watching most games via Sky + meant the opening week, for me, lasted a week and by the end of it I felt a little better about the Lions and their less than inspiring performance at the Bears.

It was good to see the NFL back on Channel 4 and the highlight of the week for this particular old fogey were the little nostalgia clips they showed. It's difficult to explain to the Madden PS generation just how much of an impact those early Channel 4 shows had as it wasn't just the introduction of a new exciting sport but a whole lifestyle and attitude that those of us who regularly tuned in were buying into. Hopefully Gary Imlach and Mike Carlson will get their act together and put on a more polished performance in future weeks.

The CJ catch was a prime topic of debate and saw us receive much sympathy from other teams fans on the relevant threads on the Lions forum at NFLUK. There was also the promise of a NFLUK Store announcement but this failed to materialise and has become a watch this space type thing now. Hopefully when it does arrive the merchandise is varied and the prices are affordable. And if that proves to be the case then world peace could be a realistic goal to aim for next.

So Week 1 is now consigned to history, we can study in depth all the stats and look forward to Week 2.

It's good to have the NFL back on our screens.  

Turned Over!

Lions 14 Bears 19

Jeez this team just keeps finding new ways to rip your guts out doesn't it?

I don't believe there is another team in the NFL that could lose a game they didn't deserve to win on such an awful call. I've read the rule and the quotes from referee Gene Steratore and I'm still at a loss as to how you define "the process of the catch" so am equally at a loss to know when this process is considered completed. What I know is that at the time it happened it looked like a catch to not only me but the players on both teams, the commentators, the fans in the stands and, most importantly I believe, Side Judge Mike Weatherford. Mike Weatherford is the official the play happened in front of and the one raising his arms to signal touchdown and I think that should've been enough for the referee. But hey let's not dwell on this dumb call lest it obscures the previous 59+ minutes.

Going in to this season I would have said that if the Lions D could hold an opponent to less than 21 points then, given the strength of the offense, we should win the game. If Calvin's catch was ruled as a TD then we win 21-19 and head out of Chicago in black and white jumpers, a Robin style mask covering our eyes and a sack marked 'Swag' slung over our shoulder having left a note for the Bears saying "thanks for your help".

The Bears seemed capable of marching up and down the field at will, with our defense powerless to stop them, before perhaps thinking it was all too easy and giving us the ball. For most of the first half it was almost as if they didn't want to score and felt an obligation to the fans to keep the game interesting. I, along with many others, had low expectations for our defense and so wasn't surprised with how they performed. Lot's of heart and a disruptive front four doing it's best to prevent those behind them being exposed couldn't prevent 463 yards of Chicago offense with 362 of those yards coming through the air. Despite the way they were racking up the yards Chicago didn't look a good team and as we head in to the rest of the season we can't expect teams to throw chance after chance away like the Bears did.

If the defense performed as expected then the offense was anything but. It didn't help that the Jeff Backus brain went to the half time break a few minutes before his body and, more significantly, everyone else on the field. Matthew Stafford had looked boringly efficient throughout the half, more Montana than Elway if you like. We had efficiently managed to score 14 points having conceded just 3 and our young QB must have thought if he was to see the field again the first half it would be to take a knee or two then head to the locker rooms. The Bears remembered their mission was to keep the game interesting after receiving a holding call and facing a 1st and 20 at their own 11 yard line and reduced the deficit to 4 points. Stafford trotted out on to the field unaware the Backus brain was now in the locker and suddenly BOOM just like that Julius Peppers drills him to the ground and our star QB is now likely out until the team returns from its Bye Week to play the Redskins.

Backup QB Shaun Hill must've spent nearly the entire 2nd half wondering if the Backus brain had returned to the field with the Backus body because he seemed to want to get off the field pretty quickly. I was fearful that he would be introduced to the crowd at Ford Field next week as "Shaun '3 and out' Hill" until that last drive. He must have received assurances that the Backus brain and body had been reunited because suddenly the ball was flying through the air and our receivers were running, diving and catching (ok let's no got here again). Why we were unable to do this throughout the game, as were expected to, I do not know and can only hope that the final drive is the offense they carry into the Eagles game. My big offensive hope, Jahvid Best, scored two TD's and looked really good when he did so, unfortunately on the 12 other runs he had he most definitely did not look good. The much needed running game managed to average just under 1 yard per carry and with a stat like that you just have to move on.

So we have started the season 0-1 (what's new), our franchise QB faces a while on the sidelines with an injured shoulder and we have all spent the last 24 hours bemoaning an officials call that robbed us of the chance to steal a game from Chicago. But to be honest with you I'm glad, in a strange 'only a Lions fan could say that' kind of way, that we didn't win because having lived through an 0-16 season and so much ineptitude over the years I can take the losses so I want my victories, when they come, to be deserved not stolen.

Bring on the Eagles!!!