Tag: Detroit Lions (Page 14 of 45)

      Bears, Lovie extremely lucky call against Calvin Johnson overturned

      September 12, 2010 /
      MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 17: Head Coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears looks on from the sideline during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 17, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      Even by definition of the rule, I’m still not sure Calvin Johnson’s touchdown should have been overturned.

      One foot down.

      Two feet down.

      His backside was down.

      Ball was in his hand the entire time.

      Ball gets placed on the ground.

      No touchdown.

      Johnson did everything right on that fatal play outside of holding onto the ball long enough to have it constituted as “complete.” The official ruling was that Megatron didn’t maintain position throughout the entirety of the play, which resulted in a touchdown being wiped off the board and an eventual 19-14 win for the Bears. Again, even by definition of the rule I’m not sure Johnson’s TD shouldn’t have counted.

      Furthermore, how does a touchdown count when the tip of the ball goes across the goal line when a back or QB is carrying it but not when Johnson makes a play like this? It doesn’t make any sense. Ball goes across the line when a back is carrying it into the end zone and it’s a done deal – TOUCHDOWN. Johnson gets two feet down, his ass down, his back down, both ears on the ground plus a tongue and it’s an incomplete pass.

      But there’s nothing the Lions can do about it now. Game over, sorry about your luck.

      The real story here is how the Bears, a team that many consider to be a sleeper in the NFC after all the moves they made this offseason, managed to beat a proverbial last place team by only five points when their starting quarterback didn’t even play the second half. The real story is how the Bears now-explosive Mike Martz-led offense could only muster 19 measly points at home against a defense that has the worst starting cornerback duo in the league.

      Granted, the Bears did compile 463 yards of total offense, including 362 through the air and 101 on the ground. You can’t ask for much more out of Martz’s first real trial run, but the Lions should have never been in this game. Chicago turned the ball over four times, committed nine penalties for 100 yards and couldn’t score on four straight attempts from the Detroit 1-yard line with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game when trailing, 14-13.

      Considering Lovie Smith was on the hot seat coming into the season, it’s shocking that his team could look so undisciplined, unfocused and so careless.

      The only thing that saved he and the Bears today was a technicality.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Preview: NFC North Predictions

      September 3, 2010 /
      GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers rolls out to look for a receiver against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

      The NFC North will challenge the NFC East this year for being the toughest division in the conference. Three of the four teams are legit playoff contenders, while the Lions only continue to improve as a whole.

      Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC North in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

      1. Packers

      What to Like: Given how well he played last year, Aaron Rodgers should be considered a MVP candidate this season. The fact that he was able to throw for 4,434 yards and compile a 103.2 QB rating despite constantly being under pressure is rather amazing. Just think about what he could accomplish this year if the O-line gave him even a fraction of a second more time to throw. Rodgers will lead a passing attack that racked up 261.3 yards per game last season, which was good for seventh in the NFL. He also has an assortment of weapons to throw to, namely receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, as well as rising talent Jermichael Finley. In the backfield, Ryan Grant continues to be underrated and is coming off a 1,253-yard, 11-touchdown season. Defensively, Dom Capers was a miracle worker in his first year, as Green Bay led the NFC in total defense despite switching to the 3-4 (most first-year 3-4 teams struggle). Rookie Clay Matthews turned out to be a phenomenal pass-rusher and Nick Barnett was outstanding in the middle, both against the run and in coverage. Despite his age, Charles Woodson (33) continues to play at an elite level.
      What Not to Like: The offensive line was a disaster at times last year, save for the play of right guard Josh Sitton. If Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher can make it through an entire season without suffering injuries, this will be a much-improved unit and then Rodgers won’t have to spend most Sunday afternoons running for his life. But both tackles are in their 30s and injuries always seem to be an issue. At left guard, Daryn Colledge struggled, although it’s only fair to point out that he was out of position subbing at tackle. While Tramon Williams is more than capable of handling the starting corner position opposite Woodson, losing Al Harris (knee surgery) was a huge blow to Green Bay’s depth at secondary. The concern is that given Harris’ age (35) and the nature of his injury, he may never play again. The other potential issue on defense is whether or not B.J. Raji can handle playing nose tackle after a lackluster 2009 season as a 3-4 end. All good 3-4 teams have a stout nose tackle to eat up space and if Raji isn’t up for the task, it will certainly have an effect on the linebackers.
      Keep Your Eye On: Jermichael Finley
      Finley put himself on the map last season by catching 55 passes for 676 yards and five touchdowns in just 13 games. He finished the year by hauling in six passes for 159 yards in Green Bay’s loss to the Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, leading to high expectations this year. If he can stay focused (which is the biggest concern with this youngster), he could put up fantastic numbers in the Packers’ explosive passing attack this season.
      The Final Word: Expectations are high for the Packers this year, as well they should be. If the offensive line can stay healthy then this is the team to beat in the NFC North. The great thing is that Ted Thompson spent his first round draft pick on tackle/guard Bryan Bulaga, meaning Green Bay now has depth in case injuries do start to mount. Rodgers is the real deal and could lead the Pack deep into the playoffs if his O-line doesn’t get him killed first. Defensively, there are some concerns but Capers will make up for them by being aggressive. If the Packers can win the division and force opponents to come to Green Bay come January, then this will be a legitimate Super Bowl contender this season. The pieces are in place for this team to make a serious run.

      Green Bay Packers 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Is pass defense still the Lions’ biggest concern?

      August 31, 2010 /
      SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 08: Safety Louis Delmas #26 of the Detroit Lions returns an interception for 29 yards against the Seattle Seahawks on November 8, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Lions 32-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

      Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the huge issues the Lions still have in their secondary.

      A year ago, it was easy to spot the Lions’ biggest weakness, as their offensive line was an absolute mess. But after a productive 2009 campaign and a couple of offseason additions, Detroit’s O-line is no longer an issue.

      Now the concern shifts to a secondary that received an offseason makeover, but remains the Lions’ biggest question mark after a dismal performance in 2009.

      Last year, Detroit finished dead last in passing yards allowed, yielding 265.6 yards per game. The poor play of the defensive backfield contributed to the defensive unit giving up 30.9 points per content and over 6,000 total yards.

      To address the issue, the Lions traded for former second round pick Chris Houston, whom Atlanta had given up on after signing big-money free agent Dunta Robinson. Houston has an impressive skill set and enough talent to make him a No. 1 corner, but he has yet to put it all together for an entire season.

      The biggest issue with the former Arkansas product is that he always seems to put himself in position to make the play, but rarely does. He has great speed and is a physical corner, but he’s at his worst when the ball is in the air. He fell out of favor last season in Atlanta because he had major trouble locating the ball when it was in the air and making a play on it. In fact, 66% of the passes thrown his way were completed, which is a staggering number to say the least. That said, if he ever lives up to his potential he’s going to be a solid player.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Browns fans should get used to this [video]

      August 31, 2010 /

      I’ll admit that I’m a little late to the party posting this video, but after I saw it I laughed to myself thinking about what Browns fans will have to go through this year with Jake Delhomme under center.

      Watch Lions’ rookie Ndamukong Suh destroy Delhomme in a recent preseason game last week, then watch Delhomme’s reaction, then watch Delhomme’s next play.

      Regular readers know that whenever I get a chance to rip Delhomme, I take it. On this particular play, he obviously had every right to be infuriated as Suh tried to rip his head off. What is he going to do, stand there and not say anything when he was just thrown to the ground?

      But it’s what happened next that gets to me about Delhomme: He fumbled the ball with his team inside the red zone.

      One of my biggest problems with Delhomme (besides his weak arm, his constant desire to fit the ball into tight coverage and his poor decision making) is that he gets to emotionally wrapped up in the play before. Quarterbacks need to be cool, calm and collected on every play and they always have to be thinking ahead. But Delhomme is usually stuck on why the last play didn’t work or why he got sacked. He’s a play behind everybody else, which is why his confidence has also be zapped over the last two years.

      I know what Browns fans are thinking, “You’re overacting – this isn’t a big deal,” and it isn’t.

      Not yet, anyway.

      External Sports, NFL, Video

      How does the NFL expect teams like the Rams and Lions to compete?

      July 31, 2010 /
      St. Louis Rams newest member, quarterback Sam Bradford, holds up his jersey with head coach Steve Spagnuolo (L) and general manager Billy Devaney as he is introduced to reporters at Rams Park in Earth City, Missouri on April 23, 2010, one day after being selected No. 1 in the first round of the NFL. Bradford played his college football at Oklahoma. UPI/Bill Greenblatt Photo via Newscom

      Quick math question to start your Saturday morning: If Sam Bradford is worth $50 million guaranteed, then how much should Peyton Manning make?

      I know it’s a tough question, so I’ll throw out some facts to better assist you while you think:

      Peyton Manning:

      – 50,128 career passing yards
      – 366 career passing touchdowns
      – 95.2 career passer rating
      – 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 championship

      Sam Bradford:

      – Went to Oklahoma

      Look, nobody blames Bradford for cashing in (six years, $78 million). It’s not like any of us would have said, “You know what, Rams? I haven’t proven anything yet, so to be fair why don’t I just accept a modest starting salary of $40,000-a-year plus dental?”

      The system is broken in the NFL and it’s one of the many things that the NFLPA and owners need to resolve before signing a new collective bargaining agreement (assuming they do sign one, of course) in the next couple of months/year. And it’s not just a Bradford vs. Manning financial thing, either.

      How can the league expect a team like the Lions to field a competitive roster when they gave quarterback Matthew Stafford over $41 million in guarantees last year and they still have to sign No. 2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh this year? Last year, the Rams signed offensive tackle Jason Smith (the No. 2 overall pick) to a $61.775 million contract worth $33 million in guarantees. Between Bradford and Smith, the Rams now have $83 million in guaranteed money wrapped up in two players.

      And they don’t even know if Bradford and Smith can play yet.

      Again, how does the league expect teams like the Lions and Rams to compete with the likes of the Colts and Saints when they have to break the bank for unproven players? What happens when Calvin Johnson (a player the Lions actually know can play) needs a new deal in two years? Will the Lions be able to sign him? What if they can’t? They let one of their best players go because they have all of their money tied up into high draft picks?

      Talk about a vicious cycle – it needs to end.

      External Sports, NFL

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