BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Matthew Stafford is the first Lions QB since Bill Munson to win twice at Lambeau Field (1968 and 1970).
Wow that’s insane.
Wow that’s insane.
I have been on the Zenner bandwagon since last year. When he was the guy last year it was the first time it looked like we had a complete NFL RB and were able to move the ball and score in the red zone, don't understand what they are doing making him inactive. He is like a poor mans K. Hunt, just gets positive yardage and can catch the ball also. AA can make the crowd cheering dazzling move at times but never equals consistent production.6-2 isn't outwith the realms of possibility if we can get hot. It might be asking a lot though with the condition of our running game, and lack of ability in short yardage situations. I'd activate Zenner to be honest. He fights for yards well and has some decent size/ability to move the pile. Decker back soon, who knows, maybe we can get it functional.
Woukd be very frustrating to not win the division this year. We are the team that has been consistently closest to Rodgers/Packers across the last five years, it would be very galling to have the Vikings win it as I think we are a better team.
What I would give to just have one of those Falcons, Panthers, Steelers games to have gone our way
It truly is what this offense lacks. Just get me 3-4 yards on EACH carry. Not -2, -1, +4 +2, -1. Abdullah's negative plays are very similar to Barry Sanders except without the numerous chunk plays to make up for it. He just doesn't have the ability to break the initial tackles or explode into the secondary like the man did.6-2 isn't outwith the realms of possibility if we can get hot. It might be asking a lot though with the condition of our running game, and lack of ability in short yardage situations. I'd activate Zenner to be honest. He fights for yards well and has some decent size/ability to move the pile. Decker back soon, who knows, maybe we can get it functional.
Woukd be very frustrating to not win the division this year. We are the team that has been consistently closest to Rodgers/Packers across the last five years, it would be very galling to have the Vikings win it as I think we are a better team.
What I would give to just have one of those Falcons, Panthers, Steelers games to have gone our way
- Jim Caldwell at his weekly presser."Check the report."
ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang has been placed in the concussion protocol after suffering a brain injury Monday night against Green Bay.
The injury went diagnosed for two days because he did not develop symptoms until hitting the practice field on Wednesday. He left the workout early after becoming ill, and was later diagnosed with a concussion. He's been placed in the protocol, and his status for Sunday's game against Cleveland is unclear.
Lang was listed with an "illness" on Wednesday's injury report because team doctors had not yet diagnosed him with the brain injury.
"After the ballgame was over with, sometimes these things don't manifest themselves until between 24 and 72 hours, and this is one of those cases," coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday. "He was fine, no issues, all the way up until (Wednesday). We start practice, and as practice starts, he gets ill. So we take him out of practice, get him inside and then the doctors don't come until after we finished with obviously submitting our medical report.
"After they had an opportunity to look at him, we determined he should be placed in the concussion protocol. So that's where he is at this particular point in time."
Because Lang wasn't diagnosed with the concussion until Wednesday, he was able to play every offensive snap in his return to Lambeau Field. He played well, too, and then spoke at length with reporters after the game about the big win.
"Needed this win as a football team, just to get our confidence back," he said. "A little bit of momentum back on our side, and just re-affirm our beliefs that we're a good football team. Today, we were able to accomplish all that."
Lang has started seven games in his first season with the Lions, and played well. He's ranked seventh among all guards, according to ProFootballFocus. The only reserve guard on the roster right now is Don Barclay, who was signed last week, although tackle Emmett Cleary can also flex inside.
Yep. He’ll be changing diapers all week.Does Ebron do anything this week
Yeah, it’s crazy. Didn’t get sick until Wednesday. Sucks, but gotta protect these guys. CTE is no joke.Dude tj sounded fine on his tuesday radio program
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M8zyJuriHN9ZBRlUIkiRG6z-jot_rX6e0dzyzXVl360/edit#gid=183142882Does Ebron do anything this week
Just get me 3-4 yards on EACH carry.
Thanks Greg for being a big warm bodied corpse that people had to at least run around for a stretch until they got to the QB. Silver lining there is that we were forced into playing a guy who proved worthy in Mihallik.BobbyLayne said:Greg Robinson cut (presumably he’ll be looking for a job in public administration.) No corresponding move, the Lions have until 4pm Saturday to decide on the 53rd man. It’s widely reported Taylor Decker will be activated & play against the Browns.
Ezekiel Ansah is out Week 10, but it’s not the chronic knee this week - he’s dealing with a back issue. Probably time to move on after this season. Too bad, he was phenomenal in 2015 and he’s only been playing the game since 2010, if he ever gets healthy I think he’ll get back to Pro Bowl level. But it’s been two years of nagging injuries.
T.J. Lang is out Week 10. Bummer, hope he’s out of the protocol by Week 11.
Kenny Golladay had a week of full participation & is expected to be active Sunday.
Next year's 6th and $5.3M. That close to TC they had to try something. Mihalik has been solid, his story is very similar to Villanueva, he's a very good backup for them now, so not a complete waste.Thanks Greg for being a big warm bodied corpse that people had to at least run around for a stretch until they got to the QB. Silver lining there is that we were forced into playing a guy who proved worthy in in Mihallik.
Against teams that end up finishing with a losing record, the Lions are 20-4 under Jim Caldwell. That’s a winning percentage of .833.
Here’s the breakdown by record
7-win teams: 8-2
6-win teams: 4-0
5-win teams: 3-0
4-win teams: 2-1
3-win teams: 2-1
2-win teams: 1-0
So there are two teams that went 4-12 or worse that the Lions have lost to. Every other loss under Caldwell has come against a team with seven win or more
Pride of Detroit @PrideOfDetroit
Replying to @PrideOfDetroit
This about this for a second:
All but 2 of the #Lions' losses under Jim Caldwell have come against teams that finished with 7 wins or more.
2:28 PM - Nov 10, 2017
44 Replies 44 Retweets 2525 likes
But let’s take a closer look at those two potential let-down games.
2015 Week 1 at San Diego Chargers
In the season opener, the Detroit Lions dropped a game on the road in San Diego after jumping out to a quick 21-3 lead. Keenan Allen dunked all over the Lions in the second half, leading many to believe the Chargers would contend in 2015.
However injuries crippled this Chargers team (sixth-most adjusted games lost per Football Outsiders) and they would end up losing 10 of their last 12 games.
This obviously can’t really be defined as a trap game, considering it was the opening game of the year and the Chargers were favored by 2.5 points
2016 Week 4 at Chicago Bears
This was a game between the 1-2 Lions and the 0-3 Bears. Again, this doesn’t really have the looks of a trap game, especially considering this was a road game in which the Lions were favored just by three points.
That being said, this was clearly a case in which the Lions lost to a team they shouldn’t have. Chicago was trotting Brian Hoyer out there, and the Lions were in a desperate need of a win. And although the final score was just 17-14, the truth is the Lions were worked in that game, bolstered only by a late Andre Roberts punt return touchdown.
So if there’s an example of any “trap game” under Jim Caldwell, it’s that one, and that still doesn’t compare to a home game against an 0-8 team.
:(Decker moved to 53 man roster
The Lions also activated OT Corey Robinson to give them more depth on the OL; Jace Billingsley waived.
It's basically in their own hands despite being out right now. Maybe just once Lucy won't pull the ball away from Charlie Lion.The Vikings have a tough game vs. the Rams, the Lions are at Chicago. Its always bad to look ahead with the Lions but they could be 6-4 vs. a 7-3 Vikings team on Thanksgiving for the North lead.
Not really the same because the progression has taken longer, but the Lions (or more correctly, Stafford - everything from here on out is about legacy) are somewhat reminiscent of the late 80s Pistons. Couldn't get past the Celtics for years. Once we finally did, lost a heartbreaking Game 7 (why did Rodman take that shot...and please, no way Laimbeer fouled KAJ...don't get me started.) The next year they were muddling along and then the Dantley trade freed things up, they went on a tear for 2 years. Anyway, there was a progression, and lots of disappointment with crazy events & hard losses along the way. Well, the Lions have the latter part perfected.It's basically in their own hands despite being out right now. Maybe just once Lucy won't pull the ball away from Charlie Lion.The Vikings have a tough game vs. the Rams, the Lions are at Chicago. Its always bad to look ahead with the Lions but they could be 6-4 vs. a 7-3 Vikings team on Thanksgiving for the North lead.
Great post Bobby, love the positive vibesNot really the same because the progression has taken longer, but the Lions (or more correctly, Stafford - everything from here on out is about legacy) are somewhat reminiscent of the late 80s Pistons. Couldn't get past the Celtics for years. Once we finally did, lost a heartbreaking Game 7 (why did Rodman take that shot...and please, no way Laimbeer fouled KAJ...don't get me started.) The next year they were muddling along and then the Dantley trade freed things up, they went on a tear for 2 years. Anyway, there was a progression, and lots of disappointment with crazy events & hard losses along the way. Well, the Lions have the latter part perfected.
Feels different than 2013, when they were leading with Cutler & Rodgers both hurt but choked away the opportunity. For one thing, Stafford is now 4-4 versus GB since then. Yeah, they're not the main thing this year but that's important, beating your nemesis regardless of who is hurt. For another, the defense can make some big plays, force turnovers. The offense doesn't have to outgun other teams, and the Special Teams is great in every aspect. There is reason to hope the run game is improving and will get better as we come down the stretch. Marvin Jones Jr may not be all that, but coupled with Tate - who is freaking putting up crazy numbers for a guy who is hurt & on a pitch count - plus a healthy Golladay, I like our WR corps. Heck, even Ebron makes a play here and there.
Stafford is 7-1 versus the Bears since 2013 (1-5 in the early years.) People always love to jump on Detroit's SoS but dang, you gotta give Caldwell some credit here. They've only lost to a team with less than 7 wins twice in the last four years. They generally take care of business against bad teams. That's what you're supposed to do, but don't act like it's a given. Mediocre teams steamroll good teams on the regular in the NFL.
We've swept the Vikings in 2011, 2014 and 2016; they swept us in 2009, 2012 and 2015. Means nothing of course, but I find it interesting that 2013 was the only year in the Stafford era there was a split (he's 7-7 against them overall.) Every week is big, they cannot afford to let down - especially this week - just because the schedule is easier in the second half, but that Thanksgiving Day game is gaining in importance. Two games is a big deficit with 7 left, but it's really only one game if they do their job.
Caldwell has the highest winning percentage in November in the NFL since he came to Detroit. Not a typo.
I think when most people think of the Detroit Lions, they figure "Oh, OK, we've seen this scenario before. They got another year with a weak schedule, and whether it's sneaking in with 9/10/11 wins, they'll be the 5/6 seed and get blown out in the first round." It's not an unfair assessment; that's their history. Not just the Stafford era, they are 0-9 in the WC round. In my lifetime, they are 1-1 at home in the playoffs, 0-11 on the road - 7 of those were double digit losses.
Let's face it, there's no rational reason to get behind this team and invest yourself emotionally. There is no valid argument they are poised for a deep run into late January.
But here's my weltanschauung, and it goes to the core of why I have remained a fan for 51 seasons (well except that one year): Your past does not equal your future. I wake up everyday believing the best is yet to come. I was never all that impressed with big volume Stafford, but smart efficient Stafford is a guy who could succeed. When you extrapolate the last few seasons out to 2021, he'll be climbing up leaderboards into the top 12 all-time by the time he is 33. None of which will matter because he'll just be Archie Manning or Fran Tarkenton if he doesn't win division titles or playoff games. But I don't think he's a same ole Lions guy. I believe he is the kind of leader who will create a legacy he can be proud about. I know i keep banging the same drum, but the big arm and insane throws don't mean anything until you start beating the best.
Thank you for your service. ??Covered
Nice work. If only you had been there to wave at the end of the Atlanta game. It probably would have only taken an extra puff of air to nudge Tate across the goal line.You're all welcome... I had tickets in row 1 of the end zone just off to the side of the goal post that Barth missed the game tying kick..
I was the guy in the Slay jersey "waving" the kick to the right... It worked..
If we’re a road WC team in January I’ll probably spend the weekend skiing. Seriously, this is the best chance in the Stafford era to win the division. Bears are a joke, the Pack isn’t that good even with Rodgers, and the Vikings are not a super team.Seattle & Pack have real injury problems going forward, but that could still leave Detroit in the first spot out of the WC. Whether its division or wild card, Thanksgiving Day is ironicly a pretty much a do or die day for our favorite turkeys.
http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/258411/why-the-lions-should-pull-for-new-orleans-tampa-bay-this-weekend
If they win the rest of their games this year I really like their chances to be Super Bowl champs.Beat Minnesota on Thursday and I really like their chances to make playoffs
They didn't really shut them down, but that Kupp fumble at the 1 inside two minutes of the first half really killed the momentum. Slugfest third quarter but the game got away from them in the 4th.Vikings shut down the Rams. Anyone expecting a repeat or close?
Though unlikely, they do have a very favorable schedule. None of their last five opponents is above .500 (21-29 overall.)If they win the rest of their games this year I really like their chances to be Super Bowl champs.
I think that works when you have teams with elite passing game components and that includes an offensive line that keeps the QB upright.Lions have to ditch the run and become a pass first offense like GB with Rodgers. Use the pass to set up the run not vice versa. Stafford is playing at a high level and when the Lions are down or in a fast paced passing offense they seem to move the ball at will. Stop trying to be something you are not.
I think you are really selling Tate short. He would be a total beast in New England. Edleman - injuries + Dion Lewis like open field movesI think that works when you have teams with elite passing game components and that includes an offensive line that keeps the QB upright.
GB: Rodgers, Jordy, Adams, Cobb
NE: Brady, Gronk, Cooks, Edelman (when healthy), Hogan, Amendola, and pass catching RBs out the ying yang
I would argue that Tate & Jones would be WR3s at best on these types of pass happy teams.
Every time I watch Jordan Howard play I keep think he was the RB that got away. 5th rd pick and he is a bell cow!I think that works when you have teams with elite passing game components and that includes an offensive line that keeps the QB upright.
GB: Rodgers, Jordy, Adams, Cobb
NE: Brady, Gronk, Cooks, Edelman (when healthy), Hogan, Amendola, and pass catching RBs out the ying yang
I would argue that Tate & Jones would be WR3s at best on these types of pass happy teams. I also don't think Stafford or the OL is elite enough to get it done against good teams. That's the problem with this team. We have to run to a certain degree to lower the degree of difficulty on third downs or we are just not very good.
We are one more draft away. We need a true RB1, DE, DT and LB still.