So do you root for or against Stafford in the playoffs?
Been saying since the trade I was a Rams fan this year, not jumping off now. But Stafford just led the league in pick 6s and tied a rookie for the most interceptions. Came up small in a couple big games. Heckuva good year for him pitching to Kupp but it's the same kind of mistakes he was making in Y1-Y5.
TBH though I usually don't watch the playoffs. Usually end up at a SB party. Watched the 4pm and SNF games tonight, which is unusual - most of the FF season I just do condensed games during the week. But playoffs? Just not that interested, haven't been for years.
IDC about winning FF championships or watching other teams win playoff games. I just want to watch the Lions win a playoff game. It's been thirty years and five days. Hopefully they'll make the Super Bowl before the 2050 season. Just once before I....ya know.
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DC said they ran the WR option pass a few times in practice. First time was a duck, guy threw it like 10 yards (he wouldn't say who.) OK, who else wants to try it. Blough pushed Kennedy out of line and he says OK, it goes well the two times they ran it, so they put it in the game plan. "We gave them the same formation, the same set, personnel, everything to where if you assume they’re doing their homework. they'll know it's going to Saint."
ARSB gets up to the podium. "We've run the reverse in that formation, similar down/distance twice, so when I went to the slot I could hear the Packers sideline yelling ‘14′s getting the ball coming across! 14′s getting the ball!’” I just smiled - man what a perfect setup to add another wrinkle this week."
Kennedy: "Let's see, Pee Wee I threw a halfback option, won the game for us. Senior year - high school - threw a perfect spiral, right through the bread basket. Today. So, yeah, def the best pass I ever thew. What's that? Oh who was the WR that thew a duck in practice? Well, let me break it down....Saint was on the reverse, flipping it to me...Kalif was running the route...and Hodge is left-handed. You guys can figure it out from there." (Josh Reynolds, who ran the crossing pattern that cleared out the right side defenders.)
I remember in preseason it was looking like Kennedy would be a final cut for the 3rd time (though he actually did make the initial no-PK 53 man.) That last week, after the 3rd preseason game, Kyle Meinke asked Campbell
Thoughts on Tom Kennedy?
Dan Campbell: "Do you like Tom?”
KM: Yes.
Campbell: “Do you like him a lot?”
KM: Yes.
Campbell: "I like Tom too. We’ll see where this goes...”
Former professional lacrosse player living the dream. Great stuff.
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We were discussing in the game thread who called the double reverse flea flicker to Brock Wright? TE coach Ben Johnson did add a few wrinkles to the playbook and had some input on play calling this year, but it turns out that one was suggested by David Blough.
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Solid locker room speech by MCDC but "Welcome to Detroit" after thumping the Cardinals is still the best one this year. Loved that Goff pointed for Tracy Walker to break it down (DC always asks Jared to do it.) First interception in forever, career high 13 tackles yesterday, career high 107on the year. Stepped up as a leader this year. Hope they resign him.
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ARSB - ends the season with 6 straight games of 8 catches or more, breaking the old NFL rookie record of 4.
70+ receiving yards in 6-straight games. He becomes the 5th @NFL rookie to do so, along with: - Brandon Aiyuk (2020) - Odell Beckham (2014) - Randy Moss (1998) - Bill Groman (1960)
Had at least 90 yards and one touchdown in each of his last four games, something only Randy Moss and Odell Beckham had ever done as rookies in NFL history.
119 targets 90-912-5 & 7-61-1. WR23 in full PPR.
OK, all good things. BUT....wasted a timeout yesterday bc he wasn't lined up in the right spot. And no excuse going out of bounds with 51 seconds left. Way more important to go down and make them use their last T.O. Rookies...he'll be smarter next year. Ferocious blocker, hard worker, way beyond expectations.
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Stats since the change to DC calling plays. No Goff for three games. Swift and Hockenson each missed four. Flu and COVID outbreaks and three outdoor games in rainy conditions.
- Lions scored 3.7 more points per game in second half of the season
- averaged 4.9 yards per carry after the bye vs. 4.1 the first eight.
- Goff 8 TDs 6 INT with A Lynn, 11/2 with DC.