Jim Schwartz (1 Viewer)

[Northbound Train]

Well, we had some back and forth in the Parcells thread but I figured this guy and his team deserves it owns thread.

I am the first to admit that I was thrilled of the Schwartz to Detroit signing last summer....figured coming from a long tenure with what I feel one of the most underrated Coaches in the game to Detroit that we'd finally start to turn the corner and come around.

Some have said and will say that you need patience...well, my responce to that is unless you've endured 10+ years of utter h#ll then please don't talk patience to me....this is a SHOW ME NOW league....and while we've made some strides on both sides of the ball this is certainly beginning to look like those same old Lions.

Penalties are a part of the game but the constant pre-snap offsides and false starts are part of a Coach and the discipline (or lack thereof in this case) that he instills on his club. Steven Peterman is on pace forf 20+ penalties and again was called for a penalty that negated a huge gain today....there has got to be accountability held for your players...sit his ####en ### down...I don't give a rats ### who or what we have for depth....DO IT!!!!

Finishing a game is how teams turn into winners and ultimately define how good a Coach is...this guy has not finished one game where it's been tight this year and in fact has had some collosal meltdowns (see Jets)...his play calling down the stretch has everybody in MOtown scratching their heads.

He has admittingly blown the usage of some timeouts in recent games that have undoubtedly factored into our losses not to mention some very poor management of the clock late in the first halves or late in the game.

He is 0-14 on the road in his season and a half.

After coming out of the BYE with a nice W against a Jeckyl and Hyde Skins club, he/we followed that up with a monumentous deflating loss vs the Jets where he can/should be held accountable...then he follows that up with a stinker in Buffalo allowing them their first W and finally a crushing loss to the powerful Kitna lead Cowboys. :X

I am seeing nothing but regression from this team lately and unless he can light a fire and reel off some W's down the stretch I honestly feel it's time to check out the FA Head Coach market and perhaps hire a known, proven winner ala Chucky, Cowher etc, etc...

Pretty much have had it with the Lions giving clowns like Marinelli, Morninweg + now Schwartz there first HC gig...there is a reason these guys were coordinators.

I also heard the arguement that he's made great strides on the defensive side of the ball, the offense is far better yada, yada, yada...this team has oodles more talent that the last 2 bafoons had and he's still not getting it done....

I think more than anything our GM has made better strides by drafting some solid players and filling some holes...I know Jimmy has some input in that but his job is to utilize his talent and make strides...the latter of which he is not.

He is 4-22 as a HC thus far...

Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent...

This ship is sinking quick and it may be time to start perusing for the next Head Coach in Motown...

Did I mention that in the HISTORY of the game no Lions Head Coach has EVER went on to become a HEad Coach in the NFL again....EVER

 

[Bri]

Man Detroit fans got a taste and suddenly demand a winner. It's nice but ya gotta have some patience. He's clearly shown an improved team.

 

[gsmayes]

Schwartz has been a mixed bag so far, but you have to remember the Lions weren't a normal bad team; it took years to build them into an 0-16 team. The secondary is still bad, they have no LB depth, the oline plain can't run block and their franchise QB has been hurt most of the year.

In my mind he should compete for the playoffs next year, otherwise he should be gone.

 

[Northbound Train]

Man Detroit fans got a taste and suddenly demand a winner. It's nice but ya gotta have some patience. He's clearly shown an improved team.

How 4-22 isn't an improvement.Teams turn around pretty quick these days (see Tampa, St.L, Sea, KC etc) and we still continue to find ways to #### the bed...There has been nothing but regression for 2+ games...we looked horrible against an 0-8 Bills club and a 2-7 Cowboys club...

 

[Bri]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton.

If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

 

[Bri]

Man Detroit fans got a taste and suddenly demand a winner. It's nice but ya gotta have some patience. He's clearly shown an improved team.

How 4-22 isn't an improvement.Teams turn around pretty quick these days (see Tampa, St.L, Sea, KC etc) and we still continue to find ways to #### the bed...There has been nothing but regression for 2+ games...we looked horrible against an 0-8 Bills club and a 2-7 Cowboys club...

Oh cmon. that D line has you excited and they were the highest scoring team in the NFC or NFL just a couple weeks ago. You got a taste.

 

[Northbound Train]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton. If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

He's played about the equivalent of ONE game this year HTH

 

[Addai's Adidas]

I said the same thing when the signed Schwartz. Who? Why? Again?

Sign a coach who has done it before. You don't want projects at the GM or head coach position like you have at QB and WR. You want guys who have done it before. Guys who have WON before.

 

[Bri]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton. If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

He's played about the equivalent of ONE game this year HTH

And what happened in that time?mood of the team, the season? won loss record?

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton.

If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

I think that's because the morons took him in the second round. That's where the high expectations come from.

 

[Northbound Train]

Man Detroit fans got a taste and suddenly demand a winner. It's nice but ya gotta have some patience. He's clearly shown an improved team.

How 4-22 isn't an improvement.Teams turn around pretty quick these days (see Tampa, St.L, Sea, KC etc) and we still continue to find ways to #### the bed...There has been nothing but regression for 2+ games...we looked horrible against an 0-8 Bills club and a 2-7 Cowboys club...

Oh cmon. that D line has you excited and they were the highest scoring team in the NFC or NFL just a couple weeks ago. You got a taste.

Sure we did...just as the Bucs, Rams, Seahawks + Chiefs have...and guess what, they're winning.Da Bears are have a horrible O-line, very little running game, a scatterback QB and are still 7-3.Teams are finding ways to win, we are not....winning starts with the Head Coach

 

[Northbound Train]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton. If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

He's played about the equivalent of ONE game this year HTH

And what happened in that time?mood of the team, the season? won loss record?

Well, off the top of my head the H.C called a pass against the Jets very late in the game on THIRD down coming out of a timeout...gave the Jets an extra 40 seconds or so which they used to stick it up Schwartz' a##

 

[Da Guru]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton. If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

He's played about the equivalent of ONE game this year HTH

And what happened in that time?mood of the team, the season? won loss record?

Well, off the top of my head the H.C called a pass against the Jets very late in the game on THIRD down coming out of a timeout...gave the Jets an extra 40 seconds or so which they used to stick it up Schwartz' a##

I really like JS, but he has made some late game blunders.

 

[Bri]

one more try-

You're a Lions fan and you have expectations. Schwartz gave you that.

 

[stp-d]

You just need to have some patience!

 

[Northbound Train]

You just need to have some patience!

I don't have another 10 years

 

[stp-d]

You just need to have some patience!

I don't have another 10 years

I am truly shocked how they have performed. Every year i think they will improve & every year they are the same old. I wish you better luck!!! & better health to Jahvid Best, god he looked good early on..

 

[Late225]

Terrible injuries this to key positions. Usually when a team's quarterback goes down, they lean on the run. Best is hobbled and it's been tough. Smith's hurt now, and there's been times when they used their #3 quarterback Stanton. Considering the circumstances, I think they've played rather well.

 

[Parkers99]

Eh, Detroit's playing competitive NFL football... that's saying something; especially w/ the injuries.

Sure there are a few (count 'em on one hand) coaches that might have a winning record w/ the lions; but their gainfully employed and not begging to move to Detroit.

This team should make the play-offs next year. If they don't, then call for his head.

 

[PhantomJB]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

It's more of a moan.

 

[Northbound Train]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

Whining Stating facts Jack....maybe you're content with a 4-22 record but I'm not...how much tiime do we give him :(

Competitive in games and not closing at least a few of them does not cut it bud....

0-14 on the road

One pre-snap penalty after another...when is he going to be held accountable

 

[snellman]

I'll trade you Childress for him.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

The Lions, while not having a better record, are a better team. They are hanging in just about every game without their franchise QB. Stafford, when healthy, has been everything the franchise hoped he would be.

While I agree Schwartz has made some blunders, I still like him as a coach. You have to give him some time to grow into this position, especially considering he is a first time head coach.

I think people forget we are only two years removed from the worst team in the history of the NFL. They lost games that year by an AVERAGE of 15 points. Expecting a team that historically bad to suddenly morph into a playoff team overnight is unrealistic.

I have seen a progression from getting blown out every single game to being competitive in just about every game. Thats progress IMO. The next step is winning more of those games obviously.

So while I think there have been some missteps along the way, this thing is much more on track right now than it has been in some time. I am more than willing to be patient and see where we can go with this crew.

Oh and we still have 7 more games on the schedule, I bet they win a couple more.

 

[azgroover]

:(

I started feeling the OP's sentiments about Schwartz a couple of weeks ago too. It's nice to be improving game after game, year after year, but you need to start closing games at some point. Granted, most of what I know about this season comes via Drew Sharp and Wojo's writing, but good coaches get the best out of even the worst teams.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

:(

I started feeling the OP's sentiments about Schwartz a couple of weeks ago too. It's nice to be improving game after game, year after year, but you need to start closing games at some point. Granted, most of what I know about this season comes via Drew Sharp and Wojo's writing, but good coaches get the best out of even the worst teams.

 

[PhantomJB]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

Whining :( Stating facts Jack....maybe you're content with a 4-22 record but I'm not...how much tiime do we give him

Competitive in games and not closing at least a few of them does not cut it bud....

0-14 on the road

One pre-snap penalty after another...when is he going to be held accountable

The opening comments ended with "the ship is sinking quick." That just seems like a tad bit overreacting.The penalties are indeed frustrating and should be on Schwartz. When the Lions hired him no one else would go to Detroit. Schwartz is still making rookie mistakes but to be somewhat fair the vast majority of players haven't played together in this system for very long, either.

I had them at 5 wins this season given their schedule was pretty tough. So they'll probably fall short.

They're going in the right direction is all I'm saying and with all the youth and core talent abandoning ship at this point is a little early IMO.

 

[azgroover]

I started feeling the OP's sentiments about Schwartz a couple of weeks ago too. It's nice to be improving game after game, year after year, but you need to start closing games at some point. Granted, most of what I know about this season comes via Drew Sharp and Wojo's writing, but good coaches get the best out of even the worst teams.

I threw that in to see who was paying attention.

 

[Bri]

Not sure I've ever seen fans have high expectations when a third string QB was in as Lions fans with Stanton. If a 3rd string QB is in, you're done-it does not matter if you are the lowly Lions or the impressive Pats + Colts; the results would be the same. Steve Bono is the last impact 3rd stringer I can recall.

He's played about the equivalent of ONE game this year HTH

And what happened in that time?mood of the team, the season? won loss record?

Well, off the top of my head the H.C called a pass against the Jets very late in the game on THIRD down coming out of a timeout...gave the Jets an extra 40 seconds or so which they used to stick it up Schwartz' a##

Doubt it. OC prob called a pass. but it's Stanton that threw that. The other game, the one where Stanton played alot, yet another loss to a NY team.You were getting two losses with a 3rd stringer in there. It's so extremely predictable.

 

[Bri]

Alot of young teams lose on the road-Lions still haven't won on the road

 

[Northbound Train]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

Whining Stating facts Jack....maybe you're content with a 4-22 record but I'm not...how much tiime do we give him

Competitive in games and not closing at least a few of them does not cut it bud....

0-14 on the road

One pre-snap penalty after another...when is he going to be held accountable

The opening comments ended with "the ship is sinking quick." That just seems like a tad bit overreacting.The penalties are indeed frustrating and should be on Schwartz. When the Lions hired him no one else would go to Detroit. Schwartz is still making rookie mistakes but to be somewhat fair the vast majority of players haven't played together in this system for very long, either.

I had them at 5 wins this season given their schedule was pretty tough. So they'll probably fall short.

They're going in the right direction is all I'm saying and with all the youth and core talent abandoning ship at this point is a little early IMO.

We just lost two games B2B where we played teams with a combined 2-15 and looked horrible in doing so....regression. Untimely penalties....predictable, boring play calling against the Bills until the waning moments and a complete meltdown after coming out of the locker room against Dallas today.Next up, all world Brady and co in 4 days.....the ship is sinking my friend. Players are losing interest and soon enough Schwartz may just lose some of these players.

I am forever the eternal optimist with these laughable Lions but I don't think Schwartz should get much longer....he needs a statement W, a road WIN and some fix of the pre-snap penalties before he gets an automatic pass for next season IMO. Hopefully he can start the engines cause another 2,3 or 4 win season is not improvement.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I really like JS, but he has made some late game blunders.

Agreed. Just looking at the Jets game, that pass play was Schwartz' call. Coming out of a timeout and you have Stanton in there, HAVE to make it clear to him to eat it rather than force a throw. That incomplete pass - 45 seconds would have come off the clock - was bigger than Peterson's bonehead hit on the wide white. Schwartz is a no-nonsense stand-up guy, and he made himself accountable in his presser for the Jets loss. Kudos, but still unacceptable if he keeps having problems managing the in-game aspect.The penalties they are getting are not from being overly aggressive, but just stupid lack of discipline. Some of that has to be on the HC.Good stuff happening overall, but sooner or later you have to change the mentality. Four or five games with poor execution AND in-game management resulted in zero wins. Good teams find a way to get it done once in awhile when they don't deserve it (or if you're the Jets, you go entire months pulling them out of your butt).I'm with the OP on this point: DON'T act like the progress is 'good enough' because they are competitive. Six losses by a touchdown or less is six missed opportunities. Chicago was a gip rule. The Jets loss was all on JS not managing the team well IMO. The other four, so be it.Stafford stays healthy next year and they keep making good moves, they'll win more often. But you cannot be content with effort alone. Sooner or later you have to prove you are better through results.

 

[Jack Burton]

"Seems guys like MOrris, Spags, Carroll, Haley and others have made significant strides in as little or less time with as little or less talent..."

The Lions had zero talent before Schwartz got there. None. Zippo. Zilch.

They have drafted well in the last two years and stuck with their program.

They are competitive in nearly every game against good football teams.

They have a solid core up the middle of both the O (Stafford, Best, Pettigrew) and D (Suh, KVB, Levy, Delmas).

Next year they will draft OL and continue to attract FA talent to add depth.

Quit whining.

got anymore excuses.

 

[Northbound Train]

I really like JS, but he has made some late game blunders.

Agreed. Just looking at the Jets game, that pass play was Schwartz' call. Coming out of a timeout and you have Stanton in there, HAVE to make it clear to him to eat it rather than force a throw. That incomplete pass - 45 seconds would have come off the clock - was bigger than Peterson's bonehead hit on the wide white. Schwartz is a no-nonsense stand-up guy, and he made himself accountable in his presser for the Jets loss. Kudos, but still unacceptable if he keeps having problems managing the in-game aspect.The penalties they are getting are not from being overly aggressive, but just stupid lack of discipline. Some of that has to be on the HC.Good stuff happening overall, but sooner or later you have to change the mentality. Four or five games with poor execution AND in-game management resulted in zero wins. Good teams find a way to get it done once in awhile when they don't deserve it (or if you're the Jets, you go entire months pulling them out of your butt).I'm with the OP on this point: DON'T act like the progress is 'good enough' because they are competitive. Six losses by a touchdown or less is six missed opportunities. Chicago was a gip rule. The Jets loss was all on JS not managing the team well IMO. The other four, so be it.Stafford stays healthy next year and they keep making good moves, they'll win more often. But you cannot be content with effort alone. Sooner or later you have to prove you are better through results.

I like him as well...but he needs to turn this around quick. We started the season well playing competitive solid football....the rest of the NFL took notice and I'm sure that resonated through the locker room...we were in every game early on (CHI, MIN, GB, PHIL, NYG, NYJ) but couldn't close one....if we had closed just one the confidence coming out of that locker room wouldv've been incredible for a young team that has been the laughing stock of the NFL for 10 years....FF to the last 2.25 games where the meltdown against the Jets started this "same ol Lions" downfall...the Coach admittingly blew the end of the Jets game and instead of this team coming out angry against an 0-8 club in Buffalo they came out flat and were called for one penalty after another....same crap yesterday. Peterman should be cut, benched, something/anything. Hold him accountable!!!! That is all on the Head Coach.I was never more excited in the past 10 years than I was for this season...but he is NOT getting it done....now if we can get a statement W (say NE on Thurs ), a road W and play some inspired ball down the stretch of course I want him back for the third year....if this team flounders over the next 6-7 weeks and the pre-snap penalties continue then this team has no choice but to go in another direction.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

the jets loss pretty much sealed this teams fate.

I expect a total mail in job on thursday.

The Lions once again are in line for a top 5 pick.

 

[TheChairman]

Bring Back Millen!

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Thanks for Giving day will be ugly.

 

[Synthesizer]

You mention guys like Cowher and Gruden but why would those guys want to have any part of this mess? Any decent coach is going to pass on this opportunity. So the front office is always picking their next head coach from everyone else's leftovers (ie good coordinators who don't have what it takes to be a good head coach like Marinelli, Mornhigweg, Schwartz, etc).

 

[FavreCo]

You mention guys like Cowher and Gruden but why would those guys want to have any part of this mess? Any decent coach is going to pass on this opportunity. So the front office is always picking their next head coach from everyone else's leftovers (ie good coordinators who don't have what it takes to be a good head coach like Marinelli, Mornhigweg, Schwartz, etc).

Parcells is analyzing their personnel right now, along with a few others. He's trying to find that gem who just needs a couple of tweaks and a candyass schedule where he can swoop in, ride the easy schedule to improvement and dart out the back door before the smokescreen fades.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Only in a Lions thread will you hear people say "It's not so bad" after only going what? 4-40? With what, 38 losses in row on the road? An NFL record.

 

[Da Guru]

Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhrew and Jim Schwartz are going nowhere! The Lions historically keep employees way too long. This trio will be given at least 5 years if not more.

 

[blend]

Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhrew and Jim Schwartz are going nowhere! The Lions historically keep employees way too long. This trio will be given at least 5 years if not more.

I hope they are given 5 years. I think Schwartz is a good coach who has made some bad decisions that have come back to bite him and there have been some ridiculous situations that have cost the lions games that have not been his fault. Typically, that won't happen.People ask for a coach who has done it before? What, like Bobby Ross or Mooch? No thanks. I'd rather keep Schwartz. They are going in the right direction even if the W-L columns aren't showing as much.

 

[FavreCo]

Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhrew and Jim Schwartz are going nowhere! The Lions historically keep employees way too long. This trio will be given at least 5 years if not more.

I hope they are given 5 years. I think Schwartz is a good coach who has made some bad decisions that have come back to bite him and there have been some ridiculous situations that have cost the lions games that have not been his fault. Typically, that won't happen.People ask for a coach who has done it before? What, like Bobby Ross or Mooch? No thanks. I'd rather keep Schwartz. They are going in the right direction even if the W-L columns aren't showing as much.

They are close and have to learn how to close out games.

 

[Da Guru]

Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhrew and Jim Schwartz are going nowhere! The Lions historically keep employees way too long. This trio will be given at least 5 years if not more.

I hope they are given 5 years. I think Schwartz is a good coach who has made some bad decisions that have come back to bite him and there have been some ridiculous situations that have cost the lions games that have not been his fault. Typically, that won't happen.People ask for a coach who has done it before? What, like Bobby Ross or Mooch? No thanks. I'd rather keep Schwartz. They are going in the right direction even if the W-L columns aren't showing as much.

They are close and have to learn how to close out games.

I agree with that. The Lions are not that good of team,but they have had some of the worst breaks this year on top of everything.Just yesterday they pin the Cowboys inside the 5 and a guy picks it up and returns it 95 yards..and steps out of bounds. It was a game changer. Then Suh get a horse collar tackle penalty on MBIII to keep a scoring drive alive when the y replay showed he had all hair.

 

[Sweet Love]

You mention guys like Cowher and Gruden but why would those guys want to have any part of this mess? Any decent coach is going to pass on this opportunity. So the front office is always picking their next head coach from everyone else's leftovers (ie good coordinators who don't have what it takes to be a good head coach like Marinelli, Mornhigweg, Schwartz, etc).

Look at my profile, and I am not a Lions fan...but i have suffered the same as you folks, though where your "renaissance" was in the mid 90s, mine is today. I will try to keep that in mind, but understand, there is a target on your back...like no other. When the Pats come to town, they are just as pumped to beat indy as they are NOT TO LOSE against the Lions...when a coach comes to town, you guys are priority #7 (just behind the 6 divisional games they play), partially due to the fact that it "should" be a win, but also due to the fact, that if it is not, it is a coach killer. Do you know what I thought when my Jets played you 8 days ago? "oh crap...please win". do you know what I thought when I put three cowboys against you in my FF league? "This could be really stupid". I know you guys are not closing out game but this is a nice team. Chicago is aging, the Vikes are falling apart, and you guys could be shoe-in wildcards for the next 4-5 years. Give the guy some more time. As Synthesizer mentioned above, NO ONE, I mean no one, wanted to touch this job with a ten foot pole two years ago. It is hard to have patience, but as a Jets fan (sure we are very good today), but we ahve been conditioned just to have a chance each weekend, and that is what you have now.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

Here is why I would have hope if I was a Lions fan:

2010 (10 Games): -3 Net Points

2009: -232 Net Points

2008: -249 Net Points

2007: -98 Net Points

2006: -93 Net Points

Your team is leaps and bounds better than they have been in years; even with the franchise QB missing most of the season. The wins may not be there, but this is the most competitive squad the Lions have fielded in 10 years.

 

[blend]

Tom Lewand, Martin Mayhrew and Jim Schwartz are going nowhere! The Lions historically keep employees way too long. This trio will be given at least 5 years if not more.

I hope they are given 5 years. I think Schwartz is a good coach who has made some bad decisions that have come back to bite him and there have been some ridiculous situations that have cost the lions games that have not been his fault. Typically, that won't happen.

People ask for a coach who has done it before? What, like Bobby Ross or Mooch? No thanks. I'd rather keep Schwartz. They are going in the right direction even if the W-L columns aren't showing as much.

They are close and have to learn how to close out games.

I agree with that. The Lions are not that good of team,but they have had some of the worst breaks this year on top of everything.

Just yesterday they pin the Cowboys inside the 5 and a guy picks it up and returns it 95 yards..and steps out of bounds. It was a game changer. Then Suh get a horse collar tackle penalty on MBIII to keep a scoring drive alive when the y replay showed he had all hair.

And the thing is... you can point to game changers (whether oddball plays or calls) in every loss the Lions had. Some say the lions could easily be 5-5 right now and to a large extent that is true, but in seasons past when the Lions had those poor calls it didn't really matter b/c we were already down 3 tds.. Now we get those bad calls and its maddening... Next step is overcoming those things and getting some Ws. I think it's coming -- if not this year, then next for sure. I really REALLY wish Stafford had been able to play a full season

 

[Northbound Train]

This pretty much sums things up...

http://www.freep.com/article/20101122/SPOR...have-progressed?

Have the last two losses debunked the notion that the Detroit Lions have made “progress” this season?

Here’s something you won’t hear a blogger say much: It really doesn’t matter what I think.

And really, it doesn’t matter what Jim Schwartz thinks, or Martin Mayhew thinks or Dominic Raiola thinks, either.

We can sit here and say that the Lions have made progress. We can point to the close losses and the improved defensive line and the improved offensive play calling. But 2-8 is 2-8. And 26 losses in a row on the road is just that: 26 losses in a row on the road. Words are so tired at this point. As long as the losing continues, words are useless.

Let’s just state the facts.

• In consecutive weeks, the Lions lost to an 0-8 team and a 2-7 team. How are you making progress when you essentially serve as a homecoming opponent for struggling teams?

• The Lions have committed at least 10 penalties in five of their last six games. Even if you want to take away Ndamukong Suh's “horse collar” penalty the officials clearly blew, that’s still an alarming number. I have no doubt that Schwartz and the coaching staff are working to eliminate the ugly trend. But how are you making progress when nothing improves?

• The running game continues to be nonexistent. They ran the ball 20 times Sunday for 75 yards against a defense that came into the game allowing more than 117 yards per game (22nd in the NFL). Sure, Kevin Smith is out, and Jahvid Best is hobbled. But how are you making progress when you can't establish a running game against some of the worst defenses in the league?

• Bryant Johnson was in street clothes Sunday, and he wasn’t hurt. How are you making progress when you’re paying a guy $3.1 million, and he's not even good enough play for a team that doesn’t have a good option for a No. 3 receiver?

It’s a short week this week, so Schwartz won’t have his weekly news conference. He does a good job of ducking questions and playing it close to the vest. But he’s also quick to point out that all that matters in this league is wins and losses. He even disputed the notion that the Suh play and the Bryan McCann punt return were products of bad luck. He’s a matter-of-fact type of guy.

But he’s also a guy who has talked many times about how the Lions are “close." And it sure seems like they’re closer than they have been in past years. But what does that get us? Make all the excuses you want about injuries to Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill and Best and DeAndre Levy. But look at all the injuries the Packers have suffered, and look where they are: atop the NFC North and playing as well as any team in the League. The Lions are playing with a toughness that we haven’t seen in years. And there is no doubt that there are players now that -- if healthy -- can be the part of a successful team in the future.

But there I go again. Words. Just words. Suh has been described as a candidate for defensive player of the year (agree). Stafford has been called an elite quarterback when he’s healthy (a tad premature). But what does that get you? It gets you a 2-8 football team that seems like a safe bet to be 2-9 when the turkey is served Thursday. And as long as the number in the loss column rolls toward double digits, how can anything truly be called progress

 

[swirvenirvin]

one more try-You're a Lions fan and you have expectations. Schwartz gave you that.

Fail... Many top 5 overall picks gave Lions fans that

 

[Da Guru]

What worries me now is that listening to Schwartz on the radio is the he is becoming Lionized..the losing is starting to wear him down and his whole personality is changing.