If Lions’ Matthew Stafford Is Done for Season, Franchise’s Future is the Reason

Matthew Stafford’s injury may be worse than expected. According to reports from ESPN , and Michael Rosenberg of The Detroit Free Press , Stafford could have season-ending surgery sometime in the near future.

Stafford injured his knee two weeks ago against Chicago. He was kept out of Sunday’s game against Green Bay in what was being billed as a precautionary decision. The common explanation was that sitting Stafford this week would give him extra time to fully recover and rest over the bye week. Now it appears there was more to the story.

The medical results that came back on Stafford’s knee have been forwarded on to highly renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion, according to ESPN. From what history has taught us, when an athlete visits Dr. Andrews, it usually results in a season-ending outcome.

Last season was frustrating for Lions fans because the team was seemingly clueless on the field. This season is filled with frustration because the team can’t seem to catch a break off the field.

In Green Bay, the Lions had to use offensive lineman Stephen Peterman at defensive tackle because they were so short-handed on the defensive line. Detroit entered the game with three injured defensive lineman, and lost two more during it.

Making the Stafford injury worse, Daunte Culpepper left the game with a pulled hamstring. Granted, the bye week should give Culpepper enough time to heal, but I can tell you from experience, hamstring injuries tend to linger.

Detroit fans might remember Tigers outfielder Bobby Higginson missed almost a full seasons with an “injured” hamstring.

The team is being very mum about Stafford’s injury, listing him as questionable and describing the “situation” as something they will monitor on a daily basis.

While the actual seriousness of Stafford’s injury is still unknown, some facts are painfully obvious.

Stafford is hurt. He is hurt bad enough that the team is being very cautious about setting a timetable for his return.

Other factors should be considered as well. What’s the risk/reward factor in putting Stafford back on the field behind an offensive line that can’t protect him?

The risk is potential for further and more serious injury. The reward is that maybe the Lions sell more tickets and get to three, dare I say four wins this season. Nothing will darken a franchise’s future faster than a serious injury to its franchise quarterback.

Stafford has the ability to be a good quarterback in this league for a long time. Rushing him back from injury to try and stop the bleeding of what is sure to be a gory season is a bad idea.

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Detroit Lions Participating in City’s Facelift

The city of Detroit is undergoing drastic changes to its government, work force, landscape and future. In came Dave Bing, out went Kwame Kilpatrick; as the auto industry temporarily disappeared, the film and entertainment industry arrived; As Joe Lewis Arena deteriorates, a new venue is being blueprinted.

Now, the city’s beloved football team appears to finally be taking part in the transformation, as well. 

The Detroit Lions organization is changing. Someday, the term “same old Lions” will be thrust into the history scrapbook along with that of “’68 riots,” “Devils Night,” “Dead Wings,” “Bad Boys,” and “Hitsville U.S.A.” It will be a memory, not a reality.

The change is a work in progress, but it is happening right now.

The old Lions would fall down 21-13 to a far superior team and stay down without even attempting to fight back. The old Lions would lose their best player early in a game and use it as an unspoken excuse for the outcome.

These Lions fight.

But these Lions, like the teams of years past, often lose their fights. They don’t lose because of a lack of effort on the field or leadership from the sideline. They lose simply because they are not equipped to win.

After falling down early, Detroit was on the verge of tying things up with the defending Super Bowl Champions last weekend. (And no, I don’t want to talk about the offensive line on that last series. Just let it go.)

Matthew Stafford sat out, Daunte Culpepper filled in nicely. Calvin Johnson went down with an injury, Dennis Northcutt and Derek Williams stepped up.

I can’t help but think things would have unfolded differently in the “same old Lions” era. Instead of a 28-20 disappointment, the game against the Steelers would have been a 30-point, channel-changing nightmare.

Jim Schwartz has installed a new mentality in this team, a good one, and the team has bought in.

All that can be asked of a head coach at the professional level is that he gets the most out of his team. One win and four losses is the best this team has to offer right now.

The Lions 2009-2010 ad campaign states, “We’re building this team right.” I cannot argue with that claim. Certainly when compared to last year’s punch-line of “The time is now.”

The time is not now, not next week, not this season. But the time is coming for this Detroit Lions team. It has to be.

I believe this team is finally on the right track. Sure, I, like many others, have believed this before only to be let down. But I’m willing to go down with the ship on this one. The Detroit Lions are going to be good.

This is not internal or irrational optimism. It’s simply observation. Even William Clay Ford is starting to earn my trust.

Ford has taken as much heat for the failures of this team as anyone. For the longest time, he deserved it. The two worst types of owners to have in sports are ones who either do not care or are completely incompetent. A third type is simply described as Al Davis. (There is no description or credible theory for what goes inside that man’s head)

Ford has none of those traits. The Lions ownership has been ill-advised and over-trusting. Not incompetent or careless.

If you need further proof, look at the family’s other endeavors. Take Ford Motor Company, for example. When the other big guys in town pleaded for handouts and settled for a life preserver in the form of dreaded paperwork, Ford handled its own problems.

Sure, some tough adjustments were made, but Ford Motor Co. weathered the storm. It survived. Much, while certainly not all, of that credit goes to the members of the Ford family in charge of operations—the same people who hold the highest seats within the Lions organization.

People are held accountable now. Never again will someone as unqualified as Matt Millen hold a job in the Lions organization for eight years. Nor will a player who consistently under-performs remain on the field when a better option is available.

Granted, the situation is still bleak. But let this thing breath, put the glass cover back over the “blowup” button, and just wait.

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Lions Sign Zack Follett, Release Bing. More Changes Could Be Coming

 

When Jim Schwartz announced the final 53-man roster after the final preseason game, he cautioned that nothing was set it in stone.

 

“This is not a 16 game scholarship,” said Schwartz, adding that players would need to maintain a consistent level of performance in order to keep their jobs.

 

Some shuffling has already been done, with Yamon Figures and Adam Jennings been tossed back and fourth, the re-signing of defensive tackle Chuck Darby and now the addition of linebacker Zack Follett.

 

Follett, a seventh-round draft pick of Detroit this year, was originally released as part of the final cuts this preseason. He was signed the practice squad, and has now been activated to the regular roster. Linebacker Darnell Bing was waived.

 

I saw Follett play a couple times in college, at California, and was impressed with his talent. He is very raw and somewhat undersized, but has the type of moxie this team needs. The kid has a lot of confidence and talent, not to mention the P word (potential). Why the Lions released him in favor of Bing to begin with was baffling to me.

 

Before Follett even arrived at mini-camp with Detroit this summer he said he was looking forward to “knocking people out”. His primary responsibilities will come on special teams, but if Ernie Sims’ injury lingers, he may see some snaps during the game as well.

 

Similar moves are being made by teams all around the league, as coaches have a better evaluation of their talent after four regular season games. Other members of the Lions should take notice, particularly those listed on the depth chart in the secondary and responsible for special teams coverage.

 

Now that Schwartz has seen what his team is capable of, or isn’t capable of, at this point in the season, more shuffling may take place. There are a lot of unemployed football players out there that may end up on an NFL roster during the next few weeks.

 

A makeover may be coming for the bottom half of Detroit’s roster.

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Lions: Sunday’s Loss to The Bears a Reality Check For Detroit

False hope was dashed in Detroit Sunday. The uncalled for optimism, which arose after the Lions’ first win since 2007, quickly disappeared after a more familiar event took place.

 

The Lions got pounded, this time it was a 48-24 loss to the Chicago Bears.

 

After what head coach Jim Schwartz described as “one of the worst second halves of football I’ve ever been associated with,” it was clear, the Lions are still closer to being the team of 2008 than the team its fan base has dreamt about for so long.

 

Although there were signs, as there have been before, of an improved football team, the end result was humbling. Chicago is an average team in the NFC, and the Lions didn’t even belong on the same field with them.

 

Yes, the Lions kept pace in the first half and had the Bears locked up in a 21-21 tie at halftime. But, for as good as Matthew Stafford was in the first half, he was equally as bad in the second. That goes for everyone else on the team as well. Nobody stepped up.

 

It was the same story a few weeks ago against Minnesota, when the Lions blew a 10-0 halftime lead at home. Even last week’s win over Washington saw a dismal second half performance from Detroit. Good teams play their best football in the second half, not their worst. But then again, the Lions are not yet a good team. Not even close.

 

Adding insult to injury, or perhaps the other way around, was the injury to Stafford. Stafford took a shot to the knee late in the second half and did not return. Stafford may not have played great, but he has shown improvement from week to week. If this injury turns out to be anything long term, which the severity of it has yet to be clarified, it will be a devastating setback for the rookie.

 

Kevin Smith showed toughness by suiting up and playing, but it was clear he wasn’t healthy. Smith did score on two short touchdown runs, but managed only 30 yards rushing for the game.

 

Something else was also discovered Sunday. The Lions defensive line is still bad. The Bears moved the pile all game. Matt Forte appeared to be running at half speed and still cruised past the Lions front four with ease.

 

Making matters worse for Detroit is an upcoming two-game stretch against Pittsburgh and at Green Bay.

 

Lions center Dominic Raiola told reporters earlier in the week that if the Lions went out and beat Chicago the next home game against the Steelers would be a sellout. Nice thought, but I expect to see empty seats at Ford Field and an alternate game televised in the Detroit market next week.

 

“There’s a lot to be ticked off about,” Schwartz added at the post-game press conference.

 

Yes coach, yes there is.

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Injuries Have Detroit Lions Hurting Heading Into Chicago

Wednesday is the most important day of practice during the NFL week primarily because it reflects who is still hurting from the previous Sunday.

 

Some key players for the Detroit Lions did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

 

Kevin Smith did not practice on Wednesday and reports are that he will be very limited in practice today and Friday. Smith, who rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries against Washington, was a pivotal part to the Lions success last week.

 

He injured his shoulder in the game and did not play in the second half. That shoulder is still causing him pain and he is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Chicago.

 

There is a significant drop off after Smith on the Lions running back depth chart. Veteran Maurice Morris is serviceable, but certainly not the type of back that can carry a team’s ground game.

 

Rookie Aaron Brown has speed, but has yet to show the ability to run between the tackles and create his own space.

 

I expect Smith to play, but his injury could limit his effectiveness. Smith is a power runner, and lowering a wounded shoulder into the hard-hitting Chicago Bears defense is an all-around bad idea.

 

Regardless of if Smith plays, expect to see Matthew Stafford throw a career-high number of passes.

 

Other injuries are on the defensive line, also a position with very little, if any depth. Both Sammie Hill and Dewayne White were kept out of practice today and Wednesday, and are listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game on the Lions official injury report.

 

Also on the injury report is defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who was kept out of practice today. Jackson is listed as questionable.

 

That’s three of the four starters on the defensive line, and the starting running back that are banged up. Not to mention linebacker Ernie Sims is still out and not expected to play either. Ouch.

 

It’d be a different scenario if this was the New England Patriots, were players seemingly come out of the woodworks to fill in for injured starters. But this is the Detroit Lions.

 

This is the organization were former head coach Rod Marinelli, now a defensive line coach in Chicago, once told columnist Rob Parker that if Parker went out on the street and found a couple guys to bring in for a workout, he would give them a look. Marinelli followed that challenge with “I’m serious”.

 

The Lions are depleted in talent as it is, the last thing this team needs is injuries to key players. Seriously.

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Detroit Lions Need to Improve, Not Win, in Chicago

I hate to take the junior football Punt, Pass, and Kick competition approach to the Lions season.

 

This is the NFL after all. But, simply said, winning is not what matters for Detroit this season.

 

Yes, the Lions needed A WIN to relieve the pressures of a potential record setting losing streak. But expectations for the win-loss column are still low, as they should be. This team does not need to win—it needs to improve.

 

The Lions are in a rebuilding process. Fans will be quick to point out that the team has been “rebuilding” since the 1999 NFC Wild Card loss to the Washington Redskins. True, but this particular rebuilding process has just begun.

 

Detroit has a rookie quarterback, again, a new head coach, again, a new general manager, again, and is in the process of rebuilding the organization from the bottom up…again. It will take time.

 

This Sunday’s game at Chicago is about progress. All that matters for the Lions is that they do not take a step back.

 

A loss on the road to the Bears is not a bad thing. Not now, not for this Detroit team. The Lions simply do not get enough actual victories to proclaim that moral victories don’t matter. They do matter. Right now, for this Detroit team.

 

If Detroit is competitive against the Bears in the Windy City, it will be a moral victory. If the Lions are able to stay healthy, and Matthew Stafford continues to develop, that too will be a moral victory.

 

Winning four games this season is an acceptable outcome for Jim Schwartz, considering what he has to work with. A 5-11 record at season’s end would be a smashing success.

 

The Lions neighbors across Brush Street in downtown Detroit were in a similar position a few years ago. The 2003 Tigers are comparable to the current Detroit Lions. The Tigers nearly set the record for most losses in a season that year. Yet, they were playing in the World Series in 2006.

 

A step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. This weekend in Chicago is about staying on path, not rushing ahead to turn the corner.

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Lions Must Make More Changes to The Depth Chart

Last week, the Detroit Lions made some changes to their depth chart, and the changes helped. But more changes are needed this week for what is quickly becoming thought of as a “must win” game against Washington.

Among the new starters for Detroit last week were Manny Ramirez, Brandon Pettigrew, and Phillip Buchanon. Defensive end Jason Hunter and wide receiver Dennis Northcutt also saw increased time. But the end result was the same as it has been for the past 19 regular season Sundays: another Lions’ loss.

I think the depth chart adjustments made last week by Jim Schwartz were helpful, but not nearly enough. Only two roster clarifications have been made official by the Lions this week: Matthew Stafford will remain the starting quarterback, and Ernie Sims will be out with an injury.

Keeping Stafford under center is the right move for now, and Sims will likely be replaced by the tandem of Darnell Bing and Jordan Dizon.

But what else can be done to give Detroit a chance at snapping its current 19-game losing streak?

First things first, Marquand Manuel and Grady Jackson need to sit down, or be used sparingly.

Manuel was the go-to or go-at defender for Drew Brees in the season opener, and he showed no improvement against Minnesota last Sunday. It’s time Ko Simpson gets a chance to show what he can do on the field. Simpson may still be playing catchup with Gunther Cunningham’s defensive schemes, as he was picked up after the preseason ended; but he should have a grasp of how Detroit’s defense works by the third week.

There was a time when Jackson was one of the premiere run stoppers in the league. He clogged running lanes and pushed around offensive lines with the best of them. That time has passed. Now, in his later years and perhaps his last season, he is a step behind every play. Granted, the Lions don’t have many desirable options behind him, but Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen should be able to at least keep up with the speed of the game.

Offensively, the Lions need to finally admit their largest inconvenient truth: Jeff Backus is not good. He was a high draft pick in 2001 and showed some brief promise early in his career. Now, he is a below average starting offensive tackle in this league. I’ll go as far to say he is a bad starting offensive tackle. The Lions’ organization has protected him and excused him for far too long.

Detroit should start Jon Jansen. Jansen is by no means a guaranteed improvement, but he was an effective player in the NFL before injury problems took his career off track.

If the Lions do not improve their pass protection this season, Stafford will end up being the next David Carr. Benching Backus for Jansen is the only option Detroit has right now. The other tackle, Gosder Cherlius, is in a development stage just like Stafford, and benching him at this point would be counter productive.

On a side note, Detroit should also look to replace Dominic Raiola in either next year’s draft or free agent market. Like Backus, he too is overrated and over-protected by the organization.

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Calvin Johnson Needs a Wingman, or Two

Calvin Johnson is without doubt one of the premiere talents in the NFL. His ability at the wide receiver position is as good as any. Yet, even the best receivers in the league have trouble catching passes in midst of double and triple coverage.

 

Fortunately for the Detroit Lions, they have other options. Now, it is crucial that the team takes advantage of its personnel.

 

Bryant Johnson, in my mind, is one of the undiscovered talents at his position. Remember how Mike Furrey came out of nowhere and flourished under former offensive coordinator Mike Martz? Johnson also has the ability to make that kind of difference.

 

He has averaged 40 catches per season over his six-year career, primarily as the third receiver or in the slot position. That number should double now that he is the No. 2 receiver playing alongside Calvin Johnson.

 

For whatever reason, Bryant Johnson was not utilized in the Lions recent loss to New Orleans. Just four catches for 45 yards.

 

Another weapon Detroit has is first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew. The reasoning given behind selecting Pettigrew so high in the draft was that the tight end position plays a major role within offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s system.

 

Where was Pettigrew on Sunday?

 

Will Heller, known for his blocking ability more than anything else, started the game at tight end in New Orleans. He was not a factor. At least not a positive one, he did drop a few passes.

 

Pettigrew was an offensive threat at Oklahoma State. The 6-5 265 pound tight end needs to given an opportunity in the offense with Detroit as well. Immediately.

 

Near the start of training camp this season, the Lions took a flyer on Dennis Northcutt and brought him to Detroit, via a trade with Jacksonville.

 

Northcutt has had numerous “problems” or distractions throughout his career, but he’s always been regarded as a tremendous talent. Granted he is in his elder football years now, and not the explosive playmaker people raved about when he came out of college, but he still has plenty of football left in him.

 

The return game was one of, if not the, only bright spots for Detroit in week 1. Northcutt was a major role in that. His speed should be utilized at the slot receiver position as well, and even as a potential deep threat during games.

 

The Lions have plenty of issues, on both sides of the ball. No question. But doing one thing really well is a step in the right director to becoming at least mediocre as whole.

 

Detroit’s passing game has potential. Sure, Stafford is a rookie and has already shown suspect decision making. But he does have a rocket arm.

 

Right now the Lions have no identity. If the passing attack can develop, other areas should improve as well, i.e. the running game. Knock on wood.

 

Minnesota is coming to Detroit this weekend, and the home setting could be just the calming factor this team needs.

 

For Lions fans hoping to watch this game, its looking like you will have to purchase tickets and drive down to Ford Field. As of Wednesday 4,000 tickets still remained, meaning the game will be blacked out on local television if the stadium is not sold out. This by the way will be a trend for Lions home games this season.

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Mistakes Made By Detroit With Final Cuts

In the world of sports, the first cut may be the deepest, but it’s the last cut that leaves a scar.

 

The Detroit Lions released 21 players to cut their roster down to the league-mandated 53 player limit yesterday.

 

Most of the cuts were of little, if any, surprise. Yet, in my mind, a few stand out as glaring mistakes.

 

Among those cut, were wide receiver Dane Looker and linebacker Zack Follett. While neither is a game-changing talent, both are good football players and the type of guys who make lasting contributions throughout the course of a season.

 

Looker was one of Detroit’s best performing receivers in the preseason. Also, he has a track record of success in the NFL. During his previous stint in St. Louis, Looker appeared in at least 13 games for five of his six seasons with the Rams.

 

He was durable, consistent, and a good locker room personality. Above all, he was a tremendous special teams contributer. Something even the most fundamental of football coaches overlooked and underappreciated.

 

Instead of keeping him onboard, the Lions opted to take the unproven Greg Jennings.

 

Follett, like Looker, is a great special teams player.

 

He’s small and doesn’t have an exact fit at any particular linebacker spot, but he can serve as a respectable fill-in with several defensive formations.

 

Follett hits hard and he moves fast.

 

Anyone who knows anything about football understands speed can make up for many other weaknesses.

 

It’s very possible that the Lions coaching staff didn’t want to keep both Jordan Dizon, who made the team, and Follett, because they are virtually identical players. Even if it was a toss-up decision between the two, I think Follett has more potential.

 

In other roster moves, Detroit re-signed defensive back Keith Smith and acquired safety Ko Simpson from the Buffalo Bills.

 

Jim Schwartz also opted to keep Kevin O’Connell as the team’s fourth quarterback.

 

Here is the entire list of the 21 players released by Detroit on Saturday:

 

LB Rufus Alexander, QB Brooks Bollinger, G Milford Brown, TE Carson Butler, RB Aveion Cason, WR Keary Colbert, DE Sean Conover, K Billy Dundiff, DT Chuck Darby, RB Tristian Davis, LB Zack Follett, C Dan Gerberry, TE Dan Gronkowski, WR Dane Looker, DB Calvin Lowry, T Lydon Murtha, DB Ramzee Robinson, DB Stuart Schweigert, DT Shaun Smith, LB Spenser Smith, WR John Standeford.

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The Lions Will Be a Different Team Once the Regular Season Begins

A common perception is that the NFL preseason is irrelevant. This could not be more true.

 

Preseason games don’t matter.

 

We’ve all heard that statement echoed time and time again by media members and former NFL players.

 

Yet every August, people start talking about “what to look for” during the four games of irrelevance, and the NFL Live crew starts breaking down offensive schemes and position battles.

 

Take this question for example: How does Matthew Stafford look in the Lions’ offense?

 

Unless you’ve been to a Lions practice, specifically the portion of the Lions practice which is closed to fans and limited to the media, you haven’t seen the Lions’ offense.

 

Through two games of the preseason, Scott Linehan has run the most basic offense possible. He will continue to do so for the final game, as well. Same goes for Gunter Cunningham on the defensive side of the ball.

 

Jim Schwartz doesn’t want any useful film to be available on his team for the first regular season game.

 

Schwartz told media members that his main interest during the preseason was to evaluate his team’s basic football skills: speed, strength, composure, and so on.

 

All the real preparation for opening week against the New Orleans Saints is happening on the practice field, not during preseason games.

 

It was announced that Daunte Culpepper will “begin” Detroit’s preseason game against Indianapolis today. Schwartz also announced a few other players who will “begin” the game. The coaching staff still insists there is no depth chart and no starters.

 

Nonsense.

 

Believe me, there is a very clear idea of who will be starting, who will be rotating in throughout the games, and who will be wearing baseball caps on the sidelines for the Lions this season.

 

What is still at stake during the remaining two weeks of preseason is the final eight or so roster spots. Competition is still underway for the final two wide receiver spots, along with the linebacker core and secondary.

 

Something else to keep an eye on—through a somewhat unreliable source, a rumor has surfaced that the Lions might bring in former wide receiver and second overall draft pick Charles Rogers for a workout. That, of course, is when and if Rogers clears any pending legal issues and has his fitness back under control.

 

Rogers was recently timed running the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. Coming out of Michigan State, his time was at 4.3.

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