Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Thoughts On Game Given Away

Thoughts On Game Given Away

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

First of all, a quick note on the pink cleats/gloves that NFL players were wearing to bring awareness to Breast Cancer. This is a health issue that kills too many women every year. Be it a Relay for Life, Walk for the Cure, or other notable charity be sure to give some time if you can to help out. My mother in law is currently holding steady in a 3 year battle with Breast Cancer, and the toll on Mrs. DetFan1979 and the Little Pink Lions is not something you want to go through. So if you see a little Relay teddy bear, or a luminary for sale as the Relay’s for Life (or other Cancer awareness initiatives) pass through your town, take a minute to donate, or an hour to volunteer (or both). It will be time and/or money well spent.

Moving back to the field, I have only gotten a chance to watch the game once through, but there were just a few points that stuck out at me from the game, quick-hit style:

  • A must read is NetRat’s blog on the game. Pretty much sums up my feelings in general. Almost.
  • Daunte Culpepper does not give this team the best chance to win. There were a lot of mistakes, but too many of them came from him — Stafford does not get sacked 3 times at the end of the game with Pettigrew wide open on the hot read.
  • Speaking of Pettigrew, what a leaping catch while being hit hard over the middle and hanging on. If he keeps improving, he will certainly develop into the all-pro caliber TE the Lions envisioned when drafting him at #20.
  • While on draft targets, how about Levy? Was that guy a steal or what? Admit it – most of us were going “who?” when they traded down and took him in the 3rd…now we know why. I wanted Aarron Curry at first, but Stafford is at least a good NFL QB (possibly more) and Levy has been playing almost as well in his limited time as Curry has; not quite on the same level as Curry, but Curry is certainly not worth 2 1/2 rounds and 30 million more in contract better. Great pick by the Lions, and strengthens the LB unit.
  • CJ will hopefully be fully healthy after the Bye, as will Stafford and K. Smith, who I noticed was still suffering a bit from the injury.
  • Is there any question now as to the fact that Jansen is the backup RT, and that Goz is the anchor on that side of the line?? What a difference…
  • Williams looks to have calmed down on those kick returns since preseason. Much better. Now, lets see if he can keep it up. Aaron Brown looked good in his first game returning kicks as well.
  • The Lions defense looked better out there. Despite worries about the Dline (they need Hill back, though Darby getting cut signals Hill must be nearing playing again) it is the secondary that is by far the worst. Will James was a bright spot, and Delmas has been playing well most of the time (along with rookie growth mistakes) but the other half is bordering between “ouch” and “pyoing” (which is Wow… for all you White Christmas fans out there).
  • Too bad abut King — he wasn’t good as a starter, but was certainly a better nickle back than Pearson will be…
  • Good effort, but the Lions had chances to win, and almost did it. Check the Lions’ schedule and you’ll see the teams they have faced are: 2 undefeated, 3-1 and 3-2. That is some serious competition — and the Lions handed Washington that second loss. The second half of their schedule is easier, and if they continue to improve it should lead to another 4 – 6 wins down the stretch.
Rating: 9.2/10 (6 votes cast)

No comments: