I had a chance to re-watch most of the game, and the added perspective was interesting. I'm not going to do a play by play breakdown (I do have a full time job and three little pink lions ya know) but I sure do wish I had the time to do it. That would be awesome! If any of you know a place/person who does that let me know -- I'd be there reading every week.
Defense
I'll save the numerous thoughts on the offense for second. First, I want to focus on the matchup between the Oakland offense and the Detroit defense. I know the big press coming into this week was how badly the Raiders played in their last two games, but there was much more than meets the eye in that equation -- after all, the Raiders were 7-6 and looking to get back into the playoff hunt with a win over the Lions. Say what you will about there recent egg-laying, the Raiders have been far from a joke all year and a tough, competitive team.
Despite the headlines surrounding (QB)Carson Palmer, and the injury to (RB)Darren McFadden the real story of the Raiders offense has been the wide receivers and the offensive line.
Al Davis was almost as obsessed with speedy wideouts as one Matt Millen. A big difference is that his picks A. were not all in the first round, B. were not overweight, lazy, or drug addicts, and C. can actually catch the ball. The result is an offense stacked 4 deep with very fast WR on the field -- none of them a CJ caliber (who is?) but they don't have to be. They are more a bunch of faster Titus Young clones. The Raiders' problem the two weeks before? 3 of them were injured. Two made it back against the Lions and the difference was noticeable. YAC is a very underrated statistic, and an area where Oakland's group will make you pay. (as they did to Chris Houston on the long TD when he bounced off the WR instead of wrapping him up) Carson Palmer (and Jason Campbell before he got injured) rely on lots of quick hits to the open man, depending on yards after the catch to get then the gains they need. Screens especially mixed in with their strong run game make this tactic especially deadly.
To make matters worse for the Lions, on top of Delmas being out (and losing Harris) at Safety, their CB's were banged up. Both Wright and Houston were having speed and cutting issues as they recover from injury. This meant they were limited in their type of play they could use to defend. No matter what Jim Schwartz blathers about the health of the secondary played a big role in the big cushion look the Lions gave the Raiders. The intent was almost a man-up version of the Tampa 2, keeping everything in front of them to limit any big plays. They also were selling out on the rush and the pressure to keep the Raiders in their short game only and counting on the Lions defenders to limit YAC.
The result was that despite a long TD on a missed tackle, the Lions defense held the Raiders to just 20 offensive points scored in what on paper should have been a bad matchup for them on that given Sunday. Even though Palmer was taking 2-3 step drops and runing smoke routes, the Lions still got to him for three sacks.
So while the Lions were playing with 3/4 backups in the secondary, they still played a solid game and did their part to help the Lions win, and to get the ball back to set up the Megadrive.
Tonight I'll look at how the Detroit Offense and Oakland Defense matched up.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Great Scott!
Still in a frame of refernce in regards to Back to the Future (I need to watch the DVD's with the Pink Lions again) I couldn't help but think of a fun line from Back to the Future 3.
Doc Brown has just passed out in the Saloon. Mad Dog Tannen is going to be waiting outside in 10 minutes to kill Marty. They need to leave to catch the train in fifteen minutes to get back to the future. How long is the "wake up juice" going to take? 10 minutes.
Marty looks out the window, looks at the doc, and then says "why do we always have to cut these things so close?!"
That's how I've felt about...oh, every game but Denver and Kansas City this season.
The big difference from year's past? The Lions are winning these close games most of the time. Sure, you can question a lot of things about the Lions. You can point to how some teams "lose X number of games by a touchdown or less" as to how they are so close to good. That, however, has always been a hopeful misdirection. A major Red Herring so to speak. A large number of NFL games are decided by a touchdown or less every week. The difference between playoff teams and teams going home is whether you can win more of those games than you lose.
9-5
The win-loss record speaks for itself. The Lions have managed to win more of those close games (Tampa Bay, Dallas, Minnesota (twice), Panthers, Oakland) than they lost (49ers, Falcons). That in and of itself is the major sign of a playoff team. So too is that ability to come from behind while maintaining composure. On the last two drives in Oakland, the Lions looked more like the preseason/5-0 start Lions than the mid-season Lions struggling to find a rhytm.
I will have a more detailed analysis of the game tomorrow, but suffice it to say as a fan this is the most exciting season of Lions football since Barry Sanders retired, hands down. I'm not sure if any of them in recent memory have featured so many electrifying games.
Doc Brown has just passed out in the Saloon. Mad Dog Tannen is going to be waiting outside in 10 minutes to kill Marty. They need to leave to catch the train in fifteen minutes to get back to the future. How long is the "wake up juice" going to take? 10 minutes.
Marty looks out the window, looks at the doc, and then says "why do we always have to cut these things so close?!"
That's how I've felt about...oh, every game but Denver and Kansas City this season.
 |
| The Lions have easily generated 1.21 Giggawatts in electrifying games so far in 2011 |
9-5
The win-loss record speaks for itself. The Lions have managed to win more of those close games (Tampa Bay, Dallas, Minnesota (twice), Panthers, Oakland) than they lost (49ers, Falcons). That in and of itself is the major sign of a playoff team. So too is that ability to come from behind while maintaining composure. On the last two drives in Oakland, the Lions looked more like the preseason/5-0 start Lions than the mid-season Lions struggling to find a rhytm.
I will have a more detailed analysis of the game tomorrow, but suffice it to say as a fan this is the most exciting season of Lions football since Barry Sanders retired, hands down. I'm not sure if any of them in recent memory have featured so many electrifying games.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
C'mon McFly, U Chicken?
Most everyone has heard the phrase "egging you on" in reference to goading someone into doing something -- typically something stupid, silly, dangerous, or all three. Websters defines it as:
egg
As I watched Suh throw a hissy fit on National Television as I chonked on Turkey I could only wonder why the bigger Turkey was on TV. I had an image of my youngest little pink lion throwing a temper tantrum screaming "she started it!" Then, the following week against the Saints I again wondered if this other word from Websters was in the vocabulary of the Detroit Lions:
Related forms
That's right. Just like poor Marty and his historical namesake, the Lions couldn't walk away from a fight and paid dearly for it. Will they also end up getting fired from a dead end job because they are too "manly" to back down? Just like Marty McFly and my temper tantrum throwing daughter, now the other 31 teams in the league know all you have to do is goad them enough, and the Lions players will lose it to the tune of 15 yard penalties, ejections and even suspension.
Against Minnesota, they finally managed to ignore these McFly Penalties -- but how long will it last? Will Marty McSuh be able to keep it together once he hits the field again? If not, just like in Back to The Future III it will be his name and the Lions playoff hopes on that tombstone...
I'm thrilled the Lions are 8-5. They are making a push for the playoffs and hold their destiny, like Marty above, in their hands. The question now is can they hold it together, or will they give in to the shoelacing taunts of their opponents? Oakland is the most penalized team in the league so there will be a parity of reputations - if the Lions can come out of that game relatively clean (and with a win) then that is a huge step in the right direction. If not, I'll have to start a "Great Scott!" Marty McFly Chicken Penalty of the week.
For everyone with Christmas gathering this weekend, I hope that you take the time out to enjoy your families while you can. DVR, VCR, or have the game on in the background but remember what is most important this holiday season.
DetFan1979
egg
verb (used with object)
to incite or urge; encourage (usually followed by on ).
As I watched Suh throw a hissy fit on National Television as I chonked on Turkey I could only wonder why the bigger Turkey was on TV. I had an image of my youngest little pink lion throwing a temper tantrum screaming "she started it!" Then, the following week against the Saints I again wondered if this other word from Websters was in the vocabulary of the Detroit Lions:
kənˈtroʊlnoun
control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.
Origin:
1705–15
1705–15
Related forms
self-con·trolled, adjective
self-con·trol·ling, adjective
Synonyms self-discipline, self-restraint, willpower, levelheadedness.
It certainly wasn't being emitted from Jim "Meet me outside to see who the bigger Jimmy really is" Schwartz. As a matter of fact, against both the Packers and Saints one would be hard pressed to find it being exhibited by the Lions anywhere on the field.
I know, I know. The officiating was horrible you say -- it was. But they were untying his shoes! you say. Apparently they were. Of course as soon as I read that, I instantly pictured good 'ol Biff Tannen.
 |
| Your Shoe's Untied McFly. |
The interesting thing is the Lions have been like two totally different teams. Against the 49ers and the Falcons they pretty much George McFly'd their way through the entire game -- I just got the feeling they were waiting for that next nuggie, next jab. In the meantime, they stammered their way through "putting on the second coat of wax right now" excuses that no one was buying. They were playing timid, not the bold swaggering group from the first 5 games.
 |
| Is making the playoffs their density, I mean destiny? |
After building a Tebow proof lead against Denver, and then once again coming back against Carolina sandwiched around another timid game loss versus the Bears it became clear the Lions were playing alternating stretches of bravado mixed in with bouts of low self esteem like timidity. Sticking with my Back to the Future analogy here they were acting more like Marty McFly than his pop. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how much like Marty they were until the Green Bay and New Orleans debacles...
Let me start with this basic thought: If you think New Orleans and especially Green Bay went through 8 quarters against the Lions without a single holding penalty I have this great property in Montana with a beautiful view of the Caspian Sea and magical fairies that tend the gorgeous gardens to perfection producing amazing fruit all year round to sell you. Really. That is still no excuse; The Packers, soon followed by the Saints, were basically calling out to the Lions "whatsa matter, you chicken?"
That's right. Just like poor Marty and his historical namesake, the Lions couldn't walk away from a fight and paid dearly for it. Will they also end up getting fired from a dead end job because they are too "manly" to back down? Just like Marty McFly and my temper tantrum throwing daughter, now the other 31 teams in the league know all you have to do is goad them enough, and the Lions players will lose it to the tune of 15 yard penalties, ejections and even suspension.
Against Minnesota, they finally managed to ignore these McFly Penalties -- but how long will it last? Will Marty McSuh be able to keep it together once he hits the field again? If not, just like in Back to The Future III it will be his name and the Lions playoff hopes on that tombstone...
 |
| The future can still be altered. Will the Lions avoid this fate? |
I'm thrilled the Lions are 8-5. They are making a push for the playoffs and hold their destiny, like Marty above, in their hands. The question now is can they hold it together, or will they give in to the shoelacing taunts of their opponents? Oakland is the most penalized team in the league so there will be a parity of reputations - if the Lions can come out of that game relatively clean (and with a win) then that is a huge step in the right direction. If not, I'll have to start a "Great Scott!" Marty McFly Chicken Penalty of the week.
For everyone with Christmas gathering this weekend, I hope that you take the time out to enjoy your families while you can. DVR, VCR, or have the game on in the background but remember what is most important this holiday season.
DetFan1979
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Longest Time...
I take my first tentative steps back into blogging about the Lions and find myself wondering if maybe I'm still sitting in the hospital having delusions. Lions? In Control of their Playoff Destiny? The Detroit Lions, Playoffs -- in the same sentence, seriously, in December?
8 wins? I can barely remember 6 months ago (okay a few days ago) much less the last time the Lions had 8 wins or more. I was not yet a parent - the Little Pink Lions were merely a glimmer of the future. If we go back to when the Lions were in the playoffs, I was still in college. I was not yet married.
In a year fraught with trials and tribulations, the Lions have been a pleasant bright spot. So where have I been, you ask, that I am just now weighing in on this already 8 win season?
I injured my shoulder in January. It turned out to be pretty severe (torn labrum, torn rotator cuff, and a bone spur just to top it off). I finally had surgery on it in May. Prior to the surgery it was just too much pain to sit at the keyboard and type, so my blogging trailed off. The surgery had a few complications, and despite early promise after the surgery our house flooded. So post surgery my father and I were ripping out and rebuilding the basement/first floor while I was also doing physical therapy. Toss in some family needing help, trying to catch up at work and I was pushing myself harder than I should have been. Too hard. Too soon. Major blood pressure and fatigue issues led to Minor heart issues. I nearly collapsed and work and was hospitalized briefly. - I only call them minor as I was supremely blessed not to suffer any real permanent damage. That episode sidelined me completely for over a month. In September I headed back to physical therapy in what has been my routine and will be through the end of the year: get up at 4am. Physical Therapy for two hours, get ready for work, go to the office until about 6. Supper, Family time, bed. Repeat.
I've just been too tired to blog. Now things are finally improving! Most of the pain is gone. I'm doing better balancing things. The Little Pink Lions now each have their own brand new bedroom in the walk out basement/first floor. (We took the opportunity that the disaster created to make things better). I'm afraid I still can't promise consistency for a while, though I will try. I don't even know how many of you are still reading -- I appreciate all of you who are! I'v really missed blogging about the Lions, and it's been building for quite a while that I feel a need to start writing again.
This experience has definitely given me a great respect for how much time and effort -- and pain -- football players go through; even those who are not injured. For those who are and are still playing through it I feel I have a better understanding - and more sympathy for how it can effect their game. While I haven't been blogging, I have been watching. It has been an enjoyable and entertaining ride - I am excited to see how it ends!
Real football is being played in Detroit, and from the looks of it will be for years to come. My health is improving, and I can see "normal" not so far distant in the future. Live every day your best - because you never know what will happen in the next.
Its good to be back
DetFan1979
8 wins? I can barely remember 6 months ago (okay a few days ago) much less the last time the Lions had 8 wins or more. I was not yet a parent - the Little Pink Lions were merely a glimmer of the future. If we go back to when the Lions were in the playoffs, I was still in college. I was not yet married.
In a year fraught with trials and tribulations, the Lions have been a pleasant bright spot. So where have I been, you ask, that I am just now weighing in on this already 8 win season?
I injured my shoulder in January. It turned out to be pretty severe (torn labrum, torn rotator cuff, and a bone spur just to top it off). I finally had surgery on it in May. Prior to the surgery it was just too much pain to sit at the keyboard and type, so my blogging trailed off. The surgery had a few complications, and despite early promise after the surgery our house flooded. So post surgery my father and I were ripping out and rebuilding the basement/first floor while I was also doing physical therapy. Toss in some family needing help, trying to catch up at work and I was pushing myself harder than I should have been. Too hard. Too soon. Major blood pressure and fatigue issues led to Minor heart issues. I nearly collapsed and work and was hospitalized briefly. - I only call them minor as I was supremely blessed not to suffer any real permanent damage. That episode sidelined me completely for over a month. In September I headed back to physical therapy in what has been my routine and will be through the end of the year: get up at 4am. Physical Therapy for two hours, get ready for work, go to the office until about 6. Supper, Family time, bed. Repeat.
I've just been too tired to blog. Now things are finally improving! Most of the pain is gone. I'm doing better balancing things. The Little Pink Lions now each have their own brand new bedroom in the walk out basement/first floor. (We took the opportunity that the disaster created to make things better). I'm afraid I still can't promise consistency for a while, though I will try. I don't even know how many of you are still reading -- I appreciate all of you who are! I'v really missed blogging about the Lions, and it's been building for quite a while that I feel a need to start writing again.
This experience has definitely given me a great respect for how much time and effort -- and pain -- football players go through; even those who are not injured. For those who are and are still playing through it I feel I have a better understanding - and more sympathy for how it can effect their game. While I haven't been blogging, I have been watching. It has been an enjoyable and entertaining ride - I am excited to see how it ends!
Real football is being played in Detroit, and from the looks of it will be for years to come. My health is improving, and I can see "normal" not so far distant in the future. Live every day your best - because you never know what will happen in the next.
Its good to be back
DetFan1979
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Once in a Lifetime -- Weekly
What was Barry Sanders? He was a lot of things to a lot of people, players and fans. His ability and his impact on the game on any given Sunday can't be described in a hundred words, or a thousand words, or more. When you watched him you had to suspend belief because what you were seeing wasn't possible on a football field.
Expectedly Unexpected. Commonly Unique.
What Barry did was make every game he was in a thrill to watch no matter what the score was. Points, winners, losers -- it all seemed to fade when Barry touched the ball. Breath held, we waited to see what was going to happen next. One tackle behind the line. Two. Three. Four. Five - wait - Magic!
You knew you were going to see something special, and yet every time he slipped a tackle, spun two defenders around, leaped over one player while simultaneous ducking another tackler and somehow still staying on his feet and headed to the endzone we sat and stared, mouth agape and mind unable to believe what we were seeing even though we expected to see it.
Barry had more negative runs than anyone else. He had more awe inspiring runs than any three other backs combined. Emmitt ground out the rushing record over time. Barry was the only back who could run about 100 mind numbing perplexing yards for a 20 yard touchdown. Spinning, juking faking.
He knew what defenders were going to do before they did, and then he avoided it. Jumping through holes that didn't exist, rolling away from hits that should have leveled a mac truck. Lowering his shoulder like he was going to be tackled, and then jumping back as defenders fell to their knees in front of him and taking off as those behind him did the same in an ironic type of homage as they grasped for that which couldn't be caught - couldn't be harnessed.
Barry Sanders was like an optical illusion on a football field. He wasn't the biggest. He wasn't the strongest. He wasn't the fastest. But when he touched the ball science stopped and Barry started. Inertia no longer existed and we saw angles and cuts and moves that defied the laws of physics but somehow conformed to the rules of the Gridiron. Barry's rules. Rules no one else could comprehend, much less follow or duplicate.
Watching Barry play made being a Lions fan something special. It wasn't about wins and losses -- it was about the mystical. The enchantment.
It was about once in a lifetime -- weekly.
Expectedly Unexpected. Commonly Unique.
What Barry did was make every game he was in a thrill to watch no matter what the score was. Points, winners, losers -- it all seemed to fade when Barry touched the ball. Breath held, we waited to see what was going to happen next. One tackle behind the line. Two. Three. Four. Five - wait - Magic!
You knew you were going to see something special, and yet every time he slipped a tackle, spun two defenders around, leaped over one player while simultaneous ducking another tackler and somehow still staying on his feet and headed to the endzone we sat and stared, mouth agape and mind unable to believe what we were seeing even though we expected to see it.
Barry had more negative runs than anyone else. He had more awe inspiring runs than any three other backs combined. Emmitt ground out the rushing record over time. Barry was the only back who could run about 100 mind numbing perplexing yards for a 20 yard touchdown. Spinning, juking faking.
He knew what defenders were going to do before they did, and then he avoided it. Jumping through holes that didn't exist, rolling away from hits that should have leveled a mac truck. Lowering his shoulder like he was going to be tackled, and then jumping back as defenders fell to their knees in front of him and taking off as those behind him did the same in an ironic type of homage as they grasped for that which couldn't be caught - couldn't be harnessed.
Barry Sanders was like an optical illusion on a football field. He wasn't the biggest. He wasn't the strongest. He wasn't the fastest. But when he touched the ball science stopped and Barry started. Inertia no longer existed and we saw angles and cuts and moves that defied the laws of physics but somehow conformed to the rules of the Gridiron. Barry's rules. Rules no one else could comprehend, much less follow or duplicate.
Watching Barry play made being a Lions fan something special. It wasn't about wins and losses -- it was about the mystical. The enchantment.
It was about once in a lifetime -- weekly.
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