I Need a Vacation

Its very difficult to write about this Lions team right now.  Its like a formula has set in for this season...

Untimely penalties that actually occur?   Check.
Slow Replay or Screw-up resulting in big play that isn't overturned that shouldn't count?  Check.
Horrible call that swings momentum away from the Lions?  Check.
NFL doing diddly about it? Check.
Ref arguing that call was correct, even when it wasn't? Check.
Defense playing tentative after the phantom penalty and blowing the game?  Check.
Undisciplined play by the entire team?  Check.

I'm heading out on Vacation with the Little Pink Lions, Mrs. DetFan1979 as well as the Parents of DF79.  I will certainly still be watching the Thanksgiving Day game, as usual.  But then I'll go see "Tangled" with my girls -- which somehow seems appropriate for the Lions this season - Tangled in their own hair and can't break free. 

Due to my schedule, there will be no Lions Congregation for the next two weeks; I'm also not sure if/how many posts I will put up.  I need a vacation -- and will come roaring back with some nice perspective when I get back. 

Thanks as always for reading!

~ DetFan1979

This Explains it All...

Got this great comic from my father that pretty much sums up this season... And many many seasons past.  

Lions Congregation: Felton and Fears

Welcome back to the Lions Congregation, where every week the panel of Lions Bloggers from around the web looks at topics and questions posed by our readers.  Want your question or topic to be discussed?  Email lionscongregation@yahoo.com

This week, the panel once again looks at Jerome Felton and the short yardage run game as well as measuring their varying states of panic or non-panic as the case may be.

The Panel:

NetRat of The NetRat Detroit Lions Site
Zac of The Sidelion Report
Blades Boyd, DetFan1979 Contributor
Steve of Detroit Lions Weblog
Joshua Pung DetFan1979 of Roar of the Lions

The Questions:

From Santa Cruz Lions Nut:  Am I missing something, or is Jerome Felton the hardest running back on the roster? From what I see, the guy has done well with the carries he gets, and seems to be tough to bring down on first contact.  Yet I can't remember any short yardage/goal line carries.  Between the tippy toe-ing of Best as of late and the average-osity of Smith, what am I not getting?

NetRat: It's not the RB that needs fixing for the short yardage game, it's the center of the OLine.  And that isn't going to happen.  Raiola is great at reading the defenses and getting the OLine in the right play.  He's also got a mean streak that coaches love.  His one negative is power run blocking.  He simply can not do it.  Since he gets stuffed the run play has zero chance, every time.  It shouldn't even be tried until such time as Raiola is no longer the center.

Zac: I agree that Jerome Felton should get more consideration, especially in short yardage situations. That being said, I don't think doing so gives the Lions a sure bet in those scenarios. Let's not project too much on Felton just because other guys aren't getting it done in a certain situation.

The problem that the Lions may encounter is finding a way to give Felton those opportunities without making it so painfully obvious to the opposition that he will be carrying the ball. I don't care how hard of a runner Felton is, he can't beat 11 defenders. I view the Lions' short yardage woes as more a function of their poor run blocking than the name and number of the back carrying the ball. Kevin Smith looks to be running harder the more his knee heals and Jahvid Best brings a versatility that allows the Lions to convert short yardage situations in a number of ways.

Blades:  I actually have to say Kevin smith is the hardest runner. But I guess this all depends on what your definition of "hard runner" is. To me, it's a gut who hits the hole the hardest and watching Kevin smith run when he gets the ball is really something. He's learned that he's not a fast guy in the NFL and unlike what he did earlier in his career, he hits the hole hard and if there's room to run, great, if not, well he still gets 3-5 yards cause he hits the hole so hard.

Steve: From the time of Jerome Felton's 2008 draft selection, the Lions have initmated that they would like to use his ability as a ballcarrier to their advantage.  They have used Felton upon occasion as an additional ballcarrier, to the tune of one or two carries per game.

The 2010 Lions have mostly featured Jahvid Best in their short yardage and goal line scenarios.  I believe that the Lions think that by using Best, and making opposing defense's honor him as both a running and pass-catching threat, they gain an upper hand strategically.

The mere presence of Best, as a player whose gamebreaking ability could potentially lead to a score during any play, limits the touches that all of the other running backs are currently receiving.   Even though Best has been pretty quiet since Week 2, while suffering from a turf toe injury, he still represents the Lions best rushing option.

In regards to Felton, I don't think he has shown enough in his limited opportunities to elevate his status from an occasional contributor to a more defined and integral part of the Lions offense.

DetFan1979:  I know that Felton is a fan favorite since he was drafted -- I'm one of many who has wanted to see more.  He can really drag guys along and bowl them over when he gets a head of steam going.  However, when he comes in on short yardage its an obvious run.  Leaving Best and/or Smith in the mix on 3rd and shorts makes for more options the defense has to prepare against. 

Felton is also not a pile mover -- few backs really are.  The Lions line is excelling at pass blocking, and despite Stafford's fluky injuries has allowed very few sacks.  They are not, however, a power run o-line -- especially up the middle where Dom is a few inches and some pounds away from the perfect center.  He does everything well except take on the nose tackle one on one and shove him back.  Honestly, how many centers really can?  Fewer than Lions fans think.  No players are perfect and just like the rest of us have strengths and weaknesses -- one of those weaknesses for Raiola is that he won't be knocking the opposing D-line 5 feet back on impact.  He does other things, however, very well. 

The Lions short yardage game won't improve until they figure out where and how they can run the ball in a small space taking advantage of the strengths of their linemen.

From the General Mailbag Topic: Lots of fans are in various stages of panic after last week's game.  Where do you fall in the spectrum?

NetRat: Panic after losing to the Jets in overtime?  Nah.  It says something the Lions made it to overtime.  I was ready (as were most fans) for the Lions to beat a seemingly unbeatable team, but that didn't quite happen (see my blog on it at http://thenetrat.blogspot.com/ ).  It does bode well for the future, oh and by the way, from here on out the Lions have one of the weakest schedule of opponents in the NFL North.  Shame about the injuries, we're going to miss Stafford once again, but Hill should do okay once he gets back into the swing of it again.  Hopefully before the Buffalo game gets out of hand.

Zac: I'm not sure where it falls on the panic spectrum, but I would describe my feels as supreme disappointment. The disappointment started with the blown game, then the realization that this season might be a complete waste from here on out, and then ultimately ended with reflecting on how things go wrong for this organization even when they are seemingly beginning to do it the right way. The injuries, Matthew Stafford's in particular, aren't a result of mismanagement. The Lions just aren't getting any breaks and I find that disappointing.

Blades:  No. We lost in OT to a super bowl contender. The Schwartz will learn from his mistakes. Besides, I like Shaun hill better then stafford right now anyways. The panic button should be the fact Stafford needs new shoulders and to be on the field instead of sitting in rehab collecting the big fat checks the Lions are writing him. 

Steve: I am disappointed by Matthew Stafford's injury and nebulous future status.  I am also concerned that the Lions 24-game road losing streak will continue, after this weekend's game at Buffalo,

However, I am not panicked, because the Lions have clearly been "here" before and as a 2-6 team, their season wasn't exactly successful, to begin with, even if there were several tangible causes for optimism.

Ultimately, should they eventually lose to a winless and undermanned Bills team this Sunday, panic may then ensue, because it will likely be an ominous sign of things to come as the season marches on.

DetFan1979:  Major Over-reaction aisle 9.  Seriously, I have heard a lot of fans moaning about the lost season now that the Lions didn't beat the Jets.  Sorry folks, but unless the rest of the NFC North all went on one heck of a losing streak and the Lions won out were playoffs in the picture.  They weren't realistically in the picture from day one. 

The lost season of experience for Stafford?  That I'll buy.  It sucks -- he's out again -- do what you have to do to keep him on the field.  However, this team isn't just about Stafford.  Shaun Hill led them to that blowout win versus a pretty decent St. Louis team.  The Lions have shown dramatic improvement since last season, and certainly don't look 2 seasons removed from going winless. 

What was the Jets game?  A team with lesser talent taking a legitimate Superbowl possible team and smacking it around into overtime. The Jets and Rex Ryan came in trying to indimidate and scare the Lions -- we're the big bad Jets and you are going to give us your milk money.  Instead, the Lions manned up, punched them in the face and said "make me you pompous jerk."  What followed was a heck of a brawl where the Jets ended up being luckier than the Lions, not better.  Period. 

Want to know how you can tell the Jets got shocked into respect?  Bart Scott was whining about dirty play by the Lions to justify his own horrid game.  There wasn't the usual "we whupped you" trash talk in the New York Media that typically follows a Jets win (from Ryan, players, and writers).  The Jets are a bully team who felt relieved to get out of Ford Field alive. 

We were hoping beyond hope the Lions would take the next step from contending to defeating top tier teams -- they didn't, but they still held their own.  This game was circled as a very likely loss earlier in the year, and instead came down to the wire. 

Panic?  Shaun Hill steps in again as starter and the offense can produce with him at QB.  Not only that, but the defense has actually been improving for the most part.  Wade actually got his bus ticket out of town, replaced by the surprise Alphonso Smith and the solid Chris Houston.  The Defensive line is feared at this point as one of the best in the league.  The Lions will still contend, and depending on how healthy Hill really is should still have a better than even money shot at beating both the Bills and Cowboys on the road.  They have a favorable home schedule, and if the Jets game is any indication should be able to give the Patriots all they want and more on Thanksgiving.  A win is unlikely, but hey -- stranger things have happened. 

This season was all about development and building to add depth and fill the last roster holes next ifseason.  Playoffs? They were more a dream than a goal, and the real goal of building a competitive team for the long term still holds and is still going on.  So there is no reason at all to panic.  Mayhew is still at the helm, and the talent will keep on coming.  Panic is not an option.

Mayhews Moves

Martin Mayhew, after a bevy of injuries Sunday against the Jets, was busy once again with his characteristic zeal in pulling something out of nothing -- or at least giving it a shot.

• First off Center Cody Wallace was cut (again) after being signed from the Jets Practice Squad three weeks ago.  This move was pretty much expected to come at some point.
• The Lions also finally cut bait with Jonathan Wade and I'm sure there aren't many Lions fans who will miss him.  Of the the CB acquisitions - Alphonso Smith, Chris Houston, and Wade Mayhew is solidly two of three which is pretty darn good. 
• The Lions placed Jack Williams on IR.  If you recall, he was picked up from Denver last year, but hurt himself and went on IR after just one play with the Lions.  They must like him as they placed him on the PUP list.  He has practiced the last three weeks, but a decision was made to place him on IR at the deadline.  This does NOT open a roster spot as he was not counting toward the 53 man roster due to his PUP exemption.
• To fill the first empty spot the Lions signed a familiar face - former Spartan kicker Dave Rayner.  He is a solid kicker and will fill in while Hanson recovers from a pulled MCL.
• The second spot was filled when the Lions signed developmental QB Zac Robinson from Seattle.  Originally drafted by the Patriots, he was on the Seattle practice squad until last week when he was called up to be the backup with Matt Hasselbeck out.  Seattle couldn't sneak him back through waivers and now he is with the Lions.

I've seen many reading a lot of different things into the Zac Robinson signing -- that Stafford is/isn't done for the season.  My thoughts are this:

1. Drew Stanton just got competition for the 3rd QB spot.
2. The Lions need a backup/3rd QB since Stafford is definitely out and they have had bad luck with QB injuries this season.  Anyone really want Derrick Williams under center with Stafford out, if Hill isn't ready and Drew Stanton gets hurt?  Yeah.  Me either. 
3. I think this is more of a long term signing.  I've been wrong before, but I think they want him to take the 3rd QB spot from Stanton in the ifseason and get a young developmental QB without blowing a draft pick. 
4. I think this doesn't indicate if Stafford is done for the year or not, but he will certainly be out more than a week or two. 
5. Hanson has been old reliable - til now.  There are those who called for a kickoff specialist/backup kicker before the final cut downs as Hanson has been struggling to stay healthy the last year or two.  I wasn't in that camp due to limited roster space, but they sure are looking right at this point...
6. Stafford could still go to IR
7. I'm wondering who the Lions would cut if they go after Jason Allen, who was waived by Miami to make way for Al Harris.  Allen was the 16th pick in the 2006 draft, and has 3 INTs in 7 games this season.  The Lions could put in a waiver claim for him - we'll have to see. 

Killer Film Breakdown: Jets at Lions

Tom "Killer" Kowalski at Mlive.com is once again doing his excellent film breakdown.  My thoughts follow the links:

1. Chop Block Penalties on Peterman Absurd
2. CJ does Well - Then Disappears
3. WR Do Well on First Drive
4. Levy Makes a Difference
5. Goal Line Offense Struggled
6. Unseen Helmet to Helmet on Avril
7. Stafford Close to 99 yd TD
8. Stanton Bootleg Right Call - on 2nd down
9. Tackled In-Bounds

I totally agree with #1.  Even being in the stadium it was obvious that nothing of the sort was happening as far a chop blocks go on 2 of the 3.  It also didn't escape notice that they happened to always be called on key big plays by the Lions - not plays for no gain, etc.  It might be coincidence, but I still get the feeling the refs look for a penalty every time the Lions do something good. 

#2 - CJ was pretty much shut out, although he was bracketed much of the game, which allowed Burleson to have his big day with the one on one matchups.  As for the run game, it was obvious from the stands the Jets run defense was everything advertised and then some. 

#3 - The Lions looked really good on that first drive and it looked like they caught the Jets napping and thinking "same ol' Lions" - they snapped out of it pretty quick and got their head into the game to their credit, but that fast start helped build great momentum and excitement at Ford Field.  That place was deafening. 

#4 - The loss of Levy and the merry-go-round at MLB was definitely hurting the Lions defense early on.  As it is, they still need to upgrade both OLB spots.  Peterson will be gone at SLB, and Palmer and Co. have shown nothing spectacular at the WLB.  As for Smith getting burned - it happens to all DB's.  His agressive instinctive play is also what has made him a big asset for the Lions offense.  Sanchez had enough time to do another GQ photo shoot the protection was so good on that play.  Lions needed pressure, and couldn't get there. 
#5 - The Lions' struggles at the goal line were as much about the Jets D as the Lions O.  I like how hte Lions didn't cower or be afraid of the Jets.  They manned up and made it a slugfest of a game. 

#6 - Smith still made a good interception to stop a Jets drive that was gaining momentum, even if he did end up at the one.  Grand Theft CB all the way was my vote on that trade -- Here were the final results of my poll:

We Want Gronk: 1 lonely soul would rather have Dan Gronkowski than Alphonso Smith.
Starting CB - Check: 8 people (18%) felt we got a solid starter out of the deal
Grand Theft CB:  A staggering 34 people (79%) felt that Mayhew pulled Grand Theft on Josh McDaniels and company in signing a CB who is a solid starter, possible star.  5 INTs and a TD in 6 games puts me squarely in this category as well.

#7 - Stafford had some excellent throws and I want to see him healthy for long enough to really reach his potential.  IF IF IF

#8 - This whole last offensive series for the Lions is where they got out-coached and outplayed by the Jets.  Lions are closer, but again haven't taken that next step.  yet.  I feel strongly that it will be taken -- but next year, rather than this. 

Their improvement was further than I thought this year, and that got my hopes up but injuries have brought it back down to where it should have been all along.