Tag: Detroit Lions

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Detroit Lions: Matt Millen needs prayers

Embed from Getty Images Often a punching bag for the Detroit Lions fans. Former general manager Matt Millen is in a battle. For his life. “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” Jeremiah 33:6

 

While it is true that Matt Millen’s time as Detroit Lions general manager is among the worst in sports history. It is also true that Matt Millen is a human. As such it is time for Lions fans to let go of the past.  He is not a bad person.

 

At just 60 years old. The former Oakland and L.A. Raiders linebacker needs at heart transplant. He faces an incurable disease. To Matt Millen, I would say God is greater than your struggles. But his Christian life allows him to walk forward and not have any worries about his future.

 

To Detroit Lions fans who once staged a fire Millen rally. I would say let bygones be bygones. He is and has been a terrific football announcer in between his Lions job. His work with the Lions does not define him in any way.

 

Working this season for the Big Ten Network. Matt Millen announced he needed to step away for health reasons. Millen said of his illness “We’re down 13. Playing defense. It’s getting late.” Also known as I know what I am up against.

 

In order to do day to day life Millen has endured 38 rounds of chemotherapy. Millen is charming and very kind. Lions fans need to know this about the man. Can we stop and come to an agreement some things are flat out bigger than sports?

 

To forgive is divine. You have heard it. You may have even said it. It is time to live it. No matter your background. Your belief, your unbelief. Say a prayer in your own space. But do it with a pure heart full of good intentions.

 

God bless, Matt Millen. He needs it.

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Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn’s master plan

  Embed from Getty Images After posting back-to-back 9-7 records the Detroit Lions are under construction again. Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn let head coach Jim Caldwell go after last season saying he needed a coach to get them over the hump.

 

The Detroit Lions 2018-19 season has begun with a resounding thud. 0-2 under Bob Quinn hand picked head coach Matt Patricia. I do not believe Quinn targeted this season as make or break for the Lions.

 

In his third season as Detroit’s chief architect, Bob Quinn began an overhaul of the Lions offensive line. A unit that has yet to gel. However there are young players on the line that need more seasoning.

 

Kenny Galloday, is a freak and a playmaker. As is rookie running back Kerryon Johnson. Where it gets a bit grey is wide receiver Golden Tate. He appears to be headed out of town after the season when his contract expires.

 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, could be replaced by Quinn. That may shock Lions faithful’s. Yet, given Bob Quinn’s New England Patriots background it should not. Patriot players are always viewed as having a short shelf life except at the quarterback position.

 

In year three Quinn has had ample  time to look over and get to know the roster. A roster that he has been over turning upon his arrival in Motown. Where it gets really bad is on the defensive side of the ball.

 

Detroit ran a 4-3 defense for years and enjoyed some success. Now it is clear they are switching to a 3-4 as through two games they have lined up in the 3-4 formation 70% of the time. One problem they do not have the proper personal to sustain this defense.

 

It gets worse when players are trying to learn Patricia’s system during games. It has not gone smooth. There will be more bumps and bruises along the way until Quinn has all of his players on the roster and the players understand where they need to be and how to do their job.

 

Once young players grow into their roles things should improve IF Quinn has been successful in both draft picks and free agency. This team is still capable of a 6-10 season which is where I had them before the opening week.

 

It will not be until next season until Detroit Lions front office and fans see what if any fruit Bob Quinn has grown in the Motor City.

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Detroit Lions: actually showing some improvement

Embed from Getty Images The 0-2 Detroit Lions showed some signs of life during Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. Here are some of the good, bad and ugly from the first two games. Also why I firmly believe in Matt Patricia.

 

No matter the early results the sky has not fallen. First and formost the Detroit Lions of 2018-19 were never going to be a playoff team. I believe that is by design. General manager Bob Quinn has a long term vision and one Lions fans need to remember.

 

The defense is a hot mess. I will have more on that unit in a moment. Kenny Golladay is having a fantastic he is on his way to being a game changing wide receiver. That is good because Golden Tate who is in the last year of his contract is playing like a guy who does not want to get hurt in order to get a big payday.

 

The running game is actually showing signs of life. Rookie Kerryon Johnson has breathed a new life in the run game. He should get more touches as the season moves along.

 

Da’ Shawn Hand, has been the lone bright spot on a terrible defensive line. The unit misses too many tackles and does not generate much of a pass rush. There is still a lot of improvement to be had.

 

Linebackers have begun to cover pass routs better. And have been solid against the run.

 

The offensive line has been all over the board Rookie Frank Ragnow has allowed more quarterback pressures than any lineman in the NFL. Taylor Decker at left tackle is the worst rated run blocker. Both are young players who have time to put in the work and clean up their game.

 

Because the defensive line has yet to find the footing they need. The secondary has taken a hit. No pass rush has allowed wide receivers to get open sooner.

 

Matthew Stafford who was a top 5 deep ball passer last season is currently #32. He has been victim of the drops. Detroit Lions receivers have dropped more passes than any other team in the NFL.

 

So based on all of that. The Lions have gotten better. Remember this is a long process. Bob Quinn took over a roster of far less versatile players and is slowing bringing more into the organization.

 

Other than a questionable use of the clock in week one Matt Patricia has not shown me anything that makes me think the Lions made the wrong pick at head coach. For a team that was not going to the playoffs this season. It if far more important the learn Patricia’s system and find out who can and can not play in his system.

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Detroit Lions: season kickoff on Monday Night Football

Embed from Getty Images The ever rebuilding Detroit Lions are set to kickoff their portion on the 2018-19 NFL season tomorrow on Monday Night Football.

The good news is football is back. The bad news the Detroit Lions need more pieces to go with some nice parts. I can not envision Matt Patricia and his coaching staff feel this is a championship defense. Or even a playoff defense for that matter.

 

The offense is set. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has plenty of weapons around him including rookie running back Kerryon Johnson. Johnson will be the best Detroit back since the great Barry Sanders. Mark it down.

 

The offensive line started preseason shaky but ended up molding together. This unit has the upside to be among the best in the NFL.

 

Back to the defense. The secondary is top notch. The linebackers are solid but not spectacular. But they do not need to be. Look at the New England Patriots. They have a rather unassuming group of linebackers and generally do well.

 

The defensive line is horrible. They are in no position to run a 3-4 based defense full time. In fact in my opinion that is exactly why Matt Patricia and his defensive coaches did not commit to lining up in the 3-4 down after down.

 

Too me this Detroit Lions team is indeed close to being a very good football team. I just can not see it being this season. Too many questions on the defensive line limit expectation for the Lions.

 

I have little doubt Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn and Patricia will get the players they both want and need to push the team forward. It should be a fun and interesting season ahead for the Lions.

 

Fun because the team is close. Interesting because it is year one of a brand new head coach. There will be bumps and there will be joy. I do not feel there will be a playoff appearance.

 

That may seem to counter what I said about the team being close. It is not. Teams take a step back before going forward often in sports. Better days are coming for sure.

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Detroit Lions: 53 man roster

Embed from Getty Images In 2017 the Detroit Lions fielded one of the youngest teams in the NFL. in 2018-19 the Lions will field one of the oldest. As general manager Bob Quinn has tweaked the roster.

 

26.6 is the average age of the Detroit Lions players making up this seasons roster. That is up from 25.8 in the 2017 campaign. That may seem dramatic. In my opinion this is partly because Lions head coach Matt Patricia had many veteran players in his time with the New England Patriots.

 

The Detroit Lions roster has young players at the skilled positions: not to mention the team is going with:

 

2 quarterbacks, 5 running backs, 6 wide receivers, 4 tight ends, 10 moffensive lineman, 7 defensive lineman, 7 linebackers, 4 cornerbacks, 5 safeties, 3 special teams.

 

The team announced the signing of 6 players to the practice team. To me this shows the Lions are in a win now train of thought. As they should be. The need to clean up in some areas. But it should be a good season.

 

 

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Detroit Lions: are they ready for the season to start?

Embed from Getty Images Given poor performances this preseason. There is a real doubt the Matt Patricia lead Detroit Lions are ready for the 2018-19 NFL season to start. That has Detroit Lions fans feeling unsettled.

 

The Detroit Lions offense looks out of sync. The Detroit Lions defense looks like it does not have a clue. The Detroit Lions regular season starts soon.

 

Matt Patricia is bringing a complex defense that is unlike the Detroit Lions have ever used. It is a proven defense. Just ask the New England Patriots. You can say “it is only preseason.”  But the defensive unit has not improved. At all.

 

The Lions secondary has been lit up like a Christmas tree. The reads have been off due to lining up in different spots on the field. Tackles have been missed as players try to figure out who exactly has who on the field during a play.

 

The Detroit offense, Matthew Stafford is the only player on this unit there is not worry and/or concern for. The offensive line has yet again looked offensive. The Detroit Lions look like a total mess.

 

I believe part of it is they simply do not have the right players to play “Patricia ball.” Speaking of Matt Patricia, his team looks bad and has played uninsipired through 3 preseason games. Patricia is struggling to grasp when to use timeouts.

 

For the Detroit Lions to show improvement. Matt Patricia  must show he can learn from his mistakes. As of this minute. He is not helping Lions general manager Bob Quinn out.

 

Quinn, who brought his friend and buddy Patricia in to get the Detroit Lions  over the hump and advance in the NFL playoffs has egg on his face as of right now. Unless things drastically change the Detroit Lions are going to have a very bad season.

 

That would not be getting the team over the hump.

 

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Detroit Lions: may be in trouble

Embed from Getty Images It is only preseason…. it is only preseason…… it is only preseason. Like many Detroit Lions fans this is what I keep reminding myself. However preseason aside. The Lions have serious problems.

 

The Detroit Lions have struggled, on both the offensive line and defensive line. The offensive line which was Lions general manager Bob Quinn’s biggest targets in both the NFL draft and free agency has not been in sink. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sacked 3 times in two preseason games.

 

Both Kenny Wiggins and Graham Glasgow have gotten off to bad starts. The offensive line has good talent. They must clean up on blocking and individual mistakes. Which certainly could happen.

 

The defensive line is a whole mess. A’ Shawn Robinson, has been well horrible. The second round 2016 draftee has put in back- to- back  bad performances. Against the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. He missed would be tackles and was shoved out of the way by offensive linemen. At 6′ 4″, 322 lbs he should not simply get pushed around.

 

Through two preseason games the Detroit Lions have been sloppy.  Blown blocks,  way too many  penalties and not holding onto the ball. This is the part of the preseason where teams are starting to gel and gain momentum to head into the regular season with.  Time is ticking. Lions head coach Matt Patrica knows it.

 

The good in all of the bad play was that Detroit Lions players were mad. After the game. Veterans called out under performing players. As it should be. Players were very quick to praise the work that coach Patrica and his staff has done in preparing the players, The players understand it is all on them.

 

Still it needs to come together. Soon. Coaches do not coach  sloppiness. Matt Patricia is a stickler for detail. He was not in a talking mood after Friday’s loss at the hands of the Giants. He only said “things need to get cleaned up.”

 

It is only preseason…. it is only preseason…. it is only preseason. But soon it will not be.

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Detroit Lions: first preseason game things to watch

  Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Lions begin the process of getting game ready for the 2018-19 NFL regular season. Tonight’s game against the Oakland Raiders offers a few things for Lions fans to watch for.

 

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play 3 downs tonight. Barely enough time to get his feet wet. More like a toe. Still Lions fans need to keep and eye on the revamped offensive line.

Running back, Kerryon Johnson looks to take the bulk of snaps in the Detroit backfield. No surprise as the Detroit Leo’s try to kick start some sort of running game.

Cornerback Tez Tabor, has had a good first two weeks of training camp. Drafted last season the second year DB looks to gain more playing time. With Detroit all world corner Darius Slay not expect to play (due to giving first and second year players a look) Tabor has a wide open door to walk through. If he picks up where he left off at the end of his rookie season Tez Tabor will get the playing time he craves.

Wide receiver Brandon Powell who has gifted speed and the ability to make plays in space should get a few tosses his way. The speedy Powell could also return some punts.

Preseason NFL game seem boring to many fans. Not to me. This is where all the scouting and film watching either pay off or disappoint. I like watching the games because sometimes there are players who are diamond in the roughs.

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Detroit Lions: the importance of Jarrad Davis

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions needing help at linebacker drafted Jarrad Davis out of the University of Florida in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. After an up and down rookie season,  Jarrad Davis is ready to unleash.

The 2017 NFL season saw Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis struggle in passing situations. To the point he was replaced on second and long and third down. Making him a very expensive first round draft pick. Playing only first down only at middle linebacker is a career killer.

Jarrad Davis, though fought through and improved his pass coverage and was left in games as the season was winding down. Now Detroit head coach Matt Patrica and his staff aim to get more out of the second year linebacker.

When the Detroit Lions defense lines up in the 3-4 the linebackers are the single most important unit of the field. The move up to the line of scrimmage and fill the B and D gap between the defensive linemen.

Davis had 96 tackles last season. Now more will be expected from him

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Detroit Lions: the curse of Bobby Layne

Embed from Getty Images From 1950 to 1958 Bobby Layne quarterbacked the Detroit Lions. After he was injured in a game the Lions thought he was through and traded Layne to Pittsburgh upon legend Bobby Layne placed a curse on the Detroit Lions.

‘They (Detroit) will not win for 50 years.” That is what Bobby Layne told a group of reporters when he arrived in Pittsburgh. The Detroit Lions have been well a mess ever since.

Layne, perhaps the greatest quarterback Detroit has ever had. He led the franchise to back to back NFL championships (pre Super Bowl) in 1952 and 1953.

Then like so many other football players who have been injured he was kicked to the curb by Detroit. It is true Bobby Layne never did regain his per- injury playing level. But he went out on a somber note.

Once a decorated athlete in Detroit. His popularity was over the top. His performance on the field made him a legend.

Back to the curse. The bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That is a both powerful yet truthful fact. We have the power to speak life to people, things and issues. We also have the ability to speak death to people, things, and issues.

I know some think the curse of Bobby Layne has just been an excuse for the Detroit Lions struggles. I  myself think there could be a real curse. I do not laugh.

That said it have been 60 years since Layne offered his choice words. And the Detroit Lions now seems to have ownership, general manager, and head coach who know how to lead the team past the dark curse years.

Detroit Lions fans hope this is indeed the case.