So, after three pre-season games in the 2011 year, here's what we know.
1. Matt Stafford is the real deal. Despite missing 19 games out of 32 with injuries these past two years, he is looking tremendous. 77% completion, 5 TDs.....all coming against number one defenses. I questioned the pick when it was made, but no longer. I was simply wrong about the guy. Here's to hoping he makes it through the season healthy.
2. The offensive line is doing a great job protecting the quarterbacks. That is the reason the passing game will be Detroit's bread and butter, more so than the play of Matt Stafford, this coming season. Now that's all they have to do is keep it up throughout the season.
3. The Lions desperately need to establish a running game, or else teams are going to eventually learn how to disassemble the passing game. It is the one thing that most concerns me throughout this pre-season, and will continue to do so in the regular season. Their running game hasn't even been adequate.
4. The Detroit defensive line is just incredibly good. Ndamukong Suh is picking up right where he left off. I hope Nick Fairley is taking notes on the sidelines about how to become a destructive force in your rookie year, because that's how it's done. Pure aggression and the will to dominate. Add KVB to the mix and I can say that the Lions D-line, with its starters and depth, are the best in the NFL. Nobody has this much talent, this deep, in their front four.
5. Derrick Williams was given another chance, and has dropped it. Time for him to go. I'd prefer the Lions keep Maurice Stovall or Rashied Davis, or both. At least they can play special teams effectively.
6. The loss of Mikel LeShoure to injury could be bigger than any of us realize. He was going to be the player most responsible for eating up the clock in a close game down the wire. Nobody else has stepped into that role, and the Lions need someone to do so.
7. Willie Young could turn out to be a 7th round GEM. He has impressed me these past two pre-seasons with his play at defensive end. I liked the pick when it happened, and I like it even more now. He has great speed off the edge, and has added some muscle to his frame. Hopefully he'll continue to add some moves to his arsenal.
Finally, regarding Tom Kowalski...RIP, Killer......was universally loved and respected by colleagues and fans alike. Even if you didn't agree with his take on things, you had to respect the man for his humor and his dedication to covering what was a pretty sad sack franchise for years. His loss is a shame, and proof that life isn't fair. He will be missed.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Detroint Lions 2011 Pre-Season Review: Game 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Well folks, football finally arrived in downtown Detroit. It arrived in the exact fashion we anticipated, with Matthew Stafford going to Calvin in the end zone, and with the defensive line creating turnover opportunities for the secondary. Despite the fact that many projected starters and stars were watching from the sidelines due to injuries, the Lions dominated the Bengals from start to finish, winning 34-3.
OK, OK, I know....it's only pre-season. The year the Lions went winless in the regular season, they were perfect in the pre-season. Yes, we all know that. What we also know is that this roster, this coaching staff and this front office is COMPLETELY different than that which poisoned and embarrassedour town back in 2008. Some observations from the game:
Amari Spievey now looks the part at safety, and should be the likely starter next to Louis Delmas. This is not a slam on Erik Coleman, but Spievey is faster and is likely to be better in coverage due to his experience as a college cornerback. Spievey showed excellent awareness, and was all over the field.
Derrick Williams was getting accolades from the coaching staff for his strong play during camp practices. However, as has been the case since he was drafted, Williams fails to impress during the games. And sorry Derrick, but that's where the money is made in the NFL. Williams dropped the first two passes thrown to him, and in this town that's not going to endear you to the fanbase. Already chat rooms and Lions fan forums are ripping him for his "stone hands". Maybe Derrick should take up boxing instead.....
The Detroit running game looked absolutely anemic. Aaron Brown was the best of the rest beyond Jahvid Best. With an offensive line that featured a backup at left tackle and a still somewhat ailing right tackle, it's no wonder the running game suffered somewhat. But those excuses won't fly in the regular season. Good teams find a way to get it done. Understandably, Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison were not in the Lions training camp less than a week before the game, so the playbook was significantly reduced when they were in the game. Also, Scott Linehan keeps things pretty vanilla in the pre-season, which is fine. Keep things simple and make sure the players can execute those style of plays. If they can't, there's no reason to believe they'll do better in a more complex setting.
I suspect that over the course of the next couple weeks, things will start to fall into place more for the other new players on the squad. Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant certainly didn't pop out at you while watching the game. It is expected they'll get more field time in the next game against Cleveland, and it's expected that Coach Schwartz will begin having them play at their projected regular season spots, instead of this potpourri mix he's using right now. Tulloch belongs in the middle, Levy and Durant on the outside. He knows it, we know it, everybody knows it.
Lastly, the play featuring Ndamukong Suh body slamming Andy Dalton.....not excuseable. If the same thing had been done to Matt Stafford by someone on the Bengals defense, Lions fans may have stormed the field with torches and pitchforks. I understand that Suh is a very strong, very aggressive player. But you also have to be smart and aware. The ball was well out of Dalton's hands by the time Suh picked him up off the ground. I, as much as anyone, don't want the game watered down (I'm being nice by calling it that) anymore than it has been, but at the same time I don't want players hurt on plays such as this. More plays like that will make Ndamukong Suh the target of opposing players and officials alike, and he will be flagged when others won't be. Play the game, play it hard, play it to the whistle. Throw aside offensive linemen and find the ball. But don't be stupid or unaware during the process.
OK, OK, I know....it's only pre-season. The year the Lions went winless in the regular season, they were perfect in the pre-season. Yes, we all know that. What we also know is that this roster, this coaching staff and this front office is COMPLETELY different than that which poisoned and embarrassedour town back in 2008. Some observations from the game:
Amari Spievey now looks the part at safety, and should be the likely starter next to Louis Delmas. This is not a slam on Erik Coleman, but Spievey is faster and is likely to be better in coverage due to his experience as a college cornerback. Spievey showed excellent awareness, and was all over the field.
Derrick Williams was getting accolades from the coaching staff for his strong play during camp practices. However, as has been the case since he was drafted, Williams fails to impress during the games. And sorry Derrick, but that's where the money is made in the NFL. Williams dropped the first two passes thrown to him, and in this town that's not going to endear you to the fanbase. Already chat rooms and Lions fan forums are ripping him for his "stone hands". Maybe Derrick should take up boxing instead.....
The Detroit running game looked absolutely anemic. Aaron Brown was the best of the rest beyond Jahvid Best. With an offensive line that featured a backup at left tackle and a still somewhat ailing right tackle, it's no wonder the running game suffered somewhat. But those excuses won't fly in the regular season. Good teams find a way to get it done. Understandably, Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison were not in the Lions training camp less than a week before the game, so the playbook was significantly reduced when they were in the game. Also, Scott Linehan keeps things pretty vanilla in the pre-season, which is fine. Keep things simple and make sure the players can execute those style of plays. If they can't, there's no reason to believe they'll do better in a more complex setting.
I suspect that over the course of the next couple weeks, things will start to fall into place more for the other new players on the squad. Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant certainly didn't pop out at you while watching the game. It is expected they'll get more field time in the next game against Cleveland, and it's expected that Coach Schwartz will begin having them play at their projected regular season spots, instead of this potpourri mix he's using right now. Tulloch belongs in the middle, Levy and Durant on the outside. He knows it, we know it, everybody knows it.
Lastly, the play featuring Ndamukong Suh body slamming Andy Dalton.....not excuseable. If the same thing had been done to Matt Stafford by someone on the Bengals defense, Lions fans may have stormed the field with torches and pitchforks. I understand that Suh is a very strong, very aggressive player. But you also have to be smart and aware. The ball was well out of Dalton's hands by the time Suh picked him up off the ground. I, as much as anyone, don't want the game watered down (I'm being nice by calling it that) anymore than it has been, but at the same time I don't want players hurt on plays such as this. More plays like that will make Ndamukong Suh the target of opposing players and officials alike, and he will be flagged when others won't be. Play the game, play it hard, play it to the whistle. Throw aside offensive linemen and find the ball. But don't be stupid or unaware during the process.
Monday, August 1, 2011
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