Judgment Day 2011; Athletes Who Will Be Left Behind

The End is Near.  No, it's not a proclamation by either the NFL regarding the lockout or the GM of the Phoenix Coyotes on the hockey team's future.   It's the Day of Reckoning for Mankind, so say the lunatic members of a doomsday group who predict the world will cease to exist after the earth is rattled by series of earthquakes and tidal waves tomorrow between 5 and 6 p.m. 

New York City has been plastered with ads warning if the upcoming Apocalypse on Saturday July 21 and how God will only spare those who are pure of heart.

So people, you don't have to fret over overdue library books or the vig to your loan shark.  Go ahead, make that nasty, drunken text to your ex because, after tomorrow, it won't matter.   It'll all be over soon.

This presumed "Rapture" will spare the souls of the pure by whisking them into heaven while the rest of mankind will be left to face their doom on the crumbling earth.  Professional athletes--however adored on earth--are not an exception and some won't be making that trip up to eternal happiness.

I believe the world must be coming to an end because how can you explain Jason Giambi jacking three home-runs the other night.  Who even knew he was still around?

And what about the Cleveland Indians?  Best team in the majors?  Come on. We're talking about Cleveland here.  That's enough evidence for me.

Tomorrow's Doomsday is just more bad luck for Cleveland all around.  The Cavaliers finally get two top-four draft picks to make up for the left-at-the alter move by LeBron James and BOOM!   No more Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or Dawg Pound.  It's over.  If it makes Cavs fans feel any better, James will be one of the fateful ones slated to be left behind--with no championships.

The Apocalypse will bring some good things.  We won't have to wring our hands about the NFL owners and the NFLPA hugging it out.  They're all on God's naughty list anyway.



And no one will have to care which team ends up on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.  It's a moot point now.  Sorry Detroit Lions, you almost had your day in the sun and games on Monday nights.

Jim Tressel, I wouldn't worry about that whole deal about stipends for college players anymore.  You have bigger sweaters to fill.  Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you God is a Michigan fan.  Know what's worse than an NCAA investigation?  A Grim Reaper named Bo.

There are too many celebrities who won't be spared by the Almighty.  Arnold Schwarzenegger's ticket to heaven has already expired and don't count on any Kardashians taking the V.I.P. elevator up--or members of any reality series for that matter.  If Ahhnold had only waited a few more days before blabbing about his love child.

Tim Tebow won't have to worry.  He's a lock to be Raptured by God.

Lawrence Taylor, now that's another story.  Sorry LT, you'll be joining Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Favre.  There's no room in heaven for wusses or horn dogs.  Did I mention that O.J. will be dodging rocks and waves after hitting the prison chow hall tomorrow night?

Tiger Woods didn't only drop from one big list this week.  The almighty doesn't look down too kindly on bratty golfers or philanderers.  I'm not sure in what order.

Also deserving to be left behind are the "Green Men," team mascots and any prima-donna wide receivers.  Just lump them in one annoying group and let them fend for themselves.

This just in--Lance Armstrong, things aren't looking too good for you right at this moment.  I would get out my mountain bike, it's going to be rough riding tomorrow night.  Wait.  No world Saturday means no "60 Minutes" Sunday.  You're in the clear.  Lucky you.

Jorge Posada will be spared, but the inside dirt from upstairs is that he will be batting ninth.  The Almighty is one manager you don't want to bail on and he (Yup, he's a he) makes George Steinbrenner look like a kitten or a Mets GM.

There is hope for the fallen to be sucked up into the heavenly skies tomorrow.  Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress have paid their debt to society and are deserving of second chances.  And pigeon-loving Mike Tyson will be spared--if only for his cameos in "The Hangover" franchises.  God likes raunchy buddy-movies.

I am taking all this so-called End-of-the-World talk seriously because I have proof that, on Saturday, the earth will crumble and burn.  I know, because I got a sure thing on a horse for tomorrow's 6:20 p.m. start of The Preakness.  Too bad the world ends twenty minutes earlier.  Just my luck.

Ndamukong Suh To Participate In Gumball 3000

When I hear of the Gumball 3000 or Gumball rally, I usually think of something along the lines of "The Cannonball Run". Detroit Lions defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh will be participating in the Gumball 3000 to promote a new video game by Ubisoft called "Driver." 

I for one would not lik Suh to participate in such a race, even though it's all in fun. That's just my biased opinion as a Lions fan. On the other side of the coin he does have to make a living since he's not being paid due to the NFL lockout.

Suh is looking forward to the race.

"Being able to drive at a high speed and not get in trouble for it is great. When it comes to driving on the street, if the speed limit is 65, I might go 73, but in this race I'm going to go as fast as I can while at the same time being safe. My health and my co-pilot's health is the most important thing to me. One of my good friends who plays for the Colts is going to be in there with me, Cody Glenn, so we're going to go out there and enjoy it and split the driving duty."  

Happy trails to those two as they embark on a new challenge. Just keep it safe.

Lions May Pursue Nnamdi Asomugha

ProFootballWeekly.com cites various of reports saying that the Lions will go hard after free agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha.


Here is an excerpt from that article…

Some reports say the Lions will go hard after free-agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha to fill the need for a starter opposite Chris Houston, but the team naturally will have lots of competitors for his services and might not be able to match the financial package Asomugha could be seeking.

This all comes after the Lions failed to address some pretty considerable needs in the secondary during this years draft. In the second round the Lions opted to go offense drafting Boise State WR Titus Young and Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure.

Now there are two potential huge hurdles that could prevent the Lions from signing Asomugha. First Asomugha will demand a huge contract on the open market. So big that it may be out of the Lions’ price range or prevent them from addressing other needs on their roster. The excerpt in a way touched on this. Second is there is no guarantee that we will have free agency going into next season. Lions fans need to keep in mind the NFL lockout and ongoing CBA negotiations that could end up changing the landscape of the entire NFL in terms of trades, contracts and free agency. It is because of that reason alone that it was important the Lions do everything they could to take care of their needs via the draft which they obviously didn’t do.

Source: ProFootballWeekly.com

Former NFL Player, R.W. McQuarters Shot

Former NFL player and vetran of many teams, R.W. McQuarters was shot in Tulsa, Oklahoma early Saturday morning.

McQuarters was visiting a friend and as he was leaving saw a man in a ski mask. McQuarters got into his car and heard several gunshots. He realized he was hit and drove himself to Hillcrest Medical Center. McQuarters had been shot in the back. The reports say the injuries are not life threatning.

McQuarters played for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and New York Giants.

Here's to a quick, speedy recovery for McQuarters.

Jim Schwartz Clowns On Nick Fairley

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz did a little clowning around on Nick Fairley after the Detroit Lions drafted Fairley with the 13th pick in the NFL Draft.  It was more of a welcome to the team kind of moment than anything, but it was still kind of funny.

"First, if we had seen what he was wearing yesterday with those glasses, we might have passed on him at 13," Jim Schwartz said. "I got more texts yesterday after we picked him that said, 'Why did you pick that big guy that looks like Urkel?'



"Well, none of those people are here, and I think if they were here, none of them would say the same thing, and I know no quarterbacks said that last year."

See, no harm, no foul there. Just a little fun at Fairley's expense. If Fairley performs anywhere like he did at Auburn there will be some sore quarterbacks in the NFC North.

Rogers Faces Another Forclosure

Former Detroit lions bust, Charles Rogers, is close to being a man without a home, literally. Rogers faces a foreclosure on his second home.

According to a report in the Detroit News, defaulted on his mortgage and owes more than $421,000 on his condo in a posh Birmingham,Mich. community. Rogers paid $610,000 for the condo in July 2003.

He has made a series of bad decisions since he's left Michigan State. All atheletes should use this as a precautionary tale of what can happen if you're not careful and make bad decisions.  

I'm Optimistic, But I've Seen This Movie Before

After winning the last four games of the season, I'm optimistic about the future of the Detroit Lions. I know I sound like a homer, but a if a few blown calls go the Lions' way, they might've been in the playoff conversation in the last few weeks of the year. But that's just like horseshoes and hand grenades. They took some significant strides this season and gave Lions fans hope for the future. I like what they're doing I'm just cautiously optimistic.

First, there's the labor situation. I think it will get resolved around draft time. it's just that if it goes any longer, it could halt what progress the lions have made. Secondly, I've seen this movie before. Lions fans let's take a trip in the time machine. Remember 1989, Barry Sanders' rookie season. The Lions were in their first full season under Wayne Fontes. They started off 2-9 and things weren't looking good. Then the team finally started coming coming together and they reeled off five straight wins to close out the season, including a win over the defending NFC Central champs, Chicago Bears. They had Barry Sanders running wild and the run and shoot offense was clicking under Bob Gagliano. The Lions entered the 1990 season with high expectations and playoff aspirations. They started 1-3, got a key win over Minnesota and then went to Kansas City and were thrashed as 43-24 as Barry Word ran for over 200 yards.

The dagger was when they hosted the Washington Redskins when they had a 35-14 lead only to see the Skins stormback to claim a 41-38 win on overtime. That broke the Lions' back, similar to the Jets game this year. The Lions stumbled to a 6-10 finish.

This year has a lot of similarities to that. The Lions are trying to build themselves up again. They have two of the better young players in the league in Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson. They have one of the best defensive lines in the league and if they can build up some depth along the offensive line, linebacker, and the secondary they should improve on their 6-10 finish. I'm excited about their future, but this reminds me too much of 1989. Hopefully they don't repeat history and can take a step forward instead of a step backwards.

Delmas Riding Shotgun In Road Rage Incident

Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas was indirectly involved in a road rage incident. Delmas was a passenger in a Nissan Titan driven by Ravelle Sadler of Cincinnati. Sadler waved a gun at people in another vehicle. The incident happened at 2:15 am on December 21 in Canton,Michigan.

Delmas didn't have to play the "do you know who I am" card since officers didn't know who he was. To Delmas' credit he did cooperate with the authorities when asked if there was a gun in the car. Police didn't arrest Delmas but did seize the gun. Let's hope he has a license for that. 

Lions Get Two Pro Bowlers

For once the Detroit Lions have two bonafide Pro Bowlers. It seems like it's been ages since they've had two players go to participate in the annual Hawaii extravanganza. Also it was like any Lions player that went was like a sympathy pick, sort of like baseball's All Star Game.

Many expected receiver Calvin Johnson to make it. He was named a starter for the NFC squad. Many expected rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to be good. But not Pro Bowl starter good. That's what 60 tackles, 9 sacks, an interception, and throw in a fumble recovery for a touchdown will get you. I don't think anyone expected this kind of impact when training camp started.

As a Lions fan it gets me somewhat excited about the team's future. Hopefully they can get a few more impact players and translate some of this production into more wins.

The Lions Might Have Finally Learned To Win

With the first three game win streak in what seems like a millenium, I must say that no matter what happens next week, the Detroit lions might have finally learned to win. Ok hte last three game streak was in 2007. I'm just saying.

By my own personal account, the Lions did not play their best game today. Yes, it was a back and forth affair, but they had their fair share of stalled drives and extended drives on defense. They fell behind by 10 in the fourth quarter and found a way to make some plays to win their second straight road game over the Miami Dolphins, 34-27. It was the first win over the Dolphins since 1991 and the first win in five tries in Miami.

Down 27-17 with 4:37 left in the fourth running back Jahvid Best took a short pass and turned it into a 53 yard touchdown. Best showed the burst and speed that had been missing since early in the season. He didn't show any effects of the turf toes that have plagued him for a good portion of the season. Nathan Vasher and DeAndre Levy came up with key interceptions and levy provided the winning margin, returning his for a touchdown. This was done without their best player, Calvin Johnson, sitting out the fourth after aggravating an ankle injury.

They are finally not self destructing. Gone are the pre-snap penalties and self inflicted wounds that were so visible in their losses.They found a way to win and come up with some big plays. They're winning the turnover battle and making key stops. This is what good teams do to win games. I'm not saying they're on the road to the playoffs next year, but they've made some strides. Bigger strides than what we're used to seeing in this city. There might finally be some hope for the Lions after all. Let's just hope they can use these positive moments to lay the groundwork for something bigger.
 

Lions Made The Right Call On Stafford

Today the Detroit Lions made a good decision on what could determine the future of the franchise. They put quarterback Matthew Stafford on injured reserve. I know some might differ on my opinion of this but I explained a few weeks back why they should keep him out for the rest of the year.

Stafford's been hurt for most of the season. He separated his throwing shoulder in the first game of the season and aggravated it against the Jets in week 8. Well they said it was a different injury from the initial injury. I think he came back too soon or was rushed back. One of the two. I know Stafford probably wanted to come back for the last two games of the year and test himself. It's probably a good thing he didn't make the decision himself.

It's clear the team isn't going anywhere and it was wise to put him on IR and not risk another significant injury which would leave you drafting another quarterback. It also was clear that the Lions could've been at least three wins better this year. But we're not playing horseshoes and hand grenades here. It's the NFL. And one false move can set you back years. The Lions and their fans know all about being set back.

New York Giants Should Thank Detroit Lions Three-Fold

Who could have predicted that the lowly Detroit Lions and their fans would play a crucial part in the New York Giants quest to make the playoffs?  The Giants will play the Minnesota Vikings Monday night at Ford Field in the Motor City, after spending Saturday night in Kansas City, because a snow storm collapsed the roof at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.  To the Giants benefit, a road game will now be played at a relatively neutral site.

The Giants spent Saturday night hanging out and wondering, and not knowing, when the game would be played.  Where was never in the equation.   Now it is the Vikings who are scrambling to the airport.  

In what looked like a lost and frustrating weekend for the New York Giants,  Mother Nature's fury has turned their misfortunes into a slight advantage.  Even the oddsmakers have noticed.  The Giants opened as 1-point favorites against the Minnesota Vikings, then the number shifted to 2 1/2 points when bettors went all in on the Giants then,  after the game was moved to Detroit, the Vegas odds jumped to 4 points.

Big Blue's odyssey began Saturday when their charter plane was diverted from Minneapolis and the team was forced to cool their heels overnight in a Kansas City hotel not knowing if they were even going to make it to Minnesota the next morning.  The Metrodome's roof collapsed at 5 a.m. Sunday morning and the NFL relocated the game to Detroit.

Going to Detroit gives the Giants a three-fold boost to the playoffs, which they didn't have two days ago, and the team can quietly thank the Lions.

The Giants (8-4) are still trying to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) in a tough NFC East Division title battle while hanging with the New Orleans Saints (10-3), Green Bay Packers (8-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) for a wild card spot.  Any strategic advantage for the Giants after this weekend's conundrum is a bonus down the stretch. 

After the Metrodome's roof ripped open and dumped a couple of tons of snow onto the field, Giants owner, John Mara, suggested moving the game to his home field, the New Meadowlands Stadium, but the idea was immediately shot down by the NFL.  Hey, the New Orleans Saints played a "home" game there after Hurricane Katrina closed down the Superdome in 2005.

First blessing, the new locale takes away the home field advantage for the Vikings.  Playing the game in what the NFL is calling a "neutral" site is misleading.  Ford Field will be filled with as many anti-Viking fans, rooting against their inter-divisional rivals, as Giant fans.  It gives the Giants a slight "home" field edge.  However slight, it sure beats the high-decibel roar the home town fans would rein on the visitors in the Minneapolis Thunderdome.   Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, was poised and handled the noise factor in a rout against the Seattle Seahawks  inside Qwest Field--arguably the league's loudest venue--a few weeks ago but, when the decibel level rises so does his interception rate.  The less hostile surroundings should help keep Eli from getting rattled.

Second, the Giants must tip their helmets to a  Detroit Lions team which held on to defeat the Packers yesterday at Ford Field.  The shocking upset gives the Giants a half game lead on the Pack and, in the course of the game, Detroit managed to lay out Green Bay's star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, with a concussion.

This lends itself to the third--injuries are part of the game--benefit of the Detroit Lions factor in the Giants good fortune.  Rodger's  head injury is his second of the season and there is concern he may not be cleared to play when the Giants visit Green Bay in two weeks.  This leaves open the possibility of the ineffective backup, Matt Flynn, facing the Giants defense in a typical December-chilled Lambeau Field in what will probably be a game with playoff spot implications for both teams.  The Giants D is already looking ahead.

The Giants arrived in Detroit yesterday at 3 p.m.   Oddly, there could be as many fans for tonight's 7:20 EST game for two visiting teams as there are for the barely watchable, but improving Lions. Free general admission tickets will be available at the Ford Field box office beginning this morning.   The game will be broadcast by Fox in the New York and Minnesota markets. 

It all remains to be seen how the Giants respond to this adventure.  Next week they play their division rival the Eagles in the Meadowlands, but the shortened and disruptive week could take it's toll.  In a week that started with the Giants generously offer their practice field to a visiting Miami Dolphins team, it has ended with the Detroit Lions returning the favor.  One good deed returned in triplicate.  Merry Christmas from Detroit.

Winning Ugly

The Detroit Lions pulled out a 7-3 win over the Green Bay Packers today. I swear that game was played like it was outdoors. To both teams credit, the defenses stepped up. It helped the Lions that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had to leave the game with a concussion. DeAndre Levy also came up with a timely interception that thrwarted a Green Bay scoring oppurtunity. It was an ugly win but I'm sure coaches, players, and fans will take a win any way they can get it.

Both teams were offensively challenged but the Lions were picked apart by a short passing game. Drew Stanton wasn't as sharp as he was last week, throwing two ill advised interceptions. I'll give him some credit, he didn't fold and led them to the winning scoring drive. He may not be a Lion next year, but if he keeps playing well he'll have a job somewhere. Green Bay's defense isn't chopped liver and neither is Chicago's. Stanton earned another start next week if Shaun Hill isn't able to come back from injury. And no, Matthew Stafford shouldn't be brought back under no circumstances.

This was a good win for the Lions as they've been 0 for forever in the division. They actually won a game no one gave them a chance of winning. There wasn't a gang of pre snap penalties or penalties that came at a bad time. They didn't fold when it counted and they playe through mistakes. Today, they were big. Now we'll see if they can handle a little prosperity. The last time we thought they turned the corner they had a disheartning loss to the Jets. This time let's see them build some momentum and translate this into a few more to close out the year. Then we'll start talking about progress. 

Vikings' Shiancoe Thinks The Lions Get Shafted By Refs

It's not normal for a professional athlete to have any sympathy for a rival team. The exception is Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. He thinks the Detroit Lions are getting shafted by the referees. Shiancoe tweeted the following regarding some dubious calls in the Bears/Lions game.

Lions get the short end of the stick alot.. i wonder whats really going on. Happens to much


Just seeing that unnecessary roughness call on #90 on Jay Cutler in the Bears/Lions game.. This isnt flag football ..man


Many Lions fans feel the same way.

Lions Need To Learn How To Win

Plain and simple. The Detroit Lions need to learn how to win. Once again, against the Chicago Bears (again), the Lions were undone by penalties, missed tackles, dropped passes, unable to make a key defensive stop, and an inability to convert in short yardage situations. It seems to be the same old story with this team.

I know a lot of Lions fans feel they were jobbed by the refs. Save it. I've heard it all before. I'll run down some key moments of the game which all contributed to the loss to the Bears and games before. In the third quarter they recovered a Jay Cutler and only got a field goal to show for it. You had first and goal from the Chicago 9 yard line and couldn't seal the deal. You have to get six points when you get that kind of oppurtunity. When Chicago scored their winning touchdown, they missed on a couple plays. When Ndamukong Suh was called for the bogus personal foul penalty, linebacker DeAndre Levy missed the tackle for loss on Cutler which led to Suh committing the penalty. Then how do you miss a 300 pound tight end and not cover him and score. He should be the easiest guy to keep track of. They missed him again when they allowed him to get loose again, catch a pass for a first down and close out the game.

They simply just don't know how to win. I'm still waiting for them to just clamp down in the fourth quarter and stop someone when they have to. I'm hoping that day will come sooner than later. 

The Lions Need To Save Stafford Until Next Year

There are reports circulating saying Matthew Stafford has started throwing again. Of course that means everyone will think he's coming back to close out the season and finish strong to give everyone some hope for next season. I think bringing him back would be the wrong thing to do.

First of all this season is lost. They're 2-10 and not going anywhere. The only thing the Lions can salvage by bringing Stafford back is one or two wins and getting knocked down a few slots in the draft. That shouldn't be a reason to bring him back.Why risk him getting hurt or aggravating the two injuries he's suffered to his shoulder this year. I do think if Stafford were healthy the Lions would be closer to the break even mark rather than 2-10. It's a lost cause to bring him back.

Let Stafford get some rest and rehab. Go back to the drawing board and get some more pieces to make the team a winner. Don't bring him back just to get some meaningless wins. I know coach Jim Schwartz is trying to change a losing culture, but don't possibly risk your so-called "franchise" quarterback's career for the sake of a few wins at the end of the year.

Quote Of The Week: Mike Williams

Something never seen in his Detroit days

Here's former Detroit Lions bust, receiver Mike Williams on how he's enjoying his time in Seattle.

"The football culture is new to me. I'm not used to fans who care about football so much".

Strange Mike, didn't you play here in Detroit. The fans here care a lot. You must've been too busy at the local KFC to realize that.

Hill Says Patriots Are Dirty

Detroit Lions quarterback Shaun Hill said that the New Engalnd Patriots are a dirty team. Not a stretch since they once employed the services of Rodney Harrison.

Hill said that when the Lions were on New England's 2 yard line and called for a sneak play. As he extended his arms toward the goal line, Hill said he felt Patriot defenders trying to break his arm. The same arm Hill had broken against the New York Giants.

"That's why I eventually gave up the ball," Hill said. "Somebody was down there [in the pile] literally trying to break my arm, which is already broken. Literally, trying. And, uh, y'know, I guess [it] wasn't seen [by officials]."


I know lots of things go on in a pile up. Trying to break one's arm isn't one of them. I won't call the Pats a dirty team, but I wouldn't put them in the clear when trying to keep someone from scoring or to cause a fumble. So far the Patriots have no comment on the accusations levied against them.

Maybe that's what contributed to the late game scrums.




  

Lions Frustrations Boil Over

Anyone hoping for some past Thanksgiving magic the Detroit Lions provided were greatly disappointed once again. The Lions dropped their seventh Thanksgiving game in a row, 45-24 to the New England Patriots. I hate to sound like a cliche' but the game was closer than the score indicated. That was until Tom Brady carved the Lions up with precision in the fourth quarter. Later on their frustration came out on the field and the locker room.

As it always seems the Lions can go toe to toe with some of the NFL's better teams. I happen to think their problem is more mental than it is physical. They've shown that they game after game. It always comes down to some critical errors, namely penalties, that derail them on a crucial third down. Offensively and defensively, there have been more dead ball penalties than I've ever seen from a Lions team, even in the past they weren't this bad before the snap. False starts, encroachment, offsides. You name it they've done it. After that, it seems like they just wait for the walls to cave in on them, and that's exactly what happens. It looks like they have no confidence in themselves when things start to go wrong. Here are a few quotes from yesterday's game.

Corey Williams: "Man, there's a bunch of guys that need to be called out," said Williams, a Lions defensive tackle. "A bunch of guys need to look in the mirror, realize that there's more to it than just playing in the NFL. There's more to it than getting paid. You got guys, everybody out here got their career on the line, you know what I mean? You can easily take your last snap at any moment, so I think guys need to take it more serious. I don't think guys take it serious enough."

I believe Williams means well and maybe a few guys do need to call themselves out. But he has to do the same because I've seen him guilty of more encroachment or offsides penalties than anyone on the defensive line.

Here's more from Chris Houston: "Yeah, lack of heart," Houston said. "When adversity hits, everybody can't hold their head down. Leaders got to step up and lead. When adversity hits on the team, you kind of see it in some guys' body language, here we go again. You can just tell. So we just got to have heart and know that when adversity hits we got to keep on fighting."

Whatever Houston. It's not like you've been a major playmaker since you've stepped into the league.

It just seem like this team right now looks like it's been Lionized. I've been saying this for years, it's like a bad horror movie. Once you go there you become one of them. No matter how much current Lions claim they're not part of the past or they're not the same old Lions, they keep proving themselves wrong. It's hard to change the culture of losing when the players haven't gotten rid of the bad habits that contribute to it. They are indeed a frustrated team and it shows. Players and coaches. Jim Schwartz benched cornerback Alphonso Smith for the lack of tackling and being beat on some big plays. To Smith's credit he did man up and said that if he were the coach he would've pulled him too. He didn't blame anyone but himself because he knew he had a clunker of a game. He admitted he gave the Patriots the game.

Later that frustration spilled out onto the field after the Patriots last score and extra point. There were some squabbles on the field because the Lions were being trucked once again and they were frustrated. They knew they were right there with of one the NFL's best teams and let the game get away. Its been built up throughout this year. The Chicago game, the Eagles game, the Giants game, Green Bay, and it goes on and on. They were right there in a lot of their games and couldn't finish, couldn't make a crucial stop, get a first down, or just let things get away from them. This game was a culmination of everything that has gone wrong this year. It seems like the Jets choked whatever life this team had left. In my opinion, they haven't gotten over that loss. They need to overcome some things to try to salvage something positive out of this year. Or else it will be the same old Lions.

Quote Of The Week: Matt Millen, Roy Williams

Drinking Partners

Matt Millen and Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams must've benn doing some heavy smokin' together this week.

For starters Matt Millen,the former GM and president of the Lions, sung the praises of former Lions head coach and current Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli.

Here's part of what Millen said: "That guy right there is one of the best coaches I've ever been around."

Keep in mind that Millen played for Tom Flores, Bill Walsh, and Joe Gibbs, all Super Bowl winners. What the hell was he thinking when he said that. Marinelli may be a fine assistant coach or position coach, but "one of the best I've been around". Come on. He owns 0-16. Somewhere Tom Flores just headed for his liquor cabinet.

Roy Williams piggybacked on that by saying that Millen assembled good players at the skill positions in Detroit. Is that why most of the players he drafted are out of the league. If I had what they were smoking I'd be less stressed right now.