This defeat makes it clear that none of this mess is solely the fault of either quarterback. Neither one has had enough time to even counter the blitz, let alone look downfield to see who might be open. The offensive and defense schemes both suck. How can a passing game suceed when they only pass to receivers who are standing in one spot. Why not try a slant once in a while? Or a 3 step drop with a lob downfield for our 6 foot four receivers to try to out leap their 5 foot ten secondary?

Why run up the middle when there are 8 men in the box? Poor Jones is losing the will to run this all the time.

Why can't our 7 pass blockers keep out their 4 rushers? Is there a hole in the center of the protection that causes it to breakdown everytime? Maybe Raola? What quarterback would willing take that amount of punishment each week and still have the confidence needed to make good judgements and accurate throws? Forget it.

You all are right. We have 2 schemes that don't fit the personnel and we have an ultra conservative set of coaches who can't recognize that fact or who are unable to make the necessary adjustment.

I know I will get crucified for this post but...

This is more bad medicine.

One more loss in the next 2 games and we are out of the playoff race for sure. The backend of the sched. is too tough.

I felt sorry for Jeff today, I swear he looked concussed after that helmet on helmet hit. They showed a quick shot of his face and his eyes looked glassy.

I don't know what good can come out of this, but it should be painfully obvious to all that the Lions are very far from being a team that could compete for the playoffs let alone win a game in said event.

Thankfully the Pistons season starts this week and I can go back to ignoring the Lions. My heart doesn't even ache (like it used to) when they lose. I expect it. In fact, the way this team is run and how far away they seem from being legitimately competitive, I almost found myself pulling for Chicago to win it so we could be guaranteed some offseason changes.

I am really tired of being a Lions fan. 20+ years and I have nothing to show for it but some great memories of Barry. If I was an old time fan, I would be certifiably insane.

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

I'm not sure why you believe someone would want to crucify you for your comments. The truth is fairly obvious to most. I strongly agree with you and I said they were done after the 2nd game of the season. I still like to hear they won, but haven't wasted my time on them since the loss to the Bears in game 2. The team is a mess from top to bottom. Darn Shame, ain't it?

This game made it more obvious to me that Garcia doesn't give us any better of a chance to win than Harrington. Sorry, but I think you dance with the girl you brought.

In my opinion, Garcia is done. He looks like he is trying to do things that he used to be able to do, but his body doesn't want to do it anymore.

He also is making the same stupid plays that Harrington has been criticized for: passing to a running back on the slant when it's 3rd and long... passing to guys who are 5 yards short of the 1st down marker... and on top of that, Garcia seems a little reckless out there. Those shovel passes are ridiculous.

The best pass he threw all day was the last one he threw in OT, right on the numbers!

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Man, that hit was scarry. I couldn't believe he got up so quickly after that. They showed it about 10 times and it looked worse each time I saw it.

I disagree. I think Garcia does give us a better chance of winning this season. But he is definately (and obviously) not the long term answer.

Garcia does make some of the same mistakes that Harrington did, but he does it less often and also makes positive plays that Joey just isn't capable of (or at least hasn't shown us yet). Scrambling and improvising.

I actually like Joey and think that he can be a decent starting QB in this league, just not in Detroit. He's already been made the scapegoat for an organization full of underachievers and poor decision makers.

The QB, wether its Joey, Jeff, Dan, Charlie Batch, Mike McMahon, Scott Mitchell, Erik Kramer, Rodney Peete, Andre Ware, Gus Ferrotte, Ty Detmer, Dave Krieg, etc. etc. is far from the biggest problem with this team.

I hate to use the injury excuse, but I think that might have been the difference today. Shaun Rogers and Dre Bly out on D and their top 3 receivers on O were out. All of the Bears' good runs were up the middle, where Big Baby would have been. Bly would have been matched up on Mohammed and taken him away for the most part, and maybe had a pick or 2. Having NFL caliber receivers to throw to would have been nice as well. Vines did pretty well, but he shouldn't be your starter. Martinez is not an NFL WR.

Oh well, no matter what the reasons the outcome is always the same.

Same old Lions.

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It's time to think about some long-term answers for this team. I wonder if Orlovsky should see some time. I always laugh at the one or two posters over at detnews that call for this guy to come in, but when we get the receivers back, it might be time to let this guy air it out. He has a stronger arm than both Harrington and Garcia. I think the defense is pretty solid, but the offense is like watching UM this season. No imagination, trying to force the run with a bad offensive line. It's sad. But it's like a car wreck for me. I haven't been able to look away. Yet.

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"I don't believe there's any problem in this country, no matter how tough it is, that Americans, when they roll up their sleeves, can't completely ignore. - George Carlin

There are positives to be taken from this game. And some hard realities to face. Good- the Dee was a lucky bounce or two away from scoring. The bad- in 2 years the Bears with Lovie Smith have passed the Lions. And it aint over until its over. 9 more games to duke out. We played smart but got no help from the running game. We couldn't go deep to make space to run. The special teams, KO and RET. were ineffective. Eddie D. better get his act together.
Oh, and Garcia has a life expectancy of 3 games if he gets knocked around like this some more!
We played a smart close to the vest game. Fine. But why didn't Garcia get a couple of first downs with his feet. I kept waiting for him to sweep behind Sledge and Jones.

Call me crazy, but I actually think Orlovsky is the best guy we have. Why put him in, though? Yeah, he will get battle tested, but he'll probably get seriously injured plus his confidence will be ruined like Harringtons. Sigh.

I really believe they will win maybe 2...possibly 3 more no matter what. 5- 11 or 6-10. That's pretty horrible in the weak Central division.

With MSU going down the toilet this year and the Lions keeping them company, I sure appreciate the Red Wings and Pistons.

Mike O'Hara lays the smackdown on the Wet Toast offense.

Burning Questions - Burning Answers - The fall of Rome
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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!