Lions vs Giants - 2007 - Week 11 Game Thread

[detroitsfynest]

A winnable game turns into a loss on a tipped pass.....that sucks

[LA Dre]

For most of the game today, it looked like a repaly of Michigan vs OSU. Home team can't block and allow running game to get any yards and defense has hard time tackling oppositn team.

The story of the game however was the Lions abandon running game early and in nearly half of the 3rd down situations, Kitna throws two yards short of the first down marker and they are forced to punt or go for a FG.

The defense although inconsistent did hold the giants to one TD and the Lions could have won this home game, but the INTs came at the wrong time and unfortunately two were tipped and the other was taken right out of Lions hands...

The Lions are back to being their regular selves as two straight winnable games go by the wayside.....note to Millen: time to start drafting some offensive lineman and take your sights off Mario Manningham ... KJ is not good enough to play beyond the limitations of his offensive line.

[Warthog]

things that suck about the lions, in no particular order:

- kitna
- offensive line
- shaun rogers' conditioning
- shaun mcdonald
- tackling
- game plan
- cornerbacks playing soft
- penalties
- clock management
- football IQ

[Ozarkruffrider]

McDonald is not the problem. Martz is here. McD has been the answer too many times to bag on him. The real question is where was TJ to take over for KJ? 4 running plays and that's it to start? Last week we ran it 8 times, this week 11.

[BillLaimbeer]

Originally Posted by Warthog

things that suck about the lions, in no particular order:

- kitna
- offensive line
- shaun rogers' conditioning
- shaun mcdonald
- tackling
- game plan
- cornerbacks playing soft
- penalties
- clock management
- football IQ

And even with all of these sucky things, there are 20 teams worse than the Lions.

[Darth Tater]

They finally got me after that Denver win. I kept saying...no...not this time, but after Denver, I believed. Yup...they got me again. Charlie Brown and Lucy pulling away the football at the last second...I always think of that. But they still get me sooner or later.

[jammertime]

Originally Posted by roscoe36

McDonald must be cut tomorrow. He's been the worst player on the field all day.

I agree with you that McDonald played like crap, but not about him being cut (not sure if you were being serious there).

The mistakes he has been making are all "coachable" (except for that last drop, but that can happen to everyone from time to time). He has frustrated me to no end, but I like the fact that the mistakes have been because of effort. Trying to fight for extra yardage, refusing to go out of bounds, etc.

Mind you, they are stupid mistakes and they frustrate the heck out of me, but I can't fault his effort. I blame the play calling and lack of coaching for several of his mistakes more than McDonald himself.

When it's 3rd and 6 and a route that only goes 3 yards is called, McDonald has no other choice but to run the route that is called and try to fight for the first down.

When a "go" route is called for you at the end of the game with our top 2 receivers out and you're only 5'9" and the DB you're up against is 6'2" all you can do is try your best.

That being said, GET THE HECK OUT OF BOUNDS!!! This is about the 3rd or 4th game where he has cut it back inside to try and get an extra yard (when he already had a first down) instead of getting out of bounds when time ticking away.

Also, just like Kitna, he needs to learn when to limit a play's loss. Instead of going backwards when you're caught behind the line. Just accept a 3 yard loss instead of turning it into a 10 yard loss, or worse, a fumble, which have both happened to McDonald in recent weeks. I don't consider that "quitting" or not trying, I consider that playing smart.

[roscoe36]

You cut him to send a message.

The Lions are all business. You either do your job, or you look for a new one.

I know that doesn't sound really upbeat and compassionate, but I thought that was what the Sgt. Slaughter regime was going to be about. Accountability.

[detteam]

Originally Posted by roscoe36

You cut him to send a message.

I don't think that would send the right message.

That last play was definitely one McDonald should have made, but I wouldn't can the guy because he botched it. He and Furrey are usually second options and I'm pretty happy with both of them in that position.

[TaShawn]

Coaches get mad at mental mistakes, not physical ones.

One of Tom Brady's receivers dropped a perfect pass that would have been a 50 yard gain yesterday. There was nobody within 10 yards of him and it hit him right in the bread basket. It didn't matter though, because he just came back the very next play and converted for a 1st down.