Over the last couple of years, I have been pretty excited about the Lions chances to at least make the playoffs when it was training camp. I think I am much more guarded this year. Plus I am not totally thrilled with our qb situation. I do think we have a good shot at 8-8 this year though. Last year I think of the Lions as 7-9. I know we ended up 5-11 but two of those games were literally taken away. I think we just had some dumb luck last year. Maybe the last 40 years. I still wish we would have gone after Drew Brees. If not Drew, then Vince Young. I see Vince Young as the next Rodney White. Uhhh, I mean Michael Jordan. I think the biggest thing we have going for us this year is our coaching staff. If we can somehow survive our early schedule, then we have an excellent shot at getting back to 500.

We had our pick of Jay Cutler or Matt Leinart (who went with the two picks right after ours, no doubt to the joy and amusement of Arizona and Denver) and instead took a concussion prone LB. Blech. Of course, the Lions painted themselves somewhat into a corner by signing both Kitna AND McCown to free agent deals. Kitna alone would have been fine to mentor one of the other two.

Regarding the QB situation, Mike Martz has been known to make crap into creme brule. See Kurt Warner. Hopefully, the emphasis on defense will propel this team to .500. The fans sure deserve it. Talk about long-suffering fans.

Here is what all the lions offseason review websites have said about them:

Lions are the No. 1 laughingstock of the NFL, with five consecutive seasons of at least 10 losses.

Matt Millen, the CEO the fans revolted against late last year, is still around, but he has broomed the place in yet another effort to "get this right."

A Dallas Morning News survey revealed the Lions had the busiest off-season in the league with 15 free-agent signings and the loss of at least four starters.

This is a kind of humorous intro of the lions on sports illustrated::

It's been 10 U.S. presidents and 15 head coaches since the Detroit Lions last captured the NFL Championship. Super Bowls weren't even played then. Man did walk on two legs but had yet to walk on the moon. The Berlin Wall had not gone up, much less come down. Twelve cities boasted NFL franchises, two west of the Mississippi River. The year was 1957 and Elvis was king. Since then, the Lions have won one playoff game.

My high water mark for this coming season is .500. If we can hit that, I'll be satisfied. Anything above that is gravy in my books. Anything less will be a disappointment.

I'm like you guys, every year I get so pumped up and think "This is the year. FINALLY the roar is restored." But then it doesn't take very long to have my hopes crushed.

This season, I'm not only approaching it differently, but I'm also feeling much better about the team. Not record wise, but in their approach, attitude, dedication, energy and execution.

I think this coaching staff is EXACTLY what this team needs. From Martz's genius on O, to Donny's aggressiveness on D, to Lightning Rod's attendtion to detail.

However, I don't think it will happen over night either. We'll be better this season (which isn't too hard), but I can't see us challenging for a playoff spot just yet - although I really hope I'm wrong.

I think we're really see the fruits of their labour in 2-3 years.

Here is what all the lions offseason review websites have said about them:

Lions are the No. 1 laughingstock of the NFL, with five consecutive seasons of at least 10 losses.

Matt Millen, the CEO the fans revolted against late last year, is still around, but he has broomed the place in yet another effort to "get this right."

A Dallas Morning News survey revealed the Lions had the busiest off-season in the league with 15 free-agent signings and the loss of at least four starters.

This is a kind of humorous intro of the lions on sports illustrated::

It's been 10 U.S. presidents and 15 head coaches since the Detroit Lions last captured the NFL Championship. Super Bowls weren't even played then. Man did walk on two legs but had yet to walk on the moon. The Berlin Wall had not gone up, much less come down. Twelve cities boasted NFL franchises, two west of the Mississippi River. The year was 1957 and Elvis was king. Since then, the Lions have won one playoff game.

From this link right here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/preview/2006/teams/nfcn/detroit_lions.html

Also tells depth and where they sit right now...

Will the Lions reach .500?? Let me see.... hmmmm...

1)New Rookie Coach
2)2 retread QB's
3)New offensive system
4)Poor offensive line
5)Fragile DB's and Linebackers
6)Tough season schedule
7)Matt Millen is still GM
8) The Ford's still own the team


How can I say this... uhhhhh NOOOOOOOOOO
We will not make it to .500 this season. We will be lucky to win 6 games.
I hope I am wrong but I just don't see it. The moves made this off season were more geared to a team like the Seahawks. A team that already is good and just needed to add depth and minor tweaks. I disagree with this approach. We needed to add more talent than just going out getting mid-level players that are good to fill in for a few plays but are not up to the task of playing full time.

I'll watch every crappy game anyway.

And I VERY rarely watch any other team.

How about you guys?

I'll watch every crappy game anyway.

And I VERY rarely watch any other team.

How about you guys?

Yeah same here. I watch every game, but it's tough :doh:

I watch every pain staking second of Lions football.

I'll watch other games if the matchup is good.

I'll watch every crappy game anyway.

And I VERY rarely watch any other team.

How about you guys?

I still can't NOT watch them. I don't watch as much because I have to go out to the bar to see them, but I look forward to it every time. If the Lions ever win a Super Bowl during my lifetime, I'll fall down on my knees and cry like a baby. :Cry:

I don't enjoy feeling like a sucker. After almost 20 years as a fan, I backed off 2 years ago and if I am around, I watch. If they play poorly or are getting blown out, I stop watching.

I would watch Football all day on Sundays, but in recent years the Lions have soured me a bit on the game. I can't get behind another team, and frankly most of the other games on are the ones worth watching.

When the Lions get their organization right, it will be fun and not a nerve racking chore to watch every game.

Well, I guess I should clarify myself.

I have every game on the television or the radio, if need be (we get them on FM here, and it's cool).

But I honestly can't say I watch every second.

I mean really, the Lions aren't exactly the type of team that keeps you glued to your seat.

You can go grab a soda from the fridge and miss an entire offensive possession.

@ $200.00+ for the 15 games I'd watch, I question value.
Then again what if KJones starts running by LBs?
What if Kitna or any one stands in the pocket and delivers a scoring strike to a WR that pikes out for a finger tip grab?
What if our LBs bust through the pocket and flatten QBs on a regular basis?
What if our corners bat a few passes down? [ok, I know that's not going to happen, DAMN]

Have the lions ever had a line? These 2 Videos tell the answer:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LgEvRgyrO10&search=detroit%20lions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0if7cRpuM8&NR

@ $200.00+ for the 15 games I'd watch, I question value.
Then again what if KJones starts running by LBs?
What if Kitna or any one stands in the pocket and delivers a scoring strike to a WR that pikes out for a finger tip grab?
What if our LBsbust through the pocket and flatten QBs on a regular basis?
What if our corners bat a few passes down? [ok, I know that's not going to happen, DAMN]
What if we see the same crap we've been watching for 5 years?

That's why I don't think you should expand the forums. All the real issues won't be Blue Skys. And you can't deal with anything not Blue Skys forever.

Whatever.

Have the lions ever had a line? These 2 Videos tell the answer:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LgEvRgyrO10&search=detroit%20lions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0if7cRpuM8&NR



Wow, that 2nd one especially had KO written all over it. I can't believe Moon Ball got up so quickly.

That's why I don't think you should expand the forums. All the real issues won't be Blue Skys. And you can't deal with anything not Blue Skys forever.


TFD: "Then again what if KJones starts running by LBs?
What if Kitna or any one stands in the pocket and delivers a scoring strike to a WR that pikes out for a finger tip grab?
What if our LBsbust through the pocket and flatten QBs on a regular basis?
What if our corners bat a few passes down? [ok, I know that's not going to happen, DAMN]"

Micro: "What if we see the same crap we've been watching for 5 years"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TFD, what are you talking about?

Fact: (in essence REALITY)the Lions have sucked for the last 5 years (at minimum).

Speculation:(in essence BLUE SKIES) What if...(fill in all of TFD's wishful thinking here).

opinion: (in essence EDITORIAL) That's twice this week you've made really ignorant comments. Maybe think a bit more before you post.

What if we see the same crap we've been watching for 5 years?...or 12 years.

I want a winner, but I'm not drinking the koolaid each season anymore.

As Marinelli says, "Show me the tape." We'll judge these guys on what they accomplish, not what could be or could've been.

I want a winner, but I'm not drinking the koolaid each season anymore.


I remember your 11-5 prediction Roscoe from two years ago. Do you still have kool-aid stains above your upper lip from that? The kool -aid must have been spiked that year! :eyebrows: :nod: :laugh:

Just kidding Roscoe. I think I had too much kool-aid that year too!

That was the last time. I was like a dehydrated man in the desert eyeing up an oasis. It was just an illusion. Too much sun.

These guys gotta prove it to me. They killed me last year when several times, they just gave up playing. That's not Detroit sports.

TFD: "Then again what if KJones starts running by LBs?
What if Kitna or any one stands in the pocket and delivers a scoring strike to a WR that pikes out for a finger tip grab?
What if our LBsbust through the pocket and flatten QBs on a regular basis?
What if our corners bat a few passes down? [ok, I know that's not going to happen, DAMN]"

Micro: "What if we see the same crap we've been watching for 5 years"?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TFD, what are you talking about?

Fact: (in essence REALITY)the Lions have sucked for the last 5 years (at minimum). True

Speculation:(in essence BLUE SKIES) What if...(fill in all of TFD's wishful thinking here). True, I was being positive, dreaming for the best. But you're trying to link to dissimilar threads at my expense. Maybe you should mind your own biz.

opinion: (in essence EDITORIAL) That's twice this week you've made really ignorant comments. Maybe think a bit more before you post.
False, as I said, stupid, antagonistic and selfish.
I won't coddle weak overly sensitive sensibilities. Clear enough?
You can go back to your musicals now.

I won't coddle weak overly sensitive sensibilities. Clear enough?

Yeah, Meth is a bad thing.

You can go back to your musicals now.

OK, and you go back to your coloring books.

:heh:

It's early, but I don't see why they can't go 8-8. It's not like the competition is any good.

11-5. book it.

11-5. book it.

Uh... yeah, sure Warthog. I'll book it. A nice soft, padded room for you in a nut house maybe. :crazy:

You'll be sharing a room with Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross and Mooch.

The Lions are now the last team that will be drown in the bottom feeders column. The Tigers left them alone in the puke of sports franchises.

I for one think the Lions should somehow find the chip that you suppose to have on your shoulders and play like MEN that Marinelli wants. make it a clean sweep for regular seasons best teams in the city of Detroit come on Lions be the best regular season team in Football.

Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers so far 67-32

COME ON LIONS THE CITY IS COUNTING ON YOU. GO LIONS!!!!!!

Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers so far 67-32

COME ON LIONS THE CITY IS COUNTING ON YOU. GO LIONS!!!!!!
Yeah, but not really.:ohwell:

Lions try to catch Motor City's other winners; Kitna named No. 1 QB

link: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/lions/2006-07-27-camp-advance_x.htm?csp=34

Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers so far 67-32

COME ON LIONS THE CITY IS COUNTING ON YOU. GO LIONS!!!!!!
That would be 13 and 3. Asking a little too much.
9 and 7 is possible. If we can find a little life after the first 8 games. A little health, a pliable game scheme i.e. great coaching, we got a chance.

I started this thread. I actually meant will the Lions reach 500 years before they get another playoff win?

Thanks for the laugh Buckeyes. You are #1. :)

The Lions put Woody on the IR - ending his season - because of an ankle sprain??? They still have 11 weeks plus the bye left of the season. WTF??? He couldn't recover from an ankle sprain in 3 months??

So, who did the Lions activate to take Woody, the offensive lineman's spot on the roster?

Oh, that would be RECEIVER Devale Ellis. :frusty:

According to MLIVE, the reason they chose Ellis is:

He's there to add some speed on special teams,
Then adding:

but if you're guessing that it's a move that's not good for Mike Williams, you're probably on the right track.
Absolutely, positively UN-FREAKING-BELIEVEABLE!!!! This organization never ceases to amaze me.

So Mike Williams is FINALLY starting to show good things in practice and his teammates have been calling for him to get into games, and how do you reward his effort? The effort that you've been begging to see from him? The effort that you told him would be rewarded with playing time?

Well, you sign Az Hakim and play him after 4 days of practice, they you release your #2 WR, but instead of Williams moving up a spot on the depth chart, you activate Bodiford, an undrafted FA that has never played a snap in the NFL from the injury list and put him ahead of Williams on the depth chart, then you sign an undrafted practice squad receiver who has never played a snap in the NFL when your LINEMAN gets put on IR.

Yeah, nice consistent message. I swear, I think the Lion's and Piston's coaching staffs both went to the same course on Hypocritical Doublespeak BS 101.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan (http://www.mlive.com/lions/weblog/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_lions/archives/2006_10.html#193829)

Not in our lifetime!

The Lions put Woody on the IR - ending his season - because of an ankle sprain??? They still have 11 weeks plus the bye left of the season. WTF??? He couldn't recover from an ankle sprain in 3 months??

So, who did the Lions activate to take Woody, the offensive lineman's spot on the roster?

Oh, that would be RECEIVER Devale Ellis. :frusty:

According to MLIVE, the reason they chose Ellis is:


Then adding:


Absolutely, positively UN-FREAKING-BELIEVEABLE!!!! This organization never ceases to amaze me.

So Mike Williams is FINALLY starting to show good things in practice and his teammates have been calling for him to get into games, and how do you reward his effort? The effort that you've been begging to see from him? The effort that you told him would be rewarded with playing time?

Well, you sign Az Hakim and play him after 4 days of practice, they you release your #2 WR, but instead of Williams moving up a spot on the depth chart, you activate Bodiford, an undrafted FA that has never played a snap in the NFL from the injury list and put him ahead of Williams on the depth chart, then you sign an undrafted practice squad receiver who has never played a snap in the NFL when your LINEMAN gets put on IR.

Yeah, nice consistent message. I swear, I think the Lion's and Piston's coaching staffs both went to the same course on Hypocritical Doublespeak BS 101.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan (http://www.mlive.com/lions/weblog/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_lions/archives/2006_10.html#193829)

Sad. :(

Absolutely, positively UN-FREAKING-BELIEVEABLE!!!! This organization never ceases to amaze me.


Yeah, nice consistent message. I swear, I think the Lion's and Piston's coaching staffs both went to the same course on Hypocritical Doublespeak BS 101.


:laugh:


You neglected to mention the Valedictorian and Salutorian honors they received.:graduate: