The problem with violent practices, is that you're basically accelerating the process of attrition with no measurable benefit. Yes, players should be in top shape. Yes, players should be prepared for the physicality of a game. But you don't help injury prone players by beating on them throughout the week. You also do not assist your veterans in getting through a season by wearing them down in training camp.

There is this ridiculous notion that without camp, none of these guys would be in shape to play. Today's athlete for the most part follows an offseason workout regimen and many employ personal trainers to help them grow their game.

I always thought practice was rehearsal. It was a time to scheme and study. To work on new looks and wrinkle plays. To address execution mistakes through repetition. Not to stage a WWE event or conduct an informal "team's strongest man" competition.

Meathead thinking will yield meathead results. Practice is the time for team building, both in chemistry and skills.

The Lions won't progress if the coaches continue their "Lord of the Flies (http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-64,pageNum-5.html)" mentality towards the roster.

Millen would have you believe this team is too soft. The reality is that this team is too dumb, and no one is working to make it smarter. Jeff Garcia pointed this out when he revealed that his teammates never studied the playbook. The commitment to winning doesn't start with guys laid up in the infirmary. It starts with a commitment to the classroom.

That's my 2 cents.

I agree with you that you shouldn't beat your players up during the week, but I also don't think it should be a country club either.

While I'm sure a good % of today's players are self motivated, there are still plenty of guys that aren't. Shaun Rogers, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams and Damien Woody are just 4 examples off the top of my head.

This team is soft. But they're also undertalented, outcoached, poorly executed, have a losing mentality, a retarded GM and a wussy owner.

There's plenty of blame to go around.

I'm not really sure I know what the answer is. Jimmy Johnson had his team in pads leading up to the Super Bowl and they won. If you do this and the team wins nobody complains. The Giants rebelled under Coughlin because they flamed out when they probably had the best talent in the NFC. I think a good coach understands his team and has a feel for when they need to be prodded and when to take it easy. Mooch probably didn't prod enough and Rod just comes in like a drill sgt. I'm sure it was tough for them to adjust and when the record is 3-13 it's hard to justify the approach. Rod and staff need to find the balance. I'm not sure he has the smarts to do so.

Looks like Bly, Hall, Bell and Verba are on their way out.
Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said today that he has told four veterans -- Dre Bly, James Hall, Marcus Bell and Ross Verba -- that they could all pursue trades. When asked if that meant they wouldn't be returning next season, Marinelli said "Probably.''

MLive.com: Everything Michigan (http://www.mlive.com/lions/weblog/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_lions/archives/2007_02.html#239336)

Bell and Verba I couldn't care less about, but Bly is our best CB and Hall is our best DE. We'd better get something good in return for them, which probably isn't likely since they'll most likely be cut before the season starts anyway.

Someone please remind me why I'm a Lions fan again???? :frusty:

How is it that this team keeps getting WORSE??? They're more and more of a laughing stock every minute. Just when you think they've hit rock bottom, someone comes along with a jack hammer and down they go again.

How is it that this team keeps getting WORSE??? ... Just when you think they've hit rock bottom, someone comes along with a jack hammer and down they go again.

All kidding aside, that's an excellent question. I've never really thought about it. But they do seem to be getting worse and it doesn't make any sense to me.

Maybe they aren't getting worse, but we just feel that way because it has been going on for almost 50 years. Because you know, I really can't imagine it being worse than this. But somehow, deep down, I know it will. :(