George, the new roommate, has guts. What was his weekend purchase for his bedroom last week?
A Detroit Lions poster.
So I have a big Lions fan on premises. How ironic it is that they haven't won a game since he moved in. There's been nothing but cursing coming from that bedroom every Sunday. In fact, we mutually agreed not to talk about their latest 42-10 flop to Minnesota on Sunday.
I've not talked to my dad since before that game... wondering if he's still claiming I should be getting Super Bowl tickets?
Anyone who's even a remote football fan knows that the Lions have been underachieving for half a century. But this pre-season claimed things would be different. And through eight games, with a record of 6-2, you have to admit, we were actually suckered in.
Did I jinx? I was in Taylor for the PBA the week they hit 6-2, and I mumbled to myself the same words my mother always would: "There's still time to screw it up."
The power of reverse prayer, I call it. Can you name one good thing going on this team other than Jason Hanson... again?
When your team is either way ahead or way behind, don't you pull some of your starters? (I don't say "stars" because the Lions have none.) Don't you just say "heck with it" and see what the bench-warmers can do?
I only appreciate QB Jon Kitna because he enabled us to get rid of Joey Harrington. He is a gamer. But he has no talent. With my bad hip, I could still be competitive with him in a 50-yard dash. The Lions haven't had a scrambler for a QB since Mike McMahon a few years ago. He would have had plenty of chances to show his scrambling ability if he had the defensive line the Lions currently have. And the point is, they keep him in there even if he's had a laundry list of faults in that game.
Our defensive line is pretty big in size. Why then do I hear, at least once a week, that one of them are "tossed around like rag dolls" en route to a sack?
As little as the Lions like to run the football, I give credit to the opposing defenses for snuffing the run during the two or three times the Lions attempt it per game. The most wide receivers the Lions have had out there in any one play is five. The running game adds at least five or six wrinkles to any offensive play depending on who's running it, and what formation is put together.
This is too simple for the opposition to resist: Double-coverage on each receiver, leave the backfield empty of half-back defenders, blitz the QB... three and out, three and out. Tatum Bell, remember him? Running back acquired from Denver... inactive the last six games. Don't think for a second he'd want a second Lions season on his resume.
The blame game is just like before, passed around as often as blame is passed with Lansing legislators. Kitna says the boat isn't full, just like ex-coach Marty Morhinweg said the bar was raised. They use Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson as potential game-breaking receivers... just not in the same game.
Remember this time last year how the media was speculating (and was being scared by) the prospects of offensive coordinator Mike Martz leaving for a head-coaching job? Everyone reported that it would be the worst thing possible; that this offense had a chance, but needed him here to be the teacher?
Now tell me who, outside of owner William Clay Ford, still sticks by him 100%. I'll be waiting and growing old for comments... book it.
We were suckered in. Traditions have a way of continuing no matter the conditions or who's in charge. Further proof is not needed; all you need to do is check the box scores.
Get my Super Bowl tickets, Dad? Only if you can provide the transportation to go 1,000 miles to see the winning team's victory parade. :)
