I like this, oh yes. And yet: More than just an albatross, this Ilitch-sponsored spend-fest seems to suggest that Ilitch may be nearing the end of his reign (which is not to say the team wouldn't stay in the family) as Tigers/Wings head honcho.
It seems to say, 'I don't care what this deal will do to the team in five years, because it will be someone else's problem -- because right here, right now, I'm all-in.' Which is also not to say it's not a fun, interesting, ticket-selling thing. Just a few days ago, I was thinking to myself, 'Boy, it's been a while since we've seen any kind of big trade or signing in any sport around here; I mean, a blockbuster-caliber thing.' and lo and behold, and voila, and etc.
I just wonder, also, how much (if at all) they felt out Miggy on what this deal means, relative to him. Probably not at all, but still -- I wonder what's going through his head right about now.
And yet: Wow.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
What's really changed?
On Sept. 13, 2009 the Lions, in rookie Matt Stafford's first game, and start, with the team, went into New Orleans and lost, 45-27. This past Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, the Lions went into New Orleans and lost, 45-28. So I guess we've gotten one point better...?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Maybe Gunther's Time Has Come and Gone?
The Lions have plenty of good, to very good, to maybe borderline great players on the defensive side of the ball. But boy, they sure didn't get it done the last two games.
One has to wonder what a Dick LeBeau could do with this bunch. One also has to think that a Dick LeBeau led bunch -- particularly this group of players -- would never, ever surrender 1100+ yards in any two game stretch.
Which reinforces the fact that perhaps the Lions defense has gotten stale or stodgy under Cunningham's watch. From what I could see, the Lions run a mostly vanilla defense, without a lot of gimmickry, instead relying on raw talent. Relatively few blitzes; just wind up the front four, and let 'em rip.
The only problem is, in the last two games, rip, they did not. Only Willie Young, of all of them, seemed to have that extra little spark. Corey Williams, Avril, VandenBosch, even Suh -- not so much. And with no real consistent pass pressure, a generally decent pass defense seemed exposed.
Sloppy tackling was also a big issue, and that seemed like a reversion to the old bad traits of the 0-16 team. I understand that Sproles and Starks are two of the slipperier pros, but this was pretty bad. Painful even, at times.
The schedule seems easier next year --the weak NFC West (save SF) and AFC South (save Hou) are on tap -- but it wouldn't surprise me to see this team regress a tad -- hopefully, not like TB did this year, but it will be interesting to see how the Lions respond with the new weight of expectation upon them.
In any case, a new DC might be the thing that freshens it up. They could always bump Cunningham up to a cushier exec position.
One has to wonder what a Dick LeBeau could do with this bunch. One also has to think that a Dick LeBeau led bunch -- particularly this group of players -- would never, ever surrender 1100+ yards in any two game stretch.
Which reinforces the fact that perhaps the Lions defense has gotten stale or stodgy under Cunningham's watch. From what I could see, the Lions run a mostly vanilla defense, without a lot of gimmickry, instead relying on raw talent. Relatively few blitzes; just wind up the front four, and let 'em rip.
The only problem is, in the last two games, rip, they did not. Only Willie Young, of all of them, seemed to have that extra little spark. Corey Williams, Avril, VandenBosch, even Suh -- not so much. And with no real consistent pass pressure, a generally decent pass defense seemed exposed.
Sloppy tackling was also a big issue, and that seemed like a reversion to the old bad traits of the 0-16 team. I understand that Sproles and Starks are two of the slipperier pros, but this was pretty bad. Painful even, at times.
The schedule seems easier next year --the weak NFC West (save SF) and AFC South (save Hou) are on tap -- but it wouldn't surprise me to see this team regress a tad -- hopefully, not like TB did this year, but it will be interesting to see how the Lions respond with the new weight of expectation upon them.
In any case, a new DC might be the thing that freshens it up. They could always bump Cunningham up to a cushier exec position.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Lions Need Cunningham to Add Some Wrinkles
What explains the Lions recent defensive woes? They gave up 147 points through their first eight games, for an average of 18.375 points per. After their bye week, they gave up 240 points in the last eight games -- an average of 30 per. That's, um, quite a difference.
Well, firstly, let's note that, in the first eight games, the only high powered offense they really saw was Atlanta's. The Falcons, however, only put up 23 points, not too bad a showing for the Lions "D." In the second half, they got Green Bay twice, New Orleans, and San Diego. Carolina's "O" was coming on as well. The only game the Lions held an opponent under 27 points in the second eight games was in fact the San Diego game, where they turned in a complete performance, allowing only 10. And don't forget, folks -- this was only eight days before this most recent pasting of yesterday's.
See, teams adjust. At least, the others do. And that brings me to Gunther's scheme. He likes to rush four and lay the 'backers in medium coverage for combo run/pass defense, or to spy screens, end arounds, etc. Why not change it up some, here and there? Why not blitz on three straight plays once in a while, or move pieces around, or even dabble in an occasional 3-4? Why not move Suh out to the end sometimes, to save the wear and tear on him? Imagine Sammy Hill and Nick Fairley clogging the middle for a play, and Kong and Corey coming from the ends. Think an opposing O-line wants to see that?
What's particularly disturbing about yesterday's performance (or rather, lack thereof) was not ONLY that Green Bay sat Rogers, Starks and Jennings, but that their scheme, as Billick mentioned more than once, was very vanilla -- rush it to eat clock, get the game over with, get out healthy, who cares whether we win or lose? -- and the Lions just plain couldn't keep up. Gave me a new appreciation for Jordy Nelson, I can tell you -- he's bigger than I thought; I pictured him more of a littler, slot-type guy, but he's a big dude, and a very fine player. Finley, too -- the Pack always seems to have great TEs, don't they?
Maybe it's just that everyone on the Pack's sideline looked to be so relaxed, but remember, this is the same backup QB we held down so well late last year at home, after we'd knocked Rogers out of that game, beating them 7-3. Did he get that much better? Or were they just playing relaxed, sandlot football with no pressure?
Nor do I lay it all on the LBs and DBs -- true, they often were a step behind, or getting out-fought for balls, but there was almost no pressure being generated on Flynn by our vaunted D-Line. Makes you wonder if some guys are hurting, and we haven't been told. They are, after all, supposed to be a strength of this defense, but in reality, Flynn had all day, for the most part.
Which brings us back to Cunningham. Come on, Gun -- let's shake it up a little out there. Everyone's got a season worth of film on you now. It's playoff time -- time to show something new.
Otherwise, it's likely to be another shoot-out, and another one where we come up with the short end of the stick.
-- Alan Madlane
Well, firstly, let's note that, in the first eight games, the only high powered offense they really saw was Atlanta's. The Falcons, however, only put up 23 points, not too bad a showing for the Lions "D." In the second half, they got Green Bay twice, New Orleans, and San Diego. Carolina's "O" was coming on as well. The only game the Lions held an opponent under 27 points in the second eight games was in fact the San Diego game, where they turned in a complete performance, allowing only 10. And don't forget, folks -- this was only eight days before this most recent pasting of yesterday's.
See, teams adjust. At least, the others do. And that brings me to Gunther's scheme. He likes to rush four and lay the 'backers in medium coverage for combo run/pass defense, or to spy screens, end arounds, etc. Why not change it up some, here and there? Why not blitz on three straight plays once in a while, or move pieces around, or even dabble in an occasional 3-4? Why not move Suh out to the end sometimes, to save the wear and tear on him? Imagine Sammy Hill and Nick Fairley clogging the middle for a play, and Kong and Corey coming from the ends. Think an opposing O-line wants to see that?
What's particularly disturbing about yesterday's performance (or rather, lack thereof) was not ONLY that Green Bay sat Rogers, Starks and Jennings, but that their scheme, as Billick mentioned more than once, was very vanilla -- rush it to eat clock, get the game over with, get out healthy, who cares whether we win or lose? -- and the Lions just plain couldn't keep up. Gave me a new appreciation for Jordy Nelson, I can tell you -- he's bigger than I thought; I pictured him more of a littler, slot-type guy, but he's a big dude, and a very fine player. Finley, too -- the Pack always seems to have great TEs, don't they?
Maybe it's just that everyone on the Pack's sideline looked to be so relaxed, but remember, this is the same backup QB we held down so well late last year at home, after we'd knocked Rogers out of that game, beating them 7-3. Did he get that much better? Or were they just playing relaxed, sandlot football with no pressure?
Nor do I lay it all on the LBs and DBs -- true, they often were a step behind, or getting out-fought for balls, but there was almost no pressure being generated on Flynn by our vaunted D-Line. Makes you wonder if some guys are hurting, and we haven't been told. They are, after all, supposed to be a strength of this defense, but in reality, Flynn had all day, for the most part.
Which brings us back to Cunningham. Come on, Gun -- let's shake it up a little out there. Everyone's got a season worth of film on you now. It's playoff time -- time to show something new.
Otherwise, it's likely to be another shoot-out, and another one where we come up with the short end of the stick.
-- Alan Madlane
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