NFC North: Detroit Lions

[Fritz]

I thought it might be fun to look at the other teams in the NFC North from the perspective of their writers and fans. This article by Lynn Henning gives a good account of the prevailing feeling in Detroit. The bottom line is that the team is headed in the right direction - finally - thanks to the hiring of Martin Mayhew as GM. Prior to that, guys like Matt Millen and Russ Thomas ran the organization, mostly due to old Bill Ford's need for a caretaker (Russ Thomas is rumored to have covered up for a drunken Bill Ford many times back in the day) or due to his fascination with a seemingly charismatic ex-NFLer and announcer (we know who that guy was). In between there was a loyal yes-man in charge (Chuck something or other).

Will the Lions roar finally in the next few years?

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100820/OPINION03/8200419/Lions-move-out-of-NFL-s-dark-shadows--gain-legitimacy

[ThunderDan]

I think the Lions are getting better. The problem is the other teams in the division are trying to improve also. With the way the Packers are being built the Lions will have a hard time to win the division for years to come.

[Fritz]

The Lions' two biggest weaknesses appear to be the offensive line and the secondary. The linebacking corp is also thin.

Sound familiar?

[Tarlam!]

Detroit goes to the playoffs this coming season. I wrote it on the prediction thread and I stand by it. I think they eek out 9 wins. NFC North sends 3 teams this year.

If they don't, well................. nothing, I guess.

[mraynrand]

The city deserves a break after 50 years of getting ----- by the Lions, but hopefully not at the Packer's expense.

[Tarlam!]

Did anyone else see that hit Suh put on Delhomme? NFL is reviewing it for a possible fine.

But he is a monster. I seriously hope we have a good game plan against this freak. I heard him called a "young Reggie White" on PTI this morning.

http://www.nfl.com/preseason/story/09000d5d81a1f18e/article/nfl-looking-at-suhs-rough-play-against-browns-qb-delhomme?module=HP_headlines

[hoosier]

Did anyone else see that hit Suh put on Delhomme? NFL is reviewing it for a possible fine.

But he is a monster. I seriously hope we have a good game plan against this freak. I heard him called a "young Reggie White" on PTI this morning.

http://www.nfl.com/preseason/story/0...e=HP_headlines

That play should have resulted in two PFs plus an ejection. He will have to figure out the fine line between good aggressiveness and stupidity before he begin to think about filling White's shoes.

[MichiganPackerFan]

Did anyone else see that hit Suh put on Delhomme? NFL is reviewing it for a possible fine.

But he is a monster. I seriously hope we have a good game plan against this freak. I heard him called a "young Reggie White" on PTI this morning.

http://www.nfl.com/preseason/story/0...e=HP_headlines

That play should have resulted in two PFs plus an ejection. He will have to figure out the fine line between good aggressiveness and stupidity before he begin to think about filling White's shoes.

I thought it was bad, but after i finally watched the video, it wasn't nearly as bad as everyone described. He got up in the facemask and threw him down violently (deserving of penalty and fine) but he release the mask before throwing him down: he did not throw him down by the mask like I had read it described.

[vince]

I thought it was pretty bad. He basically threw him down by the head. He'll learn not to do that, and you like that kind of aggressiveness in general. He just needs to work on containing it and staying within the rules.

[vince]

Here it is for those who haven't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhtLDG5JxUI

[get louder at lambeau]

A young Reggie White? Looks more like a young Albert Haynesworth.

[ThunderDan]

Wow, that is worse than I expected. He let go of the mask but still used the head to throw the QB down.

$50,000 will get his attention!

[swede]

A young Reggie White? Looks more like a young Albert Haynesworth.

+1

That merits a one game suspension to be served sometime between October 2nd and October 3th.

[Fritz]

Shoot, guys, when we were young pups - for me back in the early to mid seventies - that would've been nothing more than a good play.

But I suppose the game has changed, and maybe for the better. But still, it reminded me of Ted "The Stork" Hendricks or Joe Greene or someone like that.

[vince]

That's some Night Train Lane headhunting action there.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/09000d5d81118473