On many pass attempts, Matthew Stafford looked like he had less accuracy than Mariah Carey throwing out the first pitch. Calvin Johnson might have been auditioning for the Butterfinger commercial. To make it simple, the play on the field was ugly as the Detroit Lions had their carcasses handed to them by the Chicago Bears in an embarrassing way.
As bad as the players were, the coaches were worse!
It was not until late in the third quarter before Stafford tried to go down field to Megatron. With Stafford's arm and Calvin Johnson's size, speed, jumping ability and hands, how do you wait until the game is out of hand before using that combination down field? In fact, the offensive plays called for so many short passes and screens, Chicago soon caught onto the play calling and started jumping the plays which resulted in a total of four Stafford interceptions.
I have written about it before. The Lions scheme, playing out of the shotgun so much is hurting them. I have told people that if they use the shotgun for more than 70% of the plays, they would likely lose. Today, they used it far more than the 70% of the play calls. The Lions literally lived (or shall I say DIED) out of the Shotgun today.
You can blame the players if you want. But how many times are we going to watch an offense with this much talent look so bad before we stop making excuses for the coaches and scheme?
For the first time in the 2011 season, Matthew Stafford wore gloves. Throughout the game he showed he was not comfortable with them as he continued to flex his hands, and adjust the gloves. Often looking down at them. Yet he continued to wear them. It was clear he could not feel the ball the way he wanted to and that lack of feeling was causing some bad accuracy problems. His passes were often well over players heads or behind them. Yet he continued to wear them. The truth is, it really doesn't matter why he was wearing the gloves. Whether it was his choice because of comfort, or to help him as he may have had an injury problem. it doesn't matter. The fact is, he could not throw with them on. So Schwartz should have laid down the law. Go without the gloves or sit the bench. If Stafford could not throw without them either, then he shouldn't be throwing, because he definitely could not throw with them on!
Gunther Cunningham was the only coach who showed he knows what he is doing. Once again the defense did a great job. The Bears had 14 points from pick sixes and another touchdown on a punt return. That is 21 points. That means they allowed a total of 16 points the entire game and 10 of that came from the Bears having extremely short field after two Lions fumbles.
Yet even Gunther was not flawless. When the Lions needed the ball back fast to get back in the game, they had the Bears at a 3rd and 15. It was time to rush Cutler's throw and cover tight. They allowed 17 yards and a first down because they chose that time to play a zone defense where the WR could simply run between the coverage zones and get the pass. Then the Lions did the same thing again a couple plays later and let Chicago get in field goal range. Gunther has been a good defensive coach, but if he has any flaw, it is the simple fact that he becomes passive when he needs to be aggressive!
The Detroit Lions had two long weeks to plan and get ready for the Bears. Mean while the Bears had a shortened week to prepare for the Lions. Yet it was the Bears who looked like they came into the game prepared and the Lions came in looking like they never even looked at game film. That is simply inexcusable! Yes the players were bad. Almost as if they were not ready to play. The coaches were even worse!
Showing posts with label 2011 Schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 Schedule. Show all posts
11/13/11
9/25/11
Lions 26 - Vikings 23
For the first time in 31 years, the Detroit Lions have started a season 3-0 and they did it by filling their fans with anguish, anxiety and finally joy.
At half time the Lions were losing 20-0 in the dome where they haven't won in about three eternities. It might have been four, I cannot recall to be sure. I don't think Old man Ford remembers.
The Vikings were absolutely dominating the Lions from the first kick-off. Stafford had no time to let plays develop and Best had no room to run. The Lions offensive line came in lethargic and became almost wimpish in their play. Quite frankly, it was plain ugly.
Then something miraculous happened. I don't know what that miracle was, but it gave the Lions life. It wasn't raining, so it couldn't have been some old man with an umbrella in the stands. It was just that the Lions finally started moving the ball. In the first half, the Lions offense mustard something like 40 total yards. In the second half they had over 300.
The Lions turned a 20-0 deficit at half time to a 23-20 lead in the 4th quarter. With just over a minute left in the game, the Vikings tied it up.
So the Lions had 1:11 on the clock and all three of their timeouts. All they needed to do was move the ball close enough for a Jason Hanson field goal, and he had already hit one from 50 out earlier in the game. No problem right? Wrong!
On 1st and 10 at their own 20 yard line, with the Minnesota crowds jarring the stadium, Backus flinched for a false start. On 1st and 15, Backus flinched again. Finally on 1st and 20, Backus did not flinch and the ball was snapped. Jared Allen blew past Backus like he was a statue and dropped Stafford hard at the 3 yard line. It wasn't like Stafford wasn't used to this by now. It was after all the fifth time he was sacked. After two fruitless run plays the Lions punted, giving the Vikings one more chance to win the game.
The Lions defense held again and forced overtime and it was then that the most exciting play of the game happened. After a 2 yard run by Best and a 17 yard pass to Titus Young, the Lions had the ball at their own 46 yard line. It was on 2nd and 10 and a Viking's Defensive Linemen busted through, falling over the offensive linemen he pancaked. Stafford was immediately back-peddling to avoid the rush and in his backwards motion he let the ball fly down the left sideline.
Calvin Johnson ran hard along the sideline, covered well, then the corner back stumbled and fell and Calvin, while stumbling over the fallen corner back, stretched out his arms and caught the ball as it fell over his right shoulder. It was a 40 yard reception and put the Detroit Lions well within Jason Hanson's range. A 32 yard field goal later, the Lions had made one of the greatest comebacks I remember, broke their win-less streak in the Mall of America Football Stadium and started the season 3-0.
It was a game lined with emotions and ended with the best of them. Joy! Happy Lions Day Everyone!
Side note:
There will be the usual Backus haters who will talk about how he almost lost the game for the Lions. That the Lions need to get rid of him. The fact is however, that Jared Allen is one of the best defensive ends in the game and was playing with a desire to control the game. Once it was evident that Allen was on his game, the Lions should have had someone over on that side to help out. They left Backus one on one with him and paid the price. If Backus continues to give up sacks in weeks to come, then it is time to replace him. One bad game against the best in the NFL? Let it slide. By the way, the first sack Backus gave up was more on Pettigrew than on Backus. Pettigrew was to Backus's left and Allen was lined up outside of him. Pettigrew never even made a move to stop Allen, nor did he move to run out for a pass. He simply stood there lost and Backus had to move around him to try to reach Allen. I would say Backus deserves credit for even getting a piece of Allen under the circumstances.
At half time the Lions were losing 20-0 in the dome where they haven't won in about three eternities. It might have been four, I cannot recall to be sure. I don't think Old man Ford remembers.
The Vikings were absolutely dominating the Lions from the first kick-off. Stafford had no time to let plays develop and Best had no room to run. The Lions offensive line came in lethargic and became almost wimpish in their play. Quite frankly, it was plain ugly.
Then something miraculous happened. I don't know what that miracle was, but it gave the Lions life. It wasn't raining, so it couldn't have been some old man with an umbrella in the stands. It was just that the Lions finally started moving the ball. In the first half, the Lions offense mustard something like 40 total yards. In the second half they had over 300.
The Lions turned a 20-0 deficit at half time to a 23-20 lead in the 4th quarter. With just over a minute left in the game, the Vikings tied it up.
So the Lions had 1:11 on the clock and all three of their timeouts. All they needed to do was move the ball close enough for a Jason Hanson field goal, and he had already hit one from 50 out earlier in the game. No problem right? Wrong!
On 1st and 10 at their own 20 yard line, with the Minnesota crowds jarring the stadium, Backus flinched for a false start. On 1st and 15, Backus flinched again. Finally on 1st and 20, Backus did not flinch and the ball was snapped. Jared Allen blew past Backus like he was a statue and dropped Stafford hard at the 3 yard line. It wasn't like Stafford wasn't used to this by now. It was after all the fifth time he was sacked. After two fruitless run plays the Lions punted, giving the Vikings one more chance to win the game.
The Lions defense held again and forced overtime and it was then that the most exciting play of the game happened. After a 2 yard run by Best and a 17 yard pass to Titus Young, the Lions had the ball at their own 46 yard line. It was on 2nd and 10 and a Viking's Defensive Linemen busted through, falling over the offensive linemen he pancaked. Stafford was immediately back-peddling to avoid the rush and in his backwards motion he let the ball fly down the left sideline.
Calvin Johnson ran hard along the sideline, covered well, then the corner back stumbled and fell and Calvin, while stumbling over the fallen corner back, stretched out his arms and caught the ball as it fell over his right shoulder. It was a 40 yard reception and put the Detroit Lions well within Jason Hanson's range. A 32 yard field goal later, the Lions had made one of the greatest comebacks I remember, broke their win-less streak in the Mall of America Football Stadium and started the season 3-0.
It was a game lined with emotions and ended with the best of them. Joy! Happy Lions Day Everyone!
Side note:
There will be the usual Backus haters who will talk about how he almost lost the game for the Lions. That the Lions need to get rid of him. The fact is however, that Jared Allen is one of the best defensive ends in the game and was playing with a desire to control the game. Once it was evident that Allen was on his game, the Lions should have had someone over on that side to help out. They left Backus one on one with him and paid the price. If Backus continues to give up sacks in weeks to come, then it is time to replace him. One bad game against the best in the NFL? Let it slide. By the way, the first sack Backus gave up was more on Pettigrew than on Backus. Pettigrew was to Backus's left and Allen was lined up outside of him. Pettigrew never even made a move to stop Allen, nor did he move to run out for a pass. He simply stood there lost and Backus had to move around him to try to reach Allen. I would say Backus deserves credit for even getting a piece of Allen under the circumstances.
8/16/11
Detroit Lions 2011 Schedule
REGULAR SEASON
Away ..Sun ..Sep-11..Tampa Bay Buccaneers..W 27-20 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Sep-18..Kansas City Chiefs....W 48-03 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Sep-25..Minnesota Vikings.....W 26-23 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Oct-02..Dallas Cowboys........W 34-30 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-10..Chicago Bears.........W 24-13 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-16..San Francisco 49ers...L 19-25 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-23..Atlanta Falcons.......L 16-23 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Oct-30..Denver Broncos........W 45-10 . . YAHOO BOX
OFF ...Sun ..Nov-06..Bye Week
Away ..Sun ..Nov-13..Chicago Bears.........L 13-37 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Nov-20..Carolina Panthers.....W 49-35 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Thu ..Nov-24..Green Bay Packers.....L 15-27 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Dec-04..New Orleans Saints....L 17-31 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Dec-11..Minnesota Vikings.....W 34-28 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Dec-18..Oakland Raiders.......W 28-27 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sat ..Dec-24..San Diego Chargers....W 38-10 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Jan-01..Green Bay Packers.....L 41-45 . . YAHOO BOX
PLAYOFFS
Away ..Sat ..Jan-07..New Orleans Saints....L 28-45 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Sep-11..Tampa Bay Buccaneers..W 27-20 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Sep-18..Kansas City Chiefs....W 48-03 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Sep-25..Minnesota Vikings.....W 26-23 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Oct-02..Dallas Cowboys........W 34-30 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-10..Chicago Bears.........W 24-13 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-16..San Francisco 49ers...L 19-25 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Oct-23..Atlanta Falcons.......L 16-23 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Oct-30..Denver Broncos........W 45-10 . . YAHOO BOX
OFF ...Sun ..Nov-06..Bye Week
Away ..Sun ..Nov-13..Chicago Bears.........L 13-37 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Nov-20..Carolina Panthers.....W 49-35 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Thu ..Nov-24..Green Bay Packers.....L 15-27 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Dec-04..New Orleans Saints....L 17-31 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sun ..Dec-11..Minnesota Vikings.....W 34-28 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Dec-18..Oakland Raiders.......W 28-27 . . YAHOO BOX
Home ..Sat ..Dec-24..San Diego Chargers....W 38-10 . . YAHOO BOX
Away ..Sun ..Jan-01..Green Bay Packers.....L 41-45 . . YAHOO BOX
PLAYOFFS
Away ..Sat ..Jan-07..New Orleans Saints....L 28-45 . . YAHOO BOX
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