The "boys" blew up a great season last year in the playoffs. This year, they struggled against the better teams and now are going down in flames. How do you not beat a team with literally no passing attack and no running save for one long burst? Going 1-5 in the division (there is no way they beat the Bears), who saw that? As the season mercifully ends, knowing the long, long history of remarkable underachievement for this franchise, is it crazy to ask is this all there is?
If I see even one more opposing LB or DB crowd the line of scrimmage and chase down another dud running play from the backside ... well, I will probably be watching the next game.
Putting aside my fanboy affection for reverses and gadget stuff, it's been a long time since we've seen the Lions use any real deception. Not since the Kansas City pass to Goff, I think. And what has Dan Campbell always said about using trick plays? That if he's confident the players can execute, no problem. Draw your own conclusions from that.
While I agree that the defense needs a hard look, when you peel back the onion the weak center position haunted this team from week one all the way to yesterday. The team never got this hole filled. Young players flanked a revolving door of middling to sub par talent week after week. By week six opposing team coordinators had figured it out. The Lions didn’t seem to have a counter strategy. This is a very talented offense - we have never had so many offensive weapons at one time - but you really need a good center to make it hum. I am hopeful this is like the Eagles were in 2023. We can bounce back to the NFL’s top tier quickly with some position upgrades and better weekly game scheming. We are too talented rich to expect anything else.
things just didn't go our way the 2nd half of the season, it is what it is. injuries hurt and despite a pathetic offensive line without any run blocking, we still managed to be a top 2 or 3 offense. defense is the problem and not sure what to make of it. depth in the db room needs to improve and we got no production on the line other than hutch. in the end, the last few years we made our mark on the line and this is what we need to focus on in the off season imo. not sure what is going on with mcneill but that is what stands out the most.
I imagine a true appraisal of this MESS will come after the last game! Holmes faces the tough questions that he has created! This could take a couple years to recover from!
There’s a part of me that’s glad it’s over. It’s been clear this wasn’t going to be the year for a while. And this week especially, the odds of making the playoffs were so low. May as well rip the bandaid off immediately.
Well, nothing unexpected always thought 9-8 with the 18th pick in the draft but they may actually be worse. Always the same issues with this organization, never build the foundations and walls before they go all out on drafting high end finishes.
Yeah, that was a whimper to mathematically end the season. 67 football years ending in disappointment have prepared me for outcomes like this, though it's still hard to fathom in the moment. Not For Long wins again. Imma gonna be around next year and will be grateful for each and every win, which was my birthright recently. Well, daaaammmnn.
Justin, while I’m in a lot of mental pain from all this, I know the pain for you is probably real as you lose subscribers. The losing impacts you directly and for that I’m sorry. I’m too diehard and loyal to leave you or the Lions, no matter how bad it gets. Keep your chin up!
The Lions---you know the rest.
The "boys" blew up a great season last year in the playoffs. This year, they struggled against the better teams and now are going down in flames. How do you not beat a team with literally no passing attack and no running save for one long burst? Going 1-5 in the division (there is no way they beat the Bears), who saw that? As the season mercifully ends, knowing the long, long history of remarkable underachievement for this franchise, is it crazy to ask is this all there is?
If I see even one more opposing LB or DB crowd the line of scrimmage and chase down another dud running play from the backside ... well, I will probably be watching the next game.
Putting aside my fanboy affection for reverses and gadget stuff, it's been a long time since we've seen the Lions use any real deception. Not since the Kansas City pass to Goff, I think. And what has Dan Campbell always said about using trick plays? That if he's confident the players can execute, no problem. Draw your own conclusions from that.
While I agree that the defense needs a hard look, when you peel back the onion the weak center position haunted this team from week one all the way to yesterday. The team never got this hole filled. Young players flanked a revolving door of middling to sub par talent week after week. By week six opposing team coordinators had figured it out. The Lions didn’t seem to have a counter strategy. This is a very talented offense - we have never had so many offensive weapons at one time - but you really need a good center to make it hum. I am hopeful this is like the Eagles were in 2023. We can bounce back to the NFL’s top tier quickly with some position upgrades and better weekly game scheming. We are too talented rich to expect anything else.
things just didn't go our way the 2nd half of the season, it is what it is. injuries hurt and despite a pathetic offensive line without any run blocking, we still managed to be a top 2 or 3 offense. defense is the problem and not sure what to make of it. depth in the db room needs to improve and we got no production on the line other than hutch. in the end, the last few years we made our mark on the line and this is what we need to focus on in the off season imo. not sure what is going on with mcneill but that is what stands out the most.
I’m grateful for your coverage of a brutal uninspired torrid loss. Merry Christmas Justin and thank you.
I imagine a true appraisal of this MESS will come after the last game! Holmes faces the tough questions that he has created! This could take a couple years to recover from!
There’s a part of me that’s glad it’s over. It’s been clear this wasn’t going to be the year for a while. And this week especially, the odds of making the playoffs were so low. May as well rip the bandaid off immediately.
Well, nothing unexpected always thought 9-8 with the 18th pick in the draft but they may actually be worse. Always the same issues with this organization, never build the foundations and walls before they go all out on drafting high end finishes.
Yeah, that was a whimper to mathematically end the season. 67 football years ending in disappointment have prepared me for outcomes like this, though it's still hard to fathom in the moment. Not For Long wins again. Imma gonna be around next year and will be grateful for each and every win, which was my birthright recently. Well, daaaammmnn.
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes again
Justin, while I’m in a lot of mental pain from all this, I know the pain for you is probably real as you lose subscribers. The losing impacts you directly and for that I’m sorry. I’m too diehard and loyal to leave you or the Lions, no matter how bad it gets. Keep your chin up!