Loss to Rams Could Make Lions NFL’s Worst
Burning Questions | by Mike O'Hara | 11.1.2009/6:17PM
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Burning questions from the Lions’ 17-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams at Ford Field on Sunday:
Where do the Lions go from there?
“Nowhere. Any chance they had to get some respect – and respectability—- is gone for this season. That’s why the game was so important, and why I called it a must-win game. It was must-win because they were playing a bad team and had a chance to separate them from the dregs of the league.
“The Lions did not do that. They are the dregs.”
Should they be considered the NFL’s worst team now?
“Probably not, but if somebody makes them No. 32, who can argue? And why bother? They’re 1-6 and back on the skids, with a four-game losing streak.”
Rate Matthew Stafford’s performance
“Up and down. He can throw the ball, no doubt about that, and he’s a gamer. He didn’t get much help, and there were so many drops that it was hard to blame him for everything. It wasn’t a winning performance, but he didn’t lose the game, either.”
Was his right knee bothering him?
“He didn’t say it was, but it looked like it was dragging a little. He did the right thing by playing, and the coaches and training staff did the right thing by clearing him to play after sitting out two games.”
How much did the Lions miss Calvin Johnson? He didn’t play for the second straight game because of an injured right knee.
“They do not have a passing game without him. In that regard, the team is suffering from the sins of previous drafts. Four wide receivers drafted on the first round, and three of them – Roy Williams, Mike Williams, Charles Rogers – are gone. They’ll probably have to draft a receiver next year.”
What about the defense?
“It played fairly well – until the game was on the line. The defense had not allowed a TD for six full quarters – and the Rams ended that streak by driving to the winning TD win the last two minutes. You have to make it count when it counts most, and the defense did not do that.”
What about the pass rush?
“There was decent pressure on Marc Bulger at times, but the Lions didn’t sack him. You have to put a quarterback on his back to disrupt a passing game – even one as ordinary as the Rams’.”
The Rams tricked the Lions on a fake field goal in the last minute of the first half. It would have been a 54-yard attempt. Instead of kicking, the Rams threw a pass and it went for a touchdown. What went wrong?
“I asked Cliff Avril if anyone said to watch for the fake. He said they didn’t. Avril was blameless on the play and nearly chased down the receiver – Daniel Fells. That was a huge play.”
What about the Lions’ running game? It looked pretty effective.
“It was decent all game – until it was needed the most. On the next-to-last possession, the Lions ran twice for a total gain of two yards. They needed a first down to keep possession and at least go into overtime. They couldn’t do it though.”
And then the defense caved in. What happened?
“Same old story – can’t perform in the clutch.”
Would you have benched Stafford?
“Absolutely note. I’ve seen what the other guys can do. Daunte Culpepper had his chances and did nothing. Drew Stanton hasn’t done anything to warrant consideration as a starter.”
One other thing about Calvin Johnson. Was it a surprise that he didn’t play?
“It was to me, but I found out more information later. He did some work at the beginning of practice last week, the portion the media sees, but when it got to the 7-on-7 sessions with the media gone, he wasn’t practicing. That meant he wasn’t ready to play. But none of us knew that.”
Jon Jansen started at left guard. Did that help the offensive line?
“It seemed to give the running game some push early. But late in the game, Jansen had problems. He was flagged for two holding penalties on the last possession.”
The fans got on Stafford near the end of the game, and Dominic Raiola challenged the fans. Did he do anything wrong?
“Raiola made this point: Stafford’s his teammate, and he’s going to support him. I like that kind of loyalty. The players see that Stafford is the future of the franchise and they have his back. Raiola said he understands the fans’ frustration, but he’s going to back his teammate. There’s nothing wrong with loyalty.”
On the Rams’ first possession, Julian Peterson was flagged for a personal foul on a third-down pass play at the Lions’ 27. That gave the Rams a first down at the 13. Good call?
“An accurate call – according to the rules – but saying it was a good call depends on how much protection you think quarterbacks should get. The NFL owners want maximum protection for quarterbacks, and the zebras call penalties accordingly.
“On the play, Peterson made an overhand swipe at Rams QB Marc Bulger. It looked like Peterson landed a glancing blow to the back of Bulger’s helmet. That made it a penalty. A cheapie, but a penalty.”
The Lions caught a break on their first score – a safety when Rams cornerback Quincy Butler was tackled in his own end zone. How weird was that?
“Even on Halloween, it came from a strange bag of tricks.”
Go down the list on what went right and wrong on the play.
“OK, here it goes: Third down, Matthew Stafford’s pass over the middle is on target to Aaron Brown. The ball bounced off Brown’s hands. That’s bad.
“Butler caught the ball a yard deep in the end zone. That’s good. Butler ran out of the end zone, then retreated. That was bad.
“Kevin Smith came over for the Lions and chopped Butler’s feet out from under him. That was good for the Lions.
“Butler landed in the end zone for a safety. Bad for the Rams – two points for the Lions. That was good for the Lions.
“The Rams’ Butler did it. He delivered two points to the Lions. They needed more help to win the game.”
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Posted by Tim on 02/19/10 at 02:05 PM ET
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Hey Mike,
You still think this team could beat Buffalo or Cleveland at Fraud Field, away, or at a neutral site???????????????????????????
This loss really takes the cake. I’m unable to launch proudlionsfans.com because of it. Cat’s out of the bag now. Heart breakers!
Posted by DH on 11/04/09 at 04:34 PM ET