Kevin Smith: Lions WILL make playoffs this season
- Thread starter Sgt John
- Start date
ExperiencedRookie
Well-Known Member
tendonitis is beginning to set in.
bodey24
Staff member
I agree. Miller is my favorite person to debate.
WesDawg
'Burghapologist
I concur. I'm more of a carpal tunnel syndrome guy, myself.
ExperiencedRookie
Well-Known Member
It really depends on technique and frequency.
Mustang Jones
Banned
Cooley Cadets
Banned
Its got to be better than carpalling your tunnel.
I will say this on the Detroit Lions. Don't underestimate having a weak schedule. All you have to do is look at teams like Cincinnati a few years ago, and Cleveland two years ago...and you can see what a weak schedule can do.
Am I predicting playoffs for Detroit. No.
What I am saying is you simply can't be in a better position than Detroit is in. In the NFC north you have Minnesota...that can run,and play great def....but can't get a decent Qb to save its life. You have Chicago that can run, now has a good young Qb..but Wrs suck..and defense is a shell of itself. To me the wild card is Green Bay. They were totally jeckyl and hyde last year. If the switch to a 3-4 def. works....and Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy....they would be strong contender.
Detroit has some talent folks. Not alot, but some. They have a stud Wr, they have a potential stud at Te in Pettigrew, you have Smith who I think will be a very decent Rb. There main issues has been on Defense.
Given some time to work in the new young talent...and they could end up respectable...which in the NFC north....is playoff contention.
Now, for those of you who will question this...please go and see what I said about Atlanta LAST year.
Am I predicting playoffs for Detroit. No.
What I am saying is you simply can't be in a better position than Detroit is in. In the NFC north you have Minnesota...that can run,and play great def....but can't get a decent Qb to save its life. You have Chicago that can run, now has a good young Qb..but Wrs suck..and defense is a shell of itself. To me the wild card is Green Bay. They were totally jeckyl and hyde last year. If the switch to a 3-4 def. works....and Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy....they would be strong contender.
Detroit has some talent folks. Not alot, but some. They have a stud Wr, they have a potential stud at Te in Pettigrew, you have Smith who I think will be a very decent Rb. There main issues has been on Defense.
Given some time to work in the new young talent...and they could end up respectable...which in the NFC north....is playoff contention.
Now, for those of you who will question this...please go and see what I said about Atlanta LAST year.
Cooley Cadets
Banned
I have been wondering how to respond to this thread. Being a Lions fan obviously I like the kid’s moxy and have to agree with him (like I did both years Kitna was the poster child for the will win now attitude). If a person is able to overlook the record the Lions were close on many levels last year.
It was the Defense that was the Achilles heel of the team last year not the offense or because the OL was a sieve. The D ranked dead last in points allowed, rushing yardage and total yardage. They only ranked 27th in passing yardage because opposing teams did not have to throw the ball.
Since others have raised the comparison with Miami, it should be noted that in the first 4 weeks of last season, before Kitna was injured, comparing those two teams’ scores would have netted Detroit a 2-1-1 record if they had been going head to head with the Fins. Argue the apple to oranges comparison but the score differential of +17 for the Lions was not even close.
I have nothing against Orlovsky and wish him the best of luck but the Lions were Kitna’s team and there was no one on the roster who could have stepped in. The Lions were (and are) close to being a competitive team but the loss of their field general was to much for a team so close to the edge to overcome – especially with the D having an off year even by Detroit’s standards.
This is the reason I opted for an all D draft in an earlier thread. Grady Jackson was an important addition to the line but he is on the decline and will need help. The LBs have become the team’s strength with the addition of Peterson and Foote. Sims is no longer expected to be everywhere and to do everything. The DBs were the straws that broke Detroit’s back last year. Injuries decimated what starters they had and the unit never recovered. The addition of Buchanon, Henry and Delmas should do wonders even if Buchanon and Henry are on the backside of their careers. It is not unreasonable to believe this unit could gel quickly and perform admirably. If they can keep the offense on the field more than last year it would not be surprising for the Lions 16.8 points per game average to bounce well above Miami’s 21.6.
The division is not the strongest and is open to any of the teams splitting with the others. After blowing Det away early in the season the rematch was much closer and came down to the wire to close out the season. Likewise Chi took advantage in the 1st meeting of Kitna’s absence and smothered the Lions worse than the Packers 2 weeks earlier. Their 2nd meeting had the Bears playing catch up to pull their victory out in the 4th. Both Minny games were close and I can’t help but believe that there is something about that team that goes beyond the need of an established QB even if I can’t quite place my finger on it.
I could see any of the 4 teams taking the division this year (granted a little more of a stretch for Det than the others) and the 2nd place team qualifying for a wild card position. Cutler was a great add for Chicago but the D is not what it once was, there is no established #1 WR and Forte I could see not matching his rookie #’s. Green Bay is solid at QB and WR but Grant needs to reestablish himself as a dependable back and the D has to prove itself as more than a middle of the pack unit – they had a good draft but are the rookies going to be able to step up immediately to make this happen? Minny of course always centers on a conversation about the QB but there appears to always be an excuse for this team and I can’t help but wonder what this years will be even if Favre climbs onboard.
It was the Defense that was the Achilles heel of the team last year not the offense or because the OL was a sieve. The D ranked dead last in points allowed, rushing yardage and total yardage. They only ranked 27th in passing yardage because opposing teams did not have to throw the ball.
Since others have raised the comparison with Miami, it should be noted that in the first 4 weeks of last season, before Kitna was injured, comparing those two teams’ scores would have netted Detroit a 2-1-1 record if they had been going head to head with the Fins. Argue the apple to oranges comparison but the score differential of +17 for the Lions was not even close.
I have nothing against Orlovsky and wish him the best of luck but the Lions were Kitna’s team and there was no one on the roster who could have stepped in. The Lions were (and are) close to being a competitive team but the loss of their field general was to much for a team so close to the edge to overcome – especially with the D having an off year even by Detroit’s standards.
This is the reason I opted for an all D draft in an earlier thread. Grady Jackson was an important addition to the line but he is on the decline and will need help. The LBs have become the team’s strength with the addition of Peterson and Foote. Sims is no longer expected to be everywhere and to do everything. The DBs were the straws that broke Detroit’s back last year. Injuries decimated what starters they had and the unit never recovered. The addition of Buchanon, Henry and Delmas should do wonders even if Buchanon and Henry are on the backside of their careers. It is not unreasonable to believe this unit could gel quickly and perform admirably. If they can keep the offense on the field more than last year it would not be surprising for the Lions 16.8 points per game average to bounce well above Miami’s 21.6.
The division is not the strongest and is open to any of the teams splitting with the others. After blowing Det away early in the season the rematch was much closer and came down to the wire to close out the season. Likewise Chi took advantage in the 1st meeting of Kitna’s absence and smothered the Lions worse than the Packers 2 weeks earlier. Their 2nd meeting had the Bears playing catch up to pull their victory out in the 4th. Both Minny games were close and I can’t help but believe that there is something about that team that goes beyond the need of an established QB even if I can’t quite place my finger on it.
I could see any of the 4 teams taking the division this year (granted a little more of a stretch for Det than the others) and the 2nd place team qualifying for a wild card position. Cutler was a great add for Chicago but the D is not what it once was, there is no established #1 WR and Forte I could see not matching his rookie #’s. Green Bay is solid at QB and WR but Grant needs to reestablish himself as a dependable back and the D has to prove itself as more than a middle of the pack unit – they had a good draft but are the rookies going to be able to step up immediately to make this happen? Minny of course always centers on a conversation about the QB but there appears to always be an excuse for this team and I can’t help but wonder what this years will be even if Favre climbs onboard.
Cooley Cadets
Banned
The schedule is something I did not touch upon in my post and should not be overlooked with teams like Detroit.
Your analysis of the division is spot on and much more concise than mine.
The separation between these teams are not as great as many seem to think and the offensive talent infusion the rookies may provide will pay off more than those still grumbling about not picking up an OT are able to see.
Remote Controller
Well-Known Member
Did they rip the Thanksgiving Day gig from them?? That would be wrong in my opinion. They took on that game when it wasn't thaat big of deal, and deserve to keep it as long as they want it. IMHO
Cooley Cadets
Banned
If I remember correctly they did not but did not guarantee it would not be changed in the future.
Cooley Cadets
Banned
No, no. Even in bad years a T'giving Day victory is simply expected. The meal just does not sit as well otherwise. Those cats will get'r done this year.
Remote Controller
Well-Known Member
The Packers always have fits in that dome regardless of what the team is doing that year.
Mustang Jones
Banned
funny how knowing so much is worth so little
or did you say ATL would be hot?
don't know where to look to find the MightyPhi's post.
I did not call the ATL to be playoff great. All I said was that ATL won't be as bad as everyone was calling them. That they weren't totally divested of talent, and that the addition of Turner would help them. To be honest though, I did say Ryan would be a bust...so I ain't perfect.
Cooley Cadets
Banned
I ain't perfect.
runaround: Say it aint so!!! Even if it were true maintain the facade for the young ones. They look up to you and aspire to one day achieve your greatness - don't kill their dream man.