I am envious of all the fans that can actually enjoy the NFL week in and week out because your team IS NOT THE DETROT LIONS.
Week after week I am subject to the utter stupidity that is the Lions. What a bunch of buffoons.

They have got to be the most pitifull NFL franchise of all time.
I do get some entertainment from them though,..they have become a wonderfull comedy act.

When does hockey season start?... Go Wings!!

LOL!

Bring Back Barry Sanders!!!! Well Hockey season does start in October and November Basketball season. So you dont got long to wait Tim.

The only thing wrong with the Lions, well wait a minute its a shorter list to say what isn't wrong with them. But those of use that call ourselves their fans just like punishment.

In Baltimore there are only the two pro sports teams, so when the Orioles start going downhill, usually around late May, early June the countdown to training camp for the Ravens start, and then when they start going doing downhill the countdown for Spring Training starts. At least Detroit usually has a competitive hockey and basketball team and lately the Tigers are somewhat decent. The Lions though are another story.

Lions fans are the most loyal of all sports fans, they have to be because their team never even makes it to the playoffs and even when they do they are out so fast it makes your head spin usually by a very one sided a$$ kicking full of sport center highlights.

What really sucks is they don't have very exciting games, their games are usually decided by half time and are perfect for a thanksgiving evening after a full belly full of turkey, just thinking about it makes me sleepy.

Post back tomorrow and let's see how many lions highlights are in the top 10 plays on sport center. I will accept their opponent's highlights too, the Lions games are usually so boring that nobody on the field with them does anything remotely exciting. I heard their punter had to replace his shoe at halftime last year because he wore it out going 3 and out over and over.

If you guys ever have a good team, I will be happy for you, as you deserve it, and if the redskins don't make it to the playoffs and the lions do I will route for them for your sake.

I love that.

Today made me embarrassed to be a Pittsburgher. WTF was up with our line? At least Polamalu made a highlight-reel-worthy play.

Falcons fan here, so I feel your pain....(although even the Falcons stuck it to Detroit pretty good this year).

It could be worse though, you could be a Raiders fan.

At least the falcons and the raiders have been to the superbowl, they don't even give the lions team tickets that every other team gets so they don't bring the dark cloud that hangs over that team with them, nobody wants to see a 9 to 6 field goal kicking contest.

There are only two other teams that are as bad the Saints and the Cardinals. Let's see who gets to the super bowl first the Lions, Saints or the Cardinals, and if the Houston Texans get there first they should just let those teams go to owners who care enough to put a competitive team on the field. It would be nice to see one of those teams on Monday Night football, instead of looking at the schedule and seeing an automatic win for your team (unless they have an off day) against any of those teams.

My pick is the Saints to get there before the other 3 teams, but don't count out the Texans, if the Texans get there first then they shouldn't rebuild New Orleans next time.

Edit: Just watched sport center, and there actually was a highlight from the Lions game, don't get your hopes up, it was when the 49ers woke up and completed a long pass for a touch down, you can go back to sleep Detroit fan.

It was so nice getting our A$$E$ kicked by Mike Martz, and J.T. O'Sullivan (who?). They were not good enough for the Lions. Martz was fired and O'Sullivan was just released.

The Lions make everyone look good. You need a new contract, just play the Lions and you will have a career day.

It does make for some very interesting sports talk radio fodder though. Its Bash the Lions day every Monday.

Tim, the worst part is I think that even if the Lions do win the Superbowl, something will happen to make it forgettable, either a 9 to 6 score, or something like that would make it so people would be scratching their heads a few months after trying to remember who won the Superbowl last year. The Lions would have to make a dynasty, for at least 3 seasons to wash all of the decades of loosing off that city like a hooker after a hard night's work.

Can't wait for the Bears to play the Lions. Maybe the Bears can actually hold a fourth quarter lead.

BTW Coach, The Bears were in the Superbowl just a couple of years ago. Even though they didn't deserve it. They did it with mirrors. You know, the ones at the amusement park that make you look bigger than you really are.

That was a totally uneventful Superbowl day, as far as Football goes. I drove into the City for a Superbowl Party. And, when I exited the Expressway, my tire went flat. I changed it on the street, in below '0' temperature. Brought the tire in to be repaired, where we found that the flat was caused by a BULLET. Don't want to go back to the City for quite a while. I'll stay out on the farms. At least rabbits don't shoot back.

The Lions will need the help of the Bears fans to come east and buy tickets for the game at Ford Field to sell out. I don't see a sell out the rest of the year. They be even be playing in front of crowds of 2000, 3000. That would be a statement to the Fords that something has got to change. How Matt Millen keeps his job is beyond me. He must have pictures of Mr.Ford with another woman or something.

It has to be worse than that for him to have a job this long. After 2 years, he would have given in if it had just been him and a woman. For Millen to have a job this long, it has to be something that I can't even mention on here.

LOL... Well that's quite interesting there.

All I can say is where did that offensive line of the Steelers go? Because they sure weren't there yesterday....

Pics with him and a guy from Toyota?

That's what happens when you play the Eagles. They're either going to kill you with their blitz scheme or you're going to kill them if you pick it up. I'm a Cowboys fan and we seem to loose to them once a year in a similar fashion. I wouldn't get down about it. That's just what it's like to play them sometimes.

Go Cowboys! I'd really like to see them in the Superbowl this year.

For the life of me I can't remember the superbowl last year. Was it Giants? Who else? Who won?

Giants vs. the Patriots, Giants won last year.

The Cowboys are a good bet to get there this year. They look solid.

Yeah that'd be my preference, but if they don't for some reason it wouldn't be a total loss to see the Packers, Eagles, or even Giants go again. It's a real toss up in the AFC right now though. I'd like to see the Broncos in the superbowl more than anyone there. The Bills and Titans are doing good but it seems they've played against more weaker teams so only time will tell for them. I like the Patriots too but with Tom Brady injured I'm not sure how they'll do. Just making conversation now, but I also heard the Chargers got cheated out of a win because of a call the ref made(I believe it was against the Broncos).

Does anyone else have any hopes for Superbowl?

Yup, there was a bad call in the Chargers/Broncos game last weekend that allowed the Broncos to keep possession of the ball and go on to score when it should have been a fumble that the Chargers recovered. The ref in question admitted he screwed up the call, but that type of play isn't reviewable. I heard he is replying to all of the hate e-mail he has received. I think the rule about forward motion of the arm is ridiculous to begin with.

I just read this, and since it fits in with the original topic.


Ford Jr.: Lions’ Millen should leave team

4 hours, 18 minutes ago


DETROIT (AP)—Bill Ford Jr. has seen enough of the way team president Matt Millen is running his father’s Detroit Lions.

The Ford Motor Co. executive chairman spoke to reporters Monday after a Detroit Economic Club meeting. The vice chairman of the Lions said he was disappointed in the team’s performance and said fans deserve better.

When asked, Ford said Millen should leave the team, but he didn’t have the authority to make such a significant change.

His father, William Clay Ford, is the owner and chairman of the franchise.

The Lions are 0-3 this season and an NFL-worst 31-84 since hiring Millen, who won Super Bowls as a linebacker and was an acclaimed TV analyst but had no front-office experience when he was hired in Detroit.

Oh, so Cutler fumbled but it wasn't called as such? That rule confuses me. Could you clarify how it work? Something about forward movement of the arm to pass and then losing the ball is or is not a fumble?

Tim, I simpithize for you. The Lions are pretty sorry, no offense. It would be nice to have a completely competitive football league (there's some wishful thinking).

Amatuer, there are a couple of passer rules. I think the one that is being "violated" here is the forward motion one. If the ball is started forward and hits the ground anywhere it is an incomplete pass. The ref saw Cutler's arm snap forward and the ball slipped out. But only in slow motion could you see that the ball came out of Cutler's hand before it started forward. The ref saw it in real-time, so it probably looked to him what it looks like watching Jet Li when the cameras are going at normal speed instead of the x6 speed he's normally filmed at.

The other rule that is in effect here is the ball being dropped behind the line of scrimage. Any ball dropped behind the line of scrimmage as long as it has no forward momentum (I think, there be exceptions, is considered a live ball that either team can take possession of.

So to summarize, it should've been called a fumble because the ball slipped out of Cutler's hand behind the line of scrimage, hence the play should've never been whistled dead. However, since Cutler followed through with his arm motion it registereed in the ref's head that it was a forward pass and not a fumble. Pretty much it was human error of a ref i.e. his eyes and brain's inability to proccess what happened fast enough, that cost the Chargers a game.

And the rule exists I believe to protect the quarterbacks because nowadays I guess people think quarterbacks are made of galss and can't take a hit.

FYI, the Chargers needed a lot more to win that game and their previous one then just that call, although it was called a "game changing call/play." I really don't think so because the Chargers have the ability to give both the Panthers and the Broncos a very big butt whuppin,as they demonstrated tonight against a solid Jets team.

Yeh Cal,
Thats a big topic here in the Metro Detroit area. Ford Sr. likes Matt Millen personally, thats why he is still here. Disregard the fact that Millen is totally incompetent as a GM. It was great to finally see someone in the Ford family come out against Millen for once. Its just a matter of time untill Millen gets the axe now, most likely all the coaches too. And then we can start all over.....again.

The ref was at a bad angle to see that the ball came out before his arm went forward. He saw a forward motion and the ball out, he blew the whistle. It was a bad call and the ref knew it but, he made the call that he thought was right at the time. After replay, he saw that he made the wrong call but since he blew the whistle and the play was dead, he couldn't reverse it.

Instant replays are OK, IMO. But, I am confused as to what is reviewable and what isn't. Seems like a play like this should have been reviewed. But, you don't want to get into a position of always second guessing the refs.

Since he blew the whistle, that killed the play. Otherwise, it would have been reviewable. Here is a site that has a base outline on what can and can't be reviewed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_replay

Hey, GP!! The Cubs are in the playoffs. The Sox still have to clinch, but think they will. How about a beer or 2 half way between, say downtown during the playoffs?
Hopefully n a travel day. Wouldn't want to miss either game.

Maybe iconz or others could join in?

Dennis:

Your on. I am always up for a beer or 3

Dennis,and GP
Enjoy October with the Cubbies ,and Sox both in the playoffs. Its great when your teams extend their seasons and advance through out the playoffs. Got to enjoy that a few years ago when the Tigers made the World Series.

Unfortunatly for us they never got it going this year. Its pretty hard when all your pitchers go in the tank, and your relievers come out of the bullpen carrying a gas can..LOL.
Good Luck to the Cubs and The Sox.

Tim, just found out my annual Army Reunion will be in Farmington Mich, next year. Is that close?

I enjoy baseball season every year. Whether the Sox are good or bad. Same with the Bears and the Bulls. Too many times I see people stop watching "their" team when the times are bad. My wife's cousin is like that. He had season tickets for years to the Sox games. He stopped buying them after the 2004 season. Oops. In 2005, he was wishing he would have kept them. He had prime seats too. Left center field, 1st row, seats 1 & 2. He gave us his seats a couple of times. Great seats. Put your feet up on the ledge and relax.

Dennis,
Farmington Hills is where my coach is at and about 50 minutes south of my home in Shelby Twp. So its fairly close.

GP,
I feel the same way about my sports teams. I watch them good, or bad. Fortunatly they have all done pretty well. The Red Wings won the Stanley Cup last year, the Pistons are a perenial play off team, and the Tigers are improving. I even watch the Lions,..I don't miss a game. Now thats tough...LOL.

I have a 99 year old Uncle. In his lifetime, he has seen the Bears win, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire, even the Chicago Cardinals. But, never the Cubs. He says he will stick around until the Cubs win.

Being in the Chicago area, I was spoiled when I was a kid with the Bulls. Another year, another Championship. I gotta tell you, it was nice. Having watched those and the Bears in 1985 was great. But, the best it a tie for me. The 2005 White Sox and this years KU basketball team. I still get goosebumps watching replays.

The ball being dropped behind the line of scrimmage is irrelevant to the play. Its the rule about forward motion of the arm. This rule needs to just be removed, its like the force out rule that they got rid of this year. Its too open to interpretation at times. Either the quarterback attempted a pass that actually went somewhere or the ball slipped out of his hand or was knocked out. If the ball goes backwards out of the quarterback's hand how does that make it a thrown ball? Had this rule not existed there would be no blown call as it would be a fumble. As GP said the play was whistled dead early because the ref thought it was a real attempt so it wasn't reviewable. The rules for what is and isn't reviewable is also a problem.

This call was game changing because it gave the ball back to the Broncos who then were able to get into the end zone, which cost the Chargers the game when they should have actually had possession of the ball.

As far as the Lions organization goes, a complete rebuild from the owners box down needs to take place. Even when they do get some decent players there just isn't enough of a supporting cast for them to be effective or to stay healthy. One of these days all the walk outs might work, but its doubtful since people still have to buy the tickets in order to walk out. This has to be one of the worse ran teams of all time.

I think that the Blackhawks have the Lions beat on the worse run teams of all time. Bill Wirtz was perhaps one of the worst owners in the history of professional sports. Now that Rocky has taken over the team, I look forward to great things from that team.

I think the Lions have still got the Blackhawks beat. The Lions have not won a championship since 1957, and only 1 playoff game that entire time. And there is NO HOPE for the future.

At least the Blackhawks are on the way up with the likes of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews,Brian Campbell, Patrick Sharp..etc.
I think they are going to be a team to be reckoned with this year. I know they gave the Wings fits last year.

There is a rumor, pretty credible..that MATT MILLEN HAS BEEN FIRED, OR RESIGNED!!!...Thats a rumor I hope is true. Its coming from a very credible source though, hopefully its confirmed today. "Stay tuned"

ESPN reports its a done deal,..Millen Out...YAY...
Now what??

maybe a non-wide receiver first round pick.

Do the Meposian Dance of Joy.

Mr. Ford Sr. has a pretty lousy Track record of hiring the right guy. Parcells called before his taking the Miami job, and was turned down by Ford Sr. Unbelievable..we shall see what happens.

You must have not heard of the Cleveland Browns. They make the Lions look like the Patriots.

Really?! During Matt Millen's tenure, the Lions are a league worst 31-84. During that same time period, the Browns are (drum roll...) 45-70. I doubt Detroit fans are very sympathetic.

Hey, I'm 28 years old and I have had one good season with the Browns that I can remember. At least you had Barry Sanders!

the green bay packers took Tony Mandarich with their first round draft instead of Barry Sanders (who went as the third pick to Detroit). Could you image what Green Bay could have been with Barry and Brett Farve.

I'm 29 and I can remember the real Cleveland Browns (now the Ravens) playing for the AFC title three times in four years in the 80's. As mentioned, the Lions have won 1 playoff game since 1957.