Allen Park, Mich. - The Detroit Lions have reached a sellout for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. By reaching a sellout by today's 1 p.m. deadline, Sunday's game will air live in the local television markets (Metro Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw/Flint and Toledo markets), including WJBK-TV FOX 2.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
LIONS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD TO UNDERGO MINOR PROCEDURE ON KNEE
Team will place Stafford on Reserve/Injured
Allen Park, Mich.— Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz announced today that rookie QB Matthew Stafford will undergo a minor surgical procedure on his knee next week and will be placed on the Reserve/Injured list.
“After a physical examination which has ruled him out for Chicago’s game, we’ve decided to put Matthew Stafford on the injured reserve,” said Schwartz. “He’ll be operated on Tuesday (December 29) for a minor knee operation that we knew we were going to have to do at the end of the season. It’s just a little clean up, but we’re going to get a week jump on that since we’re going to declare him out for Chicago. That’ll be Tuesday in Birmingham. We anticipate a minor surgery just to clean out some irritants and debris. Since he’s had it, he’s had on and off swelling. It’s been stuff he’s been able to play through, but it’s also something we knew we needed to address after the season. His shoulder is on course, there’s no procedure for the shoulder. That’s where we are with him.”
Stafford, the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, completed 201-of-377 passes (53.3 pct.) for 2,267 yards during his rookie season. His 13 touchdown passes are a new Lions’ rookie passing record. With a 54-yard pass to WR Calvin Johnson at Cincinnati (12/6), Stafford recorded either a touchdown pass or a rushing touchdown in all 10 games he started this year.
On November 22 against the Cleveland Browns, Stafford turned in one of the finest performances by a rookie in NFL history. Against the Browns, he led the Lions to a 38-37 win after overcoming three different deficits (21, 3 and 6 points). It was his first career fourth quarter comeback win. In the dramatic, last second win, he completed 26 of 43 passes for a career-high and NFL Rookie Record (previous was Arizona QB Matt Leinart, 405 yards 11/26/06) 422 yards. He also tied the NFL Rookie Record with five passing touchdowns (tied with Chicago QB Ray Biuvid 12/5/37). Stafford’s 422 yards were the third-highest Lions’ single-game total and the most yards thrown for by a Lions quarterback in a win.
In that game, Stafford became just the second rookie in NFL history to throw for five touchdowns in a game and shattered the Lions’ previous rookie-high of two. His five touchdowns were thrown to five different receivers. At 21 years, 288 days old, Stafford was the youngest player in NFL history to pass for five touchdowns in a game. Buivid accomplished the feat at 22 years, 112 days old. The five touchdowns also tied for the most by a Lions quarterback in team history (Gary Danielson vs. Minnesota 12/9/78).
After injuring his shoulder at the end of the game, Stafford returned for the game’s final play, connecting on a one-yard touchdown strike to fellow rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew on an untimed down (following a defensive pass interference penalty) for the game-winning score.
Other highlights of Stafford’s rookie season include leading the Lions to a 19-14 win over Washington (9/27) in Week 3. Against the Redskins, Stafford completed 21-of-36 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 87.8 vs. Washington (9/27). At Chicago (10/4), Stafford’s 221 passing yards in the first half was the most by a Lions passer since QB Jon Kinta garnered 314 yards in the first half at Philadelphia (9/23/07). Stafford’s 221 passing yards in the first half is the fourth-highest tally by a Lions passer in the past 15 seasons (since 1995). At Minnesota (11/15), he registered new Lions single-game rookie recorded for both attempts (51) and completions (29), as he threw for 224 yards and no interceptions.
On opening day at New Orleans (9/13), Stafford became the first Lions rookie quarterback to start the season since QB Greg Landry in 1968. At 21 years, 218 days old, Stafford is the youngest quarterback to start a season opener since QB Drew Bledsoe (21 years, 203 days old) started for the New England Patriots in the 1993 season opener.
Stafford has led one of the strongest rookie draft classes in the NFL that includes: Pettigrew, S Louis Delmas, LB DeAndre Levy, WR Derrick Williams, DT Sammie Hill, RB Aaron Brown, LB Zack Follett and TE Dan Gronkowski, all players who have spent time on the Lions active roster. The rookie class played in a combined 93 games this season with 53 starts. Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas and Hill all started in the season opener at New Orleans, which marked the first time four rookies have started on opening day since 1978.
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Allen Park, Mich.— Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz announced today that rookie QB Matthew Stafford will undergo a minor surgical procedure on his knee next week and will be placed on the Reserve/Injured list.
“After a physical examination which has ruled him out for Chicago’s game, we’ve decided to put Matthew Stafford on the injured reserve,” said Schwartz. “He’ll be operated on Tuesday (December 29) for a minor knee operation that we knew we were going to have to do at the end of the season. It’s just a little clean up, but we’re going to get a week jump on that since we’re going to declare him out for Chicago. That’ll be Tuesday in Birmingham. We anticipate a minor surgery just to clean out some irritants and debris. Since he’s had it, he’s had on and off swelling. It’s been stuff he’s been able to play through, but it’s also something we knew we needed to address after the season. His shoulder is on course, there’s no procedure for the shoulder. That’s where we are with him.”
Stafford, the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, completed 201-of-377 passes (53.3 pct.) for 2,267 yards during his rookie season. His 13 touchdown passes are a new Lions’ rookie passing record. With a 54-yard pass to WR Calvin Johnson at Cincinnati (12/6), Stafford recorded either a touchdown pass or a rushing touchdown in all 10 games he started this year.
On November 22 against the Cleveland Browns, Stafford turned in one of the finest performances by a rookie in NFL history. Against the Browns, he led the Lions to a 38-37 win after overcoming three different deficits (21, 3 and 6 points). It was his first career fourth quarter comeback win. In the dramatic, last second win, he completed 26 of 43 passes for a career-high and NFL Rookie Record (previous was Arizona QB Matt Leinart, 405 yards 11/26/06) 422 yards. He also tied the NFL Rookie Record with five passing touchdowns (tied with Chicago QB Ray Biuvid 12/5/37). Stafford’s 422 yards were the third-highest Lions’ single-game total and the most yards thrown for by a Lions quarterback in a win.
In that game, Stafford became just the second rookie in NFL history to throw for five touchdowns in a game and shattered the Lions’ previous rookie-high of two. His five touchdowns were thrown to five different receivers. At 21 years, 288 days old, Stafford was the youngest player in NFL history to pass for five touchdowns in a game. Buivid accomplished the feat at 22 years, 112 days old. The five touchdowns also tied for the most by a Lions quarterback in team history (Gary Danielson vs. Minnesota 12/9/78).
After injuring his shoulder at the end of the game, Stafford returned for the game’s final play, connecting on a one-yard touchdown strike to fellow rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew on an untimed down (following a defensive pass interference penalty) for the game-winning score.
Other highlights of Stafford’s rookie season include leading the Lions to a 19-14 win over Washington (9/27) in Week 3. Against the Redskins, Stafford completed 21-of-36 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown for a passer rating of 87.8 vs. Washington (9/27). At Chicago (10/4), Stafford’s 221 passing yards in the first half was the most by a Lions passer since QB Jon Kinta garnered 314 yards in the first half at Philadelphia (9/23/07). Stafford’s 221 passing yards in the first half is the fourth-highest tally by a Lions passer in the past 15 seasons (since 1995). At Minnesota (11/15), he registered new Lions single-game rookie recorded for both attempts (51) and completions (29), as he threw for 224 yards and no interceptions.
On opening day at New Orleans (9/13), Stafford became the first Lions rookie quarterback to start the season since QB Greg Landry in 1968. At 21 years, 218 days old, Stafford is the youngest quarterback to start a season opener since QB Drew Bledsoe (21 years, 203 days old) started for the New England Patriots in the 1993 season opener.
Stafford has led one of the strongest rookie draft classes in the NFL that includes: Pettigrew, S Louis Delmas, LB DeAndre Levy, WR Derrick Williams, DT Sammie Hill, RB Aaron Brown, LB Zack Follett and TE Dan Gronkowski, all players who have spent time on the Lions active roster. The rookie class played in a combined 93 games this season with 53 starts. Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas and Hill all started in the season opener at New Orleans, which marked the first time four rookies have started on opening day since 1978.
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LIONS ROOKIE 101-YARD INTERCEPTION RETURN OFFICIALLY CHANGED TO NFL RECORD
ROOKIE S LOUIS DELMAS REGISTERS 101-YARD INTERCEPTION RETURN
Interception return officially changed following review by Elias Sports Bureau; Longest by NFL rookie since 1926
Allen Park, Mich.- Detroit Lions rookie S Louis Delmas' interception return for a touchdown Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (12/20) was officially changed to 101 yards following review by the Elias Sports Bureau. The 101-yard interception return is the longest by a rookie since 1926 (Columbus RB Pete Barnum, 103t at Canton 9/26/26). It ranks as the longest by a Lions rookie in team history and is tied for the second longest in franchise history.
By scoring on an interception return, Delmas became the first rookie in league history and second player ever (Los Angeles Rams LB Rod Martin, 1984) to score on an interception return, fumble return and a safety in one season. The fumble return for a touchdown occurred on opening day at New Orleans (9/13) and the safety was recorded on Thanksgiving against Green Bay (11/26). An interception, fumble return and safety are the only three scoring opportunities for a player on a defensive play.
All three defensive scores occurred against teams who have either clinched division titles (New Orleans and Arizona) or who are currently in position for a Wild Card spot (Green Bay). Delmas is also the only rookie to score on a fumble return this season.
Delmas, the Lions second round pick (33rd overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft, is one of the league's top defensive rookies. He has scored more defensive points than any rookie in the league this year and is second overall to New Orleans S Darren Sharper (18 points on three interception returns). In Lions history, his 14 points in a single-season rank second only to Hall of Fame CB Lem Barney in 1967 (18 points on three interception returns). Barney, the Lions second round pick in 1967, was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Delmas' 101-yard interception return was only the third 100-yard interception return by a rookie in NFL history, with the last recorded by Dallas S Mike Gaechter (100 yards) vs. Philadelphia on October 14, 1962.
As compiled by NFL.com press box statistics, Delmas ranks first among rookie defensive backs and third among all rookies with 82 tackles (including special teams tackles). His 79 defensive tackles currently ranks second on the Lions' defense.
For the month of September, Delmas was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month. He was the first Lions player to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after starting all three games at free safety and recording 17 tackles, three passes defensed and scoring on a 65-yard fumble recovery. Delmas' 17 tackles led all rookie defensive backs and he ranked third overall among NFL rookies. Delmas is the fourth Lion to be recognized as an NFL Rookie of the Month, joining Kevin Jones (Offense, December 2004), Roy Williams (Offense, September 2004) and Charlie Batch (Offense, October 1998). He was also nominated for NFL Defensive Player of the Month in November.
NFL Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Tm-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Pete Barnum-Col (Columbus Tigers)-103t-Can (Canton Bulldogs)-9/26/26
2-Louis Delmas-Det-101t-Arz-12/20/09
3-Mike Gaechter-Dal-100t-Phi-10/14/62
Lions Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Bob Smith-102t-ChiB-11/24/49
2t-Bryant Westbrook-101t-NE-11/23/00
2t-Louis Delmas (Rookie)-101t- Arz -12/20/09
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Interception return officially changed following review by Elias Sports Bureau; Longest by NFL rookie since 1926
Allen Park, Mich.- Detroit Lions rookie S Louis Delmas' interception return for a touchdown Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (12/20) was officially changed to 101 yards following review by the Elias Sports Bureau. The 101-yard interception return is the longest by a rookie since 1926 (Columbus RB Pete Barnum, 103t at Canton 9/26/26). It ranks as the longest by a Lions rookie in team history and is tied for the second longest in franchise history.
By scoring on an interception return, Delmas became the first rookie in league history and second player ever (Los Angeles Rams LB Rod Martin, 1984) to score on an interception return, fumble return and a safety in one season. The fumble return for a touchdown occurred on opening day at New Orleans (9/13) and the safety was recorded on Thanksgiving against Green Bay (11/26). An interception, fumble return and safety are the only three scoring opportunities for a player on a defensive play.
All three defensive scores occurred against teams who have either clinched division titles (New Orleans and Arizona) or who are currently in position for a Wild Card spot (Green Bay). Delmas is also the only rookie to score on a fumble return this season.
Delmas, the Lions second round pick (33rd overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft, is one of the league's top defensive rookies. He has scored more defensive points than any rookie in the league this year and is second overall to New Orleans S Darren Sharper (18 points on three interception returns). In Lions history, his 14 points in a single-season rank second only to Hall of Fame CB Lem Barney in 1967 (18 points on three interception returns). Barney, the Lions second round pick in 1967, was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Delmas' 101-yard interception return was only the third 100-yard interception return by a rookie in NFL history, with the last recorded by Dallas S Mike Gaechter (100 yards) vs. Philadelphia on October 14, 1962.
As compiled by NFL.com press box statistics, Delmas ranks first among rookie defensive backs and third among all rookies with 82 tackles (including special teams tackles). His 79 defensive tackles currently ranks second on the Lions' defense.
For the month of September, Delmas was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month. He was the first Lions player to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after starting all three games at free safety and recording 17 tackles, three passes defensed and scoring on a 65-yard fumble recovery. Delmas' 17 tackles led all rookie defensive backs and he ranked third overall among NFL rookies. Delmas is the fourth Lion to be recognized as an NFL Rookie of the Month, joining Kevin Jones (Offense, December 2004), Roy Williams (Offense, September 2004) and Charlie Batch (Offense, October 1998). He was also nominated for NFL Defensive Player of the Month in November.
NFL Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Tm-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Pete Barnum-Col (Columbus Tigers)-103t-Can (Canton Bulldogs)-9/26/26
2-Louis Delmas-Det-101t-Arz-12/20/09
3-Mike Gaechter-Dal-100t-Phi-10/14/62
Lions Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Bob Smith-102t-ChiB-11/24/49
2t-Bryant Westbrook-101t-NE-11/23/00
2t-Louis Delmas (Rookie)-101t- Arz -12/20/09
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Lions Announcers Don’t Believe What They’re Yelling Themselves!
By Denny McLain
My God what is going on with our announcers?
I had just turned on the radio today and heard a recap of the Lions game, and I could not believe what I was hearing.
It actually sounded like the Lions had won! “How could that be”, I asked myself? I know that I didn’t listen to the last minute of the game but I swear that I saw the final score on the TV?
The announcers were acting like it was a win, then they put Coach Schwartz on the air. The line of questioning by our radio announcer was one of “Hurrah, we played better.”
In the coach's defense he immediately acted like a real man and said “Yes, but…", and went on to talk about how lucky they were that the game was so close.
He also went on to say the bottom line fact was, "They lost" and that it was totally unacceptable! In fact the coach even went as far as to say that "You're not going to win a game playing the way we played, especially in the first half".
Then after the commercial break the announcers went off on this tangent that made it sound like they were pleased with the game and the way it finished?
Come on announcers! Let’s get real.
They even played sound bites of their play by play excitement, come on guys, be a little objective!
Finally, when the flagship station went live to another bar for the post game, that broadcaster was at least honest and objective with his comments, Hurrah! One for the broadcasters
I know that the home announcers have to act like they are kissing each and every body part of the Lions, but please stop this phony baloney cheer acting and at least be a little objective.
Has anyone ever listened to Ernie Harwell? Yes he was a fan but at least very objective in each and every game that I heard; guys get some tapes and listen to objectivity.
It’s getting almost impossible to hear the game with the play by play guy screaming and yelling when the Lions gain five yards. And, the screaming and hollering seems at a minimum to be contrived and fake, I guess they’re looking for anything to practice their signature call as in, “YANKEES WIN, YANKEES WIN, THE YANKEES WIN!”
Anyone who has ever heard a Yankee game announcer knows exactly what I am talking about. And our announcers should not be mimicking the Yankee’s guy.
First of all the Yankees win a lot of games, secondly…our announcers don’t believe what they’re yelling themselves about anyway!
Then they (as well as every caller on radio) lamb baste Culpepper at how inept he is and can’t do the job anymore.
Schwartz immediately made his point on this matter quite clear at the Lions post game press conference, "Daunte didn't drop punts, Daunte didn't drop passes, Daunte didn't jump offside,"
Schwartz goes on to say, "A quarterback is judged by points and we weren't getting that done."
Folks, Culpepper probably has done more to help our new $60 million dollar QB than anyone else in the organization by teaching him the game, and, all of the rest of the sophistication that is required by a real NFL QB.
Culpepper was a great one and will be in the Hall Of Fame one day. But, Stafford is the future of our Lions if he doesn’t get decapitated when he returns. He will be thankful to Culpepper one day, and we will all hear what a good guy Culpepper was by sharing his experience with our future starter.
Now we’re all pulling for Stanton right? But let’s not fool ourselves.
The post game show started taking calls about Stanton, our MSU 2nd round pick and what a good job he did. Come on now folks, he wasn’t any good either and we are all pulling for our Michigan kid. Hell, what a great story that would be, our Michigan boy comes home and wins a game at QB.
He did score his first NFL rushing touchdown and that had to be a great thrill for the kid, but let’s be serious, he is no NFL QB, at least at this point.
He will never get the proper opportunity here as long as Stafford is in Motown. He should pray to go to a team that will tutor him and he can learn the game properly.
Folks, Stanton completed 10 of 19 passes for 72 yards, yes 72 yards, Hardly Bobby Layne, Terry Bradshaw, Chuck Long or even Culpepper who only hit 6 of 12 for 64 yards. Folks, between the two quarterbacks they only threw for 136 yards.
One thing that Stanton did do though was bring some “Hip, Hip Hoorah” to the game! The crowd at least got a little energized when the change was made, it started to sound like a football stadium again.
Keep two things in mind, 14 of the Lions points came on an interception run-back and two back to back pass interference calls that allowed them to score. Maybe the refs were trying to control the spread, could that be? Hmm?
Kurt Warner for Arizona had 233 yards in passing and would rather have lost to any other NFL team with the exception of the Lions I believe.
The problems continue on with the Lions, they just plain and simple give up too many points to the other teams, make too many mistakes, Offense, Defense, Kicking and Coverage.
The Defense gave up 31 points again, the Lions just don’t have talent to stop the other team, the Lions don’t have any kind of a running game that is consistent and lastly, the offensive line.
Unless the front office goes out and gets some bruisers on that line, they may get QB killed out there…like Stafford. And if they don’t fix that offensive line, why the hell did they draft the $60 million dollar kid anyway, cause if you’re not going to protect him, it is just a matter of time before an inevitable disaster occurs and you can take that to the bank.
Next week the Lions and San Francisco…at San Francisco, oh my! Can anything improve or get better? Does a win over the 49ers mean anything at all?
We can all just listen to the announcers and the post game broadcasters again and find out, don’t believe what you see on TV.
CLICK ON COVER!
My God what is going on with our announcers?
I had just turned on the radio today and heard a recap of the Lions game, and I could not believe what I was hearing.
It actually sounded like the Lions had won! “How could that be”, I asked myself? I know that I didn’t listen to the last minute of the game but I swear that I saw the final score on the TV?
The announcers were acting like it was a win, then they put Coach Schwartz on the air. The line of questioning by our radio announcer was one of “Hurrah, we played better.”
In the coach's defense he immediately acted like a real man and said “Yes, but…", and went on to talk about how lucky they were that the game was so close.
He also went on to say the bottom line fact was, "They lost" and that it was totally unacceptable! In fact the coach even went as far as to say that "You're not going to win a game playing the way we played, especially in the first half".
Then after the commercial break the announcers went off on this tangent that made it sound like they were pleased with the game and the way it finished?
Come on announcers! Let’s get real.
They even played sound bites of their play by play excitement, come on guys, be a little objective!
Finally, when the flagship station went live to another bar for the post game, that broadcaster was at least honest and objective with his comments, Hurrah! One for the broadcasters
I know that the home announcers have to act like they are kissing each and every body part of the Lions, but please stop this phony baloney cheer acting and at least be a little objective.
Has anyone ever listened to Ernie Harwell? Yes he was a fan but at least very objective in each and every game that I heard; guys get some tapes and listen to objectivity.
It’s getting almost impossible to hear the game with the play by play guy screaming and yelling when the Lions gain five yards. And, the screaming and hollering seems at a minimum to be contrived and fake, I guess they’re looking for anything to practice their signature call as in, “YANKEES WIN, YANKEES WIN, THE YANKEES WIN!”
Anyone who has ever heard a Yankee game announcer knows exactly what I am talking about. And our announcers should not be mimicking the Yankee’s guy.
First of all the Yankees win a lot of games, secondly…our announcers don’t believe what they’re yelling themselves about anyway!
Then they (as well as every caller on radio) lamb baste Culpepper at how inept he is and can’t do the job anymore.
Schwartz immediately made his point on this matter quite clear at the Lions post game press conference, "Daunte didn't drop punts, Daunte didn't drop passes, Daunte didn't jump offside,"
Schwartz goes on to say, "A quarterback is judged by points and we weren't getting that done."
Folks, Culpepper probably has done more to help our new $60 million dollar QB than anyone else in the organization by teaching him the game, and, all of the rest of the sophistication that is required by a real NFL QB.
Culpepper was a great one and will be in the Hall Of Fame one day. But, Stafford is the future of our Lions if he doesn’t get decapitated when he returns. He will be thankful to Culpepper one day, and we will all hear what a good guy Culpepper was by sharing his experience with our future starter.
Now we’re all pulling for Stanton right? But let’s not fool ourselves.
The post game show started taking calls about Stanton, our MSU 2nd round pick and what a good job he did. Come on now folks, he wasn’t any good either and we are all pulling for our Michigan kid. Hell, what a great story that would be, our Michigan boy comes home and wins a game at QB.
He did score his first NFL rushing touchdown and that had to be a great thrill for the kid, but let’s be serious, he is no NFL QB, at least at this point.
He will never get the proper opportunity here as long as Stafford is in Motown. He should pray to go to a team that will tutor him and he can learn the game properly.
Folks, Stanton completed 10 of 19 passes for 72 yards, yes 72 yards, Hardly Bobby Layne, Terry Bradshaw, Chuck Long or even Culpepper who only hit 6 of 12 for 64 yards. Folks, between the two quarterbacks they only threw for 136 yards.
One thing that Stanton did do though was bring some “Hip, Hip Hoorah” to the game! The crowd at least got a little energized when the change was made, it started to sound like a football stadium again.
Keep two things in mind, 14 of the Lions points came on an interception run-back and two back to back pass interference calls that allowed them to score. Maybe the refs were trying to control the spread, could that be? Hmm?
Kurt Warner for Arizona had 233 yards in passing and would rather have lost to any other NFL team with the exception of the Lions I believe.
The problems continue on with the Lions, they just plain and simple give up too many points to the other teams, make too many mistakes, Offense, Defense, Kicking and Coverage.
The Defense gave up 31 points again, the Lions just don’t have talent to stop the other team, the Lions don’t have any kind of a running game that is consistent and lastly, the offensive line.
Unless the front office goes out and gets some bruisers on that line, they may get QB killed out there…like Stafford. And if they don’t fix that offensive line, why the hell did they draft the $60 million dollar kid anyway, cause if you’re not going to protect him, it is just a matter of time before an inevitable disaster occurs and you can take that to the bank.
Next week the Lions and San Francisco…at San Francisco, oh my! Can anything improve or get better? Does a win over the 49ers mean anything at all?
We can all just listen to the announcers and the post game broadcasters again and find out, don’t believe what you see on TV.
CLICK ON COVER!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
TODAY'S NEWS - LIONS INJURY UPDATE
In Play Magazine
The Lions practiced in shorts on the indoor field (Sandoval Field) at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The team announced today that they have: signed TE Michael Matthews, signed RB Cedric Peerman from the practice squad, acquired CB Brian Witherspoon (Jaguars) via waivers, released CB Jahi Word-Daniels and placed both TE Casey FitzSimmons (concussion) and RB Kevin Smith (knee) on the reserve/injured list.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: S Louis Delmas (ankle), LS Don Muhlbach (concussion), WR Dennis Northcutt (groin) and QB Matthew Stafford (left shoulder) did not practice. DT Joe Cohen (knee), DT Andre Fluellen (groin), DT Grady Jackson (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (knee) and DE Dewayne White (toe) were limited in practice. P Nick Harris (left knee) fully participated in practice.
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The Lions practiced in shorts on the indoor field (Sandoval Field) at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The team announced today that they have: signed TE Michael Matthews, signed RB Cedric Peerman from the practice squad, acquired CB Brian Witherspoon (Jaguars) via waivers, released CB Jahi Word-Daniels and placed both TE Casey FitzSimmons (concussion) and RB Kevin Smith (knee) on the reserve/injured list.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: S Louis Delmas (ankle), LS Don Muhlbach (concussion), WR Dennis Northcutt (groin) and QB Matthew Stafford (left shoulder) did not practice. DT Joe Cohen (knee), DT Andre Fluellen (groin), DT Grady Jackson (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (knee) and DE Dewayne White (toe) were limited in practice. P Nick Harris (left knee) fully participated in practice.
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Sunday, December 13, 2009
Where the Hell is the Heart of the Lions? By Denny McLain
In Play Magazine
I thought that the saying goes, “They have the Heart of a Lion”. All we had today was a huge bunch of pussies out there with very few exceptions.
Well there was no heart out there after the first half today, that’s for sure!
Never did I think that I would see a professional team of any kind quit. Yup, I said quit!
The Lions in the 3rd quarter of the game against Baltimore Sunday absolutely quit playing and just started going through the motions.
Ask Coach Schwartz, he saw it too! That’s what all of that screaming and hollering on the sidelines was about from the Head Coach.
It will be more than interesting next week to see what signals he sends in to those he saw only doing the bare minimum today.
Can you imagine the number of new faces that we’re going to see on the Lions next year? Oh my!
I think it’s a great time now to only play the 1st and 2nd year players and see if you can find some lightening in the bottle. Can’t we find a few guys who want to play, that maybe can play?
Everyone was calling for Stanton instead of Culpepper, come on folks, no quarterback in the free world, not even Bobby Lane in his prime or Joe Namath on his best day could have won with today’s display of ineptness!
Do you think that the Lions’ players back up to the pay window when they collect their paychecks? Do they really have the balls to look at the Fords’ and think that they gave 100 percent and “Earned” their paycheck?
The “Quit” in the 3rd quarter was a disaster! This was one of the worst debacles that I have ever seen, of any team, in any professional sport!
At least 99 percent of the previous Lions’ teams never quit like they did today.
I could have ran for 100 yards in the second half against the Lions defense today! No one wanted to hit anybody and nobody certainly wanted to get hit!
I hate to say this, but there can’t be anyone safe from the chopping block. They need to just clean house, the entire house, and with very few exceptions! At least bring in people who will give you a performance full of heart, because all of us who live and pull for the Lions have to be totally embarrassed from this horrible, unemotional performance Sunday.
Gosh all mighty, they don’t even have Millen to blame for the performance either, do they? Now who are they going to blame?
Do any of them have the balls to point that finger at themselves or have the guts to look in a mirror and say they gave a 100 percent Sunday?
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I thought that the saying goes, “They have the Heart of a Lion”. All we had today was a huge bunch of pussies out there with very few exceptions.
Well there was no heart out there after the first half today, that’s for sure!
Never did I think that I would see a professional team of any kind quit. Yup, I said quit!
The Lions in the 3rd quarter of the game against Baltimore Sunday absolutely quit playing and just started going through the motions.
Ask Coach Schwartz, he saw it too! That’s what all of that screaming and hollering on the sidelines was about from the Head Coach.
It will be more than interesting next week to see what signals he sends in to those he saw only doing the bare minimum today.
Can you imagine the number of new faces that we’re going to see on the Lions next year? Oh my!
I think it’s a great time now to only play the 1st and 2nd year players and see if you can find some lightening in the bottle. Can’t we find a few guys who want to play, that maybe can play?
Everyone was calling for Stanton instead of Culpepper, come on folks, no quarterback in the free world, not even Bobby Lane in his prime or Joe Namath on his best day could have won with today’s display of ineptness!
Do you think that the Lions’ players back up to the pay window when they collect their paychecks? Do they really have the balls to look at the Fords’ and think that they gave 100 percent and “Earned” their paycheck?
The “Quit” in the 3rd quarter was a disaster! This was one of the worst debacles that I have ever seen, of any team, in any professional sport!
At least 99 percent of the previous Lions’ teams never quit like they did today.
I could have ran for 100 yards in the second half against the Lions defense today! No one wanted to hit anybody and nobody certainly wanted to get hit!
I hate to say this, but there can’t be anyone safe from the chopping block. They need to just clean house, the entire house, and with very few exceptions! At least bring in people who will give you a performance full of heart, because all of us who live and pull for the Lions have to be totally embarrassed from this horrible, unemotional performance Sunday.
Gosh all mighty, they don’t even have Millen to blame for the performance either, do they? Now who are they going to blame?
Do any of them have the balls to point that finger at themselves or have the guts to look in a mirror and say they gave a 100 percent Sunday?
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Stafford OUT against Ravens...
Matthew Stafford was ruled out of the game this weekend by Head Coach Jim Schwartz after practice today due to his shoulder injury suffered against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, and aggravated in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
Daunte Culpepper will start in Baltimore against the Ravens for the Lions...
...more later.
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Friday, December 4, 2009
Lions Injury Report 12-04-09
In Play Magazine
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report:
WR Eric Fowler (knee)
G Daniel Loper (back)
S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring)
Did not practice
S Louis Delmas (ankle)
DT Grady Jackson (knee)
LB Ernie Sims (hamstring)
DE Dewayne White (toe)
Limited in practice
DT Andre Fluellen (toes)
LB Zack Follett (neck)
WR Calvin Johnson (knee)
QB Matthew Stafford (left shoulder)
Full practice
Fowler and Pearson are out.
Delmas,
Loper
Sims
White
Questionable
Fluellen
Follett
Jackson
Johnson
Stafford
Listed as probable
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The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report:
WR Eric Fowler (knee)
G Daniel Loper (back)
S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring)
Did not practice
S Louis Delmas (ankle)
DT Grady Jackson (knee)
LB Ernie Sims (hamstring)
DE Dewayne White (toe)
Limited in practice
DT Andre Fluellen (toes)
LB Zack Follett (neck)
WR Calvin Johnson (knee)
QB Matthew Stafford (left shoulder)
Full practice
Fowler and Pearson are out.
Delmas,
Loper
Sims
White
Questionable
Fluellen
Follett
Jackson
Johnson
Stafford
Listed as probable
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
DREW STANTON NAMED LIONS' ROBERT PORCHER MAN OF THE YEAR
In Play Magazine
Allen Park, Mich. - Quarterback Drew Stanton has been selected as the Detroit Lions' 2009 Robert Porcher Man of the Year, an award that recognizes off-the-field community service. Stanton is one of 32 finalists, one from each NFL team, who receives $1,000 for his foundation and is a finalist for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year honor.
In his third year season in the NFL, Stanton has established his own foundation and is a leader in charity work in his home state of Michigan.
The High 5ive Foundation is a 501c3 organization that Stanton established in 2008. The main focus of his foundation is to support programs at Special Olympics and Children's Miracle Network. He has been heavily involved with both organizations since his collegiate career at Michigan State University.
Special Olympics is an organization Stanton worked with during his playing days at MSU and he continues his relationship with them. He has assisted with the Michigan summer and winter games, speaking and handing out medals at the summer games in Mt. Pleasant and being the emcee for the past two winter games in Traverse City.
Stanton donates 30 tickets for every Lions' home game through the Lions' CATS (Caring Athletes Ticket Service) for Kids program. Children's Miracle Network receives 20 tickets to each game and the other 10 are given to several groups including Special Olympics and Old Village School, a school for disabled and special needs children in Northville, Michigan. The children receive tickets to the game, a meal during the game, and a welcome message on the video board.
Stanton is also very involved in assisting and supporting the Dearborn Animal Shelter. He has participated in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Detroit Lions' Pet Calendar for which all proceeds from the sale of the calendars benefit the Dearborn Animal Shelter. He also has helped the shelter with PSA's for various events, participated in their annual Mutt Strut and he and his wife Kristin were honorary chairs for their annual Black Tie Gala in 2008 and 2009.
Stanton, his wife and family served Thanksgiving dinner at the Detroit Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving Day following the Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day game. Stanton reads to students at schools, attends charity golf outings, makes hospital visits, speaks at athletic banquets and school assemblies, hosts football camps, serves meals at homeless shelters and participates in reading days and activities. Stanton participates in all of the Lions' team community activities. He has helped with Play 60 events, participated in Jump Rope for Heart with the American Heart Association and other fitness activities for youth.
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced live on CBS before Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. The prestigious award was renamed in 1999 for the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been given annually since 1970.
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Allen Park, Mich. - Quarterback Drew Stanton has been selected as the Detroit Lions' 2009 Robert Porcher Man of the Year, an award that recognizes off-the-field community service. Stanton is one of 32 finalists, one from each NFL team, who receives $1,000 for his foundation and is a finalist for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year honor.
In his third year season in the NFL, Stanton has established his own foundation and is a leader in charity work in his home state of Michigan.
The High 5ive Foundation is a 501c3 organization that Stanton established in 2008. The main focus of his foundation is to support programs at Special Olympics and Children's Miracle Network. He has been heavily involved with both organizations since his collegiate career at Michigan State University.
Special Olympics is an organization Stanton worked with during his playing days at MSU and he continues his relationship with them. He has assisted with the Michigan summer and winter games, speaking and handing out medals at the summer games in Mt. Pleasant and being the emcee for the past two winter games in Traverse City.
Stanton donates 30 tickets for every Lions' home game through the Lions' CATS (Caring Athletes Ticket Service) for Kids program. Children's Miracle Network receives 20 tickets to each game and the other 10 are given to several groups including Special Olympics and Old Village School, a school for disabled and special needs children in Northville, Michigan. The children receive tickets to the game, a meal during the game, and a welcome message on the video board.
Stanton is also very involved in assisting and supporting the Dearborn Animal Shelter. He has participated in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Detroit Lions' Pet Calendar for which all proceeds from the sale of the calendars benefit the Dearborn Animal Shelter. He also has helped the shelter with PSA's for various events, participated in their annual Mutt Strut and he and his wife Kristin were honorary chairs for their annual Black Tie Gala in 2008 and 2009.
Stanton, his wife and family served Thanksgiving dinner at the Detroit Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving Day following the Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day game. Stanton reads to students at schools, attends charity golf outings, makes hospital visits, speaks at athletic banquets and school assemblies, hosts football camps, serves meals at homeless shelters and participates in reading days and activities. Stanton participates in all of the Lions' team community activities. He has helped with Play 60 events, participated in Jump Rope for Heart with the American Heart Association and other fitness activities for youth.
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced live on CBS before Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. The prestigious award was renamed in 1999 for the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been given annually since 1970.
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
Stafford…Can we now fess up a little bit? By Denny McLain
by Denny McLain
In Play Magazine
Let me start off by first saying this. Folks, amateur or professional athletes don’t play games when they are "really hurt."
I personally know what it is like to play hurt. I took dozens of injections in my right arm for several years after suffering a torn rotator cuff and was told that the steroids, “Pain pills,” anti-inflammation drugs and injections that we were being fed to me were actually “healing drugs” and that they were perfectly safe.
We weren’t allowed to have real agents back then to protect us.
Guess what, while I was taking the steroids and the many pain injections I was doing irreparable damage to my right arm and after three or four years of injections, I was out of the game. In fact, as of this date, I can barely hold my arm straight out from my shoulder.
If you have a "Real separated shoulder" you don’t risk your career, and certainly the Lions would not risk Stafford’s career if his shoulder was really "separated". Let’s really be serious.
Leaving Stafford in this game if really hurt was risking $60 million dollars for the Lions, and risking the career of Stafford, so let’s quit the hero, "Win one for the Gipper" stuff.
He cannot possibly be playing with an injury as serious as a separated shoulder, unless they had injected him with some “Dream juice” folks, come on think about it huh?
In the old days I would buy the “Dream juice” story, God knows we have too many stories of the way the owners treated us players years ago; like plain meat and nothing but.
Would you inject Stafford with pain killers and not allow the pain to be felt, of course not! The pain is the signal from our body that says we’re hurt. And by playing hurt, we possibly can hurt ourselves more because of the original injury.
So, can we stop this hero talk now regarding Stafford please?
Let him direct the team to a winning season before we anoint him, this way maybe we can take some of the pressure off him that everyone is putting on him now.
He wins the “No time left game” against the worst team in the NFL, Cleveland, and all week our Detroit media praises this kid like he is the savior who has come to rescue the franchise and nothing can be farther from the real truth.
While he may be a little bigger and tougher than past sacrificial quarterbacks here in Detroit, he is no Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Bart Star or certainly not a Peyton Manning. He is not close to any of them.
This is not to say he can’t be a very good player even a star, but folks first they have to get a team around him and give him the resources to make the Lions a winner first and then if the assets are in place, he could be made into a star.
If you analyze this game again like the others he has played, he always throws interception after interception. In this latest Turkey Day debacle, he threw four picks and it could have easily have been six or seven.
I know the inept Lions are trying to sell asses in the seats, but this make believe Dog & Pony show is really a disingenuous effort at best. Who doesn’t see through this joke?
Promoting Stafford in this manner is just trying to put asses in the seats, and at worst, it could kill the career of a very promising quarterback. Then what?
In the Cleveland game I don’t think anyone was fooled by Stafford's actions, he was trying to stop the clock with an "alleged injury" not knowing that there was pass interference call and the Lions were going to get one more chance to win which they did.
It was a good conclusion to the game for us, but we all went nuts thinking that Bobby Lane or Bart Starr had come to Detroit to save the day. By the way, even Bobby Lane or Bart Starr in their prime, couldn’t win with this team…sorry! There aren’t enough assets in place to do what they are supposed to do, win!
Lastly, the Lions really showed a lack of respect as far as Culpepper is concerned.
Why the hell didn't someone tell him that he was not playing this game? He has been a total class act since arriving, trying to play when given the chance and helping and assisting in the development of Stafford.
Now the Lions choose to embarrass him with this lack of class on this Thanksgiving Day!
But what else would you expect from this organization?
Leave your comment
CLICK ON COVER!
In Play Magazine
Let me start off by first saying this. Folks, amateur or professional athletes don’t play games when they are "really hurt."
I personally know what it is like to play hurt. I took dozens of injections in my right arm for several years after suffering a torn rotator cuff and was told that the steroids, “Pain pills,” anti-inflammation drugs and injections that we were being fed to me were actually “healing drugs” and that they were perfectly safe.
We weren’t allowed to have real agents back then to protect us.
Guess what, while I was taking the steroids and the many pain injections I was doing irreparable damage to my right arm and after three or four years of injections, I was out of the game. In fact, as of this date, I can barely hold my arm straight out from my shoulder.
If you have a "Real separated shoulder" you don’t risk your career, and certainly the Lions would not risk Stafford’s career if his shoulder was really "separated". Let’s really be serious.
Leaving Stafford in this game if really hurt was risking $60 million dollars for the Lions, and risking the career of Stafford, so let’s quit the hero, "Win one for the Gipper" stuff.
He cannot possibly be playing with an injury as serious as a separated shoulder, unless they had injected him with some “Dream juice” folks, come on think about it huh?
In the old days I would buy the “Dream juice” story, God knows we have too many stories of the way the owners treated us players years ago; like plain meat and nothing but.
Would you inject Stafford with pain killers and not allow the pain to be felt, of course not! The pain is the signal from our body that says we’re hurt. And by playing hurt, we possibly can hurt ourselves more because of the original injury.
So, can we stop this hero talk now regarding Stafford please?
Let him direct the team to a winning season before we anoint him, this way maybe we can take some of the pressure off him that everyone is putting on him now.
He wins the “No time left game” against the worst team in the NFL, Cleveland, and all week our Detroit media praises this kid like he is the savior who has come to rescue the franchise and nothing can be farther from the real truth.
While he may be a little bigger and tougher than past sacrificial quarterbacks here in Detroit, he is no Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Bart Star or certainly not a Peyton Manning. He is not close to any of them.
This is not to say he can’t be a very good player even a star, but folks first they have to get a team around him and give him the resources to make the Lions a winner first and then if the assets are in place, he could be made into a star.
If you analyze this game again like the others he has played, he always throws interception after interception. In this latest Turkey Day debacle, he threw four picks and it could have easily have been six or seven.
I know the inept Lions are trying to sell asses in the seats, but this make believe Dog & Pony show is really a disingenuous effort at best. Who doesn’t see through this joke?
Promoting Stafford in this manner is just trying to put asses in the seats, and at worst, it could kill the career of a very promising quarterback. Then what?
In the Cleveland game I don’t think anyone was fooled by Stafford's actions, he was trying to stop the clock with an "alleged injury" not knowing that there was pass interference call and the Lions were going to get one more chance to win which they did.
It was a good conclusion to the game for us, but we all went nuts thinking that Bobby Lane or Bart Starr had come to Detroit to save the day. By the way, even Bobby Lane or Bart Starr in their prime, couldn’t win with this team…sorry! There aren’t enough assets in place to do what they are supposed to do, win!
Lastly, the Lions really showed a lack of respect as far as Culpepper is concerned.
Why the hell didn't someone tell him that he was not playing this game? He has been a total class act since arriving, trying to play when given the chance and helping and assisting in the development of Stafford.
Now the Lions choose to embarrass him with this lack of class on this Thanksgiving Day!
But what else would you expect from this organization?
Leave your comment
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
LIONS - PACKERS INJURY REPORT - FINAL
In Play Magazine
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
DETROIT LIONS VS. GREEN BAY PACKERS
FORD FIELD; THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009; 12:35 PM ET
DETROIT LIONS
Pos Player Injury Monday* Tuesday Wednesday*
WR Calvin Johnson Hand/Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
S Kalvin Pearson Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice
S Ko Simpson Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Ernie Sims Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice
QB Matthew Stafford Knee/Left Shoulder No Practice No Practice No Practice
DE Dewayne White Toe No Practice No Practice No Practice
DT Joe Cohen Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
S Louis Delmas Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
LB Zack Follett Neck Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
DT Grady Jackson Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
T Daniel Loper Back Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
RB Kevin Smith Hip Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
LB Jordon Dizon Neck Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
WR Derrick Williams Hip Limited Practice Not Listed Not Listed
LIONS GAME STATUS
Out ........................................ S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), S Ko Simpson (knee) and LB Ernie Sims (hamstring)
Doubtful ............................... QB Matthew Stafford (knee/left shoulder) and DE Dewayne White (toe)
Questionable ...................... S Louis Delmas (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (hand/knee) and G Daniel Loper (back)
Probable .............................. DT Joe Cohen (ankle), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), LB Zack Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee) and RB
Kevin Smith (hip).
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Pos Player Injury Monday* Tuesday Wednesday*
CB Al Harris Knee Out Out Out
LB Aaron Kampman Knee Out Out Out
T/G Allen Barbre Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
RB Ahman Green Groin No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Brandon Chillar Hand Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice
T Chad Clifton Knee No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
RB Ryan Grant Neck Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
DE Cullen Jenkins Ankle No Practice Full Practice Full Practice
DE Johnny Jolly Back Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
FB John Kuhn Hand Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice
G Josh Sitton Back Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
C Scott Wells Knee No Practice No Practice Full Practice
CB Charles Woodson Hip No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
PACKERS GAME STATUS
Out ........................................ CB Al Harris (knee) and LB Aaron Kampman (knee)
Doubtful ............................... T/G Allen Barbre (ankle) and RB Ahman Green (groin)
Probable .............................. LB Brandon Chillar (hand), T Chad Clifton (knee), RB Ryan Grant (neck), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE
Johnny Jolly (back), FB John Kuhn (hand), G Josh Sitton (back), C Scott Wells (knee) and CB Charles
Woodson (hip)
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
DETROIT LIONS VS. GREEN BAY PACKERS
FORD FIELD; THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009; 12:35 PM ET
DETROIT LIONS
Pos Player Injury Monday* Tuesday Wednesday*
WR Calvin Johnson Hand/Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
S Kalvin Pearson Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice
S Ko Simpson Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Ernie Sims Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice
QB Matthew Stafford Knee/Left Shoulder No Practice No Practice No Practice
DE Dewayne White Toe No Practice No Practice No Practice
DT Joe Cohen Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
S Louis Delmas Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
LB Zack Follett Neck Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
DT Grady Jackson Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
T Daniel Loper Back Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
RB Kevin Smith Hip Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
LB Jordon Dizon Neck Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
WR Derrick Williams Hip Limited Practice Not Listed Not Listed
LIONS GAME STATUS
Out ........................................ S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), S Ko Simpson (knee) and LB Ernie Sims (hamstring)
Doubtful ............................... QB Matthew Stafford (knee/left shoulder) and DE Dewayne White (toe)
Questionable ...................... S Louis Delmas (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (hand/knee) and G Daniel Loper (back)
Probable .............................. DT Joe Cohen (ankle), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), LB Zack Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee) and RB
Kevin Smith (hip).
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Pos Player Injury Monday* Tuesday Wednesday*
CB Al Harris Knee Out Out Out
LB Aaron Kampman Knee Out Out Out
T/G Allen Barbre Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
RB Ahman Green Groin No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Brandon Chillar Hand Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice
T Chad Clifton Knee No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
RB Ryan Grant Neck Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
DE Cullen Jenkins Ankle No Practice Full Practice Full Practice
DE Johnny Jolly Back Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
FB John Kuhn Hand Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice
G Josh Sitton Back Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
C Scott Wells Knee No Practice No Practice Full Practice
CB Charles Woodson Hip No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
PACKERS GAME STATUS
Out ........................................ CB Al Harris (knee) and LB Aaron Kampman (knee)
Doubtful ............................... T/G Allen Barbre (ankle) and RB Ahman Green (groin)
Probable .............................. LB Brandon Chillar (hand), T Chad Clifton (knee), RB Ryan Grant (neck), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE
Johnny Jolly (back), FB John Kuhn (hand), G Josh Sitton (back), C Scott Wells (knee) and CB Charles
Woodson (hip)
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Lions' Rookie QB Matthew Stafford named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In Play Magazine
TODAY'S NEWS
The Lions practiced in shorts inside on Sandoval Field at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The NFL announced today that Lions' QB Matthew Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 422-yard, five touchdown performance in Detroit's 38-37 dramatic come-from-behind victory over Cleveland. This is Matthew Stafford's first career NFC Offensive Player of the Week Honor and he is the first Lions player to receive NFC Player of the Week since DT Shaun Rogers in Week 9 of the 2007 season. Stafford is the first rookie this season to receive Offensive Player of the Week in either the NFC or AFC. He is the first Lions quarterback since Joey Harrington (Week 1 in 2003) to receive NFC Offensive Player of the Week and he is the first Lions' rookie to receive NFC Player of the Week since QB Charlie Batch in Week 11 of 1998.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: WR Calvin Johnson (hand/knee), S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), S Ko Simpson (knee), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), QB Matthew Stafford (knee/left shoulder) and DE Dewayne White (toe) did not practice. DT Joe Cohen (ankle), S Louis Delmas (ankle), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), LB Zack Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), T Daniel Loper (back) and RB Kevin Smith (hip) were limited in practice.
The following players were listed on the Green Bay Packers' Injury Report today: CB Al Harris (knee) and LB Aaron Kampman (knee) are out. T/G Allen Barbre (ankle), RB Ahman Green (groin) and C Scott Wells (knee) and did not practice. T Chad Clifton (knee) and CB Charles Woodson (hip) were limited in practice. RB Ryan Grant (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE Johnny Jolly (back) and G Josh Sitton (back) participated fully in practice.
The Detroit Lions will host the Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) at Ford Field with kickoff set for 12:35 p.m. Detroit will be looking to build on a dramatic last-second 38-37 victory over Cleveland while Green Bay is coming off a 30-24 win over San Francisco. The game will be televised nationally
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TODAY'S NEWS
The Lions practiced in shorts inside on Sandoval Field at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The NFL announced today that Lions' QB Matthew Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 422-yard, five touchdown performance in Detroit's 38-37 dramatic come-from-behind victory over Cleveland. This is Matthew Stafford's first career NFC Offensive Player of the Week Honor and he is the first Lions player to receive NFC Player of the Week since DT Shaun Rogers in Week 9 of the 2007 season. Stafford is the first rookie this season to receive Offensive Player of the Week in either the NFC or AFC. He is the first Lions quarterback since Joey Harrington (Week 1 in 2003) to receive NFC Offensive Player of the Week and he is the first Lions' rookie to receive NFC Player of the Week since QB Charlie Batch in Week 11 of 1998.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: WR Calvin Johnson (hand/knee), S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), S Ko Simpson (knee), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), QB Matthew Stafford (knee/left shoulder) and DE Dewayne White (toe) did not practice. DT Joe Cohen (ankle), S Louis Delmas (ankle), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), LB Zack Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), T Daniel Loper (back) and RB Kevin Smith (hip) were limited in practice.
The following players were listed on the Green Bay Packers' Injury Report today: CB Al Harris (knee) and LB Aaron Kampman (knee) are out. T/G Allen Barbre (ankle), RB Ahman Green (groin) and C Scott Wells (knee) and did not practice. T Chad Clifton (knee) and CB Charles Woodson (hip) were limited in practice. RB Ryan Grant (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE Johnny Jolly (back) and G Josh Sitton (back) participated fully in practice.
The Detroit Lions will host the Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) at Ford Field with kickoff set for 12:35 p.m. Detroit will be looking to build on a dramatic last-second 38-37 victory over Cleveland while Green Bay is coming off a 30-24 win over San Francisco. The game will be televised nationally
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Stafford No Go for Turkey Day, Browns...Lots of Complaining
In Play Magazine
Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz says in the post practice press conference that Stafford is in lots of pain, “Sore. Most of the tests have come back where it shouldn’t be anything that I like to label significant; but he’s sore. I would say if that continued he would be unlikely to play."
Schwartz continues, " There’s a chance that goes away in the next couple of days, but structurally everything is good. I don’t think there is any lasting damage, but he’s extremely sore as you can expect. Like I said, we’ll see; you don’t want to close the door on anybody.”
The was no shortage of whining and complaining from the Cleveland Browns coaching staff.
Schwartz on Mangini's claims the Lions were faking injuries to slow the pace of the game down, “He’s way out of bounds on that. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There was no need to do that to slow the pace down because the officials were doing a really good job of standing over the ball – for us and them."
When asked about the Browns' claim of a no pass foul, Schwartz says, “Well, they don’t know what they’re talking about and you can quote me on that. When the quarterback is still out of the pocket, there can still be pass interference. There can’t be illegal contact but there can be pass interference and when the ball is in the air, you can’t make contact with the receivers. I mean, it was clear – there were more flags thrown than there were officials."
The annual Thanksgiving Day game is sold out and will be televised locally.
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Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz says in the post practice press conference that Stafford is in lots of pain, “Sore. Most of the tests have come back where it shouldn’t be anything that I like to label significant; but he’s sore. I would say if that continued he would be unlikely to play."
Schwartz continues, " There’s a chance that goes away in the next couple of days, but structurally everything is good. I don’t think there is any lasting damage, but he’s extremely sore as you can expect. Like I said, we’ll see; you don’t want to close the door on anybody.”
The was no shortage of whining and complaining from the Cleveland Browns coaching staff.
Schwartz on Mangini's claims the Lions were faking injuries to slow the pace of the game down, “He’s way out of bounds on that. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There was no need to do that to slow the pace down because the officials were doing a really good job of standing over the ball – for us and them."
When asked about the Browns' claim of a no pass foul, Schwartz says, “Well, they don’t know what they’re talking about and you can quote me on that. When the quarterback is still out of the pocket, there can still be pass interference. There can’t be illegal contact but there can be pass interference and when the ball is in the air, you can’t make contact with the receivers. I mean, it was clear – there were more flags thrown than there were officials."
The annual Thanksgiving Day game is sold out and will be televised locally.
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LIONS REACH SELLOUT FOR DETROIT’S 70TH THANKSGIVING DAY GAME
In Play Magazine
Game will air live in the local television markets; Tickets are still available to purchase
Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions have reached a sellout for Thursday’s 70th Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers. By reaching a sellout by today’s 12:30 p.m. deadline, Thursday’s game will air live in the local television markets (Metro Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw/Flint and Toledo markets), including WJBK-TV FOX 2.
This year’s Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving Day renews a holiday rivalry that dates back to 1951. This year’s game marks the 19th time the Lions have battled the Packers on Thanksgiving, with Detroit holding an 11-6-1 (.647) advantage. The Lions have played Green Bay more than any other opponent in the Thanksgiving Day series.
For 13 consecutive years from 1951-63, the Lions and Packers met on Thanksgiving, with the Lions claiming a 9-3-1 record during that span. The Lions-Packers Turkey Day tilt marks the fourth time since 2001 that the two teams will play in Detroit on Thanksgiving and the third at Ford Field.
The Lions Thanksgiving Day game has sold out in each of the last 15 seasons (since 1994), and it has reached a sellout for every Thanksgiving Day game played at Ford Field (seven since 2002).
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Game will air live in the local television markets; Tickets are still available to purchase
Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions have reached a sellout for Thursday’s 70th Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers. By reaching a sellout by today’s 12:30 p.m. deadline, Thursday’s game will air live in the local television markets (Metro Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw/Flint and Toledo markets), including WJBK-TV FOX 2.
This year’s Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving Day renews a holiday rivalry that dates back to 1951. This year’s game marks the 19th time the Lions have battled the Packers on Thanksgiving, with Detroit holding an 11-6-1 (.647) advantage. The Lions have played Green Bay more than any other opponent in the Thanksgiving Day series.
For 13 consecutive years from 1951-63, the Lions and Packers met on Thanksgiving, with the Lions claiming a 9-3-1 record during that span. The Lions-Packers Turkey Day tilt marks the fourth time since 2001 that the two teams will play in Detroit on Thanksgiving and the third at Ford Field.
The Lions Thanksgiving Day game has sold out in each of the last 15 seasons (since 1994), and it has reached a sellout for every Thanksgiving Day game played at Ford Field (seven since 2002).
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Lions win 38-31 in crazy finish at Ford Field
By: Michael Niziolek
Career days for multiple Detroit Lions helped lift the team to its second win of the season in a thriller over the Cleveland Browns 38-31 at Ford Field. Matthew Stafford won the game with no time left on the clock with a 1-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Brandon Pettigrew.
It was Stafford’s fifth touchdown of the day (tying the Lions all-time single game record) and all five touchdowns were to different Lions receivers (a franchise record). He also set a new Lions rookie single-game mark racking up 442 yards.
Calvin Johnson (161 yards), Pettigrew (72 yards, six receptions) and Kevin Smith (104 receiving yards, 149 yards from scrimmage) all had career highs as well and came up with huge contributions throughout the game to help the Lions erase a 21-point deficit.
But people won’t be talking about stats on Monday, they’ll be talking about the game’s final series.
With no time remaining Stafford threw a hail mary into the end zone that fell incomplete. Two things happen on the play – Stafford took a huge hit driving his shoulder into the ground and Browns safety Hank Poteat was called for pass interference.
The penalty gave Detroit an untimed down at the one-yard line, but with Stafford down on the ground because of injury it looked like Daunte Culpepper would have to come in and try to win it for the Lions. NFL rules state a player injured has to stay out for one play unless there’s a timeout.
Detroit didn’t have any, but the Browns did. With his defense trying to get set Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini made the controversial decision to use a timeout and allow Stafford back in.
Which Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz said after the game wasn’t an easy task…
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Stafford said after the game there was no way anyone was going to stop him from getting back into the game.
“I heard timeout over the loudspeaker and knew that was probably my only chance to get back in,” Stafford explained. “It was my left shoulder and don't really need it to throw. So they helped me up and they weren't going to help me up. Then I really told him to help me up and he helped me up and I ran out there."
As for the injury on Stafford’s left shoulder, Schwartz said the initial x-rays were good, but follow up tests will need to be run during the week. His status remains in the air for the short week and Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers.
Updates on his status Monday afternoon...Post your comments
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DETROIT LIONS VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS NOTABLE NOTES
In Play Magazine
TO START WITH...
Lions T Jeff Backus made his 138th consecutive start in today's game. He has the longest streak of consecutive starts among offensive linemen in the NFL and he is fifth among active players.
LB Larry Foote started for the 90th straight time. He is fourth among linebacker in consecutive starts.
K Jason Hanson has appeared in his 280th career game, a Lions' franchise record.
With his start in today's game, CB Phillip Buchanon has now played in 100 career games.
LIONS OPENING DRIVE
The Lions opened the game on a 63-yard reception by RB Kevin Smith from QB Matthew Stafford. The reception was Smith's longest reception and longest play from scrimmage in his career. It was the Lions second longest pass play of the season and the second longest pass completion of Stafford's career.
The 63-yard reception set up a 31-yard field goal by K Jason Hanson, which tied the game at 3-3. That field goal gave Hanson 1,799 points in his career.
BROWN'S FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN
Rookie RB Aaron Brown capped off a 5-play 78-yard touchdown drive with a 26-yard touchdown reception. It was Brown's first career touchdown.
On the scoring drive, rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew led the Lions' charge with two reception for 41 yards, including a 30-yarder.It was Pettigrew's longest career reception.
Stafford was 3-of-4 for 67 yards and hit passes of 30 and 26 yards. Stafford's screen pass to Brown that resulted in a touchdown was Stafford's seventh touchdown toss of his rookie year.
SMITH'S FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION
RB Kevin Smith completed a 7-play, 61-yard drive with a 25-yard reception over the middle from Stafford. The touchdown reception was Smith's first career touchdown reception and his 12th career touchdown.
Following the drive, Smith had 3 catches for 100 yards (33.3 avg) and was on pace to end the game with his first career 100-yard receiving game.
With Stafford's second touchdown pass of the game (eighth of the season), it marked second game of the year with two touchdown passes.
Stafford has run for or thrown for a touchdown in all eight games he has started this season.
On the drive, Stafford was 4-of-6 for 58 yards, with the long pass of the drive to Smith.
WR Calvin Johnson contributed with two receptions for 21 yards on the drive.
STAFFORD-JOHNSON 75-YARD CONNECTION
Stafford hit Calvin Johnson on a 75-yard bomb with 2:45 to go in the second quarter to tie the game at 24-24. It marked the first time in his career he had thrown three touchdown passes.
Stafford's three touchdown passes marked the first time a Lions quarterback had thrown three touchdowns in a game since QB Jon Kitna had three at Oakland September 9, 2007.
The 75-yard touchdown was the longest in Stafford's career.
Johnson's 75-yard touchdown was his seventh career reception over 50 yards, his third career reception over 70 yards and his longest reception since he recorded a 96-yard touchdown at Houston October 19, 2008.
HANSON GOES OVER 1,800
K Jason Hanson, the Lions all-time leading scorer, scored his 1,800th career point when he connected on a PAT after the Lions first touchdown (Brown's 26-yard touchdown reception) of the game. It was his fourth point of the game.
Hanson became the seventh player in NFL history with 1,800 career points.
He ended the game with 8 points and now sits at 1,804. His biggest kick was the extra point with no time let to give the Lions the one-point win.
STAFFORD GOES FOR FOUR
Stafford recorded his fourth touchdown pass of the game when he completed 10-play, 84-yard drive in the third quarter by throwing a 1-yard pass to TE Will Heller.
His four touchdown passes set a single-game Lions' rookie passing record. Previously, the record was two touchdown passes accomplished 11 times by rookies. The most recent was done by Joey Harrington November 17, 2002 vs. the New York Jets.
The last Lions quarterback with four touchdown passes was Jon Kitna at Dallas December 31, 2006.
The 1-yard catch by Heller was his third of the season, tying a career single-season high. He previously had three receiving touchdowns in 2007 while with Seattle.
CALIVN JOHNSON'S CAREER HIGH YARDAGE
Calvin Johnson finished the game with 7 catches for 161 yards (23.0 avg) and one touchdown. His tally of 161 receiving yards is a career single-game high.
DOUBLE-DIP
Calvin Johnson (161) and Kevin Smith (104) both recorded 100-yard receiving games. It marked the first time that two players recorded 100-yard receiving outings by the Lions since Roy Williams (106) and Shaun McDonald (113) did so vs. the New York Giants.
STAFFORD'S CAREER DAY
Stafford led the Lions to one of the most incredible finishes in team history as he connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Brandon Pettigrew on a play that occurred with no time on the clock due to a defensive penalty. It was Stafford's fifth touchdown pass of the day, which tied the Lions all-time single game record previously set by Gary Danielson vs. Minnesota December 9, 1978.
His five touchdown passes to five different receivers sets a franchise record for the most receivers to record a touchdown reception in a single game.
He threw for 442 yards, which set a new Lions rookie single-game passing record and is the third most yards in team history. It is the most since Jon Kitna had 446 passing yards at Philadelphia September 23, 2007.
Stafford's 442 passing yards are the most by a Lions quarterback in a game that the team won.
According to Stats, Inc., Stafford's five touchdowns by a rookie marked the first time that a rookie in the NFL had five passing touchdowns since the Bears QB Ray Buivid did so on December 5, 1937 against the Chicago Cardinals.
ESPN: YOUNGEST TO THROW 5 TOUCHDOWNS
According to ESPN research, Stafford is the youngest quarterback in NFL history to throw at least five touchdowns in a single game. Stafford at 21 years, 288 days improved upon the previous two highs by Dan Marino in 1984 (22 yrs, 353 days) and Joe Namath (23 yrs, 110 days).
COMEBACK KIDS
The Lions climbed out of a 21-3 deficit in the first half that started with an Aaron Brown touchdown with 0:30 left in the first quarter. Stafford then connected on touchdown passes of 25 (Kevin Smith) and 75 yards (Calvin Johnson) to tie the game, then the Browns went into the half with a 27-24 lead.
The Lions then re-captured the lead on a 1-yard Will Heller grab with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
After a Browns safety and a Browns 2-yard touchdown with 5:44 to play, the Lions trailed 37-31. On the next Lions drive, Stafford threw an interception into the endzone with 3:40 to play.
However, the Lions defense gave the ball back to the offense with 1:46 to play and they needed 88 yards to score a game-tying touchdown. With 0:08 to play, Stafford scrambled right, then left and heaved a ball into the endzone. A pass interference penalty (Browns S Hank Poteat) gave the Lions the ball with 0:00 on the clock and one untimed play.
Stafford took the snap and hit rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew on a 1-yard score to tie the game at 37-37, and then Hanson nailed the extra point for a 38-37 win with no time left.
The Lions came from behind to take the lead three different times in the game.
The fourth quarter comeback is the first of Stafford's career.
This was the first game the Lions came from behind and won with no time left on the clock since their 13-12 win against New Orleans (at San Antonio) December 24, 2005.
ROOKIE TIGHT END
Rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew recorded a career-high with 72 receiving yards on 6 receptions. His biggest catch was the 1-yard grab from Stafford on an untimed down at the end of regulation that led to the Lions win.
K. SMITH FROM SCRIMMAGE
RB Kevin Smith recorded 149 yards from scrimmage (45 rushing, 104 receiving), which is a single-game career high.
Smith is the first Lions running back to reach 100 receiving yards in a game since RB Barry Sanders had 102 receiving yards vs. Tampa Bay September 7, 1997.
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TO START WITH...
Lions T Jeff Backus made his 138th consecutive start in today's game. He has the longest streak of consecutive starts among offensive linemen in the NFL and he is fifth among active players.
LB Larry Foote started for the 90th straight time. He is fourth among linebacker in consecutive starts.
K Jason Hanson has appeared in his 280th career game, a Lions' franchise record.
With his start in today's game, CB Phillip Buchanon has now played in 100 career games.
LIONS OPENING DRIVE
The Lions opened the game on a 63-yard reception by RB Kevin Smith from QB Matthew Stafford. The reception was Smith's longest reception and longest play from scrimmage in his career. It was the Lions second longest pass play of the season and the second longest pass completion of Stafford's career.
The 63-yard reception set up a 31-yard field goal by K Jason Hanson, which tied the game at 3-3. That field goal gave Hanson 1,799 points in his career.
BROWN'S FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN
Rookie RB Aaron Brown capped off a 5-play 78-yard touchdown drive with a 26-yard touchdown reception. It was Brown's first career touchdown.
On the scoring drive, rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew led the Lions' charge with two reception for 41 yards, including a 30-yarder.It was Pettigrew's longest career reception.
Stafford was 3-of-4 for 67 yards and hit passes of 30 and 26 yards. Stafford's screen pass to Brown that resulted in a touchdown was Stafford's seventh touchdown toss of his rookie year.
SMITH'S FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION
RB Kevin Smith completed a 7-play, 61-yard drive with a 25-yard reception over the middle from Stafford. The touchdown reception was Smith's first career touchdown reception and his 12th career touchdown.
Following the drive, Smith had 3 catches for 100 yards (33.3 avg) and was on pace to end the game with his first career 100-yard receiving game.
With Stafford's second touchdown pass of the game (eighth of the season), it marked second game of the year with two touchdown passes.
Stafford has run for or thrown for a touchdown in all eight games he has started this season.
On the drive, Stafford was 4-of-6 for 58 yards, with the long pass of the drive to Smith.
WR Calvin Johnson contributed with two receptions for 21 yards on the drive.
STAFFORD-JOHNSON 75-YARD CONNECTION
Stafford hit Calvin Johnson on a 75-yard bomb with 2:45 to go in the second quarter to tie the game at 24-24. It marked the first time in his career he had thrown three touchdown passes.
Stafford's three touchdown passes marked the first time a Lions quarterback had thrown three touchdowns in a game since QB Jon Kitna had three at Oakland September 9, 2007.
The 75-yard touchdown was the longest in Stafford's career.
Johnson's 75-yard touchdown was his seventh career reception over 50 yards, his third career reception over 70 yards and his longest reception since he recorded a 96-yard touchdown at Houston October 19, 2008.
HANSON GOES OVER 1,800
K Jason Hanson, the Lions all-time leading scorer, scored his 1,800th career point when he connected on a PAT after the Lions first touchdown (Brown's 26-yard touchdown reception) of the game. It was his fourth point of the game.
Hanson became the seventh player in NFL history with 1,800 career points.
He ended the game with 8 points and now sits at 1,804. His biggest kick was the extra point with no time let to give the Lions the one-point win.
STAFFORD GOES FOR FOUR
Stafford recorded his fourth touchdown pass of the game when he completed 10-play, 84-yard drive in the third quarter by throwing a 1-yard pass to TE Will Heller.
His four touchdown passes set a single-game Lions' rookie passing record. Previously, the record was two touchdown passes accomplished 11 times by rookies. The most recent was done by Joey Harrington November 17, 2002 vs. the New York Jets.
The last Lions quarterback with four touchdown passes was Jon Kitna at Dallas December 31, 2006.
The 1-yard catch by Heller was his third of the season, tying a career single-season high. He previously had three receiving touchdowns in 2007 while with Seattle.
CALIVN JOHNSON'S CAREER HIGH YARDAGE
Calvin Johnson finished the game with 7 catches for 161 yards (23.0 avg) and one touchdown. His tally of 161 receiving yards is a career single-game high.
DOUBLE-DIP
Calvin Johnson (161) and Kevin Smith (104) both recorded 100-yard receiving games. It marked the first time that two players recorded 100-yard receiving outings by the Lions since Roy Williams (106) and Shaun McDonald (113) did so vs. the New York Giants.
STAFFORD'S CAREER DAY
Stafford led the Lions to one of the most incredible finishes in team history as he connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Brandon Pettigrew on a play that occurred with no time on the clock due to a defensive penalty. It was Stafford's fifth touchdown pass of the day, which tied the Lions all-time single game record previously set by Gary Danielson vs. Minnesota December 9, 1978.
His five touchdown passes to five different receivers sets a franchise record for the most receivers to record a touchdown reception in a single game.
He threw for 442 yards, which set a new Lions rookie single-game passing record and is the third most yards in team history. It is the most since Jon Kitna had 446 passing yards at Philadelphia September 23, 2007.
Stafford's 442 passing yards are the most by a Lions quarterback in a game that the team won.
According to Stats, Inc., Stafford's five touchdowns by a rookie marked the first time that a rookie in the NFL had five passing touchdowns since the Bears QB Ray Buivid did so on December 5, 1937 against the Chicago Cardinals.
ESPN: YOUNGEST TO THROW 5 TOUCHDOWNS
According to ESPN research, Stafford is the youngest quarterback in NFL history to throw at least five touchdowns in a single game. Stafford at 21 years, 288 days improved upon the previous two highs by Dan Marino in 1984 (22 yrs, 353 days) and Joe Namath (23 yrs, 110 days).
COMEBACK KIDS
The Lions climbed out of a 21-3 deficit in the first half that started with an Aaron Brown touchdown with 0:30 left in the first quarter. Stafford then connected on touchdown passes of 25 (Kevin Smith) and 75 yards (Calvin Johnson) to tie the game, then the Browns went into the half with a 27-24 lead.
The Lions then re-captured the lead on a 1-yard Will Heller grab with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
After a Browns safety and a Browns 2-yard touchdown with 5:44 to play, the Lions trailed 37-31. On the next Lions drive, Stafford threw an interception into the endzone with 3:40 to play.
However, the Lions defense gave the ball back to the offense with 1:46 to play and they needed 88 yards to score a game-tying touchdown. With 0:08 to play, Stafford scrambled right, then left and heaved a ball into the endzone. A pass interference penalty (Browns S Hank Poteat) gave the Lions the ball with 0:00 on the clock and one untimed play.
Stafford took the snap and hit rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew on a 1-yard score to tie the game at 37-37, and then Hanson nailed the extra point for a 38-37 win with no time left.
The Lions came from behind to take the lead three different times in the game.
The fourth quarter comeback is the first of Stafford's career.
This was the first game the Lions came from behind and won with no time left on the clock since their 13-12 win against New Orleans (at San Antonio) December 24, 2005.
ROOKIE TIGHT END
Rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew recorded a career-high with 72 receiving yards on 6 receptions. His biggest catch was the 1-yard grab from Stafford on an untimed down at the end of regulation that led to the Lions win.
K. SMITH FROM SCRIMMAGE
RB Kevin Smith recorded 149 yards from scrimmage (45 rushing, 104 receiving), which is a single-game career high.
Smith is the first Lions running back to reach 100 receiving yards in a game since RB Barry Sanders had 102 receiving yards vs. Tampa Bay September 7, 1997.
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
LIONS ANNOUNCE 12-MEMBER PRIDE OF THE LIONS CHARTER CLASS
In Play Magazine
Lions greats are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today the 12 members of the Pride of the Lions charter class. Those members include: CB Lem Barney (1967-77), S Jack Christiansen (1951-58), QB Dutch Clark (1934-38), OL Lou Creekmur (1950-59), CB Dick “Night Train” Lane (1960-65), S Yale Lary (1952-53, 1956-64), QB Bobby Layne (1950-58), RB Barry Sanders (1989-98), TE Charlie Sanders (1968-77), LB Joe Schmidt (1953-65), RB Doak Walker (1950-55) and OL Alex Wojciechowicz (1938-46).
The Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the 12 of the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of today’s game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns.
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey numbers, name and years played with the Lions. During today’s halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
PRIDE OF THE LIONS CHARTER CLASS
No. Name Pos. Years
20 Barney, Lem CB 1967-77
24 Christiansen, Jack* S 1951-58
7 Clark, Dutch* QB 1934-38
76 Creekmur, Lou* OL 1950-59
81 Lane, Dick “Night Train”* CB 1960-65
28 Lary, Yale S 1952-53, 56-64
22 Layne, Bobby* QB 1950-58
20 Sanders, Barry RB 1989-98
88 Sanders, Charlie TE 1968-77
56 Schmidt, Joe LB 1953-65
37 Walker, Doak* RB 1950-55
50 Wojciechowicz, Alex* OL 1938-46
*Deceased
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Lions greats are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today the 12 members of the Pride of the Lions charter class. Those members include: CB Lem Barney (1967-77), S Jack Christiansen (1951-58), QB Dutch Clark (1934-38), OL Lou Creekmur (1950-59), CB Dick “Night Train” Lane (1960-65), S Yale Lary (1952-53, 1956-64), QB Bobby Layne (1950-58), RB Barry Sanders (1989-98), TE Charlie Sanders (1968-77), LB Joe Schmidt (1953-65), RB Doak Walker (1950-55) and OL Alex Wojciechowicz (1938-46).
The Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the 12 of the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of today’s game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns.
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey numbers, name and years played with the Lions. During today’s halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
PRIDE OF THE LIONS CHARTER CLASS
No. Name Pos. Years
20 Barney, Lem CB 1967-77
24 Christiansen, Jack* S 1951-58
7 Clark, Dutch* QB 1934-38
76 Creekmur, Lou* OL 1950-59
81 Lane, Dick “Night Train”* CB 1960-65
28 Lary, Yale S 1952-53, 56-64
22 Layne, Bobby* QB 1950-58
20 Sanders, Barry RB 1989-98
88 Sanders, Charlie TE 1968-77
56 Schmidt, Joe LB 1953-65
37 Walker, Doak* RB 1950-55
50 Wojciechowicz, Alex* OL 1938-46
*Deceased
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Friday, November 20, 2009
STATEMENT FROM LIONS PRESIDENT TOM LEWAND ON DEATH OF STEFANIE SPIELMAN
In Play Magazine
The wife of Chris Spielman (42), one of the Detroit Lions' all time great Linebackers and fan favorite has passed away. Stefanie Spielman had battled breast cancer for 12 years has finally succumb yesterday (Nov 19) at her home in Columbus, Ohio.
Stefanie is survived by her husband Chris and four children; Madison (15), Noah (13), Macy (8) and Audrey (7).
Here is the statement from the Detroit Lions...
“The Lions’ family is deeply saddened with the passing of a good friend. Stefanie touched the hearts of everyone who knew her. With her strong faith and Chris’ devoted support, Stefanie smiled in the face of adversity and used her battle with cancer to help countless others. She was and always will be an inspiration. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go to Chris and the family.”
Our deepest condolences from everyone here at In Play! Magazine.
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The wife of Chris Spielman (42), one of the Detroit Lions' all time great Linebackers and fan favorite has passed away. Stefanie Spielman had battled breast cancer for 12 years has finally succumb yesterday (Nov 19) at her home in Columbus, Ohio.
Stefanie is survived by her husband Chris and four children; Madison (15), Noah (13), Macy (8) and Audrey (7).
Here is the statement from the Detroit Lions...
“The Lions’ family is deeply saddened with the passing of a good friend. Stefanie touched the hearts of everyone who knew her. With her strong faith and Chris’ devoted support, Stefanie smiled in the face of adversity and used her battle with cancer to help countless others. She was and always will be an inspiration. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go to Chris and the family.”
Our deepest condolences from everyone here at In Play! Magazine.
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
TODAY'S NEWS
In Play Magazine
The Lions practiced in shorts inside on Sandoval Field at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: LB Zach Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), and DE Dewayne White (toe) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), S Ko Simpson, QB Matthew Stafford (knee), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), WR Josh Cribbs (neck), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), T John St. Clair (shoulder), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) and FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice. P Dave Zastudil (right knee) and TE Steve Heiden (ankle) were placed on INJURED/RESERVED today.
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The Lions practiced in shorts inside on Sandoval Field at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: LB Zach Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), and DE Dewayne White (toe) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), S Ko Simpson, QB Matthew Stafford (knee), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), WR Josh Cribbs (neck), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), T John St. Clair (shoulder), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) and FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice. P Dave Zastudil (right knee) and TE Steve Heiden (ankle) were placed on INJURED/RESERVED today.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Lions Notes Nov 18, 2009
In Play Magazine
The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday, November 17 that they have placed CB Jack Williams on the Reserve/Injured list and signed C Melvin Fowler. Today (November 18), the Lions placed S Marquand Manual on Reserve/Injured and signed CB DeAngelo Smith.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), DE Dewayne White (toe), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Ko Simpson and QB Matthew Stafford (knee) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: WR Josh Cribbs (neck), TE Steve Heiden (ankle), T John St. Clair (shoulder), FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder), and P Dave Zastudil (right knee) did not practice. LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice.
The Detroit Lions will host the Cleveland Browns this weekend (Sunday, November 22) at Ford Field with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Detroit will be looking to rebound after a tough 27-10 loss at Minnesota while Cleveland is coming off a 16-0 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. The game will be televised on CBS (subject to blackout in Metro Detroit)
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The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday, November 17 that they have placed CB Jack Williams on the Reserve/Injured list and signed C Melvin Fowler. Today (November 18), the Lions placed S Marquand Manual on Reserve/Injured and signed CB DeAngelo Smith.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), DE Dewayne White (toe), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Ko Simpson and QB Matthew Stafford (knee) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: WR Josh Cribbs (neck), TE Steve Heiden (ankle), T John St. Clair (shoulder), FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder), and P Dave Zastudil (right knee) did not practice. LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice.
The Detroit Lions will host the Cleveland Browns this weekend (Sunday, November 22) at Ford Field with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Detroit will be looking to rebound after a tough 27-10 loss at Minnesota while Cleveland is coming off a 16-0 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. The game will be televised on CBS (subject to blackout in Metro Detroit)
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PRIDE OF THE LIONS
In Play Magazine
The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of Sunday’s game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
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The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of Sunday’s game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009
LIONS TO UNVEIL “PRIDE OF THE LIONS” NOVEMBER 22 VS. CLEVELAND
by Mike Niziolek
Detroit Lions Writer
In Play Magazine
Team to recognize charter class as first members permanently recognized at Ford Field
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of the Lions’ November 22 home game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
“The players who will be honored represent the very best of the best to ever play for the Lions,” said Lions President Tom Lewand. “It is an honor to induct them as our Pride of the Lions charter class. The names of other Lions’ greats will be added to the Pride in the future but we could select no better representatives for our first class than these 12 standouts.”
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
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Detroit Lions Writer
In Play Magazine
Team to recognize charter class as first members permanently recognized at Ford Field
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of the Lions’ November 22 home game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
“The players who will be honored represent the very best of the best to ever play for the Lions,” said Lions President Tom Lewand. “It is an honor to induct them as our Pride of the Lions charter class. The names of other Lions’ greats will be added to the Pride in the future but we could select no better representatives for our first class than these 12 standouts.”
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
Post your comments
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Monday, November 2, 2009
Stafford returns, but Lions fall to Rams
By: Michael Niziolek
Matthew Stafford was back on the field for Detroit, but missed opportunities in all phases doomed the Lions to another loss at Ford Field on Sunday 17-10 to the St. Louis Rams.
Stafford said his knee felt fine after the game, but that he definitely didn’t play as polished as he needed to. Between penalties and mistakes he said as a group the offense left a lot on the field…
"I wasn't hitting guys, the ball wasn't being placed where it needed to be placed, we had some trouble catching it today, it goes on everybody's shoulders,” Stafford said after the game.
He pointed penalties on the last possession that limited their ability to get anything going.
"We had two penalties that put us behind the sticks,” Stafford explained. “We couldn't get anything going, I mean 2nd & 20 and 3rd & 20, good luck. They were playing everybody 10 or 15 yards deep, not many places to throw the ball, so you've got to give it to them. They were up in that position and that's hard to come back from."
Stafford and the Lions also missed Calvin Johnson. The WR was a game-time decision and Jim Schwartz said the decision was made in the morning to hold the receiver out, the Lions could of used Johnson’s big play ability and great touch – Lions receivers struggled with dropped passes throughout the game.
"Obviously a big factor in the game,” Schwartz said afterwards. “We had a chance to make a big play on the very first drive of the game and don't get that one. We had drops from all our positions, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends.”
On defense it was Stephen Jackson who did the damage for the Rams. After keeping Jackson contained in the first half, the Lions couldn’t do much of anything to stop the Rams leading rusher in the second.
"We knew we had to come in and stop 39 (Steven Jackson) and all week we knew that,” Larry Foote said. “We did it for the most part, but we didn't do it for 60 minutes and so we lost."
Jackson rushed for 149 yards in the game, 111 of them in the second half. His 25-yard touchdown run during the game’s final two minutes put the Rams ahead 17-10 and gave them their first win of the season.
“"Man, he's a big guy,” DeWayne White said. “So, regardless, it's going to be a 240-pound guy coming at you. On that play, somehow he got into the secondary; obviously a 180 pound guy tackling a guy that big is going to be more difficult."
Where do the Lions go from here? Both Schwartz and Foote had similar reactions…
“In this league, any sports, when you lose like that, it sucks,” Foote said. “It sticks - but nobody is coming to save us, and we just have to keep fighting."
And Schwartz…
“There's urgency to get this done and we're going to get it done,” the coach explained. “This is a hard-working team - they've played hard - but we have to find ways to put them in position and we can't switch courses, we can't make excuses, we need to go out and win."
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Friday, October 16, 2009
Lions mum on Stafford’s status
By: Michael Niziolek
He talked generally on how the coaching staff handles balancing a player’s injury and the need to win every week, but kept away from talking about Stafford specifically. Schwartz said in order for a player to play with an injury that player needs to be able to effective…
“I think the thing that you need to balance with any player, and I assume you’re talking about the quarterback, but any player, when you talk about an injury, you balance their ability to play, their ability to be effective on the field, their potential to make an injury worse, you balance all of those things,” Schwartz explained. “If a player is out there and he can get through but he can’t be effective in his role then it doesn’t make any sense to play him. It pertains to every single position.”
Last week the Lions waited until Sunday to reveal who would start against Pittsburgh and with only one day to go until they travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers they likely follow a similar strategy. Although with Daunte Culpepper taking most of the snaps this week at practice and a bye week next week it seems unlikely Stafford would get the call.
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Monday, October 12, 2009
Steeler Nation gets it done in Detroit
By: Michael Niziolek
The Detroit Lions sold out Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field, but it was evident from all the terrible towels that many of those tickets were purchased by Steeler fans.
With three minutes and 30-yards to go the Lions looked like they had a golden opportunity to get a touchdown and send the game into overtime – a situation that should have the home crowd’s fans on their feet.
It wasn’t.
Thousands of Pittsburgh fans rallied and made Ford Field anything but enemy territory for the visiting Steelers helping them hold on to their lead and win 28-20.
“They traveled awesome today,” Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said. “It's spectacular to stand on the visiting sideline and see the fan support we had in this building today."
Hines Ward said the crowd definitely made a difference for the team, but wasn’t surprised at how many fans made the trip.
"We're Steeler nation,” Ward explained. “Wherever we travel, we travel well. Playing in the Super Bowl here brought back a lot of memories. We had just as many fans as we did back then, so that's what we love about playing for this organization.”
Daunte Culpepper started in place of the injured Matthew Stafford at quarterback and had problems with the Steelers defensive pressure. Culpepper was sacked seven times, four of those coming during the Lions critical final possession.
After the game Jim Schwartz talked about the offense not picking up the blitz in the final series…
“We didn't recognize it and ended up taking those sacks,” he explained. “In that situation where you got it right there, we've got to be able to throw that ball away, protect that, whatever we've got to do to avoid a sack right there. We can't give up a sack like that because that took us out of the chance that we had at the end of the game."
Losing Calvin Johnson in the first quarter to a leg injury hampered the Lions offense as well. It was the second consecutive game that the big play receiver was taken out with a leg problem, against Chicago Johnson injured his hamstring and left the game in the third quarter.
Derrick Williams and Dennis Northcutt stepped in and made some nice plays, but the 6’5’’ playmaker could have made a difference for Culpepper as he dealt with the heavy pressure from the Steelers defense.
The Lions will travel to Green Bay next week as they look to get a win before the bye week.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Detroit Lions Coach PO'ed After Lose To Bears
Anybody that watched the Lions game yesterday was probably as dumb founded as the next guy/gal.
How could the Lions start out at such a good clip and just lose it after the first half?
It looked as though it would be a good match up as the Lions matched the Bears point for point, that is until half time when something happens?
Is Schwartz's half time pep rally derailing the team? Is the team out of gas?
Head Coach Jim Schwartz says he's as PO'ed as that next guy."A couple of you astutely observed that I seemed a little ticked off after the game and I’m here to say that after 24 hours I’m probably more ticked off now than I was right after the game."
Did the Lions have fighting chance to win the game or at least stay in it? Schwartz says, “We never gave ourselves a chance to win that game. There were way too many errors in all phases of the game, but particularly in special teams. You can’t win a game when you continually put the defense backed up the way that we did and we allowed scores on special teams.”
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One is left to wonder if it's a good idea to come down on such a fragile team outside of the locker room?
As for Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Schwartz says, “Matthew is day-to-day with a knee and we’ll see what he does on Wednesday”
And as far as this weeks upcoming game. Schwartz says it’s possible but he's not giving away any secrets. “I’m not going to comment on (injuries). You know my philosophy on injures as far as commenting on specifics and things like that. He has a knee, he’s day-to-day and we’ll know more on Wednesday."
Photo courtesy Detroit Lions
In Play! Magazine
How could the Lions start out at such a good clip and just lose it after the first half?
It looked as though it would be a good match up as the Lions matched the Bears point for point, that is until half time when something happens?
Is Schwartz's half time pep rally derailing the team? Is the team out of gas?
Head Coach Jim Schwartz says he's as PO'ed as that next guy."A couple of you astutely observed that I seemed a little ticked off after the game and I’m here to say that after 24 hours I’m probably more ticked off now than I was right after the game."
Did the Lions have fighting chance to win the game or at least stay in it? Schwartz says, “We never gave ourselves a chance to win that game. There were way too many errors in all phases of the game, but particularly in special teams. You can’t win a game when you continually put the defense backed up the way that we did and we allowed scores on special teams.”
One is left to wonder if it's a good idea to come down on such a fragile team outside of the locker room? And as far as this weeks upcoming game. Schwartz says it’s possible but he's not giving away any secrets. “I’m not going to comment on (injuries). You know my philosophy on injures as far as commenting on specifics and things like that. He has a knee, he’s day-to-day and we’ll know more on Wednesday."
Photo courtesy Detroit Lions
In Play! Magazine
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Lions lose more than game to Bears...
The Detroit Lions dropped Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears 48-24, but injuries were the bigger story coming out of Chicago for Jim Schwartz's squad. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson both left the game in the fourth quarter because of injuries.
Stafford's injury appears the more serious of the two.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that the Lions quarterback suffered a dislocation of his right knee. The knee popped right back into place, but he will undergo further tests when the team returns home to Detroit to see if he suffered any damage to the cartilage around his knee cap.
Sources on the team told Mortensen that Stafford could be back on the field next week, possibly with a brace, depending on how the test results turn out.
Johnson left the game in the fourth as well because of tightness in his legs, but the problem doesn't appear to be serious.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4531166
Sunday, September 27, 2009
WELL, WELL WELL! LIONS WIN.
Hey! Ho! The wicked witch is dead. The Detroit Lions win 19-14.
How does that saying go about the sun shining on a dog?
The Lions are now 1-2, not 0-20!
This is probably the first game in the last two years that the Lions have played where they looked like a complete team. Offence, Defense and Special teams all played like a cohesive professional football team. It’s a real treat to watch a good football game for a change.
I only have one criticism and that would be Matthew Stafford’s accuracy.
He really threw some zingers today making it hard for his receivers. This may be due to an over correction as he tries to minimize the interceptions he has been throwing. It looks like he was trying too hard, but this is something that CAN be fixed. Other than that I would say the Lions really looked pretty good today.
Ford Field had many empty seats today but the fans that were actually there witnessed a 19 game losing streak come to an end. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a longer skid with 26 games back in the late 70’s.
I wonder if the team including many of the players, coaches and floor sweepers who were not here last year, have the monkey off their back? Can they start wining now? They have had the taste of victory; now will they continue to sip the magic potion?
Let’s hope so. GO LIONS!
In Play! Magazine
How does that saying go about the sun shining on a dog?
The Lions are now 1-2, not 0-20!
This is probably the first game in the last two years that the Lions have played where they looked like a complete team. Offence, Defense and Special teams all played like a cohesive professional football team. It’s a real treat to watch a good football game for a change.
I only have one criticism and that would be Matthew Stafford’s accuracy.
He really threw some zingers today making it hard for his receivers. This may be due to an over correction as he tries to minimize the interceptions he has been throwing. It looks like he was trying too hard, but this is something that CAN be fixed. Other than that I would say the Lions really looked pretty good today.
Ford Field had many empty seats today but the fans that were actually there witnessed a 19 game losing streak come to an end. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a longer skid with 26 games back in the late 70’s.
I wonder if the team including many of the players, coaches and floor sweepers who were not here last year, have the monkey off their back? Can they start wining now? They have had the taste of victory; now will they continue to sip the magic potion?
Let’s hope so. GO LIONS!
In Play! Magazine
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Detroit Lions Injury Report Sept 23
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report.
DID NOT PRACTICE:
DE Cliff Avril (hamstring)
LB Ernie Sims (shoulder)
LIMITED PRACTICE:
CB Phillip Buchanon (neck)
DE Andre Fluellen (knee)
DT Sammie Hill (neck)
DT Grady Jackson (knee)
CB Eric King (shoulder)
QB Drew Stanton (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:
FB Jerome Felton (ankle)
G Daniel Loper (knee)
S Marquand Manuel (knee)
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DID NOT PRACTICE:
DE Cliff Avril (hamstring)
LB Ernie Sims (shoulder)
LIMITED PRACTICE:
CB Phillip Buchanon (neck)
DE Andre Fluellen (knee)
DT Sammie Hill (neck)
DT Grady Jackson (knee)
CB Eric King (shoulder)
QB Drew Stanton (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE:
FB Jerome Felton (ankle)
G Daniel Loper (knee)
S Marquand Manuel (knee)
In Play! Magazine
Monday, September 21, 2009
Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz Addresses The Media After Game 2 Lose.
Jim Schwartz held his weekly press conference today and spoke briefly about Sunday's lose.
Anybody who watched the game has their own opinons but let's see what Head Coach Schwartz has to say.
“There are a lot of different ways that you can look at this game. As a player, as a coach, as a fan – you can look at a lot of different things. Are we the team that jumped up 10-0 and played really well and was on a roll? Are we the team that finished 3 and 27 and didn’t finish the game very well, particularly those first couple of drives after the half?"
Schwartz continues, “If you look at the game, you can find a lot of positives. If you look at the game you can find a lot of negatives. In other words, the answer is, we’re somewhere in between. We’re not yet the team that started 10-0. We’re not the team that finished 27-3. We’re somewhere in between and until we learn to play with a lead, when we get a 10-0 lead and all of a sudden extend into 17-0 and keep on driving and keep expecting good things to happen, we’re not going to be the team that we want to be. We need to learn to play with a lead. We need to have that instinct to go ahead and finish it and not wait for something bad to happen. "
Schwartz comments on the Lions Defense by saying, “Defensively, it’s the same thing. We can’t start off and then – you look at Adrian Peterson’s runs, we bottled him up really well at times and, particularly on our backside, and in contain we would lose some edges with him and we had some long runs that came out: 57 yards on two carries, that’s unacceptable also."
So now what? What's on tap for game three? Schwartz says, "Really the answer, as we look at things: we need to learn to play with a lead, we need to finish what we start and we need the confidence to be able to do that.”
As far as Ernie Sims' injury goes, it's not good. The Head Coach says, “Ernie’s got a fairly significant shoulder (injury) the extent of which is still being tested. There’s a good chance that he’ll miss some time.”
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Anybody who watched the game has their own opinons but let's see what Head Coach Schwartz has to say.
“There are a lot of different ways that you can look at this game. As a player, as a coach, as a fan – you can look at a lot of different things. Are we the team that jumped up 10-0 and played really well and was on a roll? Are we the team that finished 3 and 27 and didn’t finish the game very well, particularly those first couple of drives after the half?"
Schwartz continues, “If you look at the game, you can find a lot of positives. If you look at the game you can find a lot of negatives. In other words, the answer is, we’re somewhere in between. We’re not yet the team that started 10-0. We’re not the team that finished 27-3. We’re somewhere in between and until we learn to play with a lead, when we get a 10-0 lead and all of a sudden extend into 17-0 and keep on driving and keep expecting good things to happen, we’re not going to be the team that we want to be. We need to learn to play with a lead. We need to have that instinct to go ahead and finish it and not wait for something bad to happen. "
Schwartz comments on the Lions Defense by saying, “Defensively, it’s the same thing. We can’t start off and then – you look at Adrian Peterson’s runs, we bottled him up really well at times and, particularly on our backside, and in contain we would lose some edges with him and we had some long runs that came out: 57 yards on two carries, that’s unacceptable also."
So now what? What's on tap for game three? Schwartz says, "Really the answer, as we look at things: we need to learn to play with a lead, we need to finish what we start and we need the confidence to be able to do that.”
As far as Ernie Sims' injury goes, it's not good. The Head Coach says, “Ernie’s got a fairly significant shoulder (injury) the extent of which is still being tested. There’s a good chance that he’ll miss some time.”
In Play! Magazine Current Lions Issue
Friday, September 18, 2009
DETROIT LIONS REACH SELLOUT FOR SUNDAY'S GAME VS. MINNESOTA
Allen Park, Mich. - The Detroit Lions have reached a sellout for Sunday's home-opener against NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. By reaching a sellout by today's 1 p.m. deadline, Sunday's game will air live in the local television markets (Metro Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw/Flint and Toledo markets), including WJBK-TV FOX 2.
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FORMER LIONS' LINEMAN BOB KOWALKOWSKI DIES
Allen Park, Mich. - An ironman along the offensive line for the Detroit Lions from 1966-76 and a pillar in the community has died. Bob Kowalkowski, 65, died last night at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield (Mich.) after a brief illness.
Kowalkowski was a Lions' starting guard through most of his 11 seasons in Detroit after he was drafted as a future pick in the seventh round from Virginia in 1965. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman immediately stepped into a starting slot at left guard as a rookie in 1966 and was switched to right guard in 1968. He started every game for the Lions for five straight seasons (1972-1976) before being traded to Cleveland in 1977. He finished his career playing four games for Coach Bart Starr and the Green Bay Packers in '77.
Kowalkowski played in 138 games during his Lions' career.
"Bob exemplified the tough, physical player you had to be to succeed in the NFL," praised Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders who played nine seasons with Kowalkowski. "When you played with him you knew he had your back, and if he was your friend he was your friend for life."
Quarterback Greg Landry counted Kowalkowski as among the leaders on his offensive line.
"Bob was a little undersized compared to most offensive linemen, but he made up for it with hard work and always going the extra measure in the weight room, film room or during practices," recalled Landry. "Also, I will always remember how much Bob loved to hunt and fish. He and teammates Larry Hand and Ed Flanagan took every chance they could to enjoy the Michigan outdoors."
Tackle Jim Yarbrough was another standout on the Lions' offensive line from 1969-1977 and fondly remembers Kowalkowski as "determined to outwork everyone. Bob left everything on the field each Sunday. When I came in as a rookie he told me to be very thankful we had line coach Chuck Knox. Bob told me to keep my mouth shut and learn to do things the right way.
He was always a leader by example and a great role model for the work ethic required to be a real professional."
For 44 years, the Kowalkowski family has been closely associated with the Lions. Kowalkowski was drafted by the Lions in 1965 and, since 1990, Bob's wife Judy has worked in the Lions' front office and is the Lions' manager of accounting operations.
Another football Kowalkowski, son Scott, was signed as a free agent by the Lions in 1994 and was a standout on special teams and at linebacker for Detroit through 2001. Daughter Robin owns her own business in Chicago.
"The entire Kowalkowski family means a great deal to our organization," said Tom Lewand, president of the Lions. "Obviously, the football side of their contributions is well known but, off the field, the family contributes enormously to the Lions and to our entire community. Bob was a special leader on the field and off."
Community involvement is another Kowalkowski family tradition.
Bob Kowalkowski founded the "Kowalkowski Open" golf tournament in 1973 with friends from the Gladwin (Mich.) Lions Club to support Leader Dogs for the Blind. He also was active with the Danny Thomas March and co-chairman for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital Radiothon during his Lions' career. His Bob Kowalkowski Scholarship Award helped enable students with financial needs and high academic achievements attend college. He was voted the Lions' "Man of the Year" for his community involvement in 1975.
In 1991, the Kowalkowski Open grew into what is now known as Kolo Charities, which has helped raise thousands of dollars for a variety of charities in Michigan. Included among them is the Detroit Lions Courage House which benefits the child abuse prevention and treatment program at HAVEN in Oakland County.
In Play! Magazine
Kowalkowski was a Lions' starting guard through most of his 11 seasons in Detroit after he was drafted as a future pick in the seventh round from Virginia in 1965. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman immediately stepped into a starting slot at left guard as a rookie in 1966 and was switched to right guard in 1968. He started every game for the Lions for five straight seasons (1972-1976) before being traded to Cleveland in 1977. He finished his career playing four games for Coach Bart Starr and the Green Bay Packers in '77.
Kowalkowski played in 138 games during his Lions' career.
"Bob exemplified the tough, physical player you had to be to succeed in the NFL," praised Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders who played nine seasons with Kowalkowski. "When you played with him you knew he had your back, and if he was your friend he was your friend for life."
Quarterback Greg Landry counted Kowalkowski as among the leaders on his offensive line.
"Bob was a little undersized compared to most offensive linemen, but he made up for it with hard work and always going the extra measure in the weight room, film room or during practices," recalled Landry. "Also, I will always remember how much Bob loved to hunt and fish. He and teammates Larry Hand and Ed Flanagan took every chance they could to enjoy the Michigan outdoors."
Tackle Jim Yarbrough was another standout on the Lions' offensive line from 1969-1977 and fondly remembers Kowalkowski as "determined to outwork everyone. Bob left everything on the field each Sunday. When I came in as a rookie he told me to be very thankful we had line coach Chuck Knox. Bob told me to keep my mouth shut and learn to do things the right way.
He was always a leader by example and a great role model for the work ethic required to be a real professional."
For 44 years, the Kowalkowski family has been closely associated with the Lions. Kowalkowski was drafted by the Lions in 1965 and, since 1990, Bob's wife Judy has worked in the Lions' front office and is the Lions' manager of accounting operations.
Another football Kowalkowski, son Scott, was signed as a free agent by the Lions in 1994 and was a standout on special teams and at linebacker for Detroit through 2001. Daughter Robin owns her own business in Chicago.
"The entire Kowalkowski family means a great deal to our organization," said Tom Lewand, president of the Lions. "Obviously, the football side of their contributions is well known but, off the field, the family contributes enormously to the Lions and to our entire community. Bob was a special leader on the field and off."
Community involvement is another Kowalkowski family tradition.
Bob Kowalkowski founded the "Kowalkowski Open" golf tournament in 1973 with friends from the Gladwin (Mich.) Lions Club to support Leader Dogs for the Blind. He also was active with the Danny Thomas March and co-chairman for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital Radiothon during his Lions' career. His Bob Kowalkowski Scholarship Award helped enable students with financial needs and high academic achievements attend college. He was voted the Lions' "Man of the Year" for his community involvement in 1975.
In 1991, the Kowalkowski Open grew into what is now known as Kolo Charities, which has helped raise thousands of dollars for a variety of charities in Michigan. Included among them is the Detroit Lions Courage House which benefits the child abuse prevention and treatment program at HAVEN in Oakland County.
In Play! Magazine
Thursday, September 17, 2009
FORMER LIONS' HEAD COACH MONTE CLARK DIES AT AGE 72
Clark coached Lions 1978-84 and was Dolphins' assistant in 17-0 season
Allen Park, Mich.- Monte Clark, a long-time player and coach in the National Football League including seven seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions (1978-84), died last night (September 16) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit after an extended illness with a bone marrow malignancy associated with lung and liver disease. He was 72.
Clark is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte, sons Randy (and wife Michele), Bryan and Eric (and wife Beth) and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Don of Kingsburg, Calif., and sisters Dolene Nelson of Kingsburg and Kathy Lowe of Clovis, Calif.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (248.549.0500). The family has asked in lieu of flowers or food donations, that memorial donations be made to the Kirk in the Hills Church Outreach and Benevolence Funds (1340 Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302; 248.626.2515).
"Monte will always be remembered as a consummate football man," praised Lions President Tom Lewand. "He knew football inside and out, and had a passion for it. He played the game at a high level and had success wherever he coached. Monte also had a terrific sense of humor. Anyone who knew him could tell you Monte stories that always bring a laugh. Our deepest sympathies go out to Charlotte and the entire Clark family. He will be greatly missed."
In 1978, Clark's first year as head coach of the Lions, Detroit drafted defensive lineman Al "Bubba" Baker in the second round. Baker set the NFL on fire recording 23 quarterback sacks that season and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"Monte Clark taught me how to be a professional," said Baker. "When you are a young kid coming into the pros, you have a lot to learn. I didn't see everything he was trying to teach me right away but as my career progressed I said 'Thank God for Monte Clark.' He helped smooth out my rough edges and that enabled me to have a 13-year NFL career. I have the deepest respect for Coach."
In 1980, Clark helped engineer a Lions' draft that brought running back Billy Sims to Detroit with the first overall pick, quarterback Eric Hipple in the fourth round and, in the seventh round, place-kicker Eddie Murray.
Sims was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1980 when he rushed for 1,303 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
"I thought the world of Coach Clark and had the upmost respect for him," said Sims. "I really appreciated that he was always in my corner."
Hipple played 10 seasons for the Lions (1980-89) and burst onto the scene in his first NFL start on October 19, 1981. Hipple passed for four touchdowns and rushed for two more scores in a 48-17 Lions' romp over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
"I developed a warm relationship with Coach over the many years that we knew each other," said Hipple. "He had a great mind in coaching football particularly on offense, and he was always there for me to help in any way he could during my difficult times years ago."
Murray was selected MVP of the NFL Pro Bowl after his rookie season and ranks 12th in all-time NFL scoring after a 19-season career, his first 12 years in Detroit.
"I will always hold a special place in my heart for Monte after the Lions drafted me in 1980," reflected Murray. "He gave me an opportunity and saw things in me that I didn't see. He always encouraged me to be the best I could possibly be."
Monte Clark enjoyed a football career that spanned over the past 60 years. He was an extraordinary talent out of high school, he played for one of the nation's most historic college football programs, he blocked for one of the NFL's greatest all-time players, he was on the coaching staff of the last undefeated NFL team and he served as a head coach at the pro level, leading the franchise to back-to-back playoff appearances.
While he had many steps along the way, Clark was very much involved in the game up until his recent illness.
NFL COACHING CAREER
Overall, Clark was involved both as a player and as a coach in the NFL World Championship or Super Bowl five times and had three Super Bowl or Championship rings to show for it.
Monte Clark was the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 1978-84 (seven season), and his 1983 squad was the first Lions team in 26 previous years to win the Central Division title. Clark led the Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1982-83, which was the first time the Lions had accomplished that since the team's three-straight playoff runs from 1952-54.
Clark's two best seasons were 1980 and 1983 when the Lions finished 9-7 in each of those years. He complied a coaching record of 63-61-1 (.457) in the regular season. Including postseason, Clark led the Lions on the sidelines for 107 games.
During Clark's seven-year tenure with the Lions, seven players were named to 14 Pro Bowls. Those players included DE Al "Bubba" Baker (1979, 1981), T Keith Dorney (1983), DE Doug English (1979, 1982-84), TE David Hill (1979-80), K Eddie Murray (1981), P Tom Skladany (1982) and RB Billy Sims (1981-83). At least two members of the Lions offense, defense and special teams each were represented in the Pro Bowl during Clark's time in Detroit.
Besides the two playoff runs, Clark's teams are remembered for Sims' spectacular splash into the NFL as a rookie in 1980 and for the dominating defensive line that earned the nickname "Silver Rush" led by Baker and English. Sims was the 1980 NFL Rookie of the Year and Baker was the 1978 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Baker, English, Murray and Sims were named to the Detroit Lions 75th Season All-Time Team in 2008.
Clark entered the coaching ranks after the 1969 season when he retired as a player and took a post with the Miami Dolphins as Don Shula's offensive line coach. Based largely on the way the Browns had successfully run the football over the years, Clark was also responsible for the Dolphins run offense planning.
Clark built his coaching reputation in Miami by developing a makeshift line of free agents and cast-offs into arguably one of the best offensive line units of all time, which he nicknamed "The Mushrooms." All five became Pro Bowl performers. Two of his linemen (Little and Langer) are in the NFL Hall of Fame, and a third player, Bob Kuechenberg, has been on the last five Hall of Fame ballots.
In the six seasons Clark worked for the Dolphins, they were in three Super Bowls-winning two (1972 & 1973) including the only "Perfect Season",17-0 in 1972, in NFL history. They also set the all-time single season rushing record and were the first team ever to have both backs over 1,000 yards in a single season.
"The Mushrooms" distinguished themselves for their pass protection, clever techniques, flawless precision and physical playing style.
In 1976, Clark left the Dolphins and accepted the position as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the San Francisco 49ers. He turned the team around and posted an 8-6 record.
The 49ers were sold, and although the 49ers wanted him to stay, Clark accepted a similar position as head coach of the Detroit Lions.
Clark returned to the Miami Dolphins and worked both as a Pro Personnel Director and later as offensive line coach until coach Don Shula retired in 1995. He also spent a couple of years with his long time friend Bill Walsh at Stanford University; then did a stint at University of California (Berkeley) as offensive line coach.
For 10 years (1999-2008), Clark served as a consultant for the Detroit Lions.
IN PLAY! MAGAZINE - LIONS SPECIAL ISSUE
Allen Park, Mich.- Monte Clark, a long-time player and coach in the National Football League including seven seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions (1978-84), died last night (September 16) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit after an extended illness with a bone marrow malignancy associated with lung and liver disease. He was 72.
Clark is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte, sons Randy (and wife Michele), Bryan and Eric (and wife Beth) and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Don of Kingsburg, Calif., and sisters Dolene Nelson of Kingsburg and Kathy Lowe of Clovis, Calif.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (248.549.0500). The family has asked in lieu of flowers or food donations, that memorial donations be made to the Kirk in the Hills Church Outreach and Benevolence Funds (1340 Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302; 248.626.2515).
"Monte will always be remembered as a consummate football man," praised Lions President Tom Lewand. "He knew football inside and out, and had a passion for it. He played the game at a high level and had success wherever he coached. Monte also had a terrific sense of humor. Anyone who knew him could tell you Monte stories that always bring a laugh. Our deepest sympathies go out to Charlotte and the entire Clark family. He will be greatly missed."
In 1978, Clark's first year as head coach of the Lions, Detroit drafted defensive lineman Al "Bubba" Baker in the second round. Baker set the NFL on fire recording 23 quarterback sacks that season and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"Monte Clark taught me how to be a professional," said Baker. "When you are a young kid coming into the pros, you have a lot to learn. I didn't see everything he was trying to teach me right away but as my career progressed I said 'Thank God for Monte Clark.' He helped smooth out my rough edges and that enabled me to have a 13-year NFL career. I have the deepest respect for Coach."
In 1980, Clark helped engineer a Lions' draft that brought running back Billy Sims to Detroit with the first overall pick, quarterback Eric Hipple in the fourth round and, in the seventh round, place-kicker Eddie Murray.
Sims was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1980 when he rushed for 1,303 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
"I thought the world of Coach Clark and had the upmost respect for him," said Sims. "I really appreciated that he was always in my corner."
Hipple played 10 seasons for the Lions (1980-89) and burst onto the scene in his first NFL start on October 19, 1981. Hipple passed for four touchdowns and rushed for two more scores in a 48-17 Lions' romp over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
"I developed a warm relationship with Coach over the many years that we knew each other," said Hipple. "He had a great mind in coaching football particularly on offense, and he was always there for me to help in any way he could during my difficult times years ago."
Murray was selected MVP of the NFL Pro Bowl after his rookie season and ranks 12th in all-time NFL scoring after a 19-season career, his first 12 years in Detroit.
"I will always hold a special place in my heart for Monte after the Lions drafted me in 1980," reflected Murray. "He gave me an opportunity and saw things in me that I didn't see. He always encouraged me to be the best I could possibly be."
Monte Clark enjoyed a football career that spanned over the past 60 years. He was an extraordinary talent out of high school, he played for one of the nation's most historic college football programs, he blocked for one of the NFL's greatest all-time players, he was on the coaching staff of the last undefeated NFL team and he served as a head coach at the pro level, leading the franchise to back-to-back playoff appearances.
While he had many steps along the way, Clark was very much involved in the game up until his recent illness.
NFL COACHING CAREER
Overall, Clark was involved both as a player and as a coach in the NFL World Championship or Super Bowl five times and had three Super Bowl or Championship rings to show for it.
Monte Clark was the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 1978-84 (seven season), and his 1983 squad was the first Lions team in 26 previous years to win the Central Division title. Clark led the Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1982-83, which was the first time the Lions had accomplished that since the team's three-straight playoff runs from 1952-54.
Clark's two best seasons were 1980 and 1983 when the Lions finished 9-7 in each of those years. He complied a coaching record of 63-61-1 (.457) in the regular season. Including postseason, Clark led the Lions on the sidelines for 107 games.
During Clark's seven-year tenure with the Lions, seven players were named to 14 Pro Bowls. Those players included DE Al "Bubba" Baker (1979, 1981), T Keith Dorney (1983), DE Doug English (1979, 1982-84), TE David Hill (1979-80), K Eddie Murray (1981), P Tom Skladany (1982) and RB Billy Sims (1981-83). At least two members of the Lions offense, defense and special teams each were represented in the Pro Bowl during Clark's time in Detroit.
Besides the two playoff runs, Clark's teams are remembered for Sims' spectacular splash into the NFL as a rookie in 1980 and for the dominating defensive line that earned the nickname "Silver Rush" led by Baker and English. Sims was the 1980 NFL Rookie of the Year and Baker was the 1978 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Baker, English, Murray and Sims were named to the Detroit Lions 75th Season All-Time Team in 2008.
Clark entered the coaching ranks after the 1969 season when he retired as a player and took a post with the Miami Dolphins as Don Shula's offensive line coach. Based largely on the way the Browns had successfully run the football over the years, Clark was also responsible for the Dolphins run offense planning.
Clark built his coaching reputation in Miami by developing a makeshift line of free agents and cast-offs into arguably one of the best offensive line units of all time, which he nicknamed "The Mushrooms." All five became Pro Bowl performers. Two of his linemen (Little and Langer) are in the NFL Hall of Fame, and a third player, Bob Kuechenberg, has been on the last five Hall of Fame ballots.
In the six seasons Clark worked for the Dolphins, they were in three Super Bowls-winning two (1972 & 1973) including the only "Perfect Season",17-0 in 1972, in NFL history. They also set the all-time single season rushing record and were the first team ever to have both backs over 1,000 yards in a single season.
"The Mushrooms" distinguished themselves for their pass protection, clever techniques, flawless precision and physical playing style.
In 1976, Clark left the Dolphins and accepted the position as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the San Francisco 49ers. He turned the team around and posted an 8-6 record.
The 49ers were sold, and although the 49ers wanted him to stay, Clark accepted a similar position as head coach of the Detroit Lions.
Clark returned to the Miami Dolphins and worked both as a Pro Personnel Director and later as offensive line coach until coach Don Shula retired in 1995. He also spent a couple of years with his long time friend Bill Walsh at Stanford University; then did a stint at University of California (Berkeley) as offensive line coach.
For 10 years (1999-2008), Clark served as a consultant for the Detroit Lions.
IN PLAY! MAGAZINE - LIONS SPECIAL ISSUE
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