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?

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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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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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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 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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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…

“He made a great play to finish the game but probably his best play was eluding four team doctors on the sideline that were all trying (to stop him),” Schwartz said. “He was lying on his back when Cleveland took that timeout to set their defense and when he found out it was a timeout he popped up and all the team doctors said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa.' I said, 'What does he have?' They said they didn't even know yet. He made a nice scramble on the previous play but he did a nice job eluding (the doctors).”

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...

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 2^nd & 20 and 3^rd & 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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