DETROIT LIONS ANNOUNCE "ONE PRIDE BLUE OUT" FOR MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The Detroit Lions encourage fans throughout Michigan to wear blue apparel on Monday, Dec. 16 to celebrate Monday Night Football at Ford Field.

in celebration of Monday Night Football at Ford Field, the Detroit Lions have announced a “One Pride Blue Out” for Monday, December 16, 2013. 

In conjunction with their broadcast partners WXYZ Channel 7 and 97.1 “The Ticket”, the Lions ask fans throughout the state of Michigan to participate in the “Blue Out” by wearing blue apparel all day on Monday. Companies and schools are asked to encourage their employees and student to participate.
 

Fans attending the Monday Night Football game at Ford Field are also asked to wear blue.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

LIONS FAST FACTS

Career Franchise Passing Record
QB Matthew Stafford threw for 362 yards at Pittsburgh and set the franchise record for career passing yards previous set by Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne (15,710). With 362 yards against the Steelers, he now has 16,005 in 55 career games. He broke the record on his 79-yard touchdown pass to WR Calvin Johnson in the second quarter.

Stafford is now the first player in team history to throw for 16,000 career passing yards.

Stafford broke Layne’s record, which has stood for 55 seasons (1958), in only his 55th career game. Layne reached 15,710 yards in 97 career games.  

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

Lions Fast Facts - Week 10

NFL RECORD ALL-TIME RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME

At Chicago (11/10), Calvin Johnson played in his 100th career game and qualified (minimum 100 games) as the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards per game with an average of 87.4 (8,740 yards). He broke the previous mark of 81.5 held by Texans WR Andre Johnson. 

SECOND-MOST RECEIVING YARDS THROUGH 100 GAMES

Johnson’s 83 yards at Chicago increases his career receiving yards to total to 8,740. He has now accumulated the second-most receiving yards in NFL history by a player in his first 100 games. 

With 83 yards, he moved past WR Randy Moss (8,680) for second on that list. The all-time record is held by Hall of Fame WR Lance Alworth with 9,019. 

RECEPTION IN FIRST 100 GAMES

With six receptions at Chicago, Johnson has now caught one pass in each of his first 100 games. He is the sixth player in NFL history to catch a pass in their first 100 games (Marshall Faulk, Marvin Harrison, Keyshawn Johnson, Randy Moss and Jeremy Shockey). 

CATCHING TWO

Johnson extended his franchise record of career games with 2+ touchdown receptions at Chicago (11/10) by recording the 12th of his career. This marks his third game of the 2013 season with 2+ touchdown receptions. 

With three games with 2+ receiving touchdowns, this marks the second time in his career he has at least three games with 2+ receiving touchdowns. In 2011, en route to a team-record 16 receiving touchdowns, Johnson had two receiving touchdowns in five different games. 

The Detroit Lions visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 11 road matchup this Sunday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

DETROIT LIONS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS POSTGAME NOTES

In the Detroit Lions’ 31-30 comeback win vs. the Dallas Cowboys, WR Calvin Johnson recorded the second-most single-game receiving yards in NFL history with 329 on 14 receptions (23.5 avg). His 329 yards set a franchise record for most yards in a single game as he broke the previous best set by E Cloyce Box (302) vs. Baltimore October 27, 1950. He finished just seven yards shy of the all-time record set by Los Angeles Rams WR Flipper Anderson vs. New Orleans November 26, 1989. Johnson’s 329 yards are the most by a player in NFL history during a regulation game. In Anderson’s NFL record 336-yard game, 40 yards occurred in overtime. Anderson finished regulation with 296 receiving yards. Johnson is the fifth player in NFL history to record 300 yards in a game and the second in Lions history (302, E Cloyce Box vs. Baltimore 12/3/50). Among his 14 receptions, Johnson recorded catches of (order of longest) 87, 54, 29, 26, 22 and 21. He now holds five of the Lions Top-7 single game best in terms of receiving yards. NFL RECORD TWO-GAME TOTALS With 155 yards last week vs. Cincinnati and 329 yards this week vs. Dallas, Johnson set a new NFL record for the most receiving yards in a two-game span with 484 yards (courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau). Johnson’s 484 yards the past two games broke the previous record set by Houston WR Andre Johnson in 2012. MEGATRON 200 With 329 yards today in the Lions’ win, Johnson registered his fifth career 200-yard receiving game and tied Hall of Fame WR Lance Alworth for the most in NFL history. He has registered a 200-yard game in each of the past three seasons, including two in 2011 and two in 2012. All five of Johnson’s career 200-yard games have occurred in the past 26 games he has played, dating back to a 214-yard outing at Oakland December 18, 2011. JOHNSON’S 150-YARD GAMES With 329 receiving yards vs. Dallas, Johnson registered his 11th career game of 150+ receiving yards. Johnson is the fifth player (tied for fourth-most) in NFL history to record 150 yards 11 times in the player’s first 100 games. His 329-yard game marked the first time in Johnson’s career he has registered 150+ yards in back-to-back games. He joins Lions E Cloyce Box (172 vs. Chicago Bears 12/7/52; 202 vs. Dallas 12/13/52) as the only players in franchise history with back-to-back 150+-yard games. JOHNSON’S 100-YARD GAMES By reaching 100 yards today vs. the Dallas Cowboys, Johnson (329) recorded his 36thcareer 100-yard game and become the third player in NFL history to collect 36 100-yard receiving games in his first 100 games. Today’s game marks Johnson’s 99th career game. He trails only WR Lance Alworth (40) and WR Randy Moss (39) for the most in a player’s first 100 career games. So far in 2013, Johnson has four 100-yard games this season. TALE OF BOTH HALVES Johnson recorded 150+ yards in both the first and second half of today’s game, with 156 in the first half and 173 yards in the second half. Johnson’s 156 yards are the most he has accumulated in the first half of game during his career. It surpasses the 119 yards he gained in the first half at Chicago October 4, 2009. His 156 yards in the first half are the most by a Lions receiver since WR Roy Williams had 167 yards at Philadelphia September 23, 2007. His second-half total of 173 registers as a career high in the second half, breaking the previous high of 171 accomplished twice (at Green Bay 1/1/12 and at Minnesota 11/11/12). SINGLE-GAME RECEPTIONS RECORD Not only did Johnson break the franchise record for receiving yards in a game, he also tied the team record for receptions in a game with 14. He tied the single-game record set by WR Herman Moore vs. Chicago December 4, 1995. Johnson now holds three of the team’s nine games with 12+ receptions, which also surpassed Moore and WR Brett Perriman (2) for the most in team history. TALLY OF 10 With 14 receptions today, it marks Johnson’s 10th career game with 10+ receptions, setting a new record for the most games with 10+ receptions in team history (WR Herman Moore, 9; 1991-2001). JOHNSON’S LONG CATCH In Johnson’s 329-yard record breaking performance, he registered an 87-yard reception on his first catch of the game. The 87-yard reception led to his two-yard touchdown catch four plays later to give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The 87-yard reception is tied for the second-longest of his career and was his third reception of 85+yards. It was the longest of his career that did not result in a touchdown and the longest in team history that did not result in touchdown. Now with four career receptions of 75+ yards, Johnson tied WR Leonard Thompson (4) for the most in franchise history. He now has two 70+-yard receptions on the season (72t at Arizona 9/15). Today was the second time in Johnson’s career he recorded two catches of 50+ yards in a single game. At Houston (10/19/08). Johnson had a 96-yard touchdown and a 58-yard receptions LEADERS THROUGH 100 Johnson’s 329-yard effort vs. Dallas moved him up the list of receiving yards by players in their first 100 career games. After 99 games, he has netted 8,657 yards, the third-most in NFL history. Today, he passed WR Torry Holt (8,598) for third place and Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (8,488) for the fourth-most receiving yards in NFL history among players in the their first 100 games. TOTAL CAREER TOUCHDOWNS Johnson’s two-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter vs. Dallas (10/27) was the 62nd touchdown (receiving and rushing) of his career. He tied WR Herman Moore (62) for the second most total touchdowns in team history. In 99 career games, Johnson has 62 total touchdowns, including 61 touchdown receptions. His only rushing touchdown occurred on a 32-yard rush vs. Tampa Bay October 21, 2007. STAFFORD’S CAREER COMEBACKS QB Matthew Stafford led the Lions to a last-minute 31-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys today as he completed 33-of-48 passes (68.8 pct) for 488 yards and one touchdown. He also scored on a one-yard dive with 12 seconds left to play in regulation after he led the team on a six-play, 80-yard drive in 50 seconds (took possession with 1:02 left). Stafford has now tallied 12 career game-winning drives when trailing or tied in the fourth quarter or in overtime. He has now engineered eight game-winning drives after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter or in overtime, with five of those drives completed with game-winning touchdown passes. Game-Winning Drives (Trailing/Tied) with 2:00 left in 4th Qtr or OT FASTEST TO 15,000 Stafford’s 488 passing yards vs. Dallas moved him past 15,000 career yards as he did so in his 53rd career game. He reached 15,000 career yards faster than any player in NFL history, surpassing the previous high of 56 games set by Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino, QB Kurt Warner and QB Marc Bulger (Courtesy Elias Sports Bureau). Stafford is now the second player in Lions history to pass for 15,000 yards, joining Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne (15,710) as the only Lions passers in team history with 15,000 yards. He went over 15,000 career yards on his 87-yard connection in the first quarter to WR Calvin Johnson. STAFFORD’S 488 PASSING YARDS In the Lions’ 31-30 win over Dallas, Stafford passed for 488 yards, including 79 on the game-winning drive with less than one-minute to playw. It was as the second-highest single-game total in team history and the most in a Lions’ win. Today’s tally trails only Stafford’s 520 yards at Green Bay January 1, 2012. His 488 yards are also the most at home by a Lions quarterback in team history. Stafford now has six career games with 400+ passing yards in his first five NFL seasons, trailing only Hall of Famer Dan Marino (7) for the most such games in the first five seasons of a career in NFL history (courtesy NFL and Elias Sports Bureau). Today’s 488 passing yards by Stafford was his sixth 400-yard game and 21st 300-yard game of his career. Stafford holds six of the team’s nine 400+-yard games in franchise history. Since the beginning of the 2011 season, Stafford has now registered 300 yards in 20 of his 40 starts. He also accumulated his 14th career 350-yard game. 33 PASS COMPLETIONS In the Lions’ 31-30 win, Stafford completed 33 passes against Dallas, which ties for the sixth-highest single-game tally in Lions history. Of the 11 games in Lions history where a passer completed 33+ passes, Stafford now owns six of those games. TEAM OFFENSIVE OUTPUT In Detroit’s 31-30 comeback win over Dallas, the Lions set a franchise single-game record by accumulatin 638 total offensive yards (143 rushing, 480 passing). They broke the previous record of 583 yards set last year at Tennessee (9/23/12) in an overtime game. Today’s game marked the first time in team history that the Lions offense accumulated over 600 total yards in a game. NET TOTAL YARDS DIFFERENTIAL Detroit garnered 623 total yards vs. Dallas and allowed 268 total offensive yards by the Cowboys. The net yards differential equates to 355 yards, which represents the most tallied by the Lions since they netted a 376-yard difference (509 yards; 133 yards allowed) at San Francisco November 3, 1963 120 TOTAL YARDS RB Reggie Bush rushed for 92 yards and registered 30 receiving yards to tally 122 total yards from scrimmage. In seven games played this year, he has totaled 120+ yards four times. Detroit running backs have now tallied 120+ total yards in five of the team’s eight games, including RB Joique Bell’s 132-yard game at Washington (9/22). GREAT TIMING WR Kris Durham, who finished the game with four catches for 54 yards, picked a great time to record his career long reception. With 40-seconds left to play and trailing 30-24, the Lions faced a 2nd-and-10 at the Detroit 37-yard line. Durham streaked down the sideline and registered a career long 40-yard reception that moved the ball down to the Dallas 23-yard line. LIONS LONGEVITY C Dominic Raiola played in his 196th career game today against the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 4 vs. Chicago (10/29), Raiola moved past T Jeff Backus for the third-most career games played in team history. He also set a new franchise record for the most games played by a Lions offensive player and the most games played by a Lions interior (offensive or defensive) lineman. LB Stephen Tulloch played in his 120th consecutive game today vs. Dallas. Tulloch now has the second-most consecutive games played among active defensive players in the NFL. Washington LB London Fletcher has the most with 246.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

Detroit Lions to Play in London England in 2014

2014 INTERNATIONAL SERIES GAMES CONFIRMED JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS, ATLANTA FALCONS vs. DETROIT LIONS, OAKLAND RAIDERS vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LONDON’S WEMBLEY STADIUM The 2014 International Series games are set and an unprecedented six teams will play a regular-season game in London next season. The JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS will host the DALLAS COWBOYS, the ATLANTA FALCONS will host the DETROIT LIONS and the OAKLAND RAIDERS will host the MIAMI DOLPHINS at London’s Wembley Stadium next season. NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL confirmed the match-ups today at a luncheon with sports journalists in London. The dates and times of the games will be announced at a later date. “Our fans in the UK continue to demonstrate their passion for more football,” Goodell said. “Next year for the first time we will play three regular-season games in London. We have scheduled three attractive games with four teams playing in their first International Series game. The growing enthusiasm for the NFL internationally is exciting and we look forward to continuing to respond to this interest in our game.” The Jaguars, who face the San Francisco 49ers in London on Sunday, committed to playing a home game in the UK in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, all at Wembley. Miami will make its second visit to London for a regular-season game after hosting the New York Giants in the inaugural International Series contest in 2007. Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, and Oakland will all play their first international regular-season game next season. The International Series has increased NFL fan interest in the UK, with a current fan base of more than 12 million, including 2.5 million avid fans, a 30 percent increase in avid fans in the past two years. The Minnesota Vikings’ thrilling 34-27 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in London on September 29 drew a crowd of 83,518 to Wembley. The day before, more than 520,000 people attended a football festival on London’s famed Regent Street, enjoying football-themed games and attractions, including visits from Vikings’ and Steelers’ players and coaches. Television ratings have shown substantial growth in the UK since 2006 – with Sunday viewership of NFL games almost doubling and the Super Bowl audience having increased 75 percent. The league also has developed new and stronger business partnerships. Participation in amateur football in the UK has risen since the start of the International Series, growing by approximately 15 percent per year since 2007.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

LIONS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK 3

Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Mike Smith of Lapeer West High School the week three recipient of the 2013 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Smith led his Panthers to a 19-13 victory over cross town rival Lapeer East on September 13 to claim their third victory of the season. This game marked the final game in the 39 year rivalry as both schools will be merging at the end of the school year. In his 29th season at Lapeer West, 16th as head coach, Smith has directed Lapeer West to 11 state playoff appearances. Smith was the defensive coordinator at Lapeer West when the Panthers won the 1995 Class A State Championship. This Friday, Lapeer West, ranked #7 in Division 3, will look to go 4-0 as take on Flint Metro League foe Swartz Creek. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Smith and the Lapeer West Athletic Department are proactive in terms of promoting player health and safety. ImPACT Concussion testing is administered for every athlete during the pre-season of their 7th, 9th and 11th grade year. Coaches and the school athletic trainer have implemented a thorough return to play protocol for concussions as well a heat and humidity policy endorsed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. All coaches are concussion, CPR and AED certified.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

LIONS TO HOST MNF THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON, HOST PACK ON TURKEY DAY

LIONS ANNOUNCE 2013 SCHEDULE


Detroit to host Monday Night Football Game for Third-Straight Season; Set to Face Green Bay on Thanksgiving for 21st Time

Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced their full 2013 season schedule today. For the third-straight season, Detroit will host ESPN’s Monday Night Football when the defending Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens travel to Ford Field Monday, December 16 at 8:40 p.m.

This season marks the first time the Lions will play on MNF in three-straight seasons since 1994-96 and will host a MNF game three-straight years since they had MNF games each season from 1981-84.

The schedule also features the Lions’ 74th Thanksgiving Day Classic Thursday, November 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET vs. the Green Bay Packers. This year’s game marks the 21st meeting between the Lions and Packers on Thanksgiving and the sixth time since 2001. Detroit has played Green Bay more than any other opponent in the Thanksgiving Day series and holds an 11-8-1 (.579) advantage.

In Week 1, Detroit will kick off the regular season at home for the second-consecutive season when they host the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field (September 9, 1 p.m.; FOX) in an NFC North clash. The last time the Lions opened at home in back-to-back seasons was 2005-06.

The 2013 season opener is just the second time in franchise history the Lions will host the Vikings on opening day. The teams have played four previous times on opening day, with the Lions traveling to Minnesota three times (1986, 1987 and 1996) and once at home (1971).

The Lions Bye Week occurs during Week 9 (Sunday, November 3) of the NFL season.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

DETROIT LIONS NAME MARCUS ROBERTSON SECONDARY COACH

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have named Marcus Robertson as the team’s secondary coach.

This year marks his 23rd season in the NFL and his seventh season as a coach, specializing in the defensive backfield. From 2007-11, he coached five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans where he started as an assistant secondary coach (2007-08) and finished as their secondary coach (2009-11).

Robertson’s first season assisting with the secondary was 2007. That season the Titans improved from 27th to 10th in pass defense and from 32nd to fifth in overall yardage allowed.

In 2008, three of the four Tennessee secondary players (CB Cortland Finnegan, S Chris Hope, S Michael Griffin) were invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in their careers. Overall, the defensive backs collected 19 interceptions, which ranked second in the NFL in interceptions by a secondary. The Titans ranked ninth in pass defense and seventh in total defense.

Robertson was promoted to secondary coach in 2009, and the Titans finished that season eighth in the NFL in interceptions (20) and second in interceptions returned for touchdown (4). Over the span of his three seasons coaching Tennessee’s secondary (2009-11), the Titans were second in the NFL in average passing yards/completion (10.55).

Robertson played 12 NFL seasons after being drafted out of Iowa State in the fourth round by the Houston Oilers in 1991. He played his first 10 seasons in Houston/Tennessee and finished his career with Seattle (2001-02). Robertson’s NFL career was highlighted by All-Pro seasons in 1993 and 1997. He played in 157 games (144 starts) with 851 tackles, 24 interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

After Robertson’s playing career ended with the Seahawks, he returned to the Titans as their Director of Player Development (2003-06). He spent the next four years assisting players with their career transition into and out of the NFL through continuing education, financial education and dealing with family matters through player programs. Robertson and his staff won the Winston and Shell Award in 2006 for their innovation and commitment to player development in the NFL

Robertson was inducted into the Iowa State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, where he starred as a cornerback and totaled 257 tackles, six interceptions and nine forced fumbles during his four-year career.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

LIONS HIRE BRIAN XANDERS AS SENIOR PERSONNEL EXECUTIVE

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have hired Brian Xanders as Senior Personnel Executive.

Xanders joins the Lions following a five-year stint with the Denver Broncos, including the last four seasons as the Broncos general manager. This season marks his 20th season in the NFL that includes him serving in a variety of player personnel, football operations and coaching roles while with the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.

“As I indicated following the season, we are re-evaluating all aspects of our football operation," said Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Martin Mayhew. “As part of process, we are thrilled to announce the hiring of Brian Xanders who has a wealth of experience that will benefit our organization.

“Brian’s addition, given his diverse background, positively impacts all aspects of our team's football operations. He brings experience as a general manager and has worked in both pro and college scouting. In addition to his personnel background, he has experience in contract negotiations and expertise in the development and use of technological resources in player personnel.

“Brian will effectively improve on the structure we have in place and will add another set of eyes to the evaluation process.”

At the time of his promotion in 2009, Xanders was the youngest general manager in the NFL at the age of 37.

During his tenure as the Broncos general manager, Denver claimed the 2011 NFC West Division title. From 2009-11, the Broncos acquired 25 players through the draft and free agency that ended the 2011 season on the active or reserve roster. Denver became only the third team since the 1970 NFL merger to win its division and a playoff game with a new head coach following four or fewer wins the previous season.

In 2011, with the assistance of the college scouting and pro personnel departments, Xanders navigated the 2011 offseason that lacked organized team activities and acquired 19 newcomers that made the opening-day roster and helped Denver capture its first AFC West Division title in six seasons. Two of those newcomers—running back Willis McGahee and linebacker Von Miller—made the Pro Bowl, making Denver the only team in the NFL in 2011 to have a free agent acquisition and a draft choice make the league’s annual All-Star Game.

Nine rookies saw playing time for the Broncos in 2011, including seven individuals that started at least one game. Miller was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl after tying the franchise rookie sack record (11.5), and right tackle Orlando Franklin opened all 16 regular-season games and two playoff contests for the club.

The Broncos also signed several players through free agency in 2011, including regular starters in McGahee and tight end Daniel Fells. McGahee rushed for 1,199 yards and tied for the NFL lead with seven individual 100-yard rushing games in 2011. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, who was acquired via trade, solidified Denver’s interior and helped the Broncos improve in nearly every defensive statistical category from 2010.

During his tenure in Denver, he also supervised the day-to-day operations of the Broncos' equipment, medical, video, football systems and turf operations departments. He was originally hired by Denver as assistant general manager in 2008.

Before the Broncos hired him in 2008, he worked 14 seasons (1994-2007) with the Atlanta Falcons. Xanders served as director of football administration/ player personnel analyst (2006-07), director of football administration/ salary cap analyst (2002-05), director of football systems/ player personnel (2000-01), quality control – defense (1997-99) and systems information (1994-96).

Xanders was a member of the Falcons' defensive coaching staff on their 1998 team that became the first in franchise history to earn a Super Bowl berth (XXXIII). Selected by the Falcons to attend Stanford University's NFL Program for Managers in 2005, he has given speeches at several universities on NFL player personnel issues.

During his previous 19 NFL seasons, Xanders has worked with 11 different head coaches, including Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips, Jim Mora, Mike Smith, Mike Shanahan and John Fox. He also trained under several different player personnel executives such as Ron Hill, Bobby Beathard, Rich McKay, Tim Ruskell, Billy Devaney, Phil Emery and Thomas Dimitroff.

A former middle linebacker who played for Bobby Bowden at Florida State University from 1989-92, Xanders was a member of four bowl-winning teams with the Seminoles that had a 42-7 combined record. He was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team selection and graduated from FSU with a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business management.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

LIONS LONG SNAPPER DON MUHLBACH ADDED TO NFC PRO BOWL TEAM

Allen Park, Mich.— Detroit Lions LS Don Muhlbach was added today to the 2013 NFC Pro Bowl team. Muhlbach’s addition as the squad’s long snapper was made by Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy and the Packers coaching staff, who are serving as this year’s NFC staff.

Muhlbach, the ninth-year long snapper, is the first-ever Lions specialist who did not kick, punt or return to play special teams in the Pro Bowl.

“Don is a huge part of my success and a significant part of our kicking game,” said K Jason Hanson. “He is as accurate and consistent as there is in the League. With the field goal process, it all starts with him. He works hard and takes great pride in what he does. This is a great honor for him and is well deserved.”

In 2012, Muhlbach was a key piece to Hanson breaking the team’s all-time single-season scoring record, as he snapped for 32 field goals and 38 PATs. Muhlbach proved exceptionally valuable on long distance kicks this year as his steady snaps aided Hanson when he connected on 18 40+-yard field goals, the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.

Muhlbach’s velocity and accuracy places him among the best in the league in his specialty, and he is a critical part of the Lions’ snap-hold-kick trio. During his career, he has played in 132 career games and recorded 32 special teams tackles.

Since Muhlbach has snapped for Hanson on the field goal team in 2004, that unit’s accuracy has improved with the most significant increase coming on long-range field goals. Hanson’s field goal accuracy with Muhlbach as the snapper has increased 5.8 percent on overall attempts. That improvement is 12.7-percent for field goals of 40-49 yards, 14.2-percent for field goals 40+ yards and 19.4 percent for field goals of 50+ yards.

With Muhlbach snapping, Hanson is 59-of-73 (80.8 pct) on field goal attempts of 40-49 yards, 81-of-107 (75.7 pct) from 40+ yards and 25-of-37 (67.6 pct) on 50+-yard field goals.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

CALVIN JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT BREAKING JERRY RICE'S RECORD

LIONS WR CALVIN JOHNSON ON...

 

How breaking the NFL record for single-season receiving yards feels with a 4-11 record: “It feels tough because we fought our way back a little bit and just couldn’t…it was just turnovers that kept us... I had a fumble. It was just turnovers. We took ourselves out of it. But at the same time man, it’s an accomplishment that took a lot of work man. You can’t take that thing away.”

 

What it was like to go to the sideline and give your father the record-setting football: “When you’re in the game you’re still in the moment. You’re still on the play that just happened so I was still focused in there. I was in my zone you know. So I went over there – I don’t think I even said anything to my dad when I gave him the ball. I just gave him a hug. When I think back on it, it was a special moment.”

 

What you were thinking as you were crossing the field and the ball was coming towards you: “The crazy thing is we ran the ball earlier, got walled off by the mike (LB Akeem Dent) and (Sean) Witherspoon and called the same route again and just bounced it around like coach told me. The biggest thing is I just like to see the ball. See the ball.”

 

If he knew as soon as you caught it: “Yeah, because the guys were telling me on the sideline I’m like four, five yards away so it was just like one reception and I’m there. So I’m like shoot, we’re going to knock this thing down.”

 

Who was telling you on the sideline: “Everybody – everybody was keeping record of it.”

 

If he his aim set on 2,000 yards: “Man, I don’t know where we stand but we got another game left so you never know what could happen. Like I said, just told the team, ‘Come back study film; we got a divisional opponent so we might as well go ahead and get our mind right.’ We’ll come in here and try to get this win this week and leave the season on a good note.”

 

How big a part of this record is QB Matthew Stafford: “It’s half his too. He’s the one delivering me the ball every week. When we both stay healthy man, we can do some special things out there.”

 

If he believed tonight would be the night he broke the record: “Never know because we’ve had plenty of 200-yard games. Like I say, when we’re on the field together, you know what’s going to happen. When we see our favorite coverage, we’re going to attack it. We saw some holes in there and my trainer, I was working with him before the game, he’s like, ‘We’re going to get this thing tonight.’ He had me feeling good before the game and we got it.”

 

The trainer: “My trainer from back home, Tom Bender.”

 

If the Falcons played you straight up more than most teams did: “They did. They did a game plan. They’re obviously a team that’s going to do what they do. They stuck to what they did and we saw that a lot this year. More than expected and we were able to take advantage of it sometimes but we weren’t able to get the record like we wanted. In the end of things, didn’t expect coming into the year to see this happen, but now that it has it’s a part of history. I’m sure it will sink in at some point.”

 

Where the ball is: “My dad got it right there. I told him not to let it go.”

 

The ball not going to Canton: “Oh no, that’s my ball. (Laughter)”

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR JOHNSON AGAINST ATLANTA FALCONS

Postgame notes from the Detroit Lions 31-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field, December 22, 2012.
JOHNSON’S RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCE

With 11 receptions for 225 yards vs. the Atlanta Falcons, WR Calvin Johnson set several NFL and franchise records.

 

Single-Season Receiving Yards – NFL Record

• Johnson established a new NFL single-season record for receiving yards, now with 1,892 yards, by breaking Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice’s 17-year old mark of 1,848 yards in 1995. The new record occurred on his 10^th reception of the game that went for 26 yards with 3:05 left in the fourth quarter.
• He is now 108 yards shy of becoming the first player in NFL history to register 2,000 receiving yards in a season.

Single-Season Receiving Yards – Lions Record

• On the second reception of the game, a 49-yard catch in the first quarter, Johnson set a new franchise record for receiving yards in a season. He broke a team record set by WR Herman Moore (1,686) in 1995.

Season Receiving Yards Milestones

• Johnson is the second player to register over 1,800 receiving yards and the fifth player to record over 1,700 yards in NFL history.Rice (1,848 in 1995) and Johnson are the only players to record 1,800 receiving yards in a season, and Johnson joins Rice, WR Isaac Bruce (1,781 in 1995), Hennigan (1,746 in 1961) and WR Marvin Harrison (1,722 in 2002) in the group of receivers to record 1,700 yards in a season.

Yards Per Game Average - Season

• With 1,892 yards in 15 games, Johnson is now averaging 126.1 yards per game. His yards per game average is currently the highest among any players in NFL History to play at least 12 games in a season. His yards per game average increased today and moved past WR Charley Hennigan (124.7 yds/g in 1961) and WR Leroy “Cray Legs” Hirsch (124.6 in 1951).

Consecutive 100-Yard Games

• By gaining over 100 yards, Johnson set an NFL record with his eighth-straight 100-yard receiving game. He broke the previous record (7) by WR Charley Hennigan (1961) and WR Michael Irvin (1995).

100-Yard Games - Season

• Johnson’s also tied an NFL record with his 11th 100-yard receiving game this season. He is currently tied with Irvin who had 11 in 1995.
• With 11 100-yard receiving games, Johnson broke the franchise record of 100-yard games in a season set by Moore (10) in 1995.

200-Yard Games

• With 225 yards vs. Atlanta, Johnson registered his fourth career 200-yard game and became the fifth player in NFL history with four career 200-yard games (WR Lance Alworth, 5; E Don Hutson, WR Charley Hennigan and WR Jerry Rice).
• His four 200-yard games are tied for the second-most in NFL history.
• Johnson’s 225 yards are the fourth-highest single-game total in Lions history and the second-highest of Johnson’s career.
• Johnson registered two 200-yard games in 2011 and in 2012, becoming the first player in NFL history to record two 200-yard games in two different seasons.

Consecutive 10+-Reception Games

• Johnson’s 11 receptions was his fourth-straight game with 10+ receptions and he became the first player in NFL history to register 10+ receptions in four-straight games.

Season Receptions Totals

• Johnson’s 11 receptions increased his season total to 117. He is the second player in team history to record 110+ receptions in a season. He surpassed WR Herman Moore (106 in 1995) and WR Brett Perriman (108 in 1995) for the second-most receptions in a season by a Lions receiver. Moore holds the all-time team record with 123 in 1995.
• With 117 receptions, Johnson is now tied with WR Torry Holt (2003) for the ninth-most single-season receptions in history.

Two-Year Dominance

• Johnson is the first player in NFL history to record over 3,400 and 3,500 receiving yards in a span of two seasons. He extended his NFL record for most receiving yards by registering 3,573 yards since the beginning of the 2011 season.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

Lions Saturday Night Half Time

More than 400 children from Metro Detroit elementary schools will participate.

Allen Park, Mich.—Ford Field will transform into a giant recess during halftime of the Detroit Lions’ game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, December 22. Approximately 400 metro Detroit elementary students will be teaming up with Lions alumni to highlight Living for the City’s Play 60 partnership with Playworks Detroit.

 

“Along with our partners, Playworks Detroit, XBOX Kinect and Blue Cross Blue Shield, we have a fiduciary responsibility to help support physical activity and play,’ said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. “This halftime program is a great opportunity to share our dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Detroit area students with our fans.”

 

At the conclusion of the first half, Playworks Detroit will lead children in traditional recess activities including hula hoops, jump ropes and a game of ‘spiders and flies,’ a style of tag that will span the entire field. Lions alumni Lamar Campbell, Damien Gregory, Ron Rice and Cory Schlesinger will join the students during the halftime event.

 

"There is nothing like seeing the joy on a child's face when they are safely playing at recess", said Jeannine Gant, Playworks Executive Director in Detroit, "Playworks is so glad the Lions see the value of play in helping children get physically active."

 

To measure the combined movement of the whole recess group, select students will be wearing MOVbands, donated by MOVABLE. MOVbands are fun and simple wrist-worn activity monitors that can be used with MOVchallenges in schools to promote increased movement and goal-setting. An estimate of the students’ total movement will be made in the third quarter of the game.

 

"Having awareness of our daily physical activity is a key component to creating a healthy and active lifestyle. We are very excited to have this opportunity to use MOVbands to show how easy and fun it can be to increase your movement," Blake Squires, Founder and CEO of MOVABLE.

 

Playworks Detroit is a nonprofit organization that supports learning through safe, inclusive play and physical activity in schools through organized games and activities. They aim to teach valuable lessons such as cooperation, conflict resolution and social skills and through their partnership with Living for the City’s Play 60 initiative, Playworks is helping local students become active and play for at least 60 minutes a day.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

FORD FIELD GOES WIFI

DETROIT — Detroit Lions fans with Verizon Wireless service will have access to free WiFi at Ford Field beginning December 22 when the Lions take on the Atlanta Falcons. Ford Field becomes the ninth WiFi enabled NFL stadium.

“We were excited to collaborate with Verizon to provide our shared customers with free WiFi at Ford Field,” said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. “It’s another opportunity to enhance our stadium experience and, along with the Detroit Lions mobile app, engage our fans like never before.”

The new high-density WiFi system, designed and built by Verizon, supplements its traditional cell sites that provide wireless coverage in and around Ford Field as well as its existing in-stadium distributed antenna system (DAS).

Verizon’s DAS, which is the standard for densely populated areas where volumes of wireless demand are high, was built into Ford Field in 2006. At the start of the 2012 football season, Verizon began redesigning and expanding its DAS to increase capacity for fans.

“Our Network team worked closely with the Detroit Lions to construct this new WiFi system that will provide our customers with even more capacity at Ford Field,” said John Granby, president, Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “Sports fans are increasingly reliant on their wireless devices for streaming video, accessing social media and downloading their favorite team apps and other content. We built this high-tech network to offer our subscribers another reliable solution that works in tandem with our existing network.”

Approximately 10 miles of blown fiber-optic cable and 15 miles of copper cabling were used to build the new network, which is the first of its kind in any major sports arena in Michigan.

LIKE the In Play! Magazine Facebook Page

LIONS - CARDS, HIGHTLIGHTS - LOWLIGHTS...

THE HGHLIGHTS...


WR Calvin Johnson
WR Calvin Johnson caught 10 passes for 121 yards at Arizona (9/16). With his effort against the Cardinals, Johnson reached or surpassed several individual, team and NFL milestones. On the season, he has a career-high 106 catches for 1,667 yards.

PACING THE RECORD
With 1,667 receiving yards through 14 games, Johnson has stayed on pace to break the NFL’s all-time single-season record for receiving yards set by Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice with 1,848 yards in 1995. Johnson is now 181 yards shy of Rice’s mark and needs to average 90.5 receiving yards per game in the team’s final two games to tie Rice’s record.

Johnson trails WR Herman Moore by 20 yards for the Lions’ single-season record. Moore set the franchise record with 1,686 yards in 1995. Johnson finished the 2011 season just five yards shy of the mark when he recorded a career-best 1,681 yards.

SEVEN-STRAIGHT 100-YARD GAMES
With 121 yards at Arizona, Johnson registered his seventh-straight 100-yard receiving game and tied the NFL record for consecutive 100-yard games (7; WR Charley Hennigan in 1967 and WR Michael Irvin in 1995).

He broke the Lions franchise record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games previously set by WR Pat Studsill (6) in 1966.

Johnson garnered his 10th 100-yard receiving game this season and is now tied for the second-most during a season in NFL history (10; WR Charley Hennigan in 1961, WR Herman Moore in 1995, WR Marvin Harrison in 2002 and WR Torry Holt in 2003).

By reaching 10 100-yard games in 2012, he tied the Lions franchise record of 10 set by WR Herman Moore in 1995.

He tallied his 31st career 100-yard receiving game and 18th over the past two seasons.

SEASON TOTAL OF 1,667 YARDS
With 1,667 receiving yards in 2012, Johnson has surpassed 1,600 receiving yards this season, becoming the first receiver in NFL history with back-to-back 1,600-yard seasons.

He joins WR Marvin Harrison (1999, 2001) and WR Torry Holt (2,000 and 2003) as the only players in NFL history with two 1,600-yard receiving seasons.

Johnson is only the third player in NFL history to register 1,600 yards in the first 14 games of the season and the first to do so since WR Lance Alworth (1,602) in 1965. He has the second-most yards through 14 games behind WR Charley Hennigan (1,746 in 1961).

100 RECEPTIONS
With 10 catches today, Johnson moved his receptions output on the season to 106. He is now the third player in team history to record 100 receptions in a season. Johnson is the first to accomplish this since WR Herman Moore had 104 receptions in 1997.

Johnson’s 106 receptions are tied with Moore (106 in 1996) for the third-highest single-season total in Lions history.

It is the fifth season a player has registered 100+ receptions in team history

10 RECEPTIONS
With 10 receptions at Arizona, Johnson registered his fifth game this season with 10+ receptions and set a new franchise record for most games of 10+ receptions in a single season. He broke the team’s record previously set by WR Herman Moore, who had four in 1995.

His 10-catch outing at Arizona was the third consecutive game with 10+ receptions (13 vs. Ind 12/2; 10 at GB 12/9; 10 at Arz 12/16), tying a franchise record set by WR Brett Perriman in 1995 (10 at TB 11/12/95; 12 at Chi 11/19/95; 12 vs. Min 12/23/95).

Johnson registered his eighth career game with 10+ receptions, which trails WR Herman Moore’s career franchise record of nine.

JOHNSON’S TWO-YEAR TOTALS
Johnson now has tallied 3,348 receiving yards since the beginning of the 2011 season. He has set the NFL record for most receiving yards over a two-year span. He surpassed the previous mark of 3,347 yards by Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice in 1994-95.

7,500 YARDS THROUGH 90 GAMES
Johnson now has tallied 3,348 receiving yards since the beginning of the 2011 season. He has set the NFL record for most receiving yards over a two-year span. He surpassed the previous mark of 3,347 yards by Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice in 1994-95.


THE LOWLIGHTS...from Today's Presser.

LIONS HEAD COACH JIM SCHWARTZ ON...

The most disappointing aspect of the loss to Arizona: “Well, we’ve had a lot of games this year that came down to one play. You know, one critical play in the fourth quarter that you look at and say, ‘Hey, if we made that one we would have won the game.’ We can’t be naïve to think that this was one of those games. Even though we have a chance to pull within seven with six minutes to play, that really wasn’t the case in this game. There were way too many errors in this game to have a chance to win and it showed on the scoreboard.”


If the mistakes on the field have been mental errors: “We had very few mental mistakes in the game. You know, we had a couple false starts with crowd noise. I mean, we need to do a better job with those, but we had very few times where guys weren’t in the right position or stuff like that. I’m never going to get up here and say that talent’s our issue. I have confidence in our players. If we put them on the field, we have confidence in them. You know, you might not always have a full complement of players, but it’s our job as coaches to put those guys in position. Try to find the combination of guys and try to find a way to get it done. We were short a defensive lineman this week. We went to some three defensive lineman packages. We’ve always adjusted and that’s just our job as coaches, and it’s players’ jobs as players to make those adjustments.”


If the coaching staff is preparing the team well enough: “We’re all in this together and this team goes out and works hard and prepares every single week. We haven’t always gotten it done on Sundays, particularly these last six weeks. And we’re going to work hard to get that right.”


What responsibility he takes as coach: “One hundred percent. I appreciate it when a quarterback wants to take blame for it, but ultimately it’s the head coach’s responsibility. I mean, head coaches always have a record. Other than playoffs I don’t know if I’ve ever seen quarterbacks have records. Usually it’s playoffs, ‘Hey this guy is whatever in the playoffs.’ The ultimate responsibility of the team is the head coach and I need to do a better job, 4-10 isn’t good enough.”

How disturbed he is by a six-game losing streak: “Well, we’re not happy about it. It’s been a long time since we’ve won. We’ll work hard to get that right but it’s certainly not something we’re happy about.”

LB Stephen Tulloch’s comment about players on one-year deals having that on their minds on the field: “I don’t think that has anything to do with our coaching staff. Players, I mean, it’s a real dynamic as far as the business of the NFL when it comes to players. I think all our players are professional and they leave that aside when it comes to playing in the game. I don’t want to speak for Stephen but I haven’t seen any sign of that. I think we have a lot of guys that are on the last year of the deal that are having some of their best seasons.” 

Read In Play! Magazine Here

SCHWARTZ TRYING TO KEEP LIONS FROM FALLING APART

LIONS HEAD COACH JIM SCHWARTZ ON:

12/7/2012

The anonymous comments from a Lions player about DT Ndamukong Suh and how troublesome it is that it’s come from within: “I don’t even know if it’s coming from within. I think that before when we had anonymous source criticizing and everything else, we took the approach of we’re not going to comment on that and I think I’ll take the same approach here. When we start responding to reports or anonymous sources it just further cheapens this whole thing. We go on the record for what we believe and how we react and stuff like that and just end it there.”

Talking to the team leaders to figure out if there is fracturing going on in the locker room: “I think any time that you lose, particularly four games that we’ve lost that have been literally one play, it can be… it is very disappointing. It would be very frustrating for a team. But like you said it’s up to the leaders of the team to stay together. You need to be able to keep that in context. A lot of times from a player’s standpoint, particularly some of the ways that we lost, it wasn’t one play in the game. It was maybe six plays, and if we make one of those six we have a very good opportunity to win. That’s hard on players because you go and lose the game, and they all feel as though they were the one that made the play that could’ve lost the game. Sometimes it’s easier to get beat 42 to nothing. Player drops a touchdown pass or has a penalty, looks at it and says, ‘Jeez it didn’t really cost us the game.’

“So it’s always – anytime you lose it’s difficult in sports in general. Professional sports, college sports, anything else it’s always a difficult situation. But I think in this case it’s even a little tougher because of the way that we’ve lost those games and from a coaching standpoint, from a player standpoint, everybody feels responsible and everybody’s anxious to do better.”

How he addressed that with the team today if at all: “Well, I mean I have addressed it, but I’m not going to go into things like that. I’ve never gone to you guys with what’s said behind closed doors because there’s a reason that we say them behind closed doors. I think that’s one of the things that’s gotten astray in this whole thing. Some things are best left in meeting rooms and locker rooms and things like that. As we continue to peel the curtain back more and more and try to make this all into a soap opera. There’s less and less of it that stays where it should. Things that I say to the team I’d like to keep between me and the team.”

How you prevent the flood gates from opening after losing four straight: “We’re not worried about that. We’re worried about the Green Bay Packers, and if we’re worried about anything else we’re not going to play very well on Sunday. We need to keep our concentration on the Green Bay Packers. They have nothing to do with the other stuff that’s happened even though they were one of the games. Go out and practice and stay focused on the next opponent. That’s what we need to do.”

Read In Play! Magazine Here

TERRY HESSBROOK OF ITHACA HIGH SCHOOL NAMED 2012 DETROIT LIONS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

Michigan National Guard on Board as Presenting Sponsor of High School Coach of the Week/Year Program

Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Terry Hessbrook of Ithaca High School the 2012 High School Coach of the Year, presented by the Michigan National Guard.

On November 23, Hessbrook led his Yellowjackets to a 37-27 victory over Constantine in the Division 6 Michigan High School Football State Championship at Ford Field. With this victory, Ithaca has won three straight state championships in Division 6 and has become the 1st football program in state history to win a state championship in 3 seasons with an undefeated record. Ithaca has 42 straight victories and currently has the 4th longest winning streak in state history.

Now in his 17th season at Ithaca (9th as head coach), Hessbrook has a record of 87-17 at Ithaca. Hessbrook spent 5 years as head coach at Montabella before going back to coach at his alma mater. Hessbrook was named a Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week in 2010.

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Calvin Johnson's BIG Day!

Following the Detroit Lions' 33-35 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field, December 2, 2012.

Johnson Ties NFL Record
WR Calvin Johnson caught 13 passes for 171 yards and 1 touchdown today vs. Indianapolis. He now has five-straight games with 125+ receiving yards which ties an NFL record set by Lions WR Pat Studstill in 1966. (Courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau)

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Johnson’s current streak of four games with 140+ yards ties the longest streak in NFL history by Lions E Cloyce Box spanning the 1952-53 seasons. He is the only player with four-straight games with 140+ yards in the same season.

Career-High in Receptions
Johnson’s 13 catches set a new career high and are the second-most receptions in a game in Lions history. He was one shy of the team record of 14 set by WR Herman Moore vs. Chicago December 4, 1995.

He also set a career high with 8 receptions in the first half of today’s game. His previous best was 6 accomplished twice (at Chicago 11/2/08 and at Jacksonville 11/4/12).

Johnson’s 100-Yard Streaks
With 171 yards today, it marks the first time in Johnson’s career that he has recorded five-straight 100-yard games.

Johnson’s fifth-straight 100-yard game is the first for the Lions since WR Pat Studstill recorded six in a row in 1966.

With 171 receiving yards today, Johnson registered his 29th career 100-yard receiving game. Johnson is second only to WR Herman Moore (34) for the most in team history.

It is also Johnson’s eighth 100-yard game this season and ties a career high for the most 100-yard games in a season. Johnson registered 100 receiving yards eight times in 2008. WR Herman Moore holds the franchise record with 10 100-yard receiving games in 1995.

Already the only player in team history who has recorded seven 100-yard receiving games in two different seasons, Johnson is now the first player in team history to record eight 100-yard games in two different seasons.

Johnson Surpasses 1,400 yards
Johnson’s 171 yards increased his season total through 12 games to 1,428 receiving yards. He has now reached the 1,300-yard and 1,400-yard marks for the second consecutive season.

He now has three career 1,300-yard seasons. Johnson is the only player in team history with at least two seasons garnering 1,300 receiving yards and now has three (1,331 in 2008 ,1,681 in 2011, 1428 in 2012).

Johnson’s Stretch Run
With 1,428 yards in 12 games (119.0 avg), he now has the most yards through 12 games since WR Lance Alworth has 1,428 in 1965. He is tied for the third-most receiving yards through 12 games in NFL history. While tied with Alworth, he is behind WR Charlie Hennigan with 1,541 in 1961 and WR Crazy Legs Hirsch with 1,495 in 1951 for the most receiving yards through 12 games. (Courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau)

Johnson’s 119.0 yards per game average through 12 games is on pace to break both the Lions all-time single season record for receiving yards (WR Herman Moore, 1,686 in 1995) and the NFL record for receiving yards in a season (WR Jerry Rice, 1848 in 1995). At 119.0 yards per game, he would finish the season at 1,904 yards.

Johnson trails the record by 420 yards and needs to average 105.0 yards per game to reach Rice’s record.

Check us out on Facebook

ALTO REED TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM AT LIONS’ THANKSGIVING GAME

Legendary sax man from Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band also set to headline Rock for Jobs concert at The Fillmore Detroit

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions announced today that current and founding member of Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band sax man Alto Reed will be performing the national anthem prior to the Lions’ 73rd Thanksgiving Day Classic November 22 vs. the Houston Texans.

Reed, who will be featured at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Rock for Jobs concert, is a native Detroiter and legendary sax man. His most recognizable performances include the soulful introduction to "Turn the Page" and the saxophone solo in "Old Time Rock and Roll". Reed has also performed with Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, The Blues Brothers and The Ventures among others.

On Friday, November 23, Alto Reed’s AllStars with special guests rock n’ roll icon Mitch Ryder and former Grand Funk Railroad frontman Mark Farner, will perform at The Fillmore Detroit for the Rock for Jobs concert. Proceeds will support Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit programs that help unemployed Metro Detroiters earn jobs.

Tickets start at $10 and are available through Live Nation at www.livenation.com. Gold Main Floor Reserved premium seating is available. The Fillmore Detroit is located at 2115 Woodward Avenue, next to The Fox in the heart of the theatre district. Doors open at 6 PM with the concert beginning at 7 PM.

Read In Play! Magazine Here

DETROIT LIONS VS GREEN BAY PACKERS POST GAME WRAP UP

POSTGAME NOTES

Johnson’s 100-yard Effort
WR Calvin Johnson caught 5 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown in today’s game vs. Green Bay. With 143 receiving yards, Johnson registered his 27th career 100-yard receiving game. Johnson is second only to WR Herman Moore (34) for the most in team history. He also registered 100 yards for the sixth time this season.

Johnson now has three-consecutive 100-yard games for the third time in his career. In the past three games, he has registered 129 yards (at Jax 11/4), 207 yards (at Min 11/11) and 143 yards (vs. GB 11/18) and has averaged 159.6 yards per game.

Johnson Surpasses 1,000 Yards
On Johnson’s 53-yard reception in the first quarter, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season. He now has reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career and for the third season in a row (2010-2012). Johnson also registered 1,000 receiving yards in 2008 (1,331), 2010 (1,120) and 2011 (1,681).

Through 10 games, he has accumulated 1,117 yards, averaging 111.7 yards per game. That average puts him on pace to record 1,787 yards in 16 games.

By reaching 1,000 yards this season, Johnson joins WR Herman Moore and WR Johnnie Morton as the only players in Lions history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in four seasons. Moore (1994-97) and Morton (1997-99, 2001) each did it four times during their careers with the Lions.

Johnson also joined Moore (1994-97) and Morton (1997-99) to register 1,000 receiving yards in three-straight seasons.

2,100 Career Points
K Jason Hanson connected on field goals of 30 and 27 yards, along two extra points, to score eight points against Green Bay. With eight points today, Hanson reached 2,100 career points and became the third player (K Morten Andersen and K Gary Anderson) in NFL history to score 2,100 career points. In 321 career games, Hanson has scored exactly 2,100 points.

Hanson also became the first player in NFL history to score 2,100 career points with one team.

He ranks third all-time in career scoring with 2,100 points and third all-time in career field goals with 483. He trails K Morten Andersen (2,544; 565) and Gary Anderson (2,434; 538) in both categories.

Career Passing Yards
QB Matthew Stafford threw for 266 yards vs. Green Bay and increased his career total to 10,828. Stafford moved into fifth place on the Lions all-time career passing list, surpassing QB Eric Hipple (10,711).

Stafford now trails QB Gary Danielson (11,885) for fourth place on the Lions all-time career passing list.

Rush End
DE Cliff Avril registered one sack (5-yard loss) and two tackles in the game. Avril now leads the team tis season with 5.5 sacks. Since the beginning of the 2011 season, Avril has 16.5 sacks, including a career high 11.0 in 2011.

Avril, who now has 35.5 career sacks, became the fifth Lions defensive player since 1982 to record 35 career sacks.

Lions Longevity
By starting in today’s game, T Jeff Backus and C Dominic Raiola both moved up on the Lions all-time career games played list.

Today’s game marks the 186th career game for T Jeff Backus. He passes Hall of Fame CB Dick LeBeau (185) for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time career games played list.

Raiola has now passed FB Cory Schlesinger (181) for sixth place on the Lions career games played list. To date, Raiola has played in 181 of a possible 185 games during his 12-year career. The only games he missed occurred during stretch of four games during the 2008 season.

Backus and Raiola each have now played more games in Lions history than any other offensive linemen. They have started 166 games together. which is the most by any offensive linemen teammates since the 1970 merger.

Hanson (321), Backus (186) and Raiola (182) now rank in the Top-6 on the franchise’s career games played list.

Mainstay At Left Tackle
By starting in today’s game, T Jeff Backus extended his franchise record of consecutive starts to 186 (187 including postseason). In 2011, he surpassed Lions Hall of Fame CB Dick LeBeau (171) for the most consecutive starts in team history.

Only Backus (active) and QB Peyton Manning (208) have started the first 180 games of their respective careers since 1970 (Courtesy Elias Sports Bureau).

Backus has started every game since he was drafted in 2001(first round). Backus currently holds the mark for the most consecutive starts among active (offensive and defensive) linemen, and he is currently third among all active players with 186 straight starts.

Fairley’s Big Day
Second-year DT Nick Fairley recorded 7 tackles and 2 sacks, both are career highs. It was Fairley’s first career multi-sack game, and it gives him 4.5 sacks on the season.

He also registered his first career forced fumble on the Packers opening drive in the third quarter to halt Green Bay’s drive at the Packers 17-yard line.

Read In Play! Magazine Here