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.
CLICK ON COVER!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
TODAY'S NEWS
In Play Magazine
The Lions practiced in shorts inside on Sandoval Field at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: LB Zach Follett (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), and DE Dewayne White (toe) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), S Ko Simpson, QB Matthew Stafford (knee), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), WR Josh Cribbs (neck), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), T John St. Clair (shoulder), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) and FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice. P Dave Zastudil (right knee) and TE Steve Heiden (ankle) were placed on INJURED/RESERVED today.
CLICK ON COVER!
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.
CLICK ON COVER!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Lions Notes Nov 18, 2009
In Play Magazine
The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday, November 17 that they have placed CB Jack Williams on the Reserve/Injured list and signed C Melvin Fowler. Today (November 18), the Lions placed S Marquand Manual on Reserve/Injured and signed CB DeAngelo Smith.
The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), G Stephen Peterman (ankle), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), DE Dewayne White (toe), and WR Derrick Williams (hip) did not practice. CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordan Dizon (neck), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Ko Simpson and QB Matthew Stafford (knee) were limited in practice. DT Joe Cohen, S Louis Delmas (tooth and jaw) and FB Jerome Felton (ankle) had full practice.
The following players were listed on the Cleveland Browns Injury Report today: WR Josh Cribbs (neck), TE Steve Heiden (ankle), T John St. Clair (shoulder), FB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder), and P Dave Zastudil (right knee) did not practice. LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), DT Shaun Rogers (back), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf) were limited in practice. C Alex Mack (wrist) and TE Robert Royal (finger) had full practice.
The Detroit Lions will host the Cleveland Browns this weekend (Sunday, November 22) at Ford Field with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Detroit will be looking to rebound after a tough 27-10 loss at Minnesota while Cleveland is coming off a 16-0 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. The game will be televised on CBS (subject to blackout in Metro Detroit)
CLICK ON COVER!
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)
Post your comments
CLICK ON COVER!
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.
CLICK ON COVER!
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.
CLICK ON COVER!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
LIONS TO UNVEIL “PRIDE OF THE LIONS” NOVEMBER 22 VS. CLEVELAND
by Mike Niziolek
Detroit Lions Writer
In Play Magazine
Team to recognize charter class as first members permanently recognized at Ford Field
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of the Lions’ November 22 home game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
“The players who will be honored represent the very best of the best to ever play for the Lions,” said Lions President Tom Lewand. “It is an honor to induct them as our Pride of the Lions charter class. The names of other Lions’ greats will be added to the Pride in the future but we could select no better representatives for our first class than these 12 standouts.”
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
Post your comments
CLICK ON COVER!
Detroit Lions Writer
In Play Magazine
Team to recognize charter class as first members permanently recognized at Ford Field
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions will unveil the team’s Pride of the Lions, a permanent stadium display honoring the greatest players in team history, during a celebration at halftime of the Lions’ November 22 home game at Ford Field against the Cleveland Browns. The Pride of the Lions includes a 12-member charter class.
“The players who will be honored represent the very best of the best to ever play for the Lions,” said Lions President Tom Lewand. “It is an honor to induct them as our Pride of the Lions charter class. The names of other Lions’ greats will be added to the Pride in the future but we could select no better representatives for our first class than these 12 standouts.”
The Pride of the Lions will be a very visible feature on the old Hudson’s warehouse of Ford Field (south suite levels) that will include the players’ jersey number, name and years played with the Lions.
The charter class is a collection of the most outstanding Lions’ of all-time. All 12 players are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they represent virtually every generation of Detroit Lions Football.
During the halftime ceremony, members of the Pride of the Lions charter class will be announced accompanied by photos and highlights of their careers. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the names of the charter class will be simultaneously unveiled.
Post your comments
CLICK ON COVER!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Stafford returns, but Lions fall to Rams
By: Michael Niziolek
Matthew Stafford was back on the field for Detroit, but missed opportunities in all phases doomed the Lions to another loss at Ford Field on Sunday 17-10 to the St. Louis Rams.
Stafford said his knee felt fine after the game, but that he definitely didn’t play as polished as he needed to. Between penalties and mistakes he said as a group the offense left a lot on the field…
"I wasn't hitting guys, the ball wasn't being placed where it needed to be placed, we had some trouble catching it today, it goes on everybody's shoulders,” Stafford said after the game.
He pointed penalties on the last possession that limited their ability to get anything going.
"We had two penalties that put us behind the sticks,” Stafford explained. “We couldn't get anything going, I mean 2nd & 20 and 3rd & 20, good luck. They were playing everybody 10 or 15 yards deep, not many places to throw the ball, so you've got to give it to them. They were up in that position and that's hard to come back from."
Stafford and the Lions also missed Calvin Johnson. The WR was a game-time decision and Jim Schwartz said the decision was made in the morning to hold the receiver out, the Lions could of used Johnson’s big play ability and great touch – Lions receivers struggled with dropped passes throughout the game.
"Obviously a big factor in the game,” Schwartz said afterwards. “We had a chance to make a big play on the very first drive of the game and don't get that one. We had drops from all our positions, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends.”
On defense it was Stephen Jackson who did the damage for the Rams. After keeping Jackson contained in the first half, the Lions couldn’t do much of anything to stop the Rams leading rusher in the second.
"We knew we had to come in and stop 39 (Steven Jackson) and all week we knew that,” Larry Foote said. “We did it for the most part, but we didn't do it for 60 minutes and so we lost."
Jackson rushed for 149 yards in the game, 111 of them in the second half. His 25-yard touchdown run during the game’s final two minutes put the Rams ahead 17-10 and gave them their first win of the season.
“"Man, he's a big guy,” DeWayne White said. “So, regardless, it's going to be a 240-pound guy coming at you. On that play, somehow he got into the secondary; obviously a 180 pound guy tackling a guy that big is going to be more difficult."
Where do the Lions go from here? Both Schwartz and Foote had similar reactions…
“In this league, any sports, when you lose like that, it sucks,” Foote said. “It sticks - but nobody is coming to save us, and we just have to keep fighting."
And Schwartz…
“There's urgency to get this done and we're going to get it done,” the coach explained. “This is a hard-working team - they've played hard - but we have to find ways to put them in position and we can't switch courses, we can't make excuses, we need to go out and win."
CLICK ON COVER!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Lions mum on Stafford’s status
By: Michael Niziolek
He talked generally on how the coaching staff handles balancing a player’s injury and the need to win every week, but kept away from talking about Stafford specifically. Schwartz said in order for a player to play with an injury that player needs to be able to effective…
“I think the thing that you need to balance with any player, and I assume you’re talking about the quarterback, but any player, when you talk about an injury, you balance their ability to play, their ability to be effective on the field, their potential to make an injury worse, you balance all of those things,” Schwartz explained. “If a player is out there and he can get through but he can’t be effective in his role then it doesn’t make any sense to play him. It pertains to every single position.”
Last week the Lions waited until Sunday to reveal who would start against Pittsburgh and with only one day to go until they travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers they likely follow a similar strategy. Although with Daunte Culpepper taking most of the snaps this week at practice and a bye week next week it seems unlikely Stafford would get the call.
CLICK ON MAGAZINE!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Steeler Nation gets it done in Detroit
By: Michael Niziolek
The Detroit Lions sold out Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field, but it was evident from all the terrible towels that many of those tickets were purchased by Steeler fans.
With three minutes and 30-yards to go the Lions looked like they had a golden opportunity to get a touchdown and send the game into overtime – a situation that should have the home crowd’s fans on their feet.
It wasn’t.
Thousands of Pittsburgh fans rallied and made Ford Field anything but enemy territory for the visiting Steelers helping them hold on to their lead and win 28-20.
“They traveled awesome today,” Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said. “It's spectacular to stand on the visiting sideline and see the fan support we had in this building today."
Hines Ward said the crowd definitely made a difference for the team, but wasn’t surprised at how many fans made the trip.
"We're Steeler nation,” Ward explained. “Wherever we travel, we travel well. Playing in the Super Bowl here brought back a lot of memories. We had just as many fans as we did back then, so that's what we love about playing for this organization.”
Daunte Culpepper started in place of the injured Matthew Stafford at quarterback and had problems with the Steelers defensive pressure. Culpepper was sacked seven times, four of those coming during the Lions critical final possession.
After the game Jim Schwartz talked about the offense not picking up the blitz in the final series…
“We didn't recognize it and ended up taking those sacks,” he explained. “In that situation where you got it right there, we've got to be able to throw that ball away, protect that, whatever we've got to do to avoid a sack right there. We can't give up a sack like that because that took us out of the chance that we had at the end of the game."
Losing Calvin Johnson in the first quarter to a leg injury hampered the Lions offense as well. It was the second consecutive game that the big play receiver was taken out with a leg problem, against Chicago Johnson injured his hamstring and left the game in the third quarter.
Derrick Williams and Dennis Northcutt stepped in and made some nice plays, but the 6’5’’ playmaker could have made a difference for Culpepper as he dealt with the heavy pressure from the Steelers defense.
The Lions will travel to Green Bay next week as they look to get a win before the bye week.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Detroit Lions Coach PO'ed After Lose To Bears
Anybody that watched the Lions game yesterday was probably as dumb founded as the next guy/gal.
How could the Lions start out at such a good clip and just lose it after the first half?
It looked as though it would be a good match up as the Lions matched the Bears point for point, that is until half time when something happens?
Is Schwartz's half time pep rally derailing the team? Is the team out of gas?
Head Coach Jim Schwartz says he's as PO'ed as that next guy."A couple of you astutely observed that I seemed a little ticked off after the game and I’m here to say that after 24 hours I’m probably more ticked off now than I was right after the game."
Did the Lions have fighting chance to win the game or at least stay in it? Schwartz says, “We never gave ourselves a chance to win that game. There were way too many errors in all phases of the game, but particularly in special teams. You can’t win a game when you continually put the defense backed up the way that we did and we allowed scores on special teams.”
![]()
One is left to wonder if it's a good idea to come down on such a fragile team outside of the locker room?
As for Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Schwartz says, “Matthew is day-to-day with a knee and we’ll see what he does on Wednesday”
And as far as this weeks upcoming game. Schwartz says it’s possible but he's not giving away any secrets. “I’m not going to comment on (injuries). You know my philosophy on injures as far as commenting on specifics and things like that. He has a knee, he’s day-to-day and we’ll know more on Wednesday."
Photo courtesy Detroit Lions
In Play! Magazine
How could the Lions start out at such a good clip and just lose it after the first half?
It looked as though it would be a good match up as the Lions matched the Bears point for point, that is until half time when something happens?
Is Schwartz's half time pep rally derailing the team? Is the team out of gas?
Head Coach Jim Schwartz says he's as PO'ed as that next guy."A couple of you astutely observed that I seemed a little ticked off after the game and I’m here to say that after 24 hours I’m probably more ticked off now than I was right after the game."
Did the Lions have fighting chance to win the game or at least stay in it? Schwartz says, “We never gave ourselves a chance to win that game. There were way too many errors in all phases of the game, but particularly in special teams. You can’t win a game when you continually put the defense backed up the way that we did and we allowed scores on special teams.”
One is left to wonder if it's a good idea to come down on such a fragile team outside of the locker room? And as far as this weeks upcoming game. Schwartz says it’s possible but he's not giving away any secrets. “I’m not going to comment on (injuries). You know my philosophy on injures as far as commenting on specifics and things like that. He has a knee, he’s day-to-day and we’ll know more on Wednesday."
Photo courtesy Detroit Lions
In Play! Magazine
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Lions lose more than game to Bears...
The Detroit Lions dropped Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears 48-24, but injuries were the bigger story coming out of Chicago for Jim Schwartz's squad. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson both left the game in the fourth quarter because of injuries.
Stafford's injury appears the more serious of the two.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that the Lions quarterback suffered a dislocation of his right knee. The knee popped right back into place, but he will undergo further tests when the team returns home to Detroit to see if he suffered any damage to the cartilage around his knee cap.
Sources on the team told Mortensen that Stafford could be back on the field next week, possibly with a brace, depending on how the test results turn out.
Johnson left the game in the fourth as well because of tightness in his legs, but the problem doesn't appear to be serious.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4531166
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)