Wrap-up: Falcons 23, Lions 16

Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons’ 23-16 win against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field:

What it means: The Falcons finally looked a little like the team that many expected at the start of the season. It wasn’t a perfect game by any means, but the Falcons went on the road and beat a very good team. That’s what a playoff team is supposed to do. After it looked like the Falcons were about to squander their season before it really got started, they have climbed back to 4-3. That’s good enough to keep them very much in contention in the NFC South as they head into a bye week and hope to get some injured players back.

What I liked: Atlanta’s defense. It held a Detroit team that averaged almost 30 points a game to a season-low 16 points. Although the Lions came on later, they had -1 total yards and zero first downs in the first quarter. That allowed the Falcons to get out to a 10-3 lead.

What else I liked: I keep saying it and I’ll say it again. The Falcons need to remember that Michael Turner is the backbone of their offense. They remembered against the Lions and Turner gave them 122 yards on 27 carries. When you have that kind of ground game, plays like the 17-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White at the end of the first half are going to come naturally.

What I didn’t like: In a morbid sort of way, a lot of Atlanta fans were hoping left tackle Sam Baker would sit out the game with a back injury. He did sit out and he was replaced by Will Svitek. It didn’t make any difference. Matt Ryan still was sacked three times and threw three interceptions. Baker has struggled, but this is proof that he’s not the entire problem on the offensive line.

What’s next: The Falcons have a bye next week. They return to action Nov. 6 against the Colts at Lucas Oil Field.

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Lions Lean on RB Morris Without Best and Harrison

Starter Jahvid Best is out with a concussion, and ESPN reported Thursday that backup Jerome Harrison has a brain tumor. The network based its reported on two NFL sources it did not identify.

The Lions tried to trade Harrison to Philadelphia on Tuesday, but the deal was voided for unspecified reasons. The Lions listed Harrison as having an "illness" that held him out of Thursday's practice.

"It's a privacy issue and I'm not going to comment on it," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's back on our 53-man roster."

Harrison's agent, Mitch Frankel, did not return phone and email messages.

Detroit wanted to trade Harrison to Philadelphia for Ronnie Brown and a draft pick because it needs help in the backfield following Best's third concussion last Sunday in a loss to San Francisco.

Schwartz will only say that Best will play when he's given medical clearance. Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he "certainly" expects the speedy, second-year pro to be on the field again this season and Best's agent, Tony Fleming, said his client's status will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

"Caution is being taken of course, but he should be OK soon," Fleming wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

The Lions (5-1) are expected to rotate Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams along with return specialist Stefan Logan in the backfield against Atlanta (3-3) on Sunday at home.

"All our backs are a little bit different, all of them bring a little something different to the offense," Schwartz said. "We'll use anybody that we have available on Sunday to the best of their abilities."

Morris had five rushing attempts against the 49ers to more than double the number of carries he had over the first five games of the season. The 10-year veteran insisted he is not fired up about getting a chance to play much more against the Falcons.

"I'd be excited if I'm in one, two or three plays," Morris said. "I understand with the injury, I'm going to play more, but I approach every game the same as though I'm going to have to play a lot because you never know when somebody is going to go down and your number is going to get called. I'm preparing for this game the same way I did going into Week 1."

Morris was slowed in training camp by a broken right hand and had just two carries in the season-opening win at Tampa Bay. He had a mere two more carries over the next four games, but has been relatively productive when given a chance to do more.

The former Seattle Seahawk has had at least 15 carries four times in his two-plus seasons with the Lions and responded with 126 yards rushing and a touchdown in one of those games two years ago against Arizona and 109 yards with a score in another such opportunity last year against Tampa Bay.

Linehan doesn't expect the Falcons to overlook Morris, thinking they caught a break not having to chase Best.

"Mo has been in the League a long time, I'm sure they are going to look and say, 'Hey, this guy can do this, you better not fall asleep on him,'" Linehan said.

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49ers 25, Lions 19: 49ers Win One Battle With Lions, Then Start Another

This is now, when a melee breaks out after the game because the coaches — the head coaches — nearly come to blows. The 49ers’ 25-19 victory over the Lions on Sunday gave the Lions (5-1) their first loss and solidified the 49ers (5-1) as one of the biggest surprises of the season. It was messy (21 penalties) and it was physical (seven sacks).

And that was before the postgame handshake, which required a tale of the tape.

Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco’s coach, and Jim Schwartz, Detroit’s coach, briefly crossed paths much earlier in their careers when both were with the Baltimore Ravens — Harbaugh as a quarterback, Schwartz as a defensive assistant. Now they are widely respected young coaches leading teams on the rise. Their shared experience apparently did not ensure that they could get through the most rudimentary part of the game without incident.

Harbaugh, who also had a handshake kerfuffle with Seattle’s Pete Carroll when both were college coaches, was gleeful about his team’s victory as he approached Schwartz. That was when he wound up for a big, roundhouse hand slap, a haymaker of a handshake.

“It was totally on me — too hard a handshake,” Harbaugh said. “It was a strong kind of slap kind of handshake.”

Schwartz, looking a little stunned, apparently did not appreciate Harbaugh’s enthusiasm because as Harbaugh turned to run off the field, Schwartz gave chase and jostled with him.

“Didn’t expect an obscenity at that point, so it was a surprise to me at the end of the game,” Schwartz said. “Obviously, you win a game like that, you’re excited and things like that, but I think there’s a protocol that goes with this league.”

The new protocol could include having a buffer zone between coaches. As players from both teams headed for the tunnel to the locker rooms, the crowd — and the anger — grew. Finally, the 49ers public-relations official Bob Lange positioned himself between the two coaches and moved Harbaugh away while a 49ers player shoved Schwartz aside.

Harbaugh said that when he saw Schwartz in the tunnel, he told him that he shook his hand too hard and that the moment was his fault. He did not apologize. The N.F.L. said it would review the incident.

Harbaugh, who had been sought after by college and professional teams alike before leaving Stanford after last season to coach the 49ers, has transformed them in his image, infusing them with a confidence and commitment that his quarterback, Alex Smith, said he had never seen in the N.F.L. They are in prime position to win the N.F.C. West, which was won last season by Carroll’s Seahawks with a losing record as the 49ers finished 6-10.

“A year ago, games like this we lost,” said tight end Delanie Walker, who caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 1 minute 51 seconds to play that gave San Francisco the lead in the fourth quarter. “That’s the turnaround. All of it comes from the coach. The way he acts. He was sure fired up. Jim Harbaugh is one of those guys who is always fired up.”

Harbaugh had plenty to be fired up about. The 49ers sacked Matthew Stafford five times and forced him into off-kilter, off-target throws throughout the game. They neutralized receiver Calvin Johnson, who had entered the game with nine touchdown catches but was kept out of the end zone Sunday.

The 49ers also had a balanced offense that gained 203 rushing yards — exposing the Lions’ biggest weakness. And Harbaugh got a rocket of a touchdown pass from Smith to Walker. That reaffirmed Harbaugh’s decision to place the team in the hands of Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, even though his career had been largely left for dead by previous San Francisco coaches.

It all came together to give the 49ers their third fourth-quarter comeback victory on the road this season, prompting Harbaugh to say he feels “something special is brewing here.”

Perhaps so. This victory was a significant one for the 49ers — probably more important to them than it would have been to the Lions, who have already been accepted as legitimate contenders.

But it will be overshadowed, at least for a few days, by Harbaugh’s actions. Harbaugh was asked if his emotions might eventually undermine his coaching. A wide smile spread across his face.

“We’ll see; I don’t think I’m that emotional,” he started, before pausing. “I will say I was very emotional about our team. When you’re with a group of guys and you’re trying to do something special, to see your guys play that way — yeah, it fires you up. It fires me up. I don’t apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, so be it.”

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Data Points: Numbers say Lions are playoff-bound

Published: October 3rd, 2011 | Tags: Data Points, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams

Good news for the Detroit Lions: Recent history says they now have an 82 percent chance of making their first playoff appearance since 1999. The Lions, along with the Packers, are off to a 4-0 start. Since 1990, 50 of the 61 teams to win their first four games have gone on to the postseason.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the 0-4 Dolphins, Vikings and Rams (and Colts, depending on what they do Monday night) can all but book their January vacations. Only one team in the last two decades has started 0-4 and made the playoffs. Follow the pie charts below, and you can see how the chances get smaller and smaller as you go from 4-0 teams to 0-4 teams:

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Best: Lions ‘can play with anybody’

Published: September 29th, 2011 | Tags: Jahvid Best, Around the League, Detroit Lions, Ndamukong Suh

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Hey, we can’t blame anyone in the Motor City for being a little confident right now. Three-and-oh is quite nice.

But when was the last time you heard anything like this coming out of a Lions player’s mouth?

“When we play how we play, we can play with anybody.”

We were thinking the same thing.

That quote was courtesy of Lions RB Jahvid Best, who puffed out his chest just a little bit Thursday on “Around the League” when talking about his undefeated team’s upcoming matchup with the Cowboys.

We’ll see if the Lions walk the walk in Dallas, but all the 16-0 confidence that Ndamukong Suh brought to the table during the offseason seems to be rubbing off on his teammates.

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Lions vs Cowboys Preview

The Lions ride a seven game win streak into Dallas to face the walking wounded Cowboys in an early season battle for playoff positioning.  I know week 4 is way to early to talk playoffs, but so far these two teams are emerging as early season contenders.  Both teams had big question marks about their quarterbacks that seem to have been answered the last few weeks, both teams are fresh off a physically draining divisional battle and both teams have elite young offenses with emerging young defenses.

The biggest difference at this point is the Lions’ young weapons are relatively healthy, while the Cowboys have health issues surrounding the majority of their weapons.  As of today, Jerry Jones does not expect Miles Austin to play, while Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Felix Jones are all nursing significant injuries and will be limited on Sunday.

Offense:

The Lions’ offense is clicking despite the struggling run game and a poor performance by the offensive line last week.  The line will get another test when they face the Cowboys’ defense coached by Rob Ryan.  Ryan uses multiple shifts and exotic blitz packages to force the offensive line to make mental mistakes and give defenders a free run at the quarterback.  The scheme itself poses problems, but the Cowboys have elite talent in the front seven to complicate things further.

One of the more interesting chess matches in this game will be between Rob Ryan and Dominic Raiola.  Raiola is one of the smartest centers in the league and has an  excellent grasp of the blocking schemes.  If he can keep the Lions in the right protection and eliminate and schematic edge the Cowboys have, it will go a long way in helping the Lions match up with the physical talent of the defense.

The best way to combat an aggressive pass rush is with screen passes, draws and quick throws that force the defense to slow their rush so they don’t run themselves out of the play.  The quick strike passing game got the Lions back into the Viking game, but running out of the shotgun didn’t yield any results and the Vikings sniffed out most of the screens.  The Cowboys will bring a lot of pressure because they are extremely weak in the secondary and know they can’t match up with the Lions’ receivers if Stafford has time in the pocket.

The Lions need to find a way to establish the run, which means they may have to get out of the shotgun and run some more traditional style running plays.  They may start mixing Kieland Williams in more and more each week as he gets acclimated.  The Lions’ inability to run helped the Vikings put the Lions in such a deep hole last week as they knew the Lions were going to pass early and often.  They completely ignored any run defenses and went after Stafford with everything they had.  Until the Lions establish the run, I am concerned that defenses will continue to load up against the pass and the Lions will have more three and outs and sacks since there is no running game to keep the defense honest.

Defense:

The Lions’ defense couldn’t catch the Cowboys at a better time.  With every skill position player banged up except Jason Witten, and with two rookies starting on the offensive line there is definitely blood in the water.  There is an intimidation factor with the Lions’ defense and as tough as Tony Romo has been, you know he is aware of the Lions’ defensive front.  Romo may not have either of his receivers in this game, and if they do play, they will be at far less than 100%.  Lacking weapons and knowing one of the best defensive lines in the league is across from you is one thing, but throw in an inexperienced offensive line and a broken rib and I just think Romo will have a hard time.

While that could be in the Lions’ favor, it also could work against them as the Cowboys should turn to Felix Jones, Demarco Murray and Tashard Choice more.  The Lions have done a solid job against the run overall, they have given up several big plays the last two weeks and they may be without Justin Durant who is recovering from a concussion.

On paper, the Lions win the matchup at every level on defense, defensive line vs offensive line, linebackers vs running backs and secondary vs receivers.

Wild Card

Both teams had big emotional wins against division foes last week and both teams have been buried with praise the last two weeks as well.  The Cowboys for their toughness and ability to win games despite the injuries and the Lions for finally starting to turn the corner.  So both teams have potential for a letdown game.  Generally that favors the home team, but in my opinion the wild card in this game is who makes fewer mistakes.  That is a common cliche, but look at the last two games for the Cowboys.  They made several mistakes, but their opponents couldn’t take advantage of them.  Same for the Lions last week, they made several mistakes but instead of making them pay for them, the Vikings cancelled out the advantage by making their own (often worse) mistakes.

Each defense has the ability to rush the quarterback and force turnovers.  Each offensive line has question marks.  That sets the stage for sacks, fumbles and interceptions and nothing kills drives and momentum like sacks and turnovers.  Whichever team limits their mistakes and capitalizes on their opponents mistakes will have the edge in this game.

Prediction:

The Cowboys are banged up and the Lions own the league’s longest winning streak leading may people to pick the Lions.  I am tempted, but the Vikings really exposed the Lions’ weaknesses by going after Stafford at all costs and ignoring the running game.  The Vikings pinned their ears back and dared the Lions to run and they still couldn’t.  The crowd became a factor as the Lions couldn’t sustain drives and the Vikings built an early lead.  It is very plausible the same situation occurs on Sunday, except the Cowboys aren’t poorly coached and mentally soft like the Vikings and won’t cough up a lead so easily.

I think the Lions will hit a minor road block and the Cowboys rally past their injuries to hand the Lions their first loss of the 2011 season.

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Brandon Beachum reportedly out for Lions

Penn State running back Brandon Beachum won't be available for Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan, both the Daily Collegian and Centre Daily Times are reporting.

The Daily Collegian reported that Beachum was in a walking boot after spraining his right ankle in Tuesday's practice. He did not break any bones.

Beachum, a junior, is second on the team in rushing with 81 yards on 21 carries. He converted a key fourth down at Temple on Saturday that led to the winning touchdown.

Without Beachum and with Stephfon Green still in Joe Paterno's dog house, expect Silas Redd to get the bulk of the carries this week.

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Lions at Vikings Friday Injury Report

LIONS

Out: DT Nick Fairley (foot), T Jason Fox (foot)

Questionable: WR Rashied Davis (hamstring), LB DeAndre Levy (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder), WR Maurice Stovall (hand)

VIKINGS

Questionable: CB Chris Cook (groin)

Probable: CB Asher Allen (toe), DE Jared Allen (shoulder),WR Percy Harvin (illness), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), WR Michael Jenkins (groin), CB Marcus Sherels (chest), DT Kevin Williams (foot)

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Lions at Vikings Friday Injury Report

LIONS

Out: DT Nick Fairley (foot), T Jason Fox (foot)

Questionable: WR Rashied Davis (hamstring), LB DeAndre Levy (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder), WR Maurice Stovall (hand)

VIKINGS

Questionable: CB Chris Cook (groin)

Probable: CB Asher Allen (toe), DE Jared Allen (shoulder),WR Percy Harvin (illness), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), WR Michael Jenkins (groin), CB Marcus Sherels (chest), DT Kevin Williams (foot)

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Lions stamped as contenders by ‘No Huddle’ crew

Published: September 20th, 2011 | Tags: Detroit Lions, Heath Evans, Jim Mora, Michael Irvin, No Huddle, Warren Sapp

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The Lions are the hottest thing in the Motor City since … well, let’s just say it’s been a really long time.

The Lions haven’t sniffed the playoffs since 1999 — that’s 11 seasons, for those not inclined to do the math — but it hasn’t taken away from the optimism brought about the team’s six-game winning streak dating back to last season. There’s good reason. One of seven current undefeated teams, the Lions have arguably the game’s best receiver in Calvin Johnson, a defensive line that’s not commonly referred to as the league’s best, and, the most important piece to the whole thing, a healthy Matthew Stafford.

So when NFL Network analysts Michael Irvin, Jim Mora, Warren Sapp and Heath Evans discussed whether four of the current undefeated teams are contenders or pretenders, it was unanimous that the current version of the Lions are legitimate.

The belief in the Lions has spread far beyond Detroit. With games against division rivals Minnesota and Chicago, as well as Dallas and Atlanta, over the next five weeks, the Lions will have every chance to prove it.

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Lions at Vikings NFL Capsule Week 3

DETROIT LIONS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2)

SERIES

1/2/11: Vikings 13 at Lions 20. Detroit WR Nate Burleson records 6 catches for 83 yards & 1 TD as Lions race to 13-0 lead en route to division win.9/26/10: Vikings 24, Lions 10. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson rushes for 160 yards & 2 TDs, including 80-yard score in 3rd quarter.FOX (12:00 PM CT): Dick Stockton, John Lynch, Jaime Maggio (Field reporter).  SIRIUS: 135 (Det.), 85 (Min.).  XM: 231 (Min.).

STATS

Stafford: 47-72-599-7 (T1L)-2-112.0 (3C)Peterson: 41-218 (1C)-5.3-2 (T2L)Hanson: 21 (T2L) (9/9 PAT; 4/4 FG)Longwell: 13 (4/4 PAT; 3/3 FG)

NOTES

LIONS: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD had 4 pass TDs last week, 3rd time in 1st 15 career starts he passed for 4+ TD. Only 2nd player in NFL history (HOFer FRAN TARKENTON) to accomplish feat…In 5 career Sept. games, RB JAHVID BEST has 544 scrimmage yards (108.8 per game; 253 rush, 291 rec.) & 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.) …WR CALVIN JOHNSON ties for NFL lead with 4 rec. TDs. Since start of 2008, Johnson has 33 rec. TDs, most in NFL. In past 2 vs. Min., WR NATE BURLESON has 12 catches for 183 yards (91.5 per game) & TD. TE TONY SCHEFFLER has 20 receptions for 162 yards & 2 TDs in past 3 vs. Min. Aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. Rookie WR TITUS YOUNG had career-high 5 catches & 89 yards last week…DT NDAMUKONG SUH had sack in last meeting. DE CLIFF AVRIL has 2.5 sacks in past 3 vs. Min. Aims for 4th meeting in row with 0.5+ sack. CB CHRIS HOUSTON aims for 3rd in row with INT…K JASON HANSON set NFL record by playing in 297th game with 1 club. Became 7th player in NFL history with 1,900 (1,911) points…VIKINGS: In 3 career games vs. Det., QB DONOVAN MC NABB has completed 67 of 98 (68.4 pct.) for 947 yards with 7 TDs vs. 1 INT for 118.9 rating. In 9/23/07 meeting (with Phi.), completed 21 of 26 (80.8 pct.) for 381 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 158.3 rating. Incl. playoffs, when McNabb has 100+ rating (min. 10 att.), his teams are 46-3 (.939)…RB ADRIAN PETERSON had 120 yards & 2 TDs last week to set franchise record with 54 career rush TDs. Has rushed for 520 yards (130 per game) & 6 TDs in 4 home games vs. Det. Aims for 5th in row at home vs. Lions with 100+ yards. RB TOBY GERHART had 78 yards on 3 touches (26 per touch) last week…WR-KR PERCY HARVIN had 24-yard TD catch in last home game vs. Det. Has 14 catches in past 2 meetings. Has 7 TDs (6 rec., 1 rush) in division games… DE JARED ALLEN had 36-yard INT-TD in last meeting. Has 6.5 sacks in 7 games vs. Det. Since entering NFL in 2004, has NFL-best 84.5 sacks. Has 6.5 sacks in past 6 at home. CB ANTOINE WINFIELD had INT in last home game vs. Det.

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Evans not buying into Lions reaching playoffs

NFL Network analyst Heath Evans hasn’t hidden the fact that he’s a doubter of the Lions. His opinions seem to have a far reach, though, drawing the ire of fans and media in Detroit, like this. And this.

So it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that Evans refuses to buy into the idea that the Lions can make the playoffs, either.

“Is this team a playoff team? I still say no,” Evans said Tuesday on “Around the League.” “This is a player-driven league, and they lose that battle to the teams they’re facing inside their own division. I’m not sure they have the players to run the table to get 10 wins in (the NFC North). The experience that the teams have in their division — the Bears, Packers — it is priceless information they’ve had their hands on through experience of being in the playoffs and big games.”

While Evans admits the Lions have been playing “lights out” and believes they will improve to 3-0 against the Vikings on Sunday, he cites the fact the roster is light on big-game experience and also the turnover history (19 TDs, 21 INTs) of QB Matthew Stafford entering this season as holding them back.

The Lions have a tough schedule in the second half of the season, including road games against the Bears, Saints and Raiders, as well as the Packers twice.

“I just don’t see it,” Evans said.

We’re willing to guess there isn’t a Detroit chapter of the Heath Evans Fan Club quite yet.

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Burleson: Stafford making elite plays for Lions

Published: September 19th, 2011 | Tags: Nate Burleson, Around the League, Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford is healthy, and his ability to stay on the field (yes, it’s only two games) has allowed him the opportunity to impress just about everyone. That includes his teammates.

Lions WR Nate Burleson told NFL Network’s “Around the League” Monday that Stafford is making the same plays elite quarterbacks make.

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“The one thing I can point out about Matt is that there are certain plays and certain throws that he takes chances on that not a lot of quarterbacks can even try to attempt,” said Burleson. “I remember in the preseason game versus the Patriots I caught a ball over the middle and I went to the sideline and said, ‘I didn’t think you were going to make that pass.’ He looked at me and said, ‘well the guy’s head was turned; by the time I got the ball to you, he couldn’t find it.’

“That’s just the type of play that elite quarterbacks make. He’s young, he’s still showing everybody what he has. But hopefully by the end of the season [with] consistent play by us as a team and him as a quarterback, he’ll prove to people he is one of the better quarterbacks in this league.”

Due to injuries and other factors, Stafford didn’t find instant individual or team success like Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. But the former first overall pick in the 2009 draft might finally be showing he’s the best of the league’s young crop of quarterbacks.

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False alarm over Lions’ Stafford

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Shaun Hill, Week 1 injuries 2011

The collective heart of Lions Nation might have skipped at beat at seeing Matthew Stafford limp off the field during the third quarter against the Bucs in Tampa. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.

Trainers checked out Stafford’s right ankle/leg on the bench, but the Lions quarterback returned for the next series after Shaun Hill warmed up briefly on the sideline. According to the FOX game broadcast, Stafford is experiencing cramping in his leg. We’ve seen quite a bit of it around the league in Week 1 in some warm-temperature games.

Stafford has been fantastic against the Bucs, completing 22-of-29 passes for 295 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

– Frank Tadych

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Cringe-worthy and Stomach Turning for Lions Fans

Matt Millen. Oh my sweet lord, is he not everywhere on my football television? Is nothing sacred? At long last sir, have you no shame?

There is obviously something about the man’s good nature that endears him to NFL owners and studio executives. To Lions fans, though, he is the devil. It may be hyperbole to blame Mr. Millen for all the Lions woes over the past decade, but he gets credit for most of them.

And yet, here he is on my television every weekend lecturing us about football. Even more galling is that his niche as a color commentator seems to focus on player talent evaluation. Really? Matt Millen knows player talent? Really? The guy who overruled his head coaches to draft Joey Harrington and Mike Williams is getting paid to talk about player talent? If I have to listen to MATT FREAKING MILLEN tell me one more time about how good this young wide receiver or that up-and-coming linebacker is going to be, I may have to go on a rampage.

Mr. Millen, although you had no experience running a football team, you felt comfortable taking over the reigns of a mediocre Lions franchise. During your tenure, you took them from the middle of the pack to the bottom of the barrel. You made them into a late night talk show punchline. Now you’re back behind the microphone acting like that never happened.

We remember, Matt. Here in Detroit, we will never forget.

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Lions WR Johnson a risk, but still worth starting

Published: December 1st, 2010 | Tags: Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Detroit Lions, Drew Stanton, Johnny Knox, Mike Wallace, Shaun Hill, Stevie Johnson, Wes Welker

The Lions will start Drew Stanton at quarterback vs. the Bears, and while the former Michigan State Spartan will not draw any interest in fantasy circles, he certainly could impact one of the best receivers in fantasy football, Calvin Johnson. Megatron continued to produce big numbers with QB Shaun Hill, but can you really trust him to do the same with Stanton?

I believe that you can. Stanton has seen extensive action only once this season, at the Giants in Week 6. And the duo hooked up on a pretty nice 87-yard touchdown reception. Johnson finished that game with 146 receiving yards to go with that touchdown.

Not to say that it will be that easy against the stingy Bears defense (Johnson had only four receptions for 45 yards in the first meeting — but had a touchdown famously called back). But at least Stanton knows where his bread is buttered. And to be honest, when you get this close to the fantasy playoffs, you need to count on your fantasy superstars. Do you really want to be rolling into a must-win game, hoping that Eagles WR Jason Avant is going to take advantage of an awesome matchup? No.

Let’s say you have a team that has an embarrassment of riches at receiver, and you are starting Texans WR Andre Johnson, Steelers WR Mike Wallace and Bills WR Stevie Johnson, then you can probably risk sitting Megatron.

But if you have guys like Bears WR Johnny Knox, Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco, or Patriots WR Wes Welker, I would roll with Johnson.

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Lions RB Best to play, not a good fantasy start

Published: November 24th, 2010 | Tags: Detroit Lions, Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris

Lions rookie RB Jahvid Best is expected to play Thursday against the Patriots, but he is still a huge fantasy risk. Best has shown some true grit battling through his turf toe injury, but he has been a pain for fantasy owners wanting to believe in him. Best rushed just three times on Sunday at Dallas for two yards.

Lions RB Maurice Morris is an interesting play this week, as he figures to get the bulk of the carries. The Patriots have allowed the ninth-most points to running backs this season.

And hey, who doesn’t want to sit around on Thanksgiving Day and root for a member of the Lions?

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Posted in: Fantasy  

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Patriots’ Brady active as expected vs. Lions

Published: November 25th, 2010 | Tags: Detroit Lions, Fred Taylor, Jahvid Best, New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Week 12 inactives

Tom Brady will start in the Patriots’ Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Lions.

The quarterback missed practice Wednesday because of foot and shoulder injuries and was listed as questionable on New England’s final injury report.

Patriots RB Fred Taylor is active for the first time since injuring his toe in Week 3. He was limited in practice this week and listed as questionable on the injury report.

For the Lions, rookie RB Jahvid Best will be active. The Lions’ leading rusher (382 yards) and third-leading receiver (50 receptions) has battled turf toe injuries all season. He practiced on a limited basis for the second day in a row Wednesday and was listed as probable on the injury report.

DE Cliff Avril (quadricep), LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (knee), C Dylan Gandy (calf) and DT Corey Williams (shoulder) were all listed as questionable on the injury report but will be active.

Full inactives list:

Patriots
DL Brandon Deaderick
OT Mark LeVoir
OL Rich Ohrnberger
G Stephen Neal
WR Taylor Price
DT Myron Pryor
CB Jonathan Wilhite
DL Mike Wright

Lions
Zac Robinson (No. 3 QB)
K Jason Hanson
QB Matthew Stafford
OT Jason Fox
DE Willie Young
TE Tony Scheffler
DE Lawrence Jackson
G Donald Thomas

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Posted in: News  

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Paterno plans to help young Lions in 2011

It's a little ironic, the really old guy saying he'll be back to help coach a young and improving team in 2011.

Penn State's youth is a main reason Joe Paterno cited Tuesday in announcing his plans to return for a 46th season as the team's head coach next fall.

"Now's not the time to go," Paterno said. "We've got a young team. They may not be there yet, but they will be soon."

[+] Enlarge AP Photo/Paul BattagliaCoach Joe Paterno will return for his 46th season at Penn State.And JoePa will be there to lead them, as long as his health holds up.

I'm excited about Paterno coming back for 2011. He's by far the most unique football coach I've ever covered, and he adds so much to the Big Ten and to the college game.

But how do Penn State fans feel? There's certainly a portion of Nittany Nation who wants to see Paterno step aside. The team is just 7-4 this season with four blowout losses, and recruiting for 2011 is off to a very slow start.

Paterno, by the way, addressed recruiting on the Big Ten teleconference Tuesday. Asked why he no longer recruits off campus, he cited the "hoopla" that accompanies him wherever he goes and the demands placed on his time by many folks not possessing a rocket arm or a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

"Sometimes you can't get in to see all of the kids with the same intensity that you see some of them," Paterno said. "I've always been reluctant to make some guys feel more important than others."

That's certainly noble, but Penn State has only five players verbally committed for 2011. Perhaps that number will increase after Tuesday's announcement, but Paterno's assistants have to do the lion's share of the work.

Paterno seemed surprised Tuesday when asked about his plans, as if there was any doubt he'd be back.

"I've never indicated to anybody that I'm not coming back," he said. "I've not thought about getting out of it."

Paterno will turn 84 on Dec. 21, and his health is and will be the No. 1 concern going forward. He had some significant health issues in the late spring and early summer and looked very frail at Big Ten preseason media days in August.

But Paterno has looked better and better as the season has gone on. He sounded very sharp today on the Big Ten call.

Is Paterno's return the healthiest thing for Penn State's program? Opinions vary, but Paterno is right about the Lions' youth and the greater potential for 2011.

And if the old guy helps Penn State return to the Big Ten's upper crust, those really young guys -- the elite recruits -- likely will flock to State College.

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Lions QB Stafford appears done for the year

It appears that the Lions are going to be without their young star QB for the remainder of the season, as Matthew Stafford has a Grade 3 separation of his right shoulder.

MLive.com says that the Lions are fearing that Stafford will miss the remaining 8 games with the injury after tests were done Monday. Stafford suffered the injury during the Lions’ 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets on Sunday at Ford Field.

Stafford had an MRI test Monday, and he is also expected to seek a second opinion with Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who consulted with Stafford after the quarterback’s first shoulder injury earlier this season.

“I’ve got to talk some more with these doctors and kind of figure out what they’re thinking,” Stafford said Monday evening on a Detroit radio program. “It’s kind of frustrating to be coming back and, two games later, be knocked out again. We’ll take it day by day and figure out what the plan is.”

If Stafford does have a Grade 3 separation, it’s unlikely he’ll return this season. In three games this year, Stafford has thrown for 535 yards, 6 TD’s and one pick with a completion pct. of 59.4.

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