marcopolo

I know it is only preseason but so far the Lion's don't SUCK ! With a few ticks left in the third quarter the Lions lead the Steelers 23 to 6 ! Harrington and McMahon look good, the defense forced a safety in the first quarter and made Batch fumble and scored again in the third . The defense who was ranked 31st last year does not look bad . The offense is working well too ... passes caught , stupid penalties not taken and James Stewart is running well . Could our new Head coach Steve Mariucci be making the difference ? Lots of free agents and good draft choices may help also ... SOMEBODY PINCH ME , I MUST BE DREAMING !

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BigGov

Mariucci is a big upgrade, but the key thing you're forgeting...

IT'S PRESEASON! IT DOESN'T COUNT!

If the Lions second string D can force problems on the second string O of the Steelers, that's great...if the NFL made a rule that the second string needed to play the entire second half during the regular season.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

BadForm

Mariucci is an upgrade, and the players have confidence in a new system. Harrington like most QBs not named Culpepper will improve in his second year. It is hard to really get a feel for how the team will perform based on the first preseason game since the starters are in for such a short period. One thing to look for is how smart the team is playing, and how well they are executing the simple things (catching the ball, making blocks, tackles). Sounds like the Lions will be better.

However, don't forget, they were going against Charlie Batch.

The_Dude

they'll do better than they did last yr, maybe one more win?

3 wins are not that bad!

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Blu2e354

The lions will finish .500. In the nfl things change from seaosn to season. Qb's are a year older and they only can go up

BigGov

8-8?

Look, the play the Vikings twice, so two wins there, they play the Bears twice, one win there, and the Packers twice, one win there.

4 more wins over that is hard to believe. 3 at most.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

grayman

I could see the Lions being .500 this year. The have a very good young quarterback, their defense has been upgraded, they have some decent young receivers, and they have a very good coach which should give them confidence. If someone had said that the Rams and the Patriots would win the Super Bowl the years before they did, both times with unknown qb's, no one would have believed it. Why is it so hard to believe that the Lions will finish 8-8?

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dragon2fire

i can buy it they well play well this season the coach is a great pick up

BigGov

The Texans also fall under that description, with the exception they have a much better receivers. Are you going to predict they'll go 8-8 too?

queedo

You said it right, it's only preseason

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gov135

Yes, Detroit has upgraded at receiver.
Yes, Detroit has a qb who will be better this year.

Yes, Detroit starts eleven guys on defense that wouldn't make the Raven's NFL Europe affiliate.

Five and Eleven

EDIT: I read this again and it sounded mean. Alot of teams have a chance to go five hundred this year, I'm just not sure the Lion's defensive personnel can keep a young qb/receiver in the game.

marcopolo

Your not from Detroit are you ? When it comes to the Lions ... A WIN IS A WIN ! Preseason or not . If anything it may sway some dejected and stomped X-Lion fans back into the fray . And Yes , I also believe ,barring QB injuries, my home team will go 8 and 8 for the season. Can I get a witness ?

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Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

BadForm

Well a couple of things the Rams had going for them were Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace, Tory Holt, and Isacc Bruce. I don't beleive the Lions can match them at any of those positions.

I think the Lions made a big mistake and way overpaid for the two receivers they got before last season. Have they done anything to strengthen that position (not a baiting question, honestly don't know)? Also how good is their offensive line? Stewert is a solid back, perhaps a bit old, but he is not able to create opportuinities like Faulk can.

Obviously, the Lions success this year is dependent on the play of Harrington. 8-8 is possible, but I wouldn't expect any more.

BigGov

They have done one thing, drafted Charlie Rogers, but he'll take about a year to get used to the NFL probably. They also drastically overpaid for Schoeder, I watched all his games when he was with the Packers, and with quality receivers ahead of him, he's a #3 at best. And Az Hakim? He has shakier hands than Ozzy Osborne.

And I'm not from Detroit Macro, I live in Wisconsin (remember that great playoff game in Detroit where Farve made a 40 yard pass to Sterling Sharpe at the end to win the game? ) so I've seen the Lions fail time and time again, they don't have a reason to stop that tradition

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

MSUPete

I agree that they did overpay for Schroeder and Hakim, as for strengthening the WR position they did pick up Charles Rogers, who could become one of the best recievers in the league. As for the O-Line, it's been plagued by stupid penalties through the Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross, and Marty Mornhinweg eras, but hopefully Mooch can straighten that out. I think 8-8 is possible, but with a new coach and new system I wouldn't be dissapointed with less.

foolio7714

I always thought Marriuci was a fraud in San Fran, but that could just be my hatred for anything 49ers. Anyway, best of luck to detroit fans and I hope you have a good season.

BigGov

Mariucci is not a fraud, not by a long shot.

He's an assistant coach from Mike Holmgren when he was in Green Bay.

Two other coaches under Holmgren in Green Bay, Andy Reid and Jon Gruden.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

BadForm

I always thought Mariucci did a lot in San Fran with a team that did not have a tremendous amount of talent (esp on defense). He manages to get a lot out of his players which should bode well for the Lions.


Thanks for the follow-up MSUPete. I had completely blanked on Rogers. He should be great, but don't expect a huge season this yearx Maybe next year he'll be putting up T. Owens type numbers.

BigGov

Rogers is more likely to put up early Marvin Harrison type numbers. Their play styles are very similar. Owens is almost the exact opposite.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Artermis

First off Preseason does have some correlation with the regular season.

I cannot remember the exact numbers but teams that go 4-0 in the preseason have a much higher chance of making the playoffs and teams who lose all their games in preseason have a much lower chance of making the playoffs.

Getting a team used to winning is good at any time in any sport.

Will the lions be all world? Probably not but they have a few really good things going....they are much faster on D with Bailey and Dre Bly. Why Bly might not be a top 10 CB he is a big improvement over the CB's last year. The rookie CB's from last year can only improve.

Rogers has come into camp in very good shape and that will help the run game.

Rogers puts the "overpaid" recieves into their natural slots, which will make them both that much better.

Harrington has another year under his belt and he has 3 maybe 4 good targets. Ricks could be a pro bowl type TE this year. He has the speed to force teams to play a DB on him because he will run past most LB's.

The O-line is getting better and better I see good things for this unit in the future.

Most importantly the Lions finally have a coach with somewhat of a pedigree in the NFL. Ross had somewhat of one but was more of a college coach and all the other coaches were mostly horrible who this was their first job.

Lions 7-9 this year and on their way up.


Art

iceman2032

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This year will be Harrington's breakout season.

BigGov

I don't know if you're trying to suggest that they aren't over paid, but if this helps, the EAGLES receivers are better. And they're both #3 receivers at best, so one of them is still at an un-natural position.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

lions20

I think the Lions will go 7-9. We have to play the AFC West this year that scares me a little. Anyway that would be a huge accomplishment for this team and we will continue to climb from there. Good things are on the horizon.

Geoff

the season has not started yet

Midlandmadman

Well, the Lions pre-season is over they were 2-2 won the home games lost the road games..... the only game they didnt look so good in was the second one against the Bengals. Their schedule is tough this year outside their division..... I am a die hard lions fan 8-8 would be great but i can see 6-10 or 7-9

here is their schedule and my perdictions.... (like you guys care)

Sun., Sept. 7 Arizona Cardinals Ford Field 1 p.m. FOX (W)
Sun. Sept 14 at Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field 1 p.m. FOX (L)
Sun. Sept. 21 Minnesota Vikings Ford Field 1 p.m. FOX (W)
Sun. Sept. 28 at Denver Broncos Invesco Field 4:15 p.m. FOX(L)
Sun. Oct. 5 at San Francisco 49ers 3Com Park 4:15 p.m. FOX (L)
Sun. Oct. 12 BYE WEEK
Sun. Oct. 19 Dallas Cowboys Ford Field 1 p.m. FOX (W)
Sun. Oct. 26 at Chicago Bears Soldier Field 1 p.m. FOX (L)
Sun. Nov. 2 Oakland Raiders Ford Field 1 p.m. CBS (L)
Sun. Nov. 9 Chicago Bears Ford Field 1 p.m. FOX (W)
Sun. Nov. 16 at Seattle Seahawks Seahawks Stadium 4:15 p.m. FOX (W)
Sun. Nov. 23 at Minnesota Vikings Metrodome 1 p.m. FOX(L)
Thurs. Nov. 27 Green Bay Packers Ford Field 12:30 p.m. FOX(W)
Sun. Dec. 7 San Diego Chargers Ford Field 1 p.m. CBS (L)
Sun. Dec. 14 at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium 1 p.m. FOX (L)
Sun. Dec. 21 at Carolina Panthers Ericcson Stadium 1 p.m. FOX (L)
Sun. Dec. 28 St. Louis Rams Ford Field 1 p.m. FOX (W)

6-9 I called it.

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lions20

We have lost 2 starters one for the season and the other we don't know how long yet. That really hurts.