2013 NFC North/NFL Thread

[GGGG]

For those that said start times of these games don't matter...I rest my case. Kelly may play hard and play everyone, but if this is a two TD Bear lead in 4th, those guys are coming out.

If you're a Packer fan, you should be outraged this game was flexed. Gigantic advantage Bears.

I'm really not.  Packers take care of business and it doesn't matter.

[GGGG]

That last 30 seconds by the Packers was Cowboyesque....WTF where they doing.  Forget the penalty, why are they running it with 20 seconds left and no timeouts?  Why, with 10 seconds left didn't they spike the ball immediately to get two plays preserved...it was 2nd down.  My son lost his mind...."son, now you know how dad feels the last 17 years with the Cowboys...it's time for your first shot of Whiskey"

I don't think Flynn thought the clock would be running.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Tower...the stories I could tell you?

Do you know Chuck Schmidt, former GM of the Lions during the Fontes era?  His son works for me.....the Lions culture indeed.  Can't think Schwartz survives.  Two years ago in Indianapolis for the S B my wife and I were at a party with Garrett and Schwartz and hung out with them for awhile.  My wife doesn't know who these guys are and I told her not to worry, both won't be head coaches within a year or so.  Garrett still has a chance, but slim.

I remember predicting, when Detroit was 6-3, that Detroit would finish closer to 7-9/ 8-8.   The culture, the karma of this franchise is just astounding.    Barry Sanders, wasted career.   Calvin Johnson, following suit.   On paper, the Lions SHOULD be 10-5.   But paper doesn't measure heart, and the Lions simply don't have it.   I don't think there will be a shake up of the roster, but I can almost that a 'For Sale' sign is going up in front of Jimmie's house.  I look for the next coach to be one with the reputation of being a disciplinarian, for Stafford to get a new QB coach, for Detroit to spend their draft picks on a supplementary receiver and back-7 help.     
  But kudos, Lions, you have, as always, find a creative, outside-the-box way to lose. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

I don't think Flynn thought the clock would be running.

Maybe, but that coaching staff had time when the announcement was made of the runoff of 10 seconds due to the penalty to get his attention.  They have to be all over that.  Brutal. 

[nyg]

I remember predicting, when Detroit was 6-3, that Detroit would finish closer to 7-9/ 8-8.   The culture, the karma of this franchise is just astounding.    Barry Sanders, wasted career.   Calvin Johnson, following suit.   On paper, the Lions SHOULD be 10-5.   But paper doesn't measure heart, and the Lions simply don't have it.   I don't think there will be a shake up of the roster, but I can almost that a 'For Sale' sign is going up in front of Jimmie's house.  I look for the next coach to be one with the reputation of being a disciplinarian, for Stafford to get a new QB coach, for Detroit to spend their draft picks on a supplementary receiver and back-7 help.      
 But kudos, Lions, you have, as always, find a creative, outside-the-box way to lose.  

With the Lions talent, they are just mistake after mistake.  Five games they had leads in fourth quarter and lose them all?  Tower, I feel your pain, even though I am a Ravens fan.  Like to see the Lions make the playoffs, but....

Schwartz should be gone.
Shanahan probably gone
Rex Ryan rumored today to be gone.
Texans job is open.
Per Rich Gannon, Gruden may want Oakland job again (this time without Al Davis)
Cowboys lose next week, Garrett probably gone
Frazier/Schiano both on the brink.

This should be interesting.......

[tower912]

It isn't pain.  It only hurts if you have hope.   It is the rock-solid conviction that Detroit will find ways to lose.    Watching it from a standpoint of amused objectivity, waiting for this year's cast of characters to completely buy into the ethos that will, if you let it, provide hours of laughter, knowing it will end poorly.   It is like being Wile E Coyote.   No matter what you do, no matter how brilliant the plan, no matter how helpless the roadrunner, the anvil is still going to hit you in the head.   The only question is whether they will find a creative way do deliver it that no one has ever seen or conceived before.    I'm not a Cubs fan, but it has to be a lot like that.   

Quick bit of Trivia.   In the last 50 years, no Lions head coach has ever gone on to another NFL head coaching gig.   Morninweg may break that streak, but I have my doubts. 

[Dish]

I feel for Tower, that sucks to end the season like this. I was darn near sure the Lions were a lock 7 weeks ago. You're a knowledgeable good fan too. Hope you have a good Christmas.

[Blackhat]

Schwarz and Ryan will probably be recycled.   Sooner or later.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm not a Cubs fan, but it has to be a lot like that. 

Quick bit of Trivia.   In the last 50 years, no Lions head coach has ever gone on to another NFL head coaching gig.   Morninweg may break that streak, but I have my doubts. 

I'm guessing worse...the Lions have had talent over the years.  The Cubs, certainly some years, but the Lions have been the "team that breaks through" pick seemingly every year where the Cubs usually aren't.

That's a pretty crazy trivia stat. 

[Dish]

At this rate, Bears will rest everyone because they are on verge of getting toasted tonight.

[brandx]

It isn't pain.  It only hurts if you have hope.   It is the rock-solid conviction that Detroit will find ways to lose.    Watching it from a standpoint of amused objectivity, waiting for this year's cast of characters to completely buy into the ethos that will, if you let it, provide hours of laughter, knowing it will end poorly.   It is like being Wile E Coyote.   No matter what you do, no matter how brilliant the plan, no matter how helpless the roadrunner, the anvil is still going to hit you in the head.   The only question is whether they will find a creative way do deliver it that no one has ever seen or conceived before.    I'm not a Cubs fan, but it has to be a lot like that.   

Quick bit of Trivia.   In the last 50 years, no Lions head coach has ever gone on to another NFL head coaching gig.   Morninweg may break that streak, but I have my doubts. 

My best friend is a Lions fan and it is eerie how he has already said to me everything you just said.

[brandx]

That last 30 seconds by the Packers was Cowboyesque....WTF where they doing.  Forget the penalty, why are they running it with 20 seconds left and no timeouts?  Why, with 10 seconds left didn't they spike the ball immediately to get two plays preserved...it was 2nd down.  My son lost his mind...."son, now you know how dad feels the last 17 years with the Cowboys...it's time for your first shot of Whiskey"

And this is why injuries hurt. Neither Barclay or Flynn would be on the field except for injuries. Gonna be a lot of mental mistakes as well as less talent on the field when you only have 6 starters on offense on the field.

[brandx]

At this rate, Bears will rest everyone because they are on verge of getting toasted tonight.

It will be interesting. Rest players or try to stay away from Seattle until NFC championship game.

[Dish]

What a buzzkill.

[tower912]

http://www.freep.com/article/20131209/SPORTS01/312090102/1049/sports01/Lions-Burleson-Homeless-man-heckled-me-while-doing-charity-work

I don't know if this story made the rounds nationally, but it cracked me up.   Lions WR Nate Burleson is doing charity work at a soup kitchen.  Homeless guy walks up and says.......you guys suck.   Same old Lions.        

[hairy worthen]

It isn't pain.  It only hurts if you have hope.   It is the rock-solid conviction that Detroit will find ways to lose.    Watching it from a standpoint of amused objectivity, waiting for this year's cast of characters to completely buy into the ethos that will, if you let it, provide hours of laughter, knowing it will end poorly.   It is like being Wile E Coyote.   No matter what you do, no matter how brilliant the plan, no matter how helpless the roadrunner, the anvil is still going to hit you in the head.   The only question is whether they will find a creative way do deliver it that no one has ever seen or conceived before.    I'm not a Cubs fan, but it has to be a lot like that.   

Quick bit of Trivia.   In the last 50 years, no Lions head coach has ever gone on to another NFL head coaching gig.   Morninweg may break that streak, but I have my doubts. 

I feel for you, but since its the lions really not that much. 

Is Schwartz gone? You never know with them, they kept fontes (Fred flinstone) and millen way past what they should have

[tower912]

I don't see how Schwarz keeps his job.   Millen fired coaches rapidly.   Marty, Mooch, Marinelli.   The current Lions GM team has assembled decent talent.   Jimmie didn't deliver.    The math is pretty easy. 

[hairy worthen]

I don't see how Schwarz keeps his job.   Millen fired coaches rapidly.   Marty, Mooch, Marinelli.   The current Lions GM team has assembled decent talent.   Jimmie didn't deliver.    The math is pretty easy. 

How much say does the ford family have, they seem to hang on to guys too long

[Dish]

Cowboys/Eagles flexed to Sunday night next week.

[brandx]

Cowboys/Eagles flexed to Sunday night next week.

GB/CHI at noon or 3:25 next week?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

GB/CHI at noon or 3:25 next week?

If bears win tonight it's noon.  lose, it's 3 pm game.

[wadesworld]

Wow, that penalty was HUGE.

Bears can win division tonight, STUNNING.

I think what is even more stunning is that nobody has pulled the plug on the Packers in the NFC North.  How many 2nd lives are the Bears and Lions going to give them?  What a joke of a division this has become.

[ChicosBailBonds]

And this is why injuries hurt. Neither Barclay or Flynn would be on the field except for injuries. Gonna be a lot of mental mistakes as well as less talent on the field when you only have 6 starters on offense on the field.

Yes, but coaches have to coach there. I don't know, but I would put that on McCarthy and the coaches there.  I like McCarthy so I'm not banging on him, but that one just seemed odd.  The play call prior to that was odd...no timeouts and they are running the ball with 20 second left...that would come from the coaches, not Flynn.  

[Dish]

Good luck to Pack next Sunday. Both teams can thank Lions for gift wrap job of a title. No clue who wins next Sunday, both have overcome significant injuries, neither deserves to host a playoff game. Bears had/have two chances to win the division. If they can't win one of them, don't deserve it.

Sadly, don't deserve it anyway.

Hope Rodgers, Matthews, Lacy play. Better if both teams can put main guys in there.

[Dish]

Do you realize if Seattle loses to St. Louis, and Niners win out, the Seahawks would be the five seed?