SB Nation - Dominic Raiola

The Lions Are Disrespecting Disrespect

Andrew Sharp — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:38:24 -0000

It’s January. It’s the playoffs. The Lions refused to even acknowledge that they’re the underdogs. They want no part of the oldest and easiest motivational ploy in sports. "Screw the disrespect card," said center Dominic Raiola.

[...] "I doubt New Orleans is taking that approach," linebacker Stephen Tulloch said. "You take that approach into the game against us, we’ll come out on top …"

Yep. It appears the Lions are insulted by the idea that they should be insulted. They don't believe in the "Nobody Believes in Us!" card. It's them against the "Us against the world" phenomenon.

We're through the looking glass, people. The hunted has become the hunter who hates hunting. And sure Detroit may get destroyed Saturday night, but even so. This is as close as we've ever come to a post-modern playoff strategy. You gotta applaud the creativity!

Madden NFL 12 Roster Updates, Week 14: Matthew Stafford, Others Increase For Lions

James Brady — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:24:34 -0000

The Week 12 roster and ratings update for Madden NFL 12 is set to go live on Friday, and with it comes a large list of changes for the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, coming off their second straight loss on Sunday, the most recent to the New Orleans Saints, there are several players going down in rating. There's 17 changes overall, and 14 of those are to overall rating. Nine of those changes are decreases in player rating, which means there are five on the positive side.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is one of the players on the positive side, and any time your franchise quarterback gets a boost, it's a helpful change on the game. Kicker Jason Hanson loses his rank in the 90s though, dropping from 90 to 89, which is always significant, while defensive lineman Cliff Avril sees a slight decrease as well. Make the jump for a full list of changes for the Lions.

Increases

QB Matthew Stafford 86 to 87
OL Stephen Peterman 80 to 81
OL Jeff Backus 80 to 81
DL Nick Fairley 78 to 79
CB Aaron Berry 63 to 64

Decreases

OL Dominic Raiola 81 to 80
DL Willie Young 73 to 72
DL Kyle Vanden Bosch 83 to 82
DL Corey Williams 85 to 84
DL Cliff Avril 87 to 86
LB DeAnre Levy 83 to 82
CB Eric Wright 78 to 76
S Chris Harris 70 to 77
K Jason Hanson 90 to 89

Changes

S Ricardo Silva added to the game
DL Keyunta Dawson signs
DL Keyunta Dawson now wears #62

Madden NFL 12 Roster Updates, Week 12: Lions See Nine Increases

James Brady — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:25:37 -0000

The Week 12 roster and ratings update for Madden NFL 12 went live for Xbox 360 and PS3 users early, in anticipation of Thanksgiving. The Detroit Lions have been getting steady increases on Madden this year, becoming a force to use online with strong receivers and a monster defensive line, though they started to stall out over the past couple weeks. Now, with a big win over the Carolina Panthers, the Lions see only one player decrease in rating.

Even better for them, there's twelve changes overall, and nine of those changes are increases in rating, some of them significant. The lone decrease goes to linebacker Justin Durant, who drops from an 83 overall to an 82 - a simple one-point decrease. The most significant increase in rating goes to running back Kevin Smith, who jumps from a 74 overall to 79, in just his second game since being signed off the street. Make the jump for a full list of changes for the Lions.

Increases

QB Matthew Stafford 86 to 87
HB Kevin Smith 74 to 79
WR Nate Burleson 79 to 80
OL Dominic Raiola 80 to 81
OL Jeff Backus 78 to 80
DL Nick Fairley 76 to 78
DL Ndamukong Suh 92 to 93
LB DeAndre Levy 81 to 83
CB Eric Wright 77 to 78

Decreases

LB Justin Durant 83 to 82

Changes

HB Kevin Smith moved to HB #2 on depth chart
QB Matthew Stafford main white gloves, taped wrist normal on left wrist

Detroit Lions Captains Announced For 2011 Season

Sean Yuille — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:27:02 -0000

The Detroit Lions have decided on their captains for the 2011 season. The four captains are quarterback Matthew Stafford, center Dominic Raiola, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and kicker Jason Hanson. All four of these players were also the captains last year.

In addition to having four permanent captains, the Lions will also have a fifth captain for games. This captain will be different each week of the season.

There will also be a weekly captain selected by #Lions coaches. This week it is Maurice Stovall.less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet ReplyDetroit Lions
DetroitLionsNFL

This is a nice way to motivate players to step it up throughout the season and be rewarded by being named a captain. Interestingly enough, Stovall's game as a captain will come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his former team.

Lions' Dominic Raiola Fined $15,000 For Yelling Obscenities At Fans

Ian Casselberry — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:37:21 -0000

You had to have guessed that Dominic Raiola's behavior after the Detroit Lions' 34-27 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday wouldn't go unnoticed. Or unpunished.

Previously in this week with the Lions, Raiola yelled a rather explicit remark, coupled with an obscene gesture, to a Miami fan as he was leaving the field. Unfortunately for him, the incident was captured on video and posted online for all to see.

Raiola was fined $15,000 today for his actions. If there's any surprise in the penalty, it's that it was levied by the Lions, not the NFL. But Lions coach Jim Schwartz made it clear on Monday that his players have to do a better job of controlling their emotions when encountering verbal abuse from fans. So perhaps this is an example for the rest of the team.

When speaking with the media after the fine was announced, Raiola wasn't exactly apologetic, but acknowledged that he loses his temper.

From the Detroit News:

"I am a hothead, but I think I am a controlled hothead. When I think of a hothead, it's a guy taking dumb penalties, being undisciplined or getting in trouble off the field. I don't do any of that. I play with passion and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

Hey, the Lions already fined Raiola. He might as well speak his mind, right?

Lions' Dominic Raiola Caught Yelling Obscenities At Fans After Win Over Dolphins

Ian Casselberry — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:10:04 -0000

Surely, Dominic Raiola was caught up in the emotion of the Detroit Lions' 34-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. But the Lions' center didn't make the most graceful exit from the field after his team's big win (and third straight victory).

Someone in the stands at Sun Life Stadium apparently said something that got under Raiola's skin as he walked into the tunnel. That prompted Raiola to yell out something nasty and flip a gesture toward the fan. Both the statement and gesture are commonly perceived as obscene, which probably means Raiola will be hearing from the NFL regarding his actions.

You can see video of the incident here.

This wouldn't be the first time Raiola has gotten in some trouble for getting into it with fans. Two years ago, he flipped off fans in Detroit who were heckling him and the Lions. That ended up costing him a $7,500 fine.

Raiola might have to shell out more cash this time, as the penalty for such content appears to have gotten more severe. Last month, New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs was fined $20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct towards fans after an incident in Philadelphia. The penalty was likely more severe because Jacobs was a second-time offender, having tossed his helmet into the stands at Indianapolis earlier in the season.

(via Pro Football Talk)

Ndamukong Suh Not The Only Lion Fined This Week

Sean Yuille — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 04:52:21 -0000

Much has been made this week about Ndamukong Suh's $15,000 fine for his hit on Jay Cutler. The fact that a flag was even thrown was surprising to many, so Suh being slapped with a fine that large was somewhat shocking. I suppose that's just the way it is in the NFL nowadays, though. Quarterbacks, no matter where they are on the field, get extra protection, for better or for worse. Just ask Cliff Avril.

Like Suh, Avril was fined $15,000 for a hit on Cutler. Avril was called for roughing the passer on the play and was surprised by the fine.

"I didn’t even hit him in the face, that’s the crazy part. I’m going to appeal mine also,’’ Avril said.

Another Lion, Dominic Raiola, was fined for a play that happened last month against Buffalo. I don't believe anybody reported the fine until now, but it was for tackling a Buffalo defensive tackle. Raiola couldn't remember the exact amount of the fine, but it was $10,000-15,000.

Roy Williams, Dominic Raiola Trade Jabs

Ryan Weiss — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:35:58 -0000

Roy Williams was known for saying some outrageous things while he was in Detroit--such as pointing out the fact he doesn't tip the pizza delivery guy. His time in Dallas has not changed things.

Williams and current Lions center Dominic Raiola traded some jabs leading up to the Cowboys-Lions showdown this week. Among the comments? Williams said former Lions general manager Matt Millen did a "great job" in Detroit. Why do you say such hurtful things Roy?

I think Millen did a great job of putting a good football team together," Williams said. "I think we had all the pieces. I don’t think we had it internally, as far as offensive linemen -- a good, solid base for the quarterback. But skill positions, I think we were set. But it just didn’t work out. If anybody else was to play GM on those years that he had those picks, I mean, most of those picks, you would take the same people.

Raiola didn't take kindly to Williams' comments for obvious reasons. Raiola was a part of the offensive line that Williams wasn't happy with for his entire stay in Detroit, and immediately shot back with this:

"That’s coming from a guy who checked out of here, and he never wanted to be here," Lions center Dominic Raiola said. "I don’t even think he’s the top receiver in Dallas anymore. So if he wants to throw shots, we can throw shots back, too. Whatever, he went to Dallas -- pretty much what I’m saying, Roy’s a front-runner. I mean, you want to talk (stuff) about us, that’s what I’m going to give you."

I don't believe that most GM's would "take the same people" with the picks the Lions had, Roy. I have a hard time believing that most GM's would try to rebuild a team by drafting a receiver four out of five times in the top ten. And retrospectively speaking, the only receiver that the Lions appear to have gotten their money's worth from is Calvin Johnson. One out of four is not a very good percentage, not in the top ten of the draft anyway.

Lions Fine Louis Delmas $5,000 For 'Unsportsmanlike Act'

Sean Yuille — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:05:59 -0000

The cost of flipping someone off during last Sunday's Vikings game turned out to be $5,000 for Louis Delmas. The Lions fined Delmas that amount for what they called an "unsportsmanlike act." Two years ago, Dominic Raiola was hit with a $7,500 fine for doing the same thing, although he directed the one-finger salute at Lions fans.

Earlier in the week, Delmas tried to play the "it wasn't me" card when asked about the picture originally posted by Deadspin.

"Yeah, I saw it," Delmas said when asked about the picture. "That wasn't me, and if it was, that was my pointer finger."

Delmas wasn't the only player fined for things that happened last Sunday. Minnesota's Ray Edwards and Ryan Cook were also hit with $5,000 fines, although theirs came from the NFL, not their team. Also, Edwards actually was fined $5,000 twice for multiple incidents, including shoving Rob Sims and starting a scrum that ended with Shaun Hill trying to go at it with Jared Allen.