SB Nation User Blog: Nate D.

Everyone Needs to Relax (Again)

Nate D. — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:17:16 -0000

Sorry guys, but I feel a post like this is necessary every once in a while. Being the contrarian that I am, I try to play devil's advocate and see the silver lining in things, especially those related to my football team.

Ok. We're 2-11. Big surprise. Raise your proverbial hand here if you really thought the Lions were going to be competitive in every single game, save face after last year, and redeem themselves. How many blowouts have we seen this year? 3? I don't really do a lot of homework when I post, so forgive my point of view.

We have one of the most injured squads in the league. We basically cut the fat off of an obese roster, and now after our gastric bypass, we're left with skin and bones. Everyone needs to lay off a little bit. I know as Lions fans we're all extremely passionate and tired of losing, but shit guys. Everyone is ALREADY getting on the 'WTF Schwartz' bus, and we're not even done with his first season. Christs sake, cut the guy a little slack. I don't care what coach we got in here this year, we weren't going to be any better than we are right now.

Our players have played to their expectations, aside from a few exceptions. Calvin has had nagging injuries and is in a down year. Stafford has played like a very good rookie QB should play, spotty but with flashes of brilliance. Grew has turned heads and given us something to be hopeful for, and our defense has been playing like shit. The offensive line is, to be kind, subpar. Out of all those sentences and statements, which of those has really caught anyone off guard?

I know no one wants to see a game that gets to fucking 48-3. You folks do realize that the Tennessee Titans, who went 13-3 last year, not only started out 0-6 but got beat by something like 57-0, right? Every week teams good and bad get blown out. The point I'm trying to make is:

SHIT HAPPENS. THIS IS THE NFL.

I watch the game with my Dad every Sunday, and his negativism has really caused me to be much more positive about this team. Sure I get pissed off when we're getting our asses handed to us just as much as anyone, but all the Kool-Aid dried up. This is reality, and as much as it sucks to see in action, we most certainly have a bright future ahead of us. Jim Schwartz has not been our coach for an entire calendar year yet. I know we're all butthurt after the parade of retards that have comprised the 'leadership' of our team, but getting pissed because you wanted front office changes to equal wins in one year is craziness.

Let's watch a young team develop and stay behind our new coach and players like real fans. If this was 2 years from now and the season looked this way, I'd understand. I've long been a skeptic of our fanbase. We're so far past being able to get our hopes up about the team that people just abandon ship when things get shitty (which is usually). We gotta give our boys a chance. Stay positive. I might be speaking to a wall, but that's just how I feel.

Matt Stafford named NFC Offensive Player of the week

Nate D. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:13:52 -0000

Matt Stafford named NFC Offensive Player of the week

Hopefully the first of many! Go Staff, and Go Lions!

Eric Mangini is a Tool

Nate D. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:30:14 -0000

Glad I saw this one before I left for work - Eric Mangini accused the Lions of faking injuries in an attempt to defuse their vaunted no huddle offense:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/23/mangini-hints-that-lions-may-have-faked-injuries/

As the article says, I think its more gesticulation on his part to try and deflect the inevitable blamestorm coming his way for playcalling a pass when we couldnt stop the clock, and calling the timeout that got Stafford back in the game.

Stay classy, Mangini.

What the hell?!

Nate D. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:30:10 -0000

I'm usually pretty known to put a positive spin on things, and I'll try to continue to do so here, but jesus.... What happened today?

I really only have a couple of things to say after this game: One is that our entire offensive line unit needs to be axed and replaced after this season - every one of them. Trade 'em, cut 'em, whatever. Get rid of the cancer. Stafford threw over 50 times today and was pressured, sacked, hit, or hurried probably 40 of them.

The kid gets up and hangs tough through it all, and near the end of the game, with his pads hanging out of his jersey on 4th down, no one even bothers to fix it for him. He goes to the sideline after the play and sits down - by himself.

The kid played a beast of a game, and was still smiling and talking to his teammates to cheer them up, and no one - NO ONE reciprocated. I think our guys need to pick their heads up, and start playing with a little PRIDE.

Lastly, was it just veteran's day, or was there a bloodbath on the field? What the hell is wrong with our team? We had guys going down like the Vikings were hiding quarter rolls in their hands or something...

This loss, to me, was far more disheartening than the Rams loss, if only because it really highlighted the lack of cohesion on the team and the disparity between the people who want to win and the guys who've already cashed it in.

Here's to hoping that we can pull together a couple of wins and get ourselves on the same page guys. Go Lions.

Reality and the Detroit Lions

Nate D. — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:43:19 -0000

I haven't posted on here in a long time, but I do make appearances from time to time. I see a LOT of negativity on here, and whether it's rightfully placed or not, I really feel compelled to offer an unbiased opinion after today's loss on where I think we are and where we're going, so bear with me, and tell me how you feel.

#1 pick, 0-16, 50 years... A lot of numbers play into the situation we're in now. As Lions fans we want to win, and we want to win yesterday. But here we are, 0-2, with the possibility of setting a new mark of futility for the entire NFL. Our rookie quarterback hasn't performed to the expectations that many have had for him, and people are already jumping off of the proverbial bandwagon.

Let's face it folks: Matthew Stafford isn't going to take us to the places that Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan did for their teams. He's been put into the unenviable position of leading a team with no real leadership, a fresh roster, and a tough schedule. He's made quite a few poor reads that have given us fits. But, honestly, that's what 95% of the rookie quarterbacks do in the NFL. Hell, that's what half the veteran quarterbacks in the NFL do. Just like the rest of this team, Stafford is a project in its infancy. I've said it before - this will be a messy year. Being that none of us has any control over roster decisions or playcalling, we have to understand and accept that. If Stafford sat this year, I can make a pretty solid guarantee that everyone would be watching his first two games next year going 'He's terrible, why is he trying to force passes like that?' etc. etc.. The only way this young man will learn is by doing. After forcing 10 passes into double coverage, he will learn to no longer do it. After being flushed from the pocket 10 times he will learn to step up and make the throw.

I had this argument with my father during the game today - Past results are not indicitive of future performance in our case. You cannot say that the Lions are 'the same team as always', because they simply are not. Yes, this is our 10 millionth rebuilding cycle, but that is reality. The least we can do is be happy that we have a clean slate with a man at the helm who (I believe) we all feel is qualified for the job, and hope that he can shape the team up. Change does not happen overnight. Can anyone honestly say that any of the teams in the NFL achieved success suddenly and remained that way? You EARN experience. You fight through losses, and setbacks, and ultimately it decides whether you're made or broken.

Regardless of anyone's opinion of how we have been playing, our roster is VASTLY improved from many years. Look at it this way - Let's take 51 of us who are on POD, and go play football together. Assuming we have a modicum of knowledge about various positions and whatnot, try and imagine how simplistic it would be for us all to gel into one solid unit. You don't turn over the majority of the roster and expect immediate results. As I said in an earlier comment, success is achieved through continuity. And continuity does not happen quickly. We need to retain players and staff in order to give ourselves a shot to win. People will say that's impossible as long as you're losing, but it isn't. If it was, every bad team would stay bad forever, and every good team would be fantastic forever.

Basically what I'm trying to say, is that as fans, we need to look at this objectively. This is a work in progress, and with every loss and every interception, we come one step closer to our players gaining the experience they need to contend in the NFL. We have some extremely potent talent, and it will be realized eventually. I know it's hard, but we just need to be patient, and watch the maturation of not just one man, but an entire football team. As far as I see it, we have two extremely solid players in Larry Foote and Matthew Stafford who WANT to be here, and want to win. It's got to start somewhere.

I'm sure I got extremely off track, but it is 3 AM and I just got off work, so cut me a little slack. :)

Patriots pick up ex-Lion Paris Lenon

Nate D. — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:07:20 -0000

Patriots pick up ex-Lion Paris Lenon

Is it just me, or are the Patriots making some pretty questionable personnel decisions lately?

Trade for Dorsey

Nate D. — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:01:57 -0000

OK, first off, I am aware that all my sources are coming from PFW lately.. I don't like it either... anyways...

Looking at the moves the Chiefs have made this offseason, it appears the team is preparing to dive into the 3-4 defense more quickly than originally thought. After bringing in a slew of veteran linebackers through free agency, GM Scott Pioli used his first two draft picks on versatile defensive linemen: LSU’s Tyson Jackson and Purdue’s Alex Magee. Although neither played in a 3-4 in college, each has the skills necessary to line up at end in the "30" front. And, from what we hear, this is the duo the Chiefs would like to anchor their D-line for the foreseeable future. The question is: Where does this leave Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City’s 2008 first-rounder, who struggled last year at defensive tackle and is expected to switch to end in the new scheme? With Jackson already penciled in to start at one DE spot, it could mean that Dorsey will have to fend off Magee for the other starting job. Considering the new regime may very well be partial to the guy it drafted in Magee, Dorsey — more of a 4-3 type player — may face an uphill battle to remain in the starting lineup.

So does anyone think that there's a chance that KC trades him at all, and if so, who would be opposed to trading a 2nd rounder or something for him? I don't know squat about any of the upcoming DT's in the draft, and he seems like he would be a solid young guy in the middle of the DL.

Or maybe we give up a player or two.. too bad Gun can't pull any strings there.

Whaddaya think?

No NFL Draft After 2010?

Nate D. — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:25:29 -0000

Excerpt from an article on Pro Football Weekly's site (full article here):

So, here’s the reality of what’s at stake between the owners and players, and for all of us as fans, with the owners’ decision to opt out of the current CBA early. If there is no extension of the current CBA or a new agreement negotiated by March 2010, there will be a draft in 2010, but the salary cap goes away for the season and veteran players will need six years of service to become unrestricted free agents rather than four. And if the spring of 2011 rolls around without a new deal, there will be no CBA at all, and although the league maintains that there would be another draft in 2011, the legality of holding a draft under those circumstances is debatable. In other words, the NFL would be facing complete anarchy. It is assumed but not a given that, with no rules to play by, the owners would choose to lock the players out, and there would be no football in 2011 until one side or the other cries uncle.
What happens if, during an interim period in the spring of 2011 with negotiations ongoing but no deal in place, one of the league’s wealthier owners — let’s say a Daniel Snyder or a Jerry Jones — chooses to sign the 10 or 15 best players coming out of college to contracts, even if a deal is eventually struck and the draft reinstated? Anarchy is right around the corner, guys, and it’s time somebody gets serious about it, right now.

So basically, if the athletes who play the sport and the venerable men who fund it via their checkbooks don't agree on compensation for the next however long, we could be looking at not only missing part or all of a season, but also losing the draft entirely.

I have little to no knowledge of the specifics of the current CBA, nor do I have an understanding of how difficult (or not) organizing a new one would be. I do know, however, that athletes in America are historically firm in their requests (demands?) for compensation. Personally, I wish that the cap on an athelete's salary was maybe a couple million dollars per year (and even that makes me sick). I read that article and it pissed me off pretty bad. We all know how simple it's going to be for the owners and players to come to a consensus... right. The majority of the players realistically have all the money they'll probably ever need, whereas the owners will be losing a ton of money closing the doors for even a few games. They'll make no revenue, and eventually have to buckle and pay the players even more money.

So, haters of the Staff pick, just imagine Stafford going for 100 mil to the Lions instead, because money is the only thing keeping players out of the rosters of the owners with the deepest pockets.

What do you think? I saw this and figured it was a prime topic for discussion, plus I wanted to get something in now that I'm settled in GA with nothing to do. Guess I have a reason to root for Staff now...

I'm Really Excited for '09

Nate D. — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:17:11 -0000

I don't claim to have any basis for my thoughts, but I know the Lions tendancies, and I've paid alot of attention to what direction they've been going in. Daunte is going to get to prove himself... I think the FO (the holdovers everyone bitches about) lived through throwing a QB at us and they won't do it again. They brought Linehan in for a reason guys, and this was when they knew they were taking Stafford. Feel free to post your beliefs, since now that the draft is over, I have to start speculating on something else.

Week #1 @ New Orleans L - NO is strong at home
Week #2 Minnesota W - Lions will claim their first win in over a year
Week #3 Washington W - Detroit will be so pumped they'll roll (big win)
Week #4 @ Chicago L - Whoever it was that said the Lions are weak at home was right
Week #5 Pittsburgh L - Nope, not yet guys.
Week #6 @ Green Bay L - Our division is damn good this year... welcome back to the black and blue

Bye - Decision Week (2-4)

Week #8 St. Louis W - Daunte and Linehan win one for the gipper to save his (Daunte's) job
Week #9 @ Seattle L - They'll be deceptively good this year. Which leads up to Staff stepping up in...
Week #10 @ Minnesota BIG W - Stafford will make it happen. I believe this kid wants to be good for this team.
Week #11 Cleveland W - 1st year rebuild. Stafford wins another. People start getting their hopes up :(
Week #12 Green Bay W - Home game, people will actually be there, believe it or not.
Week #13 @ Cincinnati L - That team is going to be a wildcard this year. Everyone forgot about Carson
Week #14 @ Baltimore L - Reality sets in. Staff isn't Matt Ryan, and we're not the Falcons.
Week #15 Arizona W - Only in a shootout. Cards' D got stripped this year.
Week #16 @ San Francisco W - Lions usually play the 9ers pretty bad.. Plus the 49s are worse than us (sorry)

Week #17 Chicago W - This is interesting because it leaves us either at 9-7 (best record in years?) or 8-8 (still not bad). But 9-7 could potentially (in this division especially) even earn a playoff berth. With that, I believe the Lions will pull through because the rest of the Bears schedule is going to make them a burst through a division rival and into the playoffs.

EDIT: I just randomly found this online. It is hilarious. Please don't have a terrible sense of humor about it.

2009-2010 Lions Schemes

Nate D. — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:59:08 -0000

...And how our draft picks fit into them.

I have to admit: during the draft yesterday, I was flabbergasted. I saw multiple opportunities for the Lions to improve huge roster holes immensely and they totally whiffed on them. However, after doing some research (including digging through my brain for forgotten information), I have determined that our draft picks by and large, were the right decision.

Pick No. 1 (No. 1 overall): John Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

For the 7th out of the past 9 years, a quarterback is selected #1 overall. Matt Stafford is what scouts and coaches call a "prototypical quarterback"; a QB with great size and build. He can do anything a coach will ask him to do in some measure, including the ability to run with his mobility in the pocket.

In Scott Linehan's system, the quarterback is a guy who can heave the ball deep. The running game is a focal point. By drawing safties into the box and forcing corners to bump in order to provide run support, the QB must have an arm to throw the deep ball (think Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison). The QB must be able to make the big play when the defense is not looking. He must be the undisputed leader of the team; confident and full of moxy. Accuracy should be best with the short passing game, where the quarterback will have to thread the ball on slant and drag routes to keep the defense honest.

As much as I hate to admit it, Stafford was a perfect pick here. Better (as of now) than Sanchez, Freeman, Bradford, McCoy, or any of the other QBs would be for our system. He can do all the things I've mentioned, and potentially more under a former HC and accomplished OC who specializes in QBs.

Pick No. 2 (20th overall) Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Pettigrew was the undisputed top prospect at tight end in this year's draft. He is a complete package, even if he's a little old school: he excels in the blocking game, using his massive frame to push around linebackers and even defensive ends with ease. Has good hands, although they were underutilized in Oklahoma State's scheme.

Our offensive scheme, as I mentioned before, will be centered on a power running game coupled with a deep threat passing scheme. Pettigrew should fit this mold and be with us for a good long while. His blocking abilities are undoubtedly what he was drafted for. He will be on the field for many plays, as Linehan prefers to use a Strong-I or two tight end set. The tight end is an integral part of his scheme, allowing for an extra blocker in the run game, and a safety valve for the QB on passing downs if his outside threats are covered.

Once again, a perfect fit. A stronger blocker than reciever, although great at both. Pettigrew is going to double as both an extra lineman and reciever every down. He can seal the edge for Kevin Smith to run through, or leak out and run a route to capitalize on Calvin Johnson's ability to draw double coverage.

Pick No. 3 (33rd overall) Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan

Louis Delmas has been described as many things, most of them involving some sort of weapon. The phrases "torpedo", "heat seeking missile", and "kamikaze" are commonplace in reference to him. He is a stout run defender with good speed and a nose for the ball. A little undersized, Delmas counteracts his physical deficiencies with a tenacity that coaches salivate over. He is somewhat suspect in pass coverage, with concerns about his intelligence coming forward after he scored a 12 on the Wonderlic test. Ultimately, his passion for the game and similarities drawn to Ed Reed brought him to the forefront as the top prospect in his position.

Now we come to the defensive side of the ball. I was HUGELY disappointed by this pick initially, as I believed this was our chance to get the quarterback of our defense in either Rey Maualuga or James Laurinitis. Lucky for me, I was incorrect. We did get our quarterback.

In Gunther Cunningham's defensive system, we will be running a 4-3 defense similar to the Tampa-2 we ran last year. The major difference between the two schemes is the switch to man coverage from primarily zone. Our players will be accountable for their men, and with our front seven being used mostly to attack the quarterback, our defensive backs have to be able to stay with the reciever.

Gunther is an ex-defensive backs coach. In his scheme, he uses a safety as most other schemes use a middle linebacker or inside linebacker. Delmas will be the main playcaller, and the one to recognize changes in the offensive set. With a good vantage point of the field, he will be capable of audibiling the defense in order to prevent the defense from taking advantage of our plays, and also serve as the captain of the defense.

I didn't think so at first, and I am still skeptical, but I think this was a great pick. We got our Mike, guys. He's just not in the position we thought he'd be. I was under the impression that our middle linebacker would be the Urlacher or Ray Lewis of our D. Instead, Delmas will hopefully serve as our Bob Sanders, and since our defensive coordinator is an ex-defensive backs coach, I'd say we better served our team to develop a potential all-pro in our back four. Go figure, a Detroit Lions team with a good secondary?

All told, I'm still confused about the rest of the draft (including these picks) but I can see a method to the madness. Chin up boys, we just took steps to build quite a dynamic team. Think power running, deep ball throwing, run stopping, smashmouth football. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to like it.