SB Nation User Blog: Sean Yuille

Let's Go Bucs!

Sean Yuille — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:25:16 -0000

Tampa Bay is up 13-7 right now with 3 minutes left in the third and they are inside the 10!

Lions Put Up a Fight But Lose to Cardinals 31-24

Sean Yuille — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:27:29 -0000

More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP

about 12 hours ago: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown as the Cardinals defeat the Detroit Lions in the closing minutes during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. At far right is Detroit Lions cornerback Anthony Henry (32). (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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The same ol' Lions showed up during the first half of today's game. The offense couldn't do anything under Daunte Culpepper, and although the defense played fairly well, Arizona still led 17-0 thanks in part to a muffed punt. The biggest problem for the Lions was that the offense absolutely stunk and was completely irrelevant. As bad as the defense looked on some plays, it did a good enough job to keep this somewhat close, but there was no hope whatsoever with Culpepper in the game at quarterback.

As the second half got underway, my expectation was that like the same ol' Lions usually do in the third and fourth quarters, the offense would continue to be nonexistent and the defense would get blown out. Instead, though, the Lions came to life. Drew Stanton finally replaced Daunte Culpepper, and though Stanton didn't do a whole lot of positive things outside of one drive, the Lions seemed to be sparked by the change at quarterback.

The first good thing to happen to the Lions in today's game was actually on the first play after Stanton threw an interception. Kurt Warner tried to go to the end zone, but Louis Delmas read the play perfectly and picked off the pass. He proceeded to run down the sideline and managed to stay inbounds to return the pick 101 yards for a touchdown. The Lions had momentum on their side, and on the first play after a punt (the Cardinals went three and out), Maurice Morris ran 64 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, the Lions went from being down 17-0 to only trailing by a field goal. And actually, after another three and out, the Lions did get a field goal to tie the game at 17 as the third quarter came to an end.

Arizona finally got things going again in the fourth quarter and scored on an 18-yard run by Beanie Wells to retake the lead. The Lions had to punt the ball away and looked like they were reverting back to their old ways, but Steve Breaston muffed Nick Harris' punt and Zack Follett recovered at the Arizona 17. The Lions couldn't capitalize on the mistake, though, as Jerome Felton was stuffed for no gain on 4th and 1. Even so, the Lions' defense forced another three and out and the offense took advantage of good field position and drove down the field for a touchdown. Stanton ran into the end zone on a QB sneak from 1 yard out to tie the game up at 24.

The Cardinals got the ball back and quickly went down the field. A good kick return helped by setting the offense up with good field position, allowing Arizona to get in the red zone after only two plays -- a 13-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald and a 34-yard run by Beanie Wells. The defense looked like it might hold the Cards to a field goal, but Anquan Boldin scored on third down to put Arizona up 31-24.

Drew Stanton and the Lions had 1:54 to go down the field and score a touchdown, but there was no Matthew Stafford-like drive today. The Lions went four and out and Arizona was able to take a knee a couple times to finish off the game and avoid the upset. It was disappointing to see the team come up short, especially with a chance to tie things up, but all in all I was happy that they even had a chance to tie things up. After the first half I thought it was going to be another blowout, but the Lions fought back and made things interesting.

Next up for Detroit is a game at the 49ers. The one thing I'm most interested in as we get ready for the second-to-last game of the season is if Matthew Stafford will be able to play. Daunte Culpepper's career in Detroit (and basically the entire league) is as good as done after he was benched today, and although the Lions played better once Drew Stanton entered the game, it's pretty clear that he's just not very good. He did score a touchdown, which is worlds better than anything Culpepper has done in his last few starts, but this team needs Stafford to have a real chance at winning another game.

Lions vs. Cardinals - Overflow Thread #2

Sean Yuille — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:28:43 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

about 14 hours ago: Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden (25) brings down Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Lions have stormed back to tie the game at 17 with one quarter left to play.

Lions vs. Cardinals - Overflow Thread #1

Sean Yuille — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:24:02 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

about 15 hours ago: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches a one-yard touchdown-reception against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Lions trail the Cardinals 17-0 at halftime.

Game #14 - Lions vs. Cardinals - Game Thread

Sean Yuille — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:39:35 -0000

DETROIT LIONS (2-11)	GAME #14	ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-5)
	VS.

Date:	December 20, 2009	Location:	Detroit, MI
Time:	1:00 p.m. ET	Stadium:	Ford Field
TV:	FOX (Local Blackout)	Favorite:	Cardinals by 14.0
Weather:	Domed Stadium	Over/Under:	47.0
SBN Coverage:	Revenge of the Birds	Injury Report:	Click Here

Lions-Cardinals Injury Report (Week 15)

Sean Yuille — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:16:17 -0000

DETROIT LIONS
Pos.	Player	Injury	Status
QB	Matthew Stafford	Left Shoulder	Doubtful
RB	Aaron Brown	Knee	Questionable
WR	Dennis Northcutt	Groin	Questionable
WR	Calvin Johnson	Knee	Questionable
DE	Andre Fluellen	Groin	Doubtful
DE	Dewayne White	Toe	Questionable
DT	Joe Cohen	Knee	Probable
DT	Grady Jackson	Knee	Probable
S	Louis Delmas	Ankle	Questionable
P	Nick Harris	Left Knee	Probable
LS	Don Muhlbach	Concussion	Out

ARIZONA CARDINALS
Pos.	Player	Injury	Status
RB	Tim Hightower	Thumb	Probable
WR	Larry Fitzgerald	Knee	Questionable
OT	Mike Gandy	Pelvis	Out
DE	Kenny Iwebema	Shoulder	Questionable
LB	Will Davis	Knee	Out
LB	Gerald Hayes	Back	Questionable
CB	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Toe	Questionable
CB	Michael Adams	Hamstring	Probable
K	Neil Rackers	Right Groin	Out
P	Ben Graham	Left Groin	Probable

NFL INJURY REPORT GUIDE
Status	Definition
Probable	75% chance that the player will play in the game
Questionable	50% chance that the player will play in the game
Doubtful	25% chance that the player will play in the game
Out	0% chance that the player will play in the game

Saturday Notes: Daunte Culpepper to Start on Sunday

Sean Yuille — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:33:13 -0000

Matthew Stafford is doubtful for tomorrow's game, and as a result Daunte Culpepper will start again. Culpepper has only led the Lions to one field goal in his last two starts, and with Kevin Smith done for the season and Calvin Johnson questionable, there aren't many signs that that will change against Arizona.
Speaking of Calvin, he and Louis Delmas practiced yesterday. Aaron Brown did not, however, because of a knee injury. Dennis Northcutt and Don Muhlbach also missed practice.
I have tried to avoid talking about the recent debate regarding trading Calvin Johnson, which really has come about simply because there's not much else to talk about. Well, I will talk about it once, but only to relay what Jim Schwartz and Scott Linehan think about the idea. Both pretty much sum up my thoughts on the situation.

"Yeah, um, we're in the process of trying to acquire good players, not let good players leave," coach Jim Schwartz said. "If we've learned anything from history, it's to value talent and not to discard it."

"To me, it's completely insane,'' Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "Calvin Johnson is one of the best receivers in football and he's had to struggle through some things this year from a health standpoint, but once you've got one of those, you don't want to lose him. That's one man's opinion. I would be pretty depressed.
Listen, if another team's general manager has a few too many one night and calls up Martin Mayhew with an absolutely ridiculous offer, obviously the Lions would listen. But since that is beyond unlikely, can we please just try to move on to other topics? I know it feels like the offseason has already started, but there are plenty of other things we can talk about that are far more likely and far less infuriating than Calvin Johnson being traded.
Marvin White was fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle in the Ravens game.
Cliff Avril put up a new post on his blog about his and the team's struggles this season.
Another attempt to stop the sale of the Silverdome has been thrown out.

Lions Blacked Out Again

Sean Yuille — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:26:13 -0000

I originally expected Sunday's game against the Cardinals to be closer to a sellout than some of the games that have already been blacked out this season because it's been a while since Thanksgiving, which is when the Lions last played at Ford Field. That wasn't the case, though. More than 9,000 tickets were available for Sunday's game as of yesterday, and it is now officially blacked out. The Lions didn't release an updated number of available tickets today, but you can go ahead and assume that there wasn't much of a change since yesterday.

Sunday will mark the fourth blackout in seven home games for the Lions this season. The final home game of the season is in a couple weeks against Chicago. Originally I expected there to be a chance for this game to be sold out because it is the season finale and because of how many Bears fans would probably make the trip to Detroit, but like the Lions, Chicago won't be playing for anything, either. Given that, it feels like the Bears game will be blacked out as well.

Lions Release Dan Gronkowski, Sign a Long Snapper

Sean Yuille — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:10:43 -0000

Apparently Dominic Raiola will not be handling the Lions' long snapper duties in place of the injured Don Muhlbach, because the team signed LS Nathan Hodel today. The Lions surprisingly released Dan Gronkowski to make room on the roster for Hodel. Gronkowski finally got a chance to play at tight end during a regular season game last Sunday in Baltimore, and I figured he would continue to get more playing time in the final weeks of the season with Casey FitzSimmons now on IR. Apparently that isn't the case, though, because Gronkowski is now off the team.

Perhaps Gronkowski will later return to the team by being signed to the practice squad. That is what happened with Jahi Word-Daniels, who was released earlier this week only to be signed to the practice squad today. Hopefully that's what will happen with Gronkowski as well, because I think he has potential.

Thursday Notes: Matthew Stafford Likely Out Against Arizona

Sean Yuille — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:56:25 -0000

It is "not likely" that Matthew Stafford will play against the Cardinals this week. The coaches seem like they really don't want to rush him back, especially with how banged up the rest of the offense is. It's not like Stafford would be returning to an offense simply missing him; Brandon Pettigrew, Kevin Smith, Stephen Peterman are all gone, and Calvin Johnson is banged up as well. The entire offense is hurting, and personally I don't want to see Stafford back until he is 100%. Of course, it sucks that the Lions really don't even have a chance to win any games without him, but hey, if that winds up making it possible for a certain defensive tackle from Nebraska to come to Detroit next year, I don't mind.
Calvin Johnson, Louis Delmas, and Don Muhlbach all missed practice today. None of them have been ruled out of Sunday's game yet, but none of their situations look promising.
The Lions gave free tickets for Sunday's game to 400-500 random former season-ticket holders. Even with those tickets being given away, the Lions are still more than 9,000 tickets away from a sellout, meaning the blackout will become official any minute now.
Brian Witherspoon used to be Sammie Hill's teammate at Stillman.
In SI's revised 2009 NFL Draft, four players the Lions drafted ended up in the first round, including Louis Delmas and DeAndre Levy.
The Cardinals signed an extra kicker in case Neil Rackers can't play on Sunday due to a groin injury.
Roll Bama Roll, SB Nation's Alabama blog, took a look at the 1948 Sugar Bowl, which featured Alabama and Texas as well as former Lions Harry Gilmer and Bobby Layne.
My thoughts go out to the Cincinnati Bengals, as they are mourning the death of Chris Henry.