According to this story Marshall Faulk was not impressed by Stafford throwing for 5,000 yards this year.

"Throwing for 5,000 yards in the NFL right now is nothing," Faulk said. "I don't want to take anything away from it. As much as people throw the football now, you better have 5,000 (yards) if you have Calvin Johnson."

So just because he has the best receiver in the league he should get 5,000 yards? If that were true why didn't Kitna have 5,000 yards? oh yeah, that's because it is an accomplishment! that's why only 3 other guys have done it. Sure more guys are throwing for more yards now, but that doesn't take away from what Matt did or that he hit a pretty major mark last season.

So I guess since no one can question Calvin this year, Matt is the next best target.

Even before I saw this story on ESPN, it was obvious that this off-season the Lions should focus on working out a new deal with Calvin instead of even letting him come close to free agency. However, after reading that story I'm convinced it needs to be the first thing they work on.

According to that article, his cap hit is going to be $22M (my math says $23: 14+4.5+4.5=23) which is significant, and it only gets worse if they don't work out a deal and have to put the franchise tag on him. the number goes up to the $25-26Million range. that right there is the difference between signing a pretty good player, and a no name off the street. Not to mention it gives the team no long term security of knowing they'll have him in the fold which can also impact their ability to sign other players among the obvious loss on the field.

Coming up with a number is tough, but there is no doubt he is going to be the highest paid receiver in the league - by far. He is likely to be among the top paid players in the league - period. The Lions best hope is that he is willing to take a lower average salary over a longer term and come up with a way to give him a large enough signing bonus to compensate. Realistically, even taking that into account I can't see his cap hit coming in at less than $18 - 20 Million. it would be a Mayhew miracle to do less.

I say this is priority #1 because knowing how much they will owe Calvin will impact how much they can offer to the existing free agents (tulloch, wright, and avril) that they need to sign.

I've been playing around a lot with the Playoff Machine on ESPN just to see what scenarios will work and it really isn't that bad of a proposition for the Lions.

1. (Most Important) the Lions HAVE to win at least 2 of the 4 games remaining to have any shot.
2. If they win 3/4 (loss to GB) than they are in. Only way this isn't true is if the Bears win out which is unlikely with GB in week 16. so potentially the Lions could have the playoffs locked up before even playing week 17.
   
3. if the Falcons win out or even 3/4 they lock up the #5 spot and get the NFC East winner. I say this because NO would have to pretty much lose out for DAL or NY to catch them for the #4 spot.
4. the Lions can catch and pass the Falcons for the #5 spot - and avoid a rematch with NO - if they win 3/4 and the Falcons go 2-2 which is possible if the lose in CAR and in NO.
   

there are some other scenarios out there, but really no matter how I flipped the games these scenarios all worked out.

According to Birkett's twitter

The NFL "Play 60" bus is parked outside the Lions practice facility today. Commercial shoot coming later.

so of course I had to ask him if we'd get to see William Clay Ford on the boss head-bobbing to the music like Arthur Blank was doing during the Falcons one.

We can only hope. RT @nuftjedi: is WCF going to be there bobbing his head to the music?

so what do you all think?    of course I was joking about Mr. Ford being in it since I think the more recent ones have been a bit different.   It will be interesting to see how much national airplay a Lions commercial gets since they are so dirty and all.  

Twitter Link

BREAKING: @Royals acquire LHPs Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo from @SFGiants in exchange for OF Melky Cabrera.

I don't love Sanchez, but wow just hard to believe Melky had any trade value after his stint here.  Certainly wouldn't expected enough to get a quality pitcher like Sanchez and another player. Shame we couldn't have spun him off for something like this.

It's not my proposal.    Just saw this article over on NFL.com suggesting it.

Secondary issue in Detroit

The Lions have a weakness at safety, and it needs to be addressed if they're going to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Detroit finds a trading partner in the Jets. New York carries 10 defensive backs on its roster and can afford to deal safety Brodney Pool. In return, the Jets get Nate Burleson, who would become the third receiver with Mason now in Houston.

Titus Young has shown he's ready for more action and would replace Burleson. Pool gives the Lions a solid safety to go alongside Louis Delmas.

Now I don't disagree that they could use some help in the secondary.  However, even with as good as Young has played I'm not convinced he should be counted on to replace Nate at this point.  Plus it then begs the question of who gets Young's spot if you make the move?

I'm trying to put together a montage of Schwartz fist pump shots.  Unfortunately I only thought of the idea last week .  That means I only have a shot from last week and one from yesterday.  so I basically just need shots from the first two games if there are any out there. Video or still image is fine.  I'm probably going to just do something with images, but If I get ambitious a video could be done too.

Any help would be appreciated and of course I will share my work with everyone here. Thanks.

@ajcbraves

#Braves will bring back their entire coaching staff, manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

or in other words as Einstein so succinctly put it.

yeah nothing at all wrong with things this year so let's do it all over again.  Really I'm fine with giving Fredi another year (I know many aren't) and McDowell is fine, but Parrish I can't believe is sticking around.  That dude better read some how to hit books or something this winter because his approach - at least as shown by the hitters - was terrible.

via arch1design.com

ajcbraves

#Braves have called up top shortstop prospect Tyler Pastornicky, will be here for Wednesday's game. Made move after Gonzalez calf injury.

I'm sure he is not likely to get the start, but something had to be done as there is no backup SS.  

At this point though I wouldn't mind seeing him get in there.  He can't do any worse that some of the other guys we've been trotting out there.  I was hoping they would have called him up sooner, but the the September swoon kind of killed any chance to do this until it became a necessity.

sort of..

ajcbraves

Cox said rotation will be Lowe, Hanson, Hudson and either Lowe on 3 days rest or Beachy

a little surprised with the flipping of Hanson and Hudson, but it makes sense.  It gives the Giants a different look since Huddy and Lowe are similar guys, plus pitching on the road might help Hanson with some nerves - especially depending on how the series stands at that point.  plus Hudson getting a little more rest now will be good.

also this about JJ

ajcbraves

Jurrjens will not pitch this series. He's at the Braves complex in Florida, working out. Will see if they need him if Braves make NLCS

Ok so we all know the Phillies clinched last night. who cares right?  well it does make things a little more interesting for the weekend.

Last night's starter was Halladay, so on normal rest he would be pitching again on Saturday.  However, the playoffs start for them either Wednesday or Thursday so really he could go again and still be on his normal rest.  Since he has never pitched in the playoffs would Manuel just give him some extra rest?

Tonight's scheduled starter is Oswalt.  if he does pitch tonight, then we will not be seeing him over the weekend.  However, as they did clinch last night maybe they take their break today?

Unless they really alter things, we should see Kendrick on Friday. Hamels would be next in their normal order so I would think he'll get in a game otherwise he'll go almost 2 weeks between starts which is probably a little too much rest.  Even if he only goes in with a set 5inning/85pitch limit or something.

Basically that leaves Sunday as the biggest question.... unless they do some major shuffling.  Is it Halladay? or do they throw Worley up there?  he did get one start this year.  or Robertson who has started before.  You'd have to think those would both be better than Halladay - even in an abbreviated start.

For us... well Beachy is already slated for Friday.  Followed by likely Hanson and Hudson in the finale.

I guess a lot of what the Braves do will also depend on how the next couple games go, but it is something worth looking at I thought.