The losing streak is over. The Detroit Lions found a way to hang on and win rather than do what they’ve done over the past 19 regular season games—which is lose a football game. The Lions built a 13-0 halftime lead and hung on to beat the Washington Redskins 19-14 today at Ford Field.
Following the game, a relieved Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said:
“Our guys were carrying the burden of 0-19, and it was unfair to them. But this gets us off of that and puts it behind us.”
Rookie starting quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t exactly tear up the league during …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Following a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers today, the Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16. I can’t even imagine how difficult a season it was for the players and coaches. After today’s game, quarterback Dan Orlovsky said:
“I don’t ever want to be a part of this again. We haven’t won since — November of ‘07 — maybe? I don’t even know the last time we won a game.”
It was December 23 of last season, actually. But the fact remains, there are so many problems in Detroit, it’s …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The Detroit Lions fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Wednesday. Today, I get a press release from the Lions saying O-line coach Jim Colletto had been promoted to the OC position replacing Coach Martz who “will not be returning to the team.” That’s a nice way of announcing someone was fired.
Coach Martz was supposed to bring his offensive genius to Detroit, the same one that pioneered the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” teams. And with all-world rookie receiver Calvin Johnson being added as the final piece of the puzzle, the Lions’ …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It’s bad enough that the Detroit Lions have lost four straight games. Now they’ve lost their top receiver for possibly the rest of the season. Wide receiver Roy Williams (63 catches for 836 yards and five TDs) has a sprained knee and Lions head coach Rod Marinelli says the injury is similar to the one sustained by CB Stanley Wilson in the Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay. Stanley was put on injured reserve. The Lions are hoping the same fate does not await Roy Williams. Luckily, the Lions have a lot of …read more

NikeFootball.com screen shot
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Here are the new Nike Football print ads featuring Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Steven Jackson (Rams), Steve Hutchinson (Vikings), Omobi Akoye (Texans), and Calvin Johnson (Lions). Click on each one to go big. To check out the commercials, visit NikeFootball.com.

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Detroit Lions press releases hit my inbox on a daily basis this time of year, but today’s news caught my attention immediately. I had been waiting for it: LIONS SIGN FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK WR CALVIN JOHNSON.
The Detroit Lions breathed a sigh of relief today as first-round draft pick Calvin Johnson ended his holdout and signed a six-year deal. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but what fun is that? An anonymous insider said the contract is in the neighborhood of $64 million. Just under $27.2 million is guaranteed money, but the deal …read more

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz said it was a “dream come true” when the team selected Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Lions’ fans at Ford Field on draft day felt the same way as they let out a loud roar of approval when Commissioner Goodell announced the team’s pick in New York. Much-maligned Lions President and CEO Matt Millen said:
“We couldn’t be more excited to get Calvin Johnson. Our organization felt really comfortable to draft not only what we thought was the top player in the …read more

Have you seen the new Nike ad featuring some of the top NFL rookies-to-be? The ad appears on Nike’s football site — NikeGridiron.com — and claims: “Hard work has a reward. More hard work. Welcome to Sunday.” Featured players include Adrian Peterson, Leon Hall, Gaines Adams, Marshawn Lynch, Greg Olsen, JaMarcus Russell, Amobi Okoye, Calvin Johnson, and Brady Quinn.

I am not a big fan of sports agents. I only deal with them because I have to around Draft time. A few have been extremely helpful, kind and professional with me. But only a few. In a Yahoo! story recently, agent Ben Dogra (who I’ve never worked with) said: “It’s non-stop rumors. This year has already been worse than any year I can remember. It’s all about what agents are trying to ruin some kids because they’re nervous that their kid is slipping.” What a crummy, dirtbag thing to do to someone’s future so you can make a few …read more

With Wisconsin OL Joe Thomas declining his invitation, the field of NFL hopefuls that will be on-hand at the NFL Draft next weekend (April 28-29) was narrowed to five. They are: Clemson DE Gaines Adams, Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson, Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, and LSU QB JaMarcus Russell. I’ll be blogging from NYC beginning next Friday, April 27.