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 hard to determine where to start. I guess you begin at the top with owner William Clay Ford Sr. What he does this offseason will go a long way in determining if the Lions repeat this kind of performance in 2009. He already did the right thing by ousting former President and CEO Matt Millen back in September, but it seems to me a total housecleaning is in order. Nevertheless, it appears Mr. Ford is probably going to continue with General Manager Martin Mayhew and Chief Operating Officer Tom Lewand. Head coach Rod Marinelli even stands a chance of returning to the team, which seems pretty unfathomable when you consider his 10-38 record as head coach of the Lions the past three seasons. The Lions have some good core players with whom to build a solid team around (namely Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey, Kevin Smith, Paris Lenon, Ernie Sims and potentially Daunte Culpepper), but without a proven franchise quarterback (like Matt Cassel, perhaps) and the right leadership, they’re just going to continue to spin their wheels.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Detroit Lions Make NFL History

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Forget seconds. How about thirds? That’s the appetizer on the National Football League Thanksgiving menu this Week 13 of the NFL season — three Turkey Day servings of football, followed by a whole lineup of games on Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday. Even the players will be in their easy chairs. Like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning:

“I remember watching Thanksgiving games as a kid. Even in high school and college, and now in the NFL, you practice, you come home and you watch Thanksgiving football.”

Football has been a part of my Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m relaxing with my family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina or home for the holidays in snowy Pennsylvania (like this year), you can bet we’ll have all three games on — even if in the background during dinner. Thanksgiving Day has always been about family, food and football. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Here’s what’s on the pigskin platter:

TENNESSEE TITANS at DETROIT LIONS (CBS, 12:30 PM ET): Fans will see two of the top rookie rushers in the league in Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (second among rookie RBs with 833 yards) and Detroit’s Kevin Smith (fourth with 599 yards). Kevin has consecutive games of 96, 112 and 86 yards. The 10-1 Titans are smarting from their first loss to the Jets last week. “It was a great run,” says Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher. “We’ve got to win our next game.” With a win and an Indianapolis loss, the Titans take the AFC South.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS (FOX, 4:15 PM ET): The final Thanksgiving game in Texas Stadium, where some of the most memorable NFL games on the holiday have been played (Cowboys Thanksgiving record in the stadium: 21-14). The Cowboys look like they’ve regained their early-season swagger. The Seahawks will have to bottle up receiver Terrell Owens, who comes off his second-best career yardage day — 213 yards on seven catches. “He’s still got it,” says Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Whatever.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET): The QBs are riled! And that’s not good for the DBs. The Cards’ Kurt Warner, after Arizona lost to the Giants on Sunday, says, “We can play with anybody if we eliminate the mistakes.” A win and the Cards capture the NFC West. QB Donovan McNabb, benched for the first time in his career Sunday, is still the starter for Philly. “Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way, and Donovan will do that,” says Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Thanksgiving 2008

The NFL prohibited receiver Chad Johnson (or Chad Ocho Cinco or whatever his name is) from wearing “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey today because of a potential financial dispute with Reebok. Just this week, Reebok didn’t want to allow Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers to change his number from 58 to 55 until he bought $11,000 in unsold jerseys bearing that No. 58. Also, Detroit Lions rookie running back Kevin Smith was told he couldn’t switch from No. 34 to No. 24. The league actually released a statement on the matter, which I thought was pretty funny:

“While the NFL has recognized the legal name change of Chad Johnson to Chad Ocho Cinco, the league informed the Bengals today that certain issues remain to be resolved before Ocho Cinco will be permitted to wear his new surname on his jersey. He will wear the name Johnson on his jersey today and will be referred to as Chad Johnson on the official play-by-play sheet.”

Bottom line here: Chad has a financial obligation to Reebok, which produces the jerseys available to fans. That financial obligation has to be resolved before the on-field jersey can be changed. It’s the same obligation that exists for any player that changes his number or name. Poor Chad must’ve been devastated with this news because he only caught one pass for 22 yards in a 17-10 loss to the Ravens. It could be a long season for Chad Ocho Cinco (or Chad Johnson or whatever his name is) and the Bengals.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chad Ocho Cinco or Chad Johnson?

Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson wasn’t on the free agent market for long. After being released by the Bengals less than 48 hours ago, the Detroit Lions worked him out and signed him to a one-year deal. Rudi replaces Tatum Bell (who was released by Detroit today) as the number two running back on the Lions depth chart behind rookie starter Kevin Smith. My guess is the Lions will split carries between Kevin and Rudi in the popular platoon system. If Rudi can stay healthy, this is potentially a great find for the Lions. Kevin and Rudi should compliment each other well.

Source: MLive.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Detroit Lions Sign Rudi Johnson