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

Receiver Dennis Northcutt was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Detroit Lions today. In exchange, the Lions send 24-year-old safety Gerald Alexander to the Jags. It’s no surprise that Dennis was traded because his availability was made known earlier this week.
The Lions get a smart, veteran receiver who actually led the Jags in catches last season with 44 (for 545 yards). Dennis will provide depth at the receiver position and he’ll be a reliable target (who knows his way around opposing defenses) for either Daunte Culpepper or Matthew Stafford.
Source: ESPN.com

It seemed like a no-brainer that veteran Daunte Culpepper would retain the starting quarterback position for the Detroit Lions this season. But with rookie number one Draft choice Matthew Stafford looking good during offseason minicamp workouts (which continue this week), it certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion. This job might be up for grabs.
Obviously, the two players’ on-field performances will be the determining factor in who wins the starting spot. But with a contract that includes $41.7 million in guaranteed money, you can be sure Matthew won’t be on the bench for too long. I guess you could say the handwriting …read more

After months of speculation and ample consideration to a handful of worthy players, the Detroit Lions finally chose University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as the top overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft this afternoon. But the deal was settled late last night as Matthew signed a six-year, $78 million deal. With $41.7 million being guaranteed (the richest rookie contract in NFL history), it once again brings up the sore subject of college players making obnoxious sums of money without having played a down in the National Football League. Because no rookie player is worth that kind of money.
Matthew seemed …read more

The Detroit Lions unveiled their new “comprehensive brand” (aka uniforms and logo) today. I have to say, I’m really not that impressed. I think they should’ve gone for something more futuristic. Or they could’ve done the complete opposite and kicked it old school and plain, like their throwbacks. But if you’re going to to do new uniforms — do new uniforms! If any NFL team needed a complete makeover for 2009, it was the Lions.

These new unis really aren’t much different from their previous ones. I mean, the Lion has a bit of furl in his fur. This logo alteration …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Three years ago, the Seattle Seahawks gave linebacker Julian Peterson a seven-year, $54 million contract. When he refused the team’s proposal to reduce his $6.5 million 2009 salary yesterday (mostly because the Hawks are giving current linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill guaranteed money), they traded him to the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Cory Redding and a 5th round pick in next month’s NFL Draft.
The whole thing is a bit odd as Julian has been to five Pro Bowls and was arguably one of Seattle’s best players. But the Detroit Lions — needy …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
It is with great sadness that the search and rescue mission for NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper, and former South Florida football player William Bleakley, has come to an end. The Coast Guard covered 24,000 square miles in three days and were unable to find these men. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close said if there were any other survivors, they would have been found. Nick Schuyler was the only survivor on the boat and while he has been mostly unable to offer much information because of his condition in recovery, he did tell …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
NFL players Corey Smith (Detroit Lions) and Marquis Cooper (Oakland Raiders), and former University of South Florida football player William Bleakley, are still missing after their boat was found capsized off the Florida Gulf Coast today. The Coast Guard found the boat and one of its passengers, Nick Schuyler, also a former University of South Florida football player. Nick is in serious but stable condition at Tampa General Hospital. After finding him, the Coast Guard has now been able to narrow their search, but these men have been officially missing for nearly 48 hours so …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Two NFL players — Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper — are reported missing off Florida’s Gulf Coast in a fishing boat. Corey and Marquis (and two other men) were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip yesterday morning, but they didn’t return as expected according to the Coast Guard today. They’ve been missing for nearly a day in choppy seas. No distress signal was ever received from the missing craft. The search continues.
Source: NFL.com

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is the new head coach of the Detroit Lions. I want to say that Coach Schwartz will do well in Detroit, but what would make me think that? Detroit is a black hole. He will need to be some kind of miracle worker to turn the Lions into anything close to a contender. Coach Schwartz says he doesn’t shy away from challenges and this is a monumental one to say the least. He’ll start at quarterback:
“I think the important thing is finding the right person. I don’t think …read more