In case you were wondering about the 2021 version of the Lions

Submitted by Goldenrod Mandude on August 13th, 2021 at 8:51 PM

They still look like the Lions.  Losing 13-3 in the 3rd. It’s preseason, but they are in mid season form.

Goldenrod Mandude

August 13th, 2021 at 9:26 PM ^

Just curious.  How old are you? The Lions have been losing now for half a century.  This new coach and regime came in and wanted to “bite kneecaps”.  I could give two shits about preseason, but in the five minutes I  watched tonight the Lions committed two penalties, dropped a pass and threw an interception. Again - no big deal, but it’s been happening now my entire lifetime (52 years) and I dare someone to argue the point that no matter what happens the Lions are gonna Lion.

Joined: 09/14/2017

MGoPoints: 3352

uncle leo

August 14th, 2021 at 7:39 AM ^

And in practice, does his team quit like that too? "Ah, 5 minutes left boys? Screw it, go home"

These preseason games make a difference for a lot of the players who will likely never see the field in the NFL; it gives them another shot to show they can make a big play on the field.

I'm not going to scream from the mountains about it, but it was pretty piss poor just to quit a game with time left, preseason or not.

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34636

Eng1980

August 14th, 2021 at 9:53 AM ^

Great point about the players that won't make the final cut.  Give those players a chance and the fans something to watch.  [The fans paid for those tickets.]  Can our hometown boy with no chance at least have one moment in the NFL?  Put in the 4th string QB if you are worried about injuries.

The coaches have to practice the two minute drill too.  How do you know you can run a serious two minute (15 second?) drill if you don't practice it even if you are doing it with the 4th string players.  Run the damn drill for real and get better at it.  (I am also thinking of Harbaugh here.)  This falls short of excellence as a way of life.  (Note to self, let us go do something excellent.)

Joined: 04/28/2016

MGoPoints: 12004

uncle leo

August 14th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^

If the team is worried about injuries, they should just not play the game period.

It's hard to go against what I feel when watching certain things take place. When he got sacked, and the team walked off the field, it felt lazy, ESPECIALLY coming from a head coach that basically talks about running through walls and eating legs. It felt pretty pathetic not trying.

Spot on about the 2-minute. They were one long play away from a FG to win a game. Very disappointing not giving it a try.

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34636

Durham Blue

August 14th, 2021 at 12:19 AM ^

Going for two down 13-12 in the second half is totally a preseason game move.  After all, these games are glorified scrimmages meant to get the guys more practice time and get them ready for the season.  If it was the regular season Campbell (I think) would've kicked the PAT and tied it up.  If he doesn't do that then he deserves to be fired on the spot.

Joined: 10/09/2008

MGoPoints: 30055

cobra14

August 14th, 2021 at 8:14 AM ^

I know it’s pre season but Dan Campbell’s decision making should be questioned. I haven’t seen anyone discuss his bonehead call to go for it on 4th and 1 in his own territory with about a minute left in the half. 
 

There will be a lot of excuse making about this but these are immediate red flags already.

Joined: 05/16/2012

MGoPoints: 8448

cobra14

August 14th, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^

There is a knack to winning! When you have a chance to win you do the correct things in order to win! Especially with this losing ass franchise.
 

He has close to two months plus OTAs to evaluate back up OL. And if you read anything on the unit the backups are atrocious.  
 

Joined: 05/16/2012

MGoPoints: 8448

jbrandimore

August 14th, 2021 at 12:58 PM ^

Wrong on every level.

 The Lions were 4-0 in the preseason leading to 0-16.

Another little known fact: That 17-0 undefeated Dolphins team? Also lost to the Lions that preseason. Did that matter?

OTAs are generally non contact so not that useful either.

Joined: 01/06/2015

MGoPoints: 13706

Spitfire

August 14th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^

I turned on the game right at the end and I saw the Lions run 2 passes and basically run no time off the clock plus the Bills didn't need to take any more timeouts. Too much time left on the clock and of course the Bills go right down the field and kick a game winning FG. I guess if you're using the preseason to practice for the regular season, the Lions are already in midseason form. 

Joined: 11/08/2016

MGoPoints: 6680

AlbanyBlue

August 14th, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^

Two ways to think about that sequence....


He could be giving the backup a couple more game reps. Since the game doesn't count, I'm fine with it. 

OTOH, if Campbell / Lynn are coaching the way they would during the season, then it's horrid clock management and it's more of the same.

I'm hoping it's the first one. But since it's the Lions, it's highly likely that it's the second one. I'll stick with the hope until I get burned the first time this year. It's very possible you're right though.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22073