OT: First Impressions of the Det Lions?
I'm not sure how many of you actually watched the preseason game against the Falcons - I'm assuming some did because of the post about streaming the Lions' game below.
Obviously it's a preseason game and yes, the Lions went 4-0 last year in the preseason, but still - it was a good to see the Lions get off to a good start. I was pretty impressed with Culpepper's mobility as he looked to have some much better scrambling ability than I thought. The offensive line is still very shaky as there was a lot of penetration through the three interior positions. Still, I'm fairly happy since we weren't playing with either C. Johnson or Pettigrew in the line up.
Stafford didn't look too bad, either.
I didn't have a problem with it, but the new Lions' logo in the endzone bugs the crap out of me for some reason - just doesn't look right. It doesn't look more "fierce."
I'd love to see what other impressions people are having. Thanks.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:28 PM ^
Ugh, I didn't like what I saw to be honest. When Atlanta's first team offense was in the game, they had their way with the Lions' defense. That 40 yard TD run by Turner reminded me a lot of last year's game. And the offensive line looked, well...
However, Stafford looked alright, and Cutler and Stanton had some success scrambling. Still, without upgrades to the defensive line and offensive line, I find it hard to believe that there will be much of an improvement over last season.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:46 PM ^
You mean Culpepper right?
August 15th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
Err... yeah. Minor alcohol induced mixup there.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:42 PM ^
WOO PRESEASON CHAMPS
PRE-PEAT BABY
WOOO
August 15th, 2009 at 9:45 PM ^
like the real deal - his stat line would look a lot more impressive if not for the Colbert drops.
After the shit sandwich of last season, this is a nice start.
August 16th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
Men's Large.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
since57.com
August 16th, 2009 at 12:08 PM ^
I jumped the gun, it seems. I guess they don't sell that shirt anymore. I'll sell you mine (Men's Medium) for $500.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
I'll take it for two payments of $249.95 plus tax.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
Kevin Smith is doing all he can to ensure this shirt for 2009 as well.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:32 PM ^
Too early to start thinking about a three-pre-peat?
August 15th, 2009 at 10:45 PM ^
about the preseason the lions will dominate preseason and fall flat on their faces in the regular season
August 15th, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^
the new logo
August 15th, 2009 at 11:13 PM ^
Anyone else like Aaron Brown? The RB from TCU.. Looks pretty speedy, hopefully we can get him the ball once in a while.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:42 PM ^
real solid
Granted, it was against the 2nd or 3rd string D - but it seemed like he had elite level speed.
August 16th, 2009 at 1:41 AM ^
He also has good hands for a receiver which should help him get on the field this season. I'd love to this 6th round pick explode into a game breaker early on. The Lions need a break.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:13 PM ^
eh..preseason rabble rabble and all that...
but Stafford looked very good, he was calm and his throws were right on the money.
Aaron Brown - wow....I hope he gets some P.T...dude is electric.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
I was impressed with them, I mean sure last year we went 4-0 in the preseason and then did nothing in the regular season. It was a nice start though, I was impressed with Stafford and Aaron Brown can fly.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:31 PM ^
I saw a couple encouraging observations from this game. Obviously, its only a preseason game and you can get your best indication of what the Lions can do when both first teams are out there.
1) Defense looked improved. When Matt Ryan and Michael Turner were in the game, they seemed to contain the Atlanta offense well (other than that 40 yard TD run). Compared to last years game the Falcons scored 3 touchdowns on 3 possessions.
2) Tackling was improved. The one that sticks out to me was the tackle Pearson made on a WR or TE for Atlanta where he just wrapped him up and drove him backwards. Last year that would've gone to the house.
3) Culpepper looked mobile. He was able to move around in the pocket, avoid tackles, and at least make plays for positive yardage. An improvement from Kitna for sure.
4) They seemed successful running the ball. Kevin Smith started the game with an 8 yard run and then followed that up with a first down. That seems encouraging.
Again, its the preseason so you have to take it all with a grain of salt, but from what I see, they appear to be headed in the right direction.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:35 PM ^
Even though it was flagged for excessive celebration (rightfully so), the cartwheel followed by a backflip that Aaron Brown after he got his second touchdown was pretty sweet .
August 16th, 2009 at 12:26 AM ^
Has anyone else seen the commercial for 20 weeks of SI for $49.95 and you get the new Madden for free? Is there a catch to this?
August 16th, 2009 at 12:30 AM ^
http://mgoblog.com/content/ot-subscribe-si-get-madden-10-free
This should help you.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:33 AM ^
Thank your the link and not verbally assaulting me for not using the search function.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:39 AM ^
Your welcome.
August 16th, 2009 at 1:52 AM ^
Has anyone else seen the commercial for 20 weeks of SI for $49.95 and you get the new Madden for free? Is there a catch to this?Yes. The catch is having to read Sports Illustrated.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:11 AM ^
Stanton had a decent showing aganist the third string, and now Stanton's Spartan Slappies are out in full force in the mlive comment fields. You'd think he just won a Super Bowl or something.
Since it doesn't look like Culpepper will be appreciably better than Stafford, I'm for throwing Stafford in to start the season. I was against the pick (drafting Stafford, not the pick six), but since they have him, they might as well start the "QB of the future" thing ASAP.
It's not that Stafford looked that great, but Culpepper didn't, either. I wonder how much better Culpepper will have to be than Stafford to get a start?
August 16th, 2009 at 10:46 AM ^
The OL still sucks, so you know it's going to happen. Let Stafford carry a clipboard and learn things off the field until he's ready--and hopefully until the Lions have hopefully upgraded hopefully the OL.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:28 AM ^
The defense is pretty shaky, and the O-Line looks live a sieve. Beyond the play of the QBs and Hanson, Brown and Williams looked like they can help. I would cut Keary Colbert. Four wins would be a major accomplishment, but it looks like Culpepper could be serviceable.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:42 AM ^
That defensive line isn't just bad, it's atrocious. Michael Turner would've rushed for 200+ yards had it been a regular season game.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:51 AM ^
Both the lines are miserable. Jon Jansen is one of my few favorite M players ever, but it seemslike he's done. The LB corps is pretty good, and the offensive skill positions really aren't bad, but I don't see how they win more than a few games with those lines.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:08 PM ^
A few games = massive improvement. If they can get to 5 or 6 wins, they're back to the level of mediocrity they were at under Mariucci... which was the last time the team ever seemed to be building toward something.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
After watching the Lions rise to their level of incompetency last year, it would be nice to see them sink to the level of mediocrity.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
Oh, I agree with all that. It's amazing how much worse the lines are than they were two or three years ago.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:21 PM ^
The Lions fucking suck. End of story.
August 16th, 2009 at 11:29 PM ^
Who cares? I'm young enough to recognize that the Lions suck balls, and they always will suck balls. Quit drinking the Kool-Aid; it's bad for your mental health.