OT - The Honolulu blue Kool-Aid tastes of fine wine (Lions posbang!)
Tonight, my long-suffering Lions-loving friends, was one for the ages. After decades of being ravaged by Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, the Lions waltzed into the palace of cheese and laid waste to the demons of their past.
Tomorrow's game recaps may point out that despite the heroic effort, the Lions again failed to reach the playoffs. That they made their draft pick a few slots worse by winning a "meaningless" game. These lukewarm takes miss the point entirely.
Because what we witnessed tonight was everything we Lions fans can look forward to next season: a team that never quits. Not on 4th down on the final drive, not in the 4th quarter sitting on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a hostile environment, and not on the season after that woeful start littered with bad breaks. On national television with America watching, your Detroit Lions displayed the one thing Dan Campbell wanted to see above all else: GRIT.
Haters, you can talk all you want about the SOL, the Fords, the failures of the past. You can also go eat a bag of cheese dicks, because true Lions fans understand how big this win was tonight.
Jamaal Williams, bang! Aiden Hutchinson, bang! Kerby Joseph, bang! This whole fucking beautiful team, bang bang bang!
January 9th, 2023 at 1:01 AM ^
Amen, brother! Tack on the draft, which the Lions have been acing the past couple years, and this Lions train is heading non-stop to the promised land, Bang! 😀
January 9th, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
Grit, spit and whole lotta duct tape!
January 9th, 2023 at 8:45 AM ^
Don't forget the WD-40!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
Gonna want to focus on Defense in this year's Draft. I believe they have an extra 1st round pick from the dreadful Rams. Giggity-Bang
January 9th, 2023 at 1:01 AM ^
At the beginning of the year I said 6-7 wins for the team, happy that they went well beyond that. It took a minute for the fury of that Rams-Seahawks refshow to wear off, but after it did I was rooting for the Lions to send a message tonight and they did resoundingly. They should be the favorites to win the division next year, and have legitimate hopes for a playoff run for the first time in my life (I'm 25).
During the game I couldn't stop thinking of the close moments that kept the team out of the playoffs:
-Not getting stops against the Eagles and Seahawks when the offense was on fire
-Botched FG decision @Minnesota
-Tight, winnable games against Miami and Buffalo
But looking back at that list, that's 5 playoff teams and 2 prime contenders that they went toe-to-toe with and easily could have beaten for a team whose core is mostly comprised of first and second year players. I have full faith that another Brad Holmes offseason will take this franchise to the next level. BNL!
January 9th, 2023 at 7:09 AM ^
Agreed. I had my doubts about Campbell. Didn't question his heart or passion. Just thought that he would be a great TE coach, maybe a bit over his head as a HC.
But man, Ben Johnson is a stud OC. And the defense has been coming on after getting lit up earlier in the year (and the Carolina game). Maybe Glenn can get them to take the next step next year.
As long as we have Johnson designing game plans and calling plays, with all our young talent, I'm on board, for sure.
Final Drive, Hook and Ladder:
https://youtu.be/gglsiPZeCnQ?t=752
Post Game Locker Room:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hd5I2okiSc
Hutchinson Interview, Culture of Grit & Lambeau Leap
January 9th, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
The Lions need to ask Johnson what his favorite Caribbean island is, take his cell phone away and send him there for two months.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:15 AM ^
Agreed! I dont think any teams will take a chance on a first time OC as a HC, but I could see somebody trying to poach him.
January 9th, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^
That's Mike McDaniel last year around this time, except that he was working under certified evil genius Kyle Shanahan.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:10 PM ^
Pedantic- it’s hook and lateral.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
They played with True Grit! Let's hope they don't fall back to their old ways...
January 9th, 2023 at 1:15 AM ^
After starting 1-6, I was thinking maybe 4 wins. But glad they played well the remainder of the season and got 9 wins. Too bad they could not beat Seattle and Buffalo at home. I wish they would have showed up at Carolina. It seem like after that goal line fumble they just fell apart. If their draft goes well, I think they will contend for the division next season. Excited for the future.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^
When they were 1-6, there was absolutely no way i thought they could get 4 wins. No way.
January 9th, 2023 at 1:15 AM ^
Flew in from Toronto (Leafs vs Wings) after flying in from Halifax (World Juniors) after flying in from Phoenix (uggggh) to watch this game.
As a native Californian, I didn't much enjoy the 21 degree kickoff but once the final whistle blew it felt about 30 degrees warmer.
Sucks we didn't make playoffs because that finish is the best I've ever seen from the Lions in my life ... Even including the disaster against Carolina.
On to next year and realistically I could see them being favored to win the division.
January 9th, 2023 at 1:25 AM ^
Long suffering Lions fan here (I pre date Billy Sims and remember wondering who the hell is Jeff Kolomo?)
This franchise, for the first time since Barry and the OLine built in the 90's, show legit promise. The team in the 90's could never get over the hump because they could not find that final piece (a legit QB). For those who don't remember, they drafted Andre Ware and that turned into a monumental bust (along with long time disaster Lions luck to Andolsek and Utley issues that ravage what was a very promising OLine back then) and then chased fools gold in Scott Mitchell...
Holmes and Campbell have been building the team the right way. Hitting on their 1st round picks as well as mid draft picks each of the past 2 years (St. Brown, Houston, Joseph, Rodriguez, McNeil) and with 2 more 1st round picks coming up next Spring, including the 6th overall (thanks Stafford and Rams!) they will be ready to challenge for the division next year.
Minnesota just had one of those crazy years (11-0 in one score game??) so they will track back a bit and with the mystery behind Rogers - GB is in limbo and the Bears are just plain terrible.
For those who care I will ensure you the Lions will NOT spend a first round pick THIS SPRING on a QB. The target is the next draft which will most likely feature, Williams - USC, Maye - UNC, JJ, Hartman, and Ewers...
It'll be a long off season, but for a Michigan and Lions fan, the Falls have become quite enjoyable again. Looking forward to next season...
January 9th, 2023 at 1:31 AM ^
It's "Komlo".
January 9th, 2023 at 7:11 AM ^
Komlo of blessed memory. He had a rough life and got in trouble with the law in his years following the Honolulu blue and silver.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
I didn't know about him until now but holy shit his later life was insane
January 9th, 2023 at 1:34 AM ^
Andolsek was a heckuva player. I've got a nice summer camp story about him.
One of the widest human beings I've ever seen.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:04 AM ^
The coffee table he was called. They said when on all fours his back resembled a coffee table.
January 10th, 2023 at 12:57 AM ^
It was usually "Table" for short. As a rookie the OL made him get on all fours and played cards on his back.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:20 AM ^
Yup, I agree ride with Goff for another year, and stock up on defense.
Oh, and sign Jamall Williams, that man is the heartbeat of the team!
January 9th, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
DEXTER BUSSEY!
January 9th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
Dexter Bussin'
January 9th, 2023 at 8:53 AM ^
Long suffering Lions fan here (I pre date Billy Sims and remember wondering who the hell is Jeff Kolomo?)
_______________________________________________________________________
That's nothin'! Try Milt Plum and Nick Pietrosante!!
January 9th, 2023 at 9:10 AM ^
"Long suffering Lions fan"? I was a sophomore in '70, watching in the Chicago House lounge in West Quad as the Lions played the Saints. Tom Dempsey "clubbed" it. Alex Karras falling to the turf in disbelief. I got your "long suffering" right here. But, welcome to the club. Better days are coming.
BTW, Dempsey kicked it from his own 37 yard line! (Before they moved the goal posts back. )
January 9th, 2023 at 12:17 PM ^
Bullshit shoe. I still think it was cheating.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
Lions OL should be the gold standard in the NFL in the coming ears.
I would still like to see WCF removed from the jersey. He never helped.
January 9th, 2023 at 1:31 AM ^
It doesn't make up for Favre-to-Sharpe, but its a damn good start. Fuck Green Bay! Bang!
January 9th, 2023 at 1:48 AM ^
Sicccccc rhyming skills. Take my upvote.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
I love the idea that the last pass thrown by Sharon Rodgers at Lambeau will be an interception to Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
Serves him right after saying: "We can't lose a game like that against that team."
Then Sharon being a little bitch snubbing Jameson Williams asking for his jersey and shoving a network cameraman in the tunnel. Enjoy your couch douche.
January 9th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
"Snubbing" Jameson Williams is a bit harsh. If it really is his last game he deserves to keep the jersey. That's not a fair criticism. Neither is the "shove" you mentioned. He put his hand out and gave the cameraman a nudge because he was getting wayyyyy too close and in his face while trying to have a moment with one of his best friends on the team. Everything else you said was fine but don't be a dick. He's a human being and deserves some basic respect. He's not perfect but nobody is.
January 9th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
He could have given the jersey to Williams to look magnanimous and then later asked for it back or offered something else. He didn't even linger to talk to Williams or say anything else to him, just nope.
As for the cameraman, he wasn't in his face it's a tunnel and a camera with a magnifying lens on it, he gave him a shitty look and then pushed the lens away. This may be the last time his fans get to see him after a game and there was plenty of tunnel remaining and time in the locker room with friends to be had, he didn't need to do that right then. It was a bad look.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
Giving Williams the jersey just to ask for it back later is silly and a waste of everyone's time. That makes no sense at all.
I'd be just as annoyed as Rodgers if a cameraman was following me into the tunnel after a close game that might be my last while I'm having a moment with one of my best friends. "Now is not the time, leave me alone." That would be my first thought. Maybe you're ok with your emotional moments being on camera for all to see but I'm not one of those people. I suspect Rodgers isn't either.
January 9th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
Why the hell would he want to keep that Jersey? A memory of a game he'd just as soon forget? Aaron is a guy who loves the limelight, who is used to being in front of the camera. He knew what he was doing when he pushed the cameraman, who was just doing his job, out of the way.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Win or lose it might be his last game as a pro. The last time he puts on an NFL jersey. I'd want to keep mine.
Making a lot of assumptions about a man's character without actually knowing him is foolish.
January 9th, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
You got it right there. The entire NFL media following is saying exactly the same thing. I also just heard reported on the Rich Eisen show that Williams started to say, "Hey I thought we...." before the hot mic got turned off...
The speculation there is that Williams had asked for the jersey before the game and Rogers was like "Sure, we're going to kick your butts today and be in the playoffs and my career will continue..." Little did he know this MAYBE his last game as a Fudge Packer....
January 9th, 2023 at 1:35 AM ^
Very very curious to see what next year brings. I renewed my season tickets and plan on being at most home games next year (living in Cali makes it a challenge). Overall I made it to 10 games this year and look forward to just as many or more next year.
On paper, there's no reason to think we won't be better. We won 9 games this year. Better makes 10+
The thought of setting the bar that high is a very odd feeling and I really hope we don't end up 3-14.... This rebuild actually feels like it's going right. I'm so used to being disappointed, but surely we can do it right someday? Why not this time?!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
rdon, if ever you find yourself coaching a team and need to give an inspirational halftime speech, promise me you'll include "Surely we can do it right someday? Why not this time?!" Your players will be ready to run through a brick wall.
January 9th, 2023 at 2:06 AM ^
Still fucking pissed about the officiating in the Seahawks game. I haven’t felt that cheated since…nine days ago. Fuck officials.
January 9th, 2023 at 6:36 AM ^
Watching that game actually encourages one to believe in the conspiracy theory that the league may manipulate games so one team wins. Too many suspicious calls and non-calls in a short period. 🤔
January 9th, 2023 at 7:24 AM ^
The refs in GB made some strange calls against the loins in high leverage spots: overturned catch on 3rd and long, holding call on the flea flicked TD, penalty on INT in 2nd half. The PI calls were 50/50 but I dont remember getting the benefit on any.
January 9th, 2023 at 7:58 AM ^
Every flag on the Lions was in high leverage spots, overturning 3rd down conversions, TDs, turn overs, etc. The flags against the Packers were in safe spots where they were already backed up, or on 1st down. The game should have been 35-10.
Between the two games, it was blatantly obvious who the NFL chose to go to the playoffs.
A complete embarrassment for the NFL.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
The catch definitely wasn't a catch once we got the right angle. The holding call might have been the most obvious hold I've ever seen. Same thing with the hand to the face.
Can't blame the officials for any of them.
January 9th, 2023 at 8:40 AM ^
agreed - that holding call in particular definitely wasn't one of those "hey, you can call that every play things," that i expected to see on replay. it turned out to be one of those "hey if you don't call it it's a fireable offense" holdings. one of the most obvious, blatant holding calls you'll ever see.
my question was the throw to raymond down to the 1/2-yard line. i don't know how that didn't get called a touchdown on the field. i'm just glad we were able to punch it in anyway, glad they didn't try to give it to alex anzalone on an iso on the next play...trying to remember a similar situation in another recent game, but my memory of the last couple weeks of football is pretty sparse.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:14 AM ^
Agree on all counts. A little objectivity on this board would be nice but it's probably too much to ask.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
I’m a huge ref critic. Those calls vs the Lions were good calls.
Seattle was a shit show though.
January 9th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
Apparently the ref lives in Seattle too.