Ron Miner's Detroit Lions fan blog

It has finally happened.  Matt Millen is gone.  It only took Ford 7 years to figure out that Millen was a sorry excuse for a general manager.  The question now is how do they fix the mess that Millen made.  Does it start with Rod Marinelli?  It is going to take years to untangle this knot but to look on the bright side...could they be worse now than they have been the last 7 years?

I think it's just a matter of time before Marinelli is gone and in a way it's too bad.  He never really got the players he needed to run his system.  Or maybe he's not cut out to be a head coach.  Either way he is gone after this year.  Unless the Lions go on a tear and win 10 games...I know I'm laughing too.

So the year is now just about lost but the first step has taken place.  Can Ford screw up the future?  Absolutely.

Continue reading "Bye Bye Bye"

I was trying to think of some positve comments this morning but unsurprisingly I have none.

After a promising preseason the Lions are the worst team in the NFL.  No defense, no offense, no return game and no victories.

Matt Millen should go as well as Rod Marinelli should go(but they won't)

Maybe the Lions should start over like an expansion team.  They would not be losing anything.  The possibility of a number one pick in next year's draft is likely and it could be a good place to start.  But the only way it could work is with massive changes.

To be fair to the offense the Defens has put them in a hole in every game.  It is hard to be an effective offense when your opponent knows you are going to the air to try to catch up.  Marinelli was brought here as a defensive coach and the result is the worst defense in the league.

Continue reading "Oh Oh Oh"

Green Bay 48 Detroit 25...

I am kicking myself tonight.  The Lions played the most miserable, frustrating, horrible game of all time.  I have never been more in awe (in a very bad way).  I sat on myliving room chair in a state of shock.  I have never wavered as a Lions fan, not once.  I accepted that as a Detroit fan I would always and continually be backing a loser.  That was OK...until Sunday.  I don't understand how they came out and looked so terrible, I don't understand how they came back in the second half and rallied to take the lead, I really don't understand what happened. It seemed like the Packers were just toying with the Lions.  Just when we thought the team had it together they fell apart like the house of cards they are.

Continue reading "UNBELIEVABLE"

OK, another year another opening day and already I'm stupid.  I was so excited after the preseason that I fell into the same trap again.  I feel like Charlie Brown....every year the lions pull the football out from under me and I fall for it every time!

Atlanta 34 Detroit 21

The Atlanta Falcons with a rookie quarterback and a first time starting running back absolutely made the Lions look silly.  Before the first quarter ended the game was over.

My impressions:

Lions are still not ready for anything...at this point even mediocrity would be welcome.  Maybe Rod Marinelli is not cut out to be a head coach.  The defense is terrible, the offense is inconsistent, and the coaching staff is confused.

The offense showed sparks of productivity and Kevin Smith had a pretty good first game.  He was patient and picked his hole well.  Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson were good.  Kitna was rusty but the fire he displays should be emulated by the rest of the team.  At least we know he cares.

Continue reading "Stupid"

OK, so I was a week early....here's what is going on...

Rudi Johnson is here, and Tatum Bell is gone, along with Johnson's luggage.  Sounds like there are a little sour grapes for Bell being released.

Is this a good move, does it make the Lions a better team?  Absolutely.  Tatum Bell has shown over and over again that he will not be an effective runner.  Rudi Johnson has only had one bad year and that was due to injury.  If nothing else he will be a good mentor for Kevin Smith.

Sunday at Atlanta we will finally get to see the real Detroit Lions....but remember..it is Atlanta so here is my advice to you and to myself...don't get too high and don't get too low.

Ron 

Continue reading "Rudi Johnson"

Today is the big day!  Now we see what the Lions are really made of.  Are they the team we watched in the preseason or are they the disappointment we have come to expect?  Will Rod Marinelli have them prepared?  Will the intensity continue?  Will the running game be a factor?  Will Jon Kitna contine being lights out?  Have the Lions turned the corner?  Will the Defensive line be able to put any pressure on the quarterback?

Today all I have are questions.  Tomorrow we may have some answers but we have to remember we are playing the Falcons...not the biggest test.  They are a team in turmoil with a rookie quarterback.  But, a good start will set the tone for the rest of the season.

See ya,

Ron

Continue reading "Game Day"

Preseason is over. The big question is who are the Lions going to cut. My first concern is at wide receiver. It looks like John Standeford is not on the Lions depth chart and that is a shame. I know he is small but he has done everything and more that he was expected to do. He creates separation which is more important than speed and he has caught just about anything that has been thrown his way.

The Lions game plan is to be faster and more aggressive on defense. For the most part it looks like that goal will be met, however, the big question on defense is the D-line. The 2nd and 3rd string guys have played very well. The problem is that they have been playing the 2nd and 3rd string opponents. The starters are who count and they are a big question mark at this point.

Continue reading "Preseason"

Been hearing through the grapevine that the Cincinnati Bengals are shopping running back Rudi Johnson around.  They are looking for a receiver to replenish their injured start TJ Houshmnzadeh and Chad Johnson.  Rumor has it that they are talking to Matt Millen to grab one of our receivers.  While depth at running back is a question for the Lions getting Rudi Johnson is not the answer.  I hope Millen has learned his lesson trading for washed up players and expect them to come in here and make us giddy.  Johnson is a decent running back but the return on investment is just bad sense.

Tell me what you think....

Ron

Continue reading "Trade rumor"

Here are a few Tuesday morning predictions....it's early so please forgive my optimism.

The Lions will finish 10-4 and make the playoffs.  They will lose their first playoff game and go home.  Take heart though; it will much better than we are used to.

Pro Bowlers:  Jon Kitna, Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams.

The receivers and the addition of a running game will make Kitna look better than he probably is but perception is reality, especially in the NFL.  Calvin Johnson will have a breakout season and Roy Williams will finally prove that he is for real.

That's all the crystal ball is telling me right now...before I make any more predictions I need to use some windex on this thing. 

See you,

Ron

Continue reading "Lions prognosis!"

Drew Henson had it all.  A promising football career and a not so promising baseball career.  He decided to chase the baseball dream which didn't pan out and wasted years of time when he could have been learning how to be an NFL quarterback..Coming out of Brighton High School he was arguably the best prep athlete in Michigan history.  Went to the University of Michigan and starred with Tom Brady.  He was all set to take off.  Then he surprises everyone and signs with the Yankees.  When he decided to come back to football it was too late.  All that time away from the game put him out touch and he will probably never be a starting quarterback.  Now he is a wanderer, searching for a home.

Is Detroit that home he is looking for?  Probably not...Drew Stanton will be back soon which means Henson will be gone soon...and it's too bad.  He could have been somebody.

Continue reading "Welcome home Drew Henson"