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Daniel Mears/The
Detroit News |
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Roy
Williams and Damien Woody get carted off the field after
suffering injuries. Woody is out for the season, and Williams is
listed as day to day. |
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I’m not sure anyone is surprised by now that the
Lions lost again. I’m not sure that anyone is
even surprised that the Lions were winning at
key points the last two weeks, and still lost.
However, since playing the game of football from
a normal NFL head coaches perspective, in terms
of roster and game management and what not. I
have a couple of thoughts on how maybe, just
maybe, the Lions could pull a win out one of
these weeks, instead of snatching defeat from
the jaws of victory.
First
off, I’m looking at the offensive line. Since the guys who are supposed to be
our starters have yet to play a down together, maybe it’s time we get a little
funky with the offensive line. Not knowing the extent of the injury to Damien
Woody, I’m going to leave him out of the equation for the moment. Now since
Tucker, and Stokes haven’t exactly wowed anyone with their blocking ability on
the pass, or the run, I say keep them on the bench. They are much more useful
to us coming off the bench to play guard or tackle, then starting at either
slot. Their experience is valuable though, and now I look to them to be more
player/coaches then just players. Next, I’m going to move Jeff Backus to left
guard. With Jeff Backus at left guard, Dominic Raiola at center, that makes a
nice duo on the left side until Johnathan Scott becomes dominant at the left
tackle slot. I think quite a few people were impressed by Scott’s performance
(considering he is a rookie) at the time he spent at right tackle due to
injuries, I think pairing him with Backus on the left side, and having Backus
tutor him, that could very well develop into a solid side of the line. If
anything, it would give Scott the much-needed game experience to improve his
game. That means the right side, will be the weak side and even more
inexperienced. We don’t really have another tackle right now on the roster,
besides Stokes and Tucker. However, I think I we brought Campbell in to play
right tackle, and leave the tight end duties to Fitzsimmons and Pollard, it’s a
stop gap. At right guard, while Woody is out, it’s between Blaine Saipaia and
Frank Davis. We put the youth in and see what they got. If anything, it gives
them much-needed game experience, and we can figure out if either of these guys
can play for us in the NFL. The other side to this thought is that you leave
Jeff Backus at left tackle. You start Frank Davis or Blaine Saipaia at left
guard. Dominic Raiola is still in the middle, and then either Davis or Saipaia
(whichever one is left over) at right guard, and you put in Scott at right
tackle. The left guard spot would be crucial here, since this is the kid who is
going to be the project. Being sandwiched between Backus and Raiola should be
good for whoever it is to learn the position. The right guard still gets the
experience he needs, but is removed when Woody comes back. Starting Johnathan
Scott at right tackle has not looked too bad for the last two games, why not let
him learn on the job, and get a head start on him locking the position down for
next year?
Next
up, after we play with the offensive line, is the quarterback. If games ended
after the third quarter, Kitna would be the MVP of this ball club. They don’t.
And unfortunately, we end up losing whatever lead we have in the fourth quarter,
and we have to rely on Kitna to win us the game. In three straight weeks, he
has not come through. This week, I can give credit to that to the offensive
line being injured. But the previous weeks, I cannot give a pass for. So
here’s the idea. Who’s better? McCown or Orlovsky? Whichever one is better
will be coming into the game in the fourth quarter. This way, if we have a
lead, we can hold onto it as long as possible, and it gives either one a chance
to warm up before the heat comes on. Which, we all know, the heat will come
when the Lions lose the lead, and then need to rely on the quarterback to get us
the lead back, and secure the win. Seriously, can it get any worse then late
interceptions being thrown when the team is trying to gain momentum? Not
really. Since Kitna has shown he cannot bring the Lions back for a win when the
game is close, let’s hand the ball over to someone else. This, in baseball
terms, would be a closer. What do we have to lose? Don’t get me wrong. I like
Kitna. He’s obviously better then Joey Harrington, because we have been in ball
games as of late. Joey ‘Ballgame’ Harrington, by the way, threw an interception
late in the game that cost the Dolphins the win. His final stats were
completely Joey-esque, 26 for 41, for 232 yards, no touchdowns, and two
interceptions. Yeah, so those of you who think Joey is going somewhere and
becoming great? Nope, new team, new supporting cast, same old Joey. But I
digress. I like Kitna. He has kept us in ballgames, and he’s even given us a
lead. But he can’t win us the ballgame. He can’t close out the game. So in
the fourth quarter, bring in McCown or Orlovsky. During the course of the
fourth quarter they will have time to adjust to being into the game, and have a
chance to warm up, since we’ll be relying on running the ball and converting
passes on third down, they’ll warm up real quick. Then with the game on the
line, let’s see if one of them can close the game out for us, and give us the
win.
The
last idea to mention, which isn’t much of an idea since most of the board has
preached this, obviously losing so many offensive linemen today to injuries,
even if it was only a play here and there, it shows the lack of depth we have.
Paris Lenon got hurt at linebacker. Jeff Backus had to come out of the game for
a few plays. Great. These two positions have been weak for some time, so this
past offseason what did we do? Not much to make them better, and not much more
to add some depth to either unit. Matt Millen goes and hires a head coach who
believes that games are won in the trenches, between the defensive line and
offensive line. So why did we not provide him with anyone to strengthen the
unit, or groom to start? We drafted Scott, and we found Frank Davis, and we had
to sign Saipaia due to injuries. As of right now, not much is known about any
of them as to whether or not they can be worked into starters. So in the
offseason, fire Matt Millen. Then in free agency and the draft, we focus on the
key needs. Offensive line (whether it be depth, or a new starting left guard,
or whatever), defensive line (because I can’t remember the last time the
defensive ends had a sack) a big time middle linebacker (because really, Bailey
is not the answer there, and did he get hurt yet?) and a corner who (GASP!) can
actually COVER a receiver to play opposite of Bly.
Wishful
thinking I know. Matt Millen will still be here next year. We’ll have drafted
a quarterback, or receiver in round one, and ignore the biggest holes this team
has had over the last…decade maybe?
