Status Check is FanHouse's conversation with fans from the rest of the blogosphere. Every week during the NFL season we'll be focusing on a big rivalry. Today, it's Lions-Redskins, which, if we're being honest, wasn't much of a rivalry until both teams started strong this season. Sean Yuille, the guy behind Pride of Detroit, and Skin Patrol of Hogs Haven, answer a few questions.
First up, Lions fan Sean Yuille.
FanHouse: It's easy to make fun of Matt Millen and his crack-like addiction of drafting wide receivers, but there's no arguing that Roy Williams is legit, and Calvin Johnson looks like he will be. Heading into the season, Detroit had other needs than pass catcher -- be honest, who did you want the Lions to take in the draft?
POD: Honestly, I was hoping that Detroit would trade the pick with someone like Tampa Bay or Atlanta, pick up a ton of extra picks, and then fill their many needs in that way. Instead, Detroit went the route of Calvin Johnson, and I must say, that works too. I would've still liked to see some of the other positions of need get addressed, but C.J. has the talent and athleticism to be one of the league's best receivers some day, so the sting of another WR is taken off a tad.
FanHouse: What was the reaction among fans when the Lions took Michigan State's Drew Stanton in the second round? Jon Kitna's a solid quarterback, but he's getting up there in years, and there are only so many crushing hits a guy can take. Does Stanton seem like a guy you can build a franchise around?
POD: I won't sugarcoat it at all, I absolutely hated this pick. I can't speak for all Lions fans because there are some out there that thought this pick was good, but come on, Drew Stanton? A lot of this hatred probably has to do with the fact that I'm a Michigan fan and have disliked Stanton for a while now, but with that I saw a lot of his games. I will say that John L. Smith didn't help him very much, but he still, in my opinion, won't be an NFL-ready QB for years to come. Stanton ended up getting injured before the season in practice and Detroit just decided to stick him on the IR. He would've been out for most of the season, so rather than waste a roster spot, they just put him on the shelf. That really won't hamper his holding the clipboard skills too much, but it does hurt his ability to get a feel for the NFL on the field.
FanHouse: If you could have one Redskins player on the Lions, who would it be?
POD: Without a doubt, I would want Sean Taylor. The Lions secondary is absolutely horrible, just ask Donovan McNabb. Taylor would bring much-needed help at the free safety position as the Lions regular starter, Daniel Bullocks, is out for the year with an injury.
FanHouse: Hardcore football fans know Shaun Rogers, but casual observers (outside of Detroit, anyway) have probably never heard of him. Which little-known Lions player should people look for Sunday?
POD: People should look for wide receiver Shaun McDonald. McDonald was brought in during the offseason from St. Louis and although he is technically the fourth wide receiver for the Lions, he actually is second on the team in receiving yards and is tied for the most touchdowns. I guess that shows you how much Mike Martz likes to spread it out, but McDonald has performed surprisingly well this year. Although he may not have the name of Calvin Johnson or Roy Williams, he has really stepped it up so far this season and could be in line for a Mike Furrey type of breakout year.
FanHouse: What do the Lions have to do win this game? And more generally, are they a legit playoff team?
POD: Detroit's defense has to survive in order for the Lions to win. If Washington destroys the "D" just half as much as Philly did, then the Lions will still be in for a long day. On the other side of things, though, if the defense steps it up and causes turnovers, the Lions offense then can perform even better than usual. Basically, it comes down to how well the defense plays.
As far as the question of the playoffs goes, I would say no to them being legit right now. That is just because the last 7 or so years with Matt Millen has made me realize that any season that starts good can still finish very bad. I won't get confident about this team until Week 17 is over and their status from then on is determined.
Next up, Redskins fan Skin Patrol.
FanHouse: Obviously, last year was a big disappointment. But it's a new season, and the Redskins should probably be 3-0 coming out of the bye. What changed over the summer?
SP: The defense. As Football Outsiders has noted, the defense is much better of than it was a year ago. Also, two big categories where we were historically bad last year, sacks and interceptions, have returned to respectable levels. After 3 games the Redskins have 7 sacks, which projects to 37 sacks, which damn near doubles our 2006 production of 19. The Redskins had 6 interceptions all of last year, but 2 already this year. Ditto on fumble recoveries (6 in 2006, 2 thus far this year). If I had to choose one thing on offense that has us winning games it has been the development of Antwaan Randle El and our deep play ability, that was very nearly non-existent last year. Jason Campbell has struggled in some areas, but throwing the ball vertically has not been one of them.
FanHouse: It looks like Washington's best player, Santana Moss, will be out for at least this week's game and maybe longer. Moss and tight end Chris Cooley are the two main pass-catching threats (although Antwaan Randle El is coming along); who steps up in Moss's absence. More specifically, where the hell is Brandon Lloyd and has an NFL front office ever been so wrong about a player?
SP: Take your pick on who steps up. Obviously Randle El will see a lot of receptions if Santana is missing, as he has even when Moss is around. Jason could rely more on Cooley as well. For other targets, don't expect much out of Brandon Lloyd. I'd predict that Reche Caldwell, James Thrash, or Keenan McCardell would finish with more receptions than Lloyd, who is getting Arringtoned as we speak. Has an NFL front office ever been so wrong about a player? Don't know, I've got mean tunnel vision on my Redskins. This is certainly one of the worst player evaluation jobs I've seen from this team in a long time, in terms of amount of production received for amount spent (not counting injuries, which I don't fault the team's scouting for).
FanHouse: If you could have one Lions player on the Redskins, who would it be?
SP: If I'm thinking long-term it has to be Calvin Johnson. He's a potentially once in a generational player who appears fine at the next level. He's also 21. But really we need TJ Duckett back, man I can't believe we let him go! (Kidding.) Defensively I think Cory Redding is a hell of a player and I don't know about how much longer Cornelius Griffin is going to last, so I think I'd probably take him.
FanHouse: What do the 'Skins have to do win this game? And more generally, are they a legit playoff team?
SP: Skins need to win the turnover battle by pressuring Jon Kitna early and often. Turnovers are what will allow us a multi-possession lead which permits robust running right at the Detroit Lions. The Redskins have thus far not scored more than 20 points. The Lions have scored 21 points three times already. If they play efficient, smart offense, it's hard to imagine our offense meeting them in production and points. Also, I don't know how reasonable it is to expect the Redskins defense to hold out against them through 4 quarters unless Kitna and fumbles provide some assistance. The Eagles cruised to a 56-21 point decision in virtue of their 9 sacks, in my opinion. The Redskins aren't going to score 56 points against the Lions, but I think we can manage at least 21.
Are we a legitimate playoff? Of course we are, and of course I'd say that. 2-1 is way too early to speculate on that kind of thing especially two weeks removed from any football, which means the 'Skins have an especially small sample size on which to base that prediction. Circa 2003 this team was 2-1 before going 5-11 (and were 3-1 after 4 games). How we respond to injuries will largely determine if this team can make it to 10 some-odd wins over the course of a season, and I just haven't seen enough good or bad to definitely say one way or the other whether we're going postal. Actually, yea, we're going to the postseason. 18-1 SB winnah.
Thanks to Sean and Skin Patrol for their insights. If you're jonesin' for more on this matchup, FanHouse's Sportz Assassin is all over it.
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