First of all, I'm not sure what's more disgusting: having to discuss an enema or having to watch the Detroit Lions while eating Thanksgiving lunch. (I'm neither here nor there on whether the nation should be forced to watch them -- sure it stinks but eventually the publicity got Matt Millen run out, and just think of those games of yore that featured Barry Sanders on Turkey Day, not the modern exploits of Daunte Culpepper.)But I do know that if we're talking about giving something or someone an enema, things are not going well. And if, for any reason, you don't know what an enema is, let's just say it's a most unpleasant method of "cleaning the system". You don't want one. But the Lions, according to one of Florio's sources, need one.
In the wake of the worst Thanksgiving Day loss in franchise history, a management-side league source who had an opportunity to study the Lions for the first time tells us, quite simply, that the Lions "need an enema."And as my uncle said, "No wonder the auto-industry is failing; these Ford guys let Millen hang around for years." And yes, he's right. And so is this source -- the Lions need to be flushed, provided they pull Calvin Johnson aside first. But it's a tough process and it's one that takes a deep seeded commitment to a legitimate plan. But the sooner they flush the losing trash, the better off the entire culture will be in the long run, even if it does take a few years to actually happen.
"They are as bad as advertised," the source said.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-28-2008 @ 2:09PM
A.J. said...
Therein lies the difference between the Detroit Lions and the Falcons. All the Falcons needed was confidence and leadership.
The Lions, on the other hand, need to be flushed completely. Just like this guy's said, whenever you clean house, there's some stuff you want to keep.
1. Calvin Johnson. And another one or two guys from the current WR corps if you're able to pull it. I think that the talent of their receivers is the one bright spot on the team.
2. Kevin Smith. You can't justifiably cut a guy who hasn't done anything to get cut except get drafted to a team with no offensive line.
3. Gerald Alexander. Probably the best guy in their secondary. He could be a star if he had help around him.
4. Ernie Sims - this guy is already a star-caliber player on a bad team, similar to Calvin Johnson. He's played 44 games and he has 338 total tackles. Again, with some help around him...
Everyone else can go. I'm not sure if it's even a talent issue as much as it is mentality. Once a guy with a franchise gets used to losing, you need to clear him out. I'd take a team full of marginal players with confidence over a team loaded with NFL talent that's used to losing games.
Everyone says it takes a lot - I'm not sure it does.
And with something like 10 picks in this upcoming draft, if I'm not mistaken - most of them will be early in rounds, as well, one could potentially get a lot done in a year.
The good news for the Lions: Teams not run by Al Davis rarely bottom out this low for long. The only direction this franchise can go is up.
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11-28-2008 @ 6:19PM
yungyung said...
they 're getting like three 1st round picks in the draft so they can become or look really good (since their schedule will be easier next year). As long as they use their draft picks right they will be okay but thats not certain to happen due to their history. They mainly need two good defensive players in the draft and an offensive lineman which will probably be top picks and should be.
Culpepper might get better once he learns the offense, Orvlovsky looks like he can at least become a trent edwards, and Kitna, if he's still there, isnt a half bad qb. They also have a supremely talented wr in calvin johnson and kevin smith is starting to play well even with no offensive line. Their main problem is defense and needs to be addressed properly in the offseason...also they should probably fire the coach and cleanse the staff
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11-28-2008 @ 10:37PM
Steve said...
You guys are a bunch of optimists!
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11-30-2008 @ 9:05AM
joe said...
They are bad but there is talent there. They won 7 games in 2007. They need a good coach that brings discipline ala Parcells, Cower, Schottenheimer.
Look at Miami last year and this year. The only major change was at coach and gm.
Now look at the Chargers. The further the Chargers get from Marty's influence and become Turner's team the worse they will play. They are loaded with talent - they just have a lousy coach.
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