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Sean Yuille

Feb 11, 2008 Dec 02, 2008 1348 5325

I am a student at the University of Michigan and have been writing about the Lions since April 2006. Aside from Pride of Detroit, I also write a Michigan Wolverines blog called Michigan Sports Center.

Originally I got into blogging as a hobby that I figured would give me great practice for my hopeful future career in the sports media. As it turns out, blogging has become much more than a hobby as it is now sort of my job. Thankfully I love doing it, meaning it is a job I don't mind doing one bit.

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Week 13 Fantasy Wrap-Up

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Heading into the final week of the season on a three-game losing streak is never a good thing for a team's playoff hopes.  Because of the three consecutive losses I suffered, I needed a couple things to happen in order to make the postseason.  First things first, I had to come away with a victory, which I did, as you can see below.

Better Than Millen (me) 82.28
STUD: RB LenDale White 22.6
DUD: D/ST Packers 0
BENCHED: QB Gus Frerotte 20.5
OPTIMUM: 102.5 RATING: 80%
Maize 'n' Blue Jays (THE_J) 70.06
STUD: RB Matt Forte 18.5
DUD: K Robbie Gould 2
BENCHED: QB Joe Flacco 25.7
OPTIMUM: 88 RATING: 79%

Now that I took care of my business, I had to root against Underdogs, who had a 7-5 record going into Week 13.  My record was 6-6, so in order to achieve a tie, Underdogs had to lose.  Thanks to Just go away Favre, who beat Underdogs 104.12-99.5 despite having Brian Westbrook on the bench, that's exactly what happened.  I now have the same record as Underdogs, and I believe I have the edge in the tiebreaker.  I would like to flat out say that I am in the playoffs, but it's not as simple as that.

The other 7-5 team going into Week 13, Detroit's Few Good Men, actually got beat by 2-10 Rudys Warhawks by a surprising score of 111.8-64.78.  That means that Detroit's Few Good Men has the same record as me, but since he beat me earlier this season, I believe he holds the tiebreaker.  Even so, that may not matter since he lost to Underdogs in Week 4.  I'm not exactly sure how a three-way tie would be broken, but I believe I have a playoff spot no matter what.  I guess we'll find out for sure in the morning when everything is updated.  Once that happens, I will put up a new post about the playoffs.

Moving on to the POD overflow league, I won 110.88-73.66 to move into a tie with two other teams for the second best record in the league.  I don't believe I will win the tiebreaker to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs, but again, we'll have to see how everything shakes out.  In the SBN/AOL league, I won 82.05-52.65 to clinch a division title.  As it stands right now, I have the best record in the league, and with only one week left in the regular season, I will probably end up with a first-round bye. 

It seems like there is a pattern with the three leagues I am in based on when the leagues drafted.  The official POD league drafted before the other two, and I am on the edge of not making the playoffs.  In the POD overflow league, which drafted second, I won my division.  Finally, in the SBN/AOL league, which drafted third, I have the best record.  Just as I thought before the season even started, I drafted better each time through.  I guess I'll have to keep that in mind next year to ensure that I don't pick Terrell Owens over a good quarterback ever again.  That's what happened in the official POD league draft, and it really set me back as I haven't had a solid QB all season long.  I guess the phrase "practice makes perfect" even applies to fantasy football.

Anyways, a look at how the rest of Week 13 went in the official POD league can be found after the jump.

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Lions Place Furrey on IR, Sign Colbert

The Lions placed wide receiver Mike Furrey on the injured reserve today, ending his season due to a concussion.  According to a statement made by general manager Martin Mayhew, Furrey was continuing to experience the effects of a concussion, even though it happened three weeks ago.  Furrey hadn't practiced since he sustained the concussion, as he experienced dizziness or nausea when he tried to get out on the field, according to Mayhew.

Furrey, however, says that this was solely the Lions' decision, as he is "100% right now."  Furrey wasn't happy with being put on the IR, and it sounds like the Lions shelved him in a way similar to what they did with Jon Kitna.

“This is the way they want to go,” Furrey said. “I’m 100% right now, and I’ll be getting ready for next year next week.”

"I had a little bit of lightheadedness afterward, but who wouldn’t after you hadn’t run for two weeks?" Furrey said. "But they tried to shut me down from there."

“I actually had to go confront it,” Furrey said. “I went up to Martin and asked him what was going on. I was planning on going to practice today. I confronted him in the lunch room, and he said they were going to stick to the plan they had last week.”

“There were some incidents throughout the two weeks that I should have just rested,” Furrey said. “Instead I went out and tried to run.”

“It’s crazy,” said Furrey, who has one year left on his contract. “So I feel bad. Detroit’s been good to me, and this whole situation’s just, it’s disappointing. I just want to play football. Whether it’s here or wherever, that’s all I want to do.”

To fill the open roster spot, the Lions signed wide receiver Keary Colbert, who was released by the Seahawks on November 11.  Colbert was traded to Seattle from Denver earlier this season, and he only caught 7 passes in 7 games with the Seahawks.

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Monday Notes: Lions Compile List of GM Candidates?

  • Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Lions have compiled a list of five candidates for the general manager job.
    The list, we're told, includes former Packers G.M. Ron Wolf, former Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi, former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly, former Bills G.M. Tom Donahoe, and Chiefs V.P. of player personnel Bill Kuharich, who previously served as G.M. of the Saints.
    Although any of those people would be an upgrade over Matt Millen and probably an upgrade over Martin Mayhew, I'm not exactly enthused with the list the Lions reportedly put together.  Someone like Scott Pioli should be the leading candidate for the job, regardless of whether or not he would actually take it.  Instead, though, it looks like the Lions are going hire someone old school, as PFT put it.
  • Also via PFT, Adam Schefter apparently reported that the Lions will be at risk of losing their annual Thanksgiving game during next March's league meetings.
  • As mentioned in the recap of the Titans game, Jason Hanson tied Morton Anderson's record for the most field goals from 50+ yards on Thanksgiving.
  • The Free Press made a comparison between the 2003 Tigers and the 2008 Lions.  The '03 Tigers, as you may remember, were on the cusp of having the worst record in the history of Major League Baseball.  Somehow, though, they managed to win 5 of their last 6 games to avoid being called the worst ever.  The hot streak at the end of the season came after they lost 17 of their previous 18 games.  Right now, the Lions have lost 19 of their last 20 games.
  • LenDale White laughed at the Lions and used some inappropriate language after a big run during the Thanksgiving game.
  • I'm not exactly sure what is going on in this video, but it involves a Lions fan getting kicked off a bus for some reason.
  • Plaxico Burress is an idiot.  He is now facing a criminal possession of a weapon charge after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh Friday night.  I'd be willing to bet he never plays for the Giants again after this latest incident, as they were already getting sick of his off the field antics.

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Around the NFC North: Week 13

Panthers - 35 :: Packers - 31

The Packers found themselves trailing 21-10 at halftime, but they made a comeback in the third quarter.  Mason Crosby kicked a 44-yard field goal, and Aaron Rodgers found Donald Lee for a 5-yard touchdown.  Rodgers then found Greg Jennings in the end zone on the two-point conversion try to tie the game up at 21 heading into the fourth quarter.

Jennings caught another big pass from Rodgers, this time from 21 yards out for a touchdown, giving the Packers a 28-21 lead.  DeAngelo Williams scored on a 1-yard run only a couple minutes later, setting up a dramatic finish.  Mason Crosby kicked a 19-yard field goal with only 2 minutes left in the game, putting the Packers on top 31-28 after a 16-play, 9-minute drive.  It seemed like they were going to come away with a victory, but Carolina had other ideas.

Following a 45-yard kick return, the Panthers got all the way down to the 1-yard line thanks to a 54-yard reception by Steve Smith.  Williams punched it in from a yard out for his fourth touchdown of the game, giving the Panthers a 35-31 lead.  Aaron Rodgers would throw an interception on the second play of the Packers' next drive, essentially ending the game.

This was Acme Packing Company's reaction following the devastating loss:

Well, that's it, folks.  At 5-7, you can consider this year's Packers team pretty much out of the playoffs.  While they still have a viable shot (the division leader will only be 7-5 after tonight), this team simply isn't consistent enough to go on a run and take back the advantage they once had.  If they can beat Chicago AND both Chicago and Minnesota have horrible meltdowns, then it's possible.  But I wouldn't bet on it.

Bears - 14 :: Vikings - 34

The Bears actually led 7-0 in this game after the first quarter thanks to a 65-yard TD pass to Devin Hester.  After that, though, this game was all Minnesota.  Things fell apart for the Bears after they were stopped on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line.  The Vikings got the ball and believe it or not, took only one play to score.  Gus Frerotte hit Bernard Berrian for a 99-yard touchdown, leading to this game becoming a rout.

As you can imagine, the Daily Norseman was pretty happy following the game.

Breaking news story coming out of Chicago this evening. . .the Chicago Bears are no longer owned by the McCaskey family.  It turns out that the Chicago Bears are now owned by Adrian Peterson.

And to all the Bear fans that laughed and scoffed when the Vikings signed Bernard Berrian this off-season. . .go see how hard Charles Tillman is laughing right now.  That overrated schlub still has no idea where on earth Berrian went to.  If Tillman wants to find him, he can start by watching highlights of the 11th 99-yard play in National Football League history.  He may or may not actually appear in the frame, I'm not sure.

Windy City Gridiron, on the other hand, was upset with how inconsistent the Bears played.

There are inconsistent teams in the league.  The NY Jets going from handing Tennessee their first loss of the season to getting beat handily by Denver.  The Raiders beat up Denver and then go out and get blown up by the Chiefs.  For my money though the Bears are the most inconsistent team during a game.  Literally from drive to drive we don't know what team we are going to get and that is on both sides of the ball.

In Week 14, the Packers host the Texans, the Bears host the Jaguars, and the Vikings come to Detroit to play the Lions.

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Lions on the Doorstep of History

I'll be taking a couple days off since the Lions don't have a game this weekend, but consider this question until I return on Monday: Will the Lions go 0-16?

It's a simple question, but it isn't an easy one to answer.  The Lions' remaining schedule doesn't look like it has a single winnable game on it, but stranger things have happened in the NFL.  It really is interesting that while the Vikings, Colts, Saints, and Packers will be fighting for a playoff spot when they play Detroit, the Lions are fighting just to win a single game.  Again, it's not likely that they will, but stranger things have happened.

Remember, in 2001 when the Lions started 0-12, they won for the first time all season against the Vikings in the 13th game.  I'm not saying that Minnesota will lose to Detroit a week from Sunday, but anything can happen.  No matter how bad the Lions are or how good the opponent is, I could see the Lions blowing a winless season by emerging victorious in one of these games.  I don't expect them to win a game and voted yes in this poll, but you'd think a win has to happen eventually.

Anyways, leave your thoughts to the question I posed in the comments section and make sure to vote in the poll below.  Also, make sure to check out SB Nation's NFL scoreboard for the latest scores and blog posts from around the NFL.

Poll
Will the Lions go 0-16?

  271 votes | Results

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Titans Feast on Lions in 47-10 Blowout

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It's Thanksgiving, and I really just want to stop thinking about this team right now, so let's get right into the recap of the Titans' 47-10 blowout of the Lions.

1st Quarter

  • On the second play of the game, Shaun McDonald fumbled after picking up 5 yards on a catch.  Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch recovered the fumble, giving the Titans the ball at the Lions' 34-yard line.
  • After Brandon Jones ran for 28 yards on a reverse, Chris Johnson ran into the end zone untouched to get the blowout started.  Only four plays into this game and the Lions were already trailing 7-0.
  • The Lions did manage to get in field goal range before their next drive stalled.  Jason Hanson nailed a kick from 53 yards away to tie Morton Anderson's record for the most made field goals from 50 yards out.
  • Chris Johnson ran for another touchdown when the Titans got the ball back.  On the fourth play of the drive, Johnson ran for 58 yards and another TD on 3rd and 5.  He had a huge hole opened up by the Titans' offensive line and simply outran Lions defenders to find the end zone.
  • After the Lions and Titans traded punts, Daunte Culpepper completed a pass for a touchdown.  Unfortunately the pass was completed to a Titans player.  He was under pressure as he dropped back on a screen play and got rid of the ball.  Problem is he threw it right to Tennessee's Dave Ball, who picked the pass off and ran it back 15 yards for a touchdown.  The Titans now led 21-3.
  • The Lions went three and out yet again, and Nick Harris shanked a punt.  It went only 13 yards, giving the Titans the ball at Detroit's 31-yard line.

2nd Quarter

  • It took only four plays for the Titans to find the end zone yet again.  LenDale White got the handoff and plowed his way into the end zone for a gain of 6 yards.
  • Following another Lions punt, the Titans were pinned back at their own 9 thanks to a penalty on the return.  All this meant was that Tennessee would get better stats once they scored again.  That's exactly what happened, as LenDale White scored again, this time from 2 yards out, to cap off a 15-play, 91-yard drive.  The Titans ran 8:25 off the clock during the drive and now led 35-3.
  • After another three and out, the Lions did catch a break.  Kerry Collins dropped back and was hit by Cliff Avril.  Avril forced a fumble and picked the ball up and returned it down to the 2-yard line.  It looked like he got closer to the goal line than the 2-yard line, but the Lions had a great chance to score nonetheless.
  • On the second play of the drive, Daunte Culpepper completed a pass to a wide open Michael Gaines for a touchdown.  This would be the last time the Lions scored in this game, and they trailed 35-10, which is what the scoreboard read at halftime.

3rd Quarter

  • The Titans opened up the second half by adding to their lead on 49-yard Rob Bironas field goal.
  • After the two teams traded punts for the next three drives, Bironas kicked another field goal, this time from 41 yards out.
  • The Lions' offense went three and out again to close out the third quarter.

4th Quarter

  • The Titans went three and out for a change but got the ball right back on the punt.  Adam Jennings, who was signed earlier this month by the Lions, let the ball hit right off of his hands and a Tennessee player fell right on it for the recovery.
  • The punt led to a 45-yard Bironas field goal, putting the Titans ahead 44-10.
  • Following another Lions three and out, Bironas kicked his fourth field goal of the game.  This one was from 43 yards out and gave the Titans a 47-10 lead.
  • Drew Henson came in for the Lions' last drive of the game and completed one pass to Calvin Johnson for a gain of 20 yards.  Johnson made the catch over two Titans defenders and barely got two feet down inbounds.  Jeff Fisher decided to challenge the play, even though there were only a few minutes left.  The play stood, which was good news for Henson, as he got on the stat sheet in a positive way.

    After an incomplete pass, Henson was sacked on second and third down.  He fumbled on both sacks, but the Lions recovered the ball each time.
  • Tennessee got the ball back and ran out the clock to make their 47-10 win official.  The Lions have never given up this many points on Thanksgiving, so they are continuing to set records of futility.

This game was an embarrassment from start to finish.  The Lions got outplayed on offense, defense, and special teams and are now 0-12.  The Lions have only had this bad of a record once before in the history of the franchise.  In 2001 they started 0-12 before beating the Vikings in the 13th game of the season.  That is who the Lions play next week, so hopefully there will be a similar result this year.

Kickoff for the Vikings game is set for 1 p.m. on FOX.  There is no chance that this will be on TV locally since it is at Ford Field, so make sure to check out Pride of Detroit during the game for live updates.  Until then, enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving and try to forget about the Lions.

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Bailoutlions

This sign was held up during the Titans-Lions game today. (Via Kissing Suzy Kolber)

comment 4 days ago Pod_tiny Sean Yuille comment 0 comments 0 recs

Game #12 - Lions vs. Titans - Game Thread

DETROIT LIONS (0-11) GAME #12 TENNESSEE TITANS (10-1)
VS.
Date: November 27, 2008 Location: Detroit, MI
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: Ford Field
TV: CBS Favorite: Titans by 11.0
Radio: Click Here Over/Under: 44.0
Weather:
Domed Stadium
Injury Report:
Click Here
SBN Coverage: Music City Miracles My Prediction:
Titans win
Final Score: Detroit Lions - 10 :: Tennessee Titans - 47

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Week 13 NFL Schedule

PREDICTIONS: Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 109-66-1
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 TIME (ET) TV
Tennessee @ Detroit 12:30 PM CBS
Seattle @ Dallas 4:15 PM FOX
Arizona @ Philadelphia 8:15 PM NFLN
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 TIME (ET) TV
San Francisco @ Buffalo 1:00 PM FOX
Baltimore @ Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
Indianapolis @ Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS
Carolina @ Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX
Miami @ St. Louis 1:00 PM CBS
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay 1:00 PM FOX
NY Giants @ Washington 1:00 PM FOX
Atlanta @ San Diego 4:05 PM FOX
Pittsburgh @ New England 4:15 PM CBS
Denver @ NY Jets 4:15 PM CBS
Kansas City @ Oakland 4:15 PM CBS
Chicago @ Minnesota 8:15 PM NBC
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 TIME (ET) TV
Jacksonville @ Houston 8:30 PM ESPN

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Week 13 Injury Report

DETROIT LIONS
Pos. Player Injury Status
QB Dan Orlovsky Hand Out
QB Drew Stanton Concussion Out
RB Kevin Smith Groin Probable
WR Mike Furrey Concussion Out
TE John Owens Toe Probable
OG Edwin Mulitalo Elbow Questionable
C Dominic Raiola Hand Out
DE Dewayne White Calf Out
DT Chuck Darby Calf Questionable
DT Cory Redding Knee Probable
DT Shaun Cody Elbow Probable
LB Alex Lewis Pectoral Out
LB Ernie Sims Knee Probable
CB Keith Smith Groin Out
TENNESSEE TITANS
Pos. Player Injury Status
OT Michael Roos Foot Probable
DT Jason Jones Foot Questionable
LB Colin Allred Concussion Probable
LB Keith Bulluck Chest Probable
CB Nick Harper Ankle Questionable
CB Chris Carr Shoulder Probable
NFL INJURY REPORT GUIDE
Status Definition
Probable 75% chance that the player will play in the game
Questionable 50% chance that the player will play in the game
Doubtful 25% chance that the player will play in the game
Out 0% chance that the player will play in the game

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