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8 years ago

Chris Lemieux of SB Nation's Detroit Lions blog Pride of Detroit answers our questions about Matthew Stafford's busted finger, Detroit's coordinators, and what he expects from Packers vs. Lions. On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers square off with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North title. Chris Lemieux of Pride of Detroit was kind enough to answer some of our questions about the Lions and provide insight into their strengths and weaknesses.
APC: The Lions lost three of their first four games, including a 34-27 tilt with the Packers in Week 3. Since that early stretch, Detroit has only lost three more. What changed for the team since its early struggles?

The Lions win streak is a point of some serious contention, but I think at that point the Lions kind of understood what personnel they had and how to use it. I think the offensive line started to gel a little better the defense got off its shaky start and was able to bend WITHOUT breaking all the time, which was a vast improvement. I think it also had a bit of a cumulative effect; you play a few games close and you start to put a premium on not making mistakes, which helps translates into precision in late-game heroics. What starts as a frantic comeback against the Eagles ended up becoming fairly routine stuff for the Lions.
They've certainly had their fair share of breaks go their way in many of those games, but they've always been able to rely on Matthew Stafford to keep things close. Hot starts from the offense could put the Lions in a position to milk the clock, get games going quickly, which means it's not likely to have multiple possessions that could see large leads open up.
I wish I could point to something more concrete and less rambling in nature, but this season has been a giant black box. I don't know how the Lions do what they do a lot of the time. This season has been unpredictable and crazy and I'm not sure I have the nerves to confront a final game, or even the possibility of this kind of crap in the playoffs. And when the season is over, whenever, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. I'm just shot from nine victories that have all seemingly come with complimentary cardiac arrests.

APC: Matthew Stafford has put forward arguably the best season of his career, earning him inclusion in the league MVP discussion. However, he has thrown just one touchdown pass over his last three games while tossing four interceptions. Is his injured middle finger solely to blame for his recent downturn, or are other factors at play?

There was, at the start of the Giants game and during the Bears game when he sustained the injury initially, where I thought the finger would be a problem. However, he's been showing to still have the same zip as always on the ball, so I'm not overly worried about the hand itself. Nevertheless, he was throwing into some awfully tight windows in the past.
I think if anything a lot of the struggles have been coming from pressure, which can be attributed to the offensive line missing its starting center in Travis Swanson. With Swanson out, Graham Glasgow has moved over from guard, and that's where the hole has been. Stafford's seeing a lot more pressure, he's getting forced out of the pocket more often and usually ends up making a couple of frenzied mistakes because he's trying to do a bit much then.

APC: Lions coordinators Jim Bob Cooter and Teryl Austin have heard their names surface as possible head-coaching candidates. What are their strengths and weaknesses as coaches, and which one, if any, do you see landing a headman gig this offseason?

I'd steer folks away from either as head coaching candidates, honestly. Not just saying that because I like 'em or whatever the hell.
Teryl Austin has been up and down with his defensive scheming. A lot of his previous reputation was built upon the defense that was in place when Detroit had big pieces like Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, and it's safe to say that there hasn't really been players of that caliber in the past couple of seasons, and as a result the defense hasn't exactly played as well compared to previous seasons. I'd hope a defensive coordinator to scheme around and raise up personnel, but I guess you can't break an omelette without eggs and messing up a colloquialism or two. Maybe he'd do alright as a head coach, but I'd argue you want a head coach because he'd make a good manager of the team and coordinators, not because his schemes work well sometimes, when he's got good dudes or whatever.
Jim Bob Cooter is green as Ireland. He's in his 30s and he's only been in the league since 2009, and four of those seasons he's spent as an assistant. Just look up his resume. I know he's getting a lot of press and everyone is losing their mind over the Cooter offense, but I think they're just doing that because they're little sods who like having a private giggle each time they print those words out. There's just not enough experience to think he could run a professional football team right now. Maybe a lower college program, like a FCS school or a some team in the Mountain West Conference; maybe UMass-Amherst or New Mexico State or the Hartford Mummers Finishing School. You know, a place no one will miss if it sinks into the earth. But he's got no experience to go big time right now.

APC: If charged with game planning against the Lions, how would you attack their offense? Their defense?

Attacking the offense: Pressure Matthew Stafford, remove Golden Tate, cover the slot, install a dictatorship of the proletariat. Also, don't let Zach Zenner beat you, because that's really embarrassing, ya'll. But the proletarian dictatorship is vastly important. Maybe not to beating the Lions, but just on a macro level. For humanity's sake.
Attacking the defense: Just ask Aaron Rodgers what he wants to do, I guess. See if he wants dinner, go pick him up something while he works on it. He looks like the sort of guy who just enjoys Applebee's, or maybe Longhorn. Nothing particular there, just, y'know, he goes in there and talks about how clean it is, how swell it is these nice franchise restaurants are just wherever you go, the bathrooms are clean, the menus are all easy to read. This steak tastes so good, and this is certainly not an overly sugary drink. Just swell.

APC: Finally, it's prediction time. Which team do you expect to win the NFC North on Sunday, and why?

I desperately, desperately desire these two teams to just take knees for the entire 90 minutes just to see what would happen. Hell, don't even kneel it down if that would make the league pissed, just dial up awful running plays that go nowhere. Play for the tie. 0-0 OT and watch everyone lose their goddamn minds. Bob Costas' head probably explodes.
If you think about it, there's a 50% chance of anything happening.

We'd like to thank Chris and Pride of Detroit for answering our questions. Be sure to check out our Q&A session over there, as well as their fantastic coverage of all things Lions. As always, keep your internet machines tuned to Acme Packing Company this Sunday for our comprehensive game-day coverage of Packers vs. Lions.



Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He covers the NFL for Sports on Earth and SB Nation. He also serves as the senior writer and editor for Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog.


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Jason B. Hirschhorn wrote:




I was hoping Stafford's hand was an ongoing issue. Guess not.
UserPostedImage
yooperfan
8 years ago
I only watched the Detroit/Dallas game for a short period of time, but, during that time Stafford's finger didn't look like much of an issue.
I was slightly shocked to find out that Dallas doubled em up.
I'm not hanging my hat on Stafford's injured finger for a win.
This game is going to be a beast!
nerdmann
8 years ago
I've heard he's thrown a few INTs lately. Hadn't been doing that this year.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
hardrocker950
8 years ago
It takes more than a finger injury to claim a win in football. He looked like he was having a bit of trouble throwing against Dallas in the second half so there may be some truth to this. If I am Dom, my priority is to make sure they don't establish any type of run game - Stafford is good for a few bad throws, especially when he gets frustrated.
nerdmann
8 years ago

It takes more than a finger injury to claim a win in football. He looked like he was having a bit of trouble throwing against Dallas in the second half so there may be some truth to this. If I am Dom, my priority is to make sure they don't establish any type of run game - Stafford is good for a few bad throws, especially when he gets frustrated.

Originally Posted by: hardrocker950 



Move him off his spot, make him throw on the run.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Smokey
8 years ago
This final game of the NFL's Regular Season, will place the Packers in a comfortable, Indoor Stadium. In addition, the opposing Lion's QB will be playing with an injured hand that may even aid the Packers Defense.

I have personally experienced having broke fingers and trust me , Stafford will not be close to 100% healthy. He will be playing with pain that I don't like to relive. This and other factors will favor GB in this important final regular season game.


[cheers] HAPPY NEW YEAR [cheers]
UserPostedImage
Bigbyfan
8 years ago
Wow this Detroit blogger tried so hard to be funny... I cringed everytime I read one of his "jokes."

Oh yeah... I doubt the finger will be an issue for Stafford. The Packers just have to hope Theo Riddick (one of my fantasy football studs) doesn't play. I have a bad feeling he'll tear our team up if he's healthy. Also I'm worried about the Lions pass rush that seems to be much better on their home turf.
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beast (57m) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (5h) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (5h) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (6h) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (6h) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (6h) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (7h) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (10h) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
dfosterf (10h) : Zero- Did you see what I posted about Voice of Reason and his wife? She posted over at fleaflicker that they are both "In"
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Well, not crazy, it makes sense. Crazy I didn't notice/find it earlier
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : it's crazy how one stored procedure to get data bogged everything down for speed here
dfosterf (7-Aug) : to herd cats or goldfish without a bowl. They reminded me of the annual assembly of our fantasy league
dfosterf (7-Aug) : out on a field trip, outfitting them with little yellow smocks. Most of the little folk were well behaved, but several were like trying
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Yesterday my wife and I spent the afternoon on the waterfront here in Alexandria, Va. A daycare company took about 15 three/four year olds
wpr (7-Aug) : seems faster. yay
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Wife of reason posted on the in/out thread on fleaflicker that both she and vor are in
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : This page was generated in 0.135 seconds.
Mucky Tundra (7-Aug) : Tbh, I can never tell the difference in speed unless it's completely shitting the bed
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Sure does feel like site is more snappy
Zero2Cool (6-Aug) : I thought that was the Lions OL
Mucky Tundra (6-Aug) : Travis Glover placed on IR; seasons over for him
Zero2Cool (6-Aug) : found bad sql in database, maybe site faster now?
dfosterf (5-Aug) : I'm going to call that a good move.
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : I'm not sure how to kill the draft order just yet so it's not so confusing.
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : *to be able
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : and because it's not a dynasty league (which makes a lot more sense to be ability to trade picks)
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Oh I know; I was just exploring and it blew my mind that you could trade picks because of the whole reordering thing
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Zero, I think I preferred my offer: your 1st for my 15th rounder
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : Keep in mind, we do a draft reorder once all members locked in
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : You can have my 12th Rd for your 2nd round
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Hey i didn't know we could trade picks in fantasy
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Update: Rock has tried a cheese curd, promises it's not his last
Zero2Cool (3-Aug) : watch it!! lol
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : you're right, we never did leave, the site just went down :P
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Rock claims to have never eaten a cheese curd
Zero2Cool (3-Aug) : We did not leave.
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Family Night! WE ARE SO BACK!
Mucky Tundra (2-Aug) : To this day, I'm still miffed about his 4 TD game against Dallas on Thanksgiving going to waste
Martha Careful (2-Aug) : Congratulations Sterling Sharpe. He was terrific and I loved watching him play.
beast (2-Aug) : I believe it's technically against the CBA rules, but Jerry just calls it a simple unofficial chat... and somehow gets away with it.
beast (2-Aug) : Jerry Jones is infamous for ̶n̶e̶g̶o̶t̶i̶a̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ chatting with players one on one... and going around the agent.
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Oo just saw a blurb saying that Dallas negotiated directly with Parsons and not through his agent
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : I assumed that both guys will get paid, just a matter of when or how we get there
Zero2Cool (1-Aug) : McLaurin nor Micah going anywhere. They will get money
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : the Synder years or do they take care of one of their own?
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Do the Commanders risk losing a top WR with an emerging QB just because he's turning 30 and potentially risk damaging the rebuild from
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Turns 30 this September, plays at a high level and Washington has some cap space I believe
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : More interesting is Washington with Terry McLaurin
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