Same Ol’ Lions
By Jeremy T. Ballreich
Same Ol’ Lions, you hear it after every loss. But more after a week 1 loss. The typical reaction by what I call the Lionized fans. They focus upon all the negatives, and fail to see the positives.
Being a part of multiple NFL Groups, and countless Sports Media Groups. I hear the same thing. The Lions look way better, things are positive. Why can’t we hear that from our own fans, as well as from other teams? It confounds me when I see such Debbie Downer mentality. On to my performance review. Rant over!
The Goods
The Running game looked fantastic. Was utilized to set up some nice PA plays. Including a couple RPOs (What?! I thought Jared Goff wasn’t athletic!). Including one that converted a 3rd down. 3 TDs on the ground!!!!!
Our defense looked well above average on 1st and 2nd Downs. The failures to seal the deal on 3rd and 3th downs is what led to disaster on Defensive side of the ball.
The passing game after everyone quit dropping the ball (unofficially, I saw around 12 drops, Dan Miller and Lomas Brown announcers counted 16.) Official count was statistically 5, but I saw 2 from Hock, 1 from Reynolds, 2 by Chark, 2 by J. Williams,1 from Swift 1 by Raymond, and 2 by St. Brown. Really came on point in the 2nd half.
Our secondary, while not perfect (Horrible by Will Harris, and mediocre by AO) was more than serviceable with Okudah leading the way according to PFF.
Our LBS, whole not perfect was Anzalone, but way better than his performance for more than last year. Rodriguez was better than his draft position. Which lends credence as to why he had a early 4th round draft grade (Another draft day steal by Brad ‘Draft Thug’ Holmes).
The Dline, Hurts was unable to get comfortable in the pocket, I saw 15 pressures that made him roll out from said pressures. But only 1 time equalled a sack, and 1 batted down ball (Cominskey,and Bryant)
The bads.
The Passing Game 1st half. WRs couldn’t hold on the ball, which was a conundrum to me. Because well, at least Goff isn’t like Stafford, he doesn’t throw it to where it would break hands and cause drops). The Pick 6 midway threw the 2nd quarter is what propelled the lead for Philly to 14, they never really had to look back. I already wrote my opinion about that Pick 6! (Why wasn’t Cephus used more when everyone else struggled?)
Some of our additions, and last years rookie LBs.
Chris Board was a plus on STs, but I think we got hoodwinked by Ravens media saying they wanted this guy as a starter, because I haven’t seen it yet.
Derrick Barnes almost looks like he regressed. That missed tackle on Myles Sanders is unforgivable. You cannot have your hands on a RB behind the line of scrimmage on 3rd down and let him go. Biggest reason Philly was able to run out the clock.
TJ Hockenson
Coming out of the draft, this guy was supposed to be an extra tackle blocking in the run game. Where TF is that style of play? He ranked 102 out of 123 Olinan and TEs as a run blocker! That is unacceptable. He looked lazy and and lackadaisical whole running most routes. Although he did a great job lowering his shoulder to get a 1st down on a screen pass. But I thought his week 1 performance was one of his worst by far!
The officiating as a whole. Not rehashing it, but it was awful.
Overall, the better team whether it be on paper, or on the field did win. There was a lot of good and bad. But I see a bright future ahead for our Beloved Detroit Football Lions.
Thank you for reading!
#OnePride
