Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - Final thoughts part duex: 12 more games of THIS?

I'll make my final thoughts quick, and to the point. By the way, I'm doing much better now.

Live blog links:

1st quarter: No hope, no hope at all

2nd quarter: Abandon hope all ye who enter here

3rd quarter: Fire Marinelli!

4th quarter: Seriously. Fire Marinelli

Final thoughts - part uno: I recommend a scorched earth policy

1. Today's loss to the Chicago Bears was a complete disaster. The Lions were ill-prepared, out coached and  overwhelmed in every single solitary phase of the game. Rod Marinelli's defense is amazingly bad, his offense ineffectual. Special teams, save for the specialists, Nick Harris and Jason Hanson, are a joke. The Detroit Lions are a BAD team. Though it's hard to believe, my eyes don't lie. They are getting worse. The Lions will be lucky to win 2-3 games, tops. A top 5 draft pick is a given. This franchise is at rock bottom. It's a bottom feeder. The dregs of the league. Bottom of the barrel. And we're only 4 GAMES INTO THE SEASON!

I think we all knew Matt Millen's firing wasn't going to change anything, but it did give us 2 weeks of hope. Hope that was shot all to Hell against the Bears. The destruction the moron wreaked upon the Detroit franchise came to a head today. Those were Millen's coaches, Millen's free agent signings, Millen's draft choices, all of the moves Millen made over the years, on the field.

And it was pure, unadulterated shit. Thanks for nothing, Matt.

2. I think we can safely put Rod Marinelli at the top of the "Coaches on the hot seat" list. If I were making the call, Mr. Pound The Rock would be looking for someone's defensive line to coach first thing Monday morning. It goes without saying Joe Barry would be joining his father-in-law on the unemployment line. They can take the drunk, naked, Wendy's hamburger eating line coach with them.

If you are free around 12:30 Monday afternoon, I suggest you tune into one of the sports talk radio stations here in the D. They broadcast Marinelli's weekly presser live. If the post game inquisition is any indication, as Marinelli was raked over the coals repeatedly, especially over the status of Joe Barry, Monday's presser is going to be even better...if you like extremely uncomfortable and pissy Q&A's.

The media smell blood, as Marinelli has all but admitted he has no answers. They will go in for the kill tomorrow.

3. It's beyond obvious Jon Kitna isn't the answer, and hasn't been for a very long time. His benching for "back spasms" may be the beginning of the end. Kitna hit a high point with the "miracle" concussion recovery, then coming back to win the game, against Minnesota last season. It's been all downhill, and fast, ever since. At this point of his career, 36 and showing it, Kitna should be a backup, not a starter.

As for Dan Orlovsky, he is what he is, a career backup, and I'm being generous.

Detroit has 3 options at QB. Old and busted, young and sucky, and the unknown. I'd try the unknown.

Which means the time to play Drew Stanton is near. As in next week. The Lions HAVE to find out if Stanton has the ability to be a NFL QB, if only as a favor to whomever takes over next season.

4. Roy Williams has already left town mentally. He showed up both his coaches and his QB's with his constant on field histrionics, making him look, to put it bluntly, like an asshole. Making Williams look even worse was the fact he continued to bitch and moan, even though he himself dropped passes, and was as much to blame for the loss as anyone.

It was a total prick move on Williams' part. Personally, I would have benched the asshole diva on general principle.

The Lions HAVE to explore a trade, as Williams will not be wearing the Honolulu Blue and Silver in 2009.

5. Seriously, Marinelli has to go. He's nothing more than a punch line.

Why did Rod Marinelli cross the road? He had to go pound the rock.

When Rod Marinelli sits around the house, he pounds the rock.

Knock knock. Who's there? Rod Marinelli. Rod Marinelli who? Let me in, I have to pound the rock.

How many Detroit coaches does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Two. One to screw it in while Marinelli pounds the rock.

Like I said, a punch line.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - 4th quarter: Seriously. Fire Marinelli

As we start the 4th, the Bears are pounding the ball on the ground. They have driven well into Lions territory giving the ball to Jones and Forte.

Thew drive runs out of steam (as am I) at the Lions 27. The Bears will try a 45 yard FG. Gould nails it. 34-7 Chicago.

There is no defending the Detroit performance today. There is no excuse for coming out so fucking flat after the bye week. None whatsoever. For that reason alone, Marinelli should get the ziggy.  Let not forget the fact he's supposed to be a defensive savant, and his team has the WORST DEFENSE IN THE NFL!

The Lions are a fucking joke. Marinelli's a fucking joke.  It's all a bad fucking joke.

FIRE MARINELLI! 
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!

The comedy on the field continues, as Dan O and Williams miscommunicate on a pass. The Bears don't have to defend the pass, as the Lions are doing a fine job of it themselves.

The Lions are driving, but it's in fits and starts. They find themselves 4th and 3 at the Bears 30.

Billick: "They gotta go for it here." REALLY? Fucking brilliant deduction! No wonder you're in the booth, and not on the sidelines...

Dan O is back to throw...And hits Furrey a YARD SHORT OF THE 1ST. A yard short of the 1st down on 4th and short. You fucking...ARRRRRGH! How..why...what...HUUURRRR.....................................

I need a drink.

Bears have the ball, are driving again. Under 7 minutes left, as they move into Lions territory.

How can Marinelli keep his gig after a 4th straight blowout? How?
34-21
48-25
31-13
Now today, with 5 minutes left, 34-7.

Every game was over by halftime. The offense is unimaginative, and the defense would be better served with 11 tackling dummies on the field.

Marinelli needs to go. Tomorrow.

The Bears have just rolled over the 400 yard total yard mark. Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Tampa Too really got to strut its stuff? I've seen better defenses on a sandlot. The Lions, after 2+ season with Marinelli at the helm, are the worst team in football. Period.

Lions cross midfield, 3:40 left.

A few notable stats:
Calvin Johnson, 2 catches, 16 yards.
Dan O 11-19-73 yards
Kevin Smith 7 carries, 29 yards.

There's the Lions' youth movement at work! It doesn't get fuglier than that.

4th and 7, 2:45 left. Gosder Cherilus gets beat badly, and Dan O is PLANTED into the Ford Field turf.

I guess I was wrong. It just got fuglier.

FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!
FIRE MARINELLI!

I don't care if there is no one capable of running the team. Marinelli has lost this team. He's not coming back next season. So just cut your losses, and can him. Fuck it, give Colletto the interim gig, he's got head coaching experience. Anything would be better than this shit.

The Lions get the ball one final time with 0:22 on the clock. It's a handoff to Smith, he gets nothing.

Game over. 34-7 Bears is your final.

Bench Kitna. Fire Marinelli. Fire Joe Barry. Especially Joe Barry. No other defensive coordinator would still have a job after 4 consecutive debacles.

I don't care who, I want someone PUNISHED. With fucking malice.

Blow it up.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - 3rd quarter: Fire Marinelli!

I tuned in the Lions radio call for a second. Dan Miller: "Well, there's not much you can say..." No shit, Dapper Dan. Nothing you can say over the airwaves that wouldn't have the FCC on your ass in a heartbeat, anyway. 

FOX quoting Marinelli: "This is not the team I expected to see after the bye." Uh, what team have you been watching over the past month, Rod? I totally expected to see THIS team today!

The Bears will start the 2nd half with the ball.

Ooooo, Casey FitzSimmmons limps off after the kickoff, and curls up on the cart, holding his nuts. My nuts just went into my body cavity.

Of course, there was a flag on the Lions, so they will have to re-kick to Hester. He's down at the 29, the Bears gain about 10 yards on the exchange. Nothing is going right for the Lions.

On 2nd and 10 from the 40...Whistles? Great. Ernie Sims is hurt. Doesn't look serious, but it's just piling on to the Lions' woes.

Amazing. 3rd and 4, Orton hits Olson on a short pass, and he takes off for 26 yards. The Lions' defense is already gassed, being on the field almost the entire game.

FOX shows Orlovsky warming up on the sidelines. Just as I thought, we may see Dan O soon.

It's 3rd and 11 from the Lions11.  Orton's back...Looks for Booker deep...HOLY SHIT! Booker with a GREAT one handed catch with a Lion hanging all over him at the 3! And there's a FLAG! Marvelous play by the Bear WR!

Let's sort this out. Refs say no catch, but there is defensive pass interference. Either way, the Bears have 1st and goal. A red flag? What is Lovie challenging? The catch? Why bother? We'll find out after the commercial...

Hey, the Bears get the call, it's a catch. 1st down at the 2.  The Bears gained 6 yards, as the interference was at the 8.

ARRRGH! Kalvin Pearson drops a sure end zone pick! Shit. This is gonna cost them. 2nd down.

The Bears decide to stop fucking around, and give the ball to Forte right up the middle. TD Bears. With the PAT, 24-0 Chitown.

FIRE FUCKING EVERY...Hell, why bother? It doesn't seem to bother William Clay Ford. Nothing is going to happen. Marinelli will continue to run this team into the ground. I can't see this team winning more than 2-3 games, do you? It's gonna get real ugly in the D Monday.

To pour salt into the GAPING wound, the Lions are called for holding on the kickoff return! Way to go, guys. What a fucking embarrassment.

And here comes Dan O to the rescue! Lions ball at the 7. A handoff to Rudi gets zip. FOX infoms us that the team thinks Kitna is still da man!  Whatever.

Dan O is back...Just avoids a sack in the end zone...dumps it off to Felton...Who piledrives into a Bear tackler, getting an extra 5 yards, nice pla...BALL! It's a fumble! FUCK! Bears recover!

Red flag from the lame duck! It's a challenge by the Lions. I think this one they are goign to lose, but at 24-0, why the Hell not try. Nuttin' else to lose at this point.  Hey, Felton was down by contact, they keep the ball. WHEEEE! This is game changer! Right? Right? Hell, who am I kidding?

3rd and 3. Dan O is back...fires the ball towards Williams...TIP DRILL! PICK!  Tillman strolls into the end zone, and you'd swear the game was at Soldier Field by the roar of the crowd.

31-0 Bears.What else is there to say? The Lions are a God awful team. 

If I don't start laughing about this farce, I'll be crying.

The FOX guys are discussing the Lions. Baldinger: "This is a poorly coached team." 

FUCKING WORD, BALDY! Marinelli is in so deep, so over his head...Hell, I'm out of metaphors.

FOX now shows a clip of Williams screaming, waving his helmet around! He's showing up the coaches. Not that I blame him, but he's playing like utter shit too. Plenty of blame to go around, Roy.

Lions punt, Hester has the balll....FUMBLE! Lions recover at the Bears 22. Too little, too late.

A dump off to Felton gets a 1st down, Lions well within the red zone. 1st and 10 at the 11. Again, much too little, way too late. But we'll still hear Marinelli say some bullshit about not giving up tomorrow.

It's a handoff to Smith...nothing left, cuts right....finds a hole...TD Lions. woo.

31-7, Bears still up big. We hear "Gridiron Heroes" in the background, and it's kinda sad when no one is signing along. 

Lions do a nice job on the kickoff, stopping Hester short of the 20. Big fucking deal. FIRE KWAN!

The Bears will want to run clock, as there is still a ton of time left in the game, just over 6 minutes left in the 3rd.

It's Kevin Jones right, cuts back...has Orton leading him...1st down! Nice run by Jones. Good on ya. He had his problems with the Lions, but he left body parts all over over Ford Field. Can't say he was cut for a lack of effort.

3rd and long...Orton is back to throw...He takes off, as the outside is wide open, and he lumbers for the 1st down. Typical lack of fundamentals, as the contain was nowhere to be found.

Bears continue to grind it out, now 3rd and 6 from the 50. The long ball falls incomplete, but the Bears will be able to pin the Lions deep. They also ran over 4 minutes off the clock. I don't think they are too worried about Dan O leading a comeback.

Lions will take over at the 19. Say what you will about the previous head coaches during the Millen era, at least they weren't getting blown out in the 1st quarter. Marinelli is the worst of the 3. It's true, Moronwheg and Mooch, bad as they were, weren't near as fucking awful as Mr. Pound The Rock.

Back to the game. Lions at their 28. Dan O is back...looks for Roy...almost a pick! This offense under Dan O is still fugly.

Another ugly incompletion, and the Lions wull punt. Bears take over at their 31.

We get a long shot of the stands, and see fans leaving in droves. Only Bears fans are left. This was the last sellout of the season, save for Turkey Day, folks.

The Bears are giving Kevin Jones the satisfaction of beating the Lions, as he is still in the backfield. He takes a pitch...finds a hole...he's down at the 47! Nice run.

That's the end of 3. 31-7 Bears. 15 minutes to go. It can't end soon enough...

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - 2nd quarter: Abandon hope all ye who enter here

We start the 2nd quarter with Orton killing the Lions with essentially paper cuts, getting 6 on a short pass. He's nickel and diming the Bears down the field. But a Jones run loses 4, leaving 3rd and 8.

Orton misfires on 3rd, the Lions gets a stop. Cool. Another small victory.

But the Lions are losing the battle of field position, as they will start at their 10 after the punt.

It's Rudi left on 1st down, and there's a small hole! His down at the 25, the Lions get their first 1st down of the game. Another very small victory.

A pass to Roy gets 10! The Lions are on a mini-roll. 1st and 10 at the 35.

Kitna's back to pass...Blindsided! BALL! BEARS! TAKE! OVER! FUUUUUUUCK! Backus was badly beaten on a speed rush. Shit, the Lions offense is offensive.

The Bears start at the Detroit 24. 2 runs leaves 3rd and 1. Orton's back to pass, Orton wants to throw a fade of some sort, the WR is well covered, the play misses badly.

WHAT? The Bears are going for it on 4th and 1? HUH? Lovie Smith wants blood! It's Forte up the gut...STUFFED AT THE LINE! The Lions D makes a play! Well, what do you know? Miracles happen, I guess. Lions take over on downs!

Lions take over at their 15. Can the Lions do anything on offense? I doubt it.

A pass and run leave a 3rd and 4. Kitna with the short drop...Hits Calvin Johnson on a quick slant...Dropped. Hold on to the ball! Fuck me. It would have been a 1st down. Jesus, even Johnson is stinking up the joint.

Lions will punt, Hester dances to 50...And Ramzee Robinson throws Hester down 5 yards out of bounds! YOU DUMB FUCK! And there's the flag, 15 yard personal foul. This is the dumbest fucking team on the planet.

Bears will start on the Lions' 37, thanks to Robinson's brain cramp.

On 2nd and long, Lions BLITZ! Orton quickly finds a wide open reciever at the sticks, 1st down. So much for using the blitz to pressure the QB.

A short run and incompletion leave the Bears with another 3rd and long at the 24.

SCREEN! Dewayne White blows it up! Wait...FLAG! Lions offsides. Where's the God damn discipline Rod? HUH? HUH?

And of course, the Bears convert the 3rd down on a pass to Hester. Fucking Lions shooting themselves in the foot...again. FIRE SOMEONE!

On 2nd and 8 from the 9, Orton's back to throw...It's Forte at the 2...STRRRETCHES...TD! Fuck me, fuck you, fuck the Bears, and FUCK THE LIONS.

There's the red flag! Marinelli is going to challenge the call. Forte's knee might have been down when reaching for the goal line. Even if the Lions get the call, it's still going to be 1st and goal for the Bears. It's just delaying the inevitable.

And, as usual, the Lions don't get the call, play stands. Bears' TD. I have to agree, it was too close to change the call on the field.

10-0 Windy City. The crowd is heavy with Chicago fans, if you go by the LOUD cheering. I'm not at all surprised. Hey, more power to 'em. At least they have a decent team to follow.

Lions start at their 24 after another shitty return. FIRE KWAN!

What? Roy Williams makes a play! He takes a 5 yard pass, breaks a tackle, gets the 1st down! It's Roy again on a cross! He's over the 50! 1st down! As expected, the Lions have given up on the run.

Kitna to Megatron gets 7! They are moving the ball! Kitna's back to throw...He's sacked on a SCREEN? Jesus fucking Christ! How do you do that? Sacked on a screen?

The drive fizzles out, as Kitna throws behind Roy on 3rd and long. Lions will punt...AGAIN. ARRRRGH.

Touchback. Even Harris is getting into the sucking act.

Orton is back...Hester is WIDE OPEN on the sideline, brought down at the Detroit 48. Kyle Orton is chewing up the Lions' D. Kyle Orton?

A holding call has the Bears 1st and 20 at the Bears' 42. Another flag? This game is getting damn sloppy. Off-fucking-sides. SHIT!!! I'm getting mega-pissed.

Orton is back...lots of time...Davis is open down the sideline...down at the 19! Pretty pass by Orton, as he dropped it in nicely. It helps when the WR has 5 yards on the Lions corner.

A short pass has the Bears deep in Lions territory, and that is the 2 minute warning. THANK GOD! Only 32 minutes left in the game...

2nd and 3 from the 16. Orton drops back...no pressure...There's Hester at the goal line...Easy TD. Bodden gave him a 3 yard cushion. WHY? WHY? WHY? He's not going to run by you in the RED ZONE!

17-0 Bears. On the bright side, it isn't 21-0, right? RIGHT? Fuck.

Lions will start at their 22 with 1:50 left. A short pass and run, 1st down, but the clock is running. 1:15 left.

Kitna is back...bounces off of Furrey's hands...OOOOOH...Near pick. FLAG! Motion, Lions. Can Marinelli be fired at halftime? Please?

It's 1st and 15..Roy on a slant...DROPPED! JESUS! DIE LIONS, DIE!

Kitna is back to throw...Roy cuts in...Kitna throws deep. WHAT THE FUCK? It's like they are playing on 2 different offenses. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Kitna dumps the ball off to Smith on 3rd and 15. Yeah, that's opening up the fucking offense. Bears will get the ball back with 0:33 left.

They will let the clock run out, happy with a 17-0 lead. Hell, I would too.

The BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS rain down from the stands throughout Ford Field, for good reason.

The Bears have out gained the Lions 251 to 67. The motherfucking Bears!

This really says it all...

Orton 16-20-217-2 TD's-145.2 QB rating
Kitna 8-16-74-0-63.0 QB rating

Hell, at this point I'd give Orlovsky a shot in the 3rd quarter. Kitna and his receivers are playing 2 different game plans.

Another joke of a 1st half for the Lions. Seriously, fire Marinelli after this game. Fire his pounding the rock ass! Blow it all the fuck up. Millen was jonly a start.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - 1st quarter: No hope, no hope at all

We join Matt Vassavagina, and the Brians, Billick and Baldinger, live from fabulous Ford Field, and Big Al live from his not as fabulous living room!

Are you ready? Ready for what, you ask?  For another 3 hours of pain, suffering and really bad jokes? Then lets watch some NFL football...

First things first.


FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN!

With that out of the way, the Lions will be receiving the kick...

The Lions will start at the 23! Hey, anytime the Lions can cross the 20 on a return, I'm happy. Sad, isn't it?

Surprsie! Kevin Smith is starting, and gets the ball. Of course, he's stuffed foir no gain. A pass to Roy Williams isn't even close, leaving a 3rd and 10. Might as well be 3rd and a 100, as bad as the Lions are on 3rd down.

Kitna is back...SACK! He never has a chance. Kitna was snowed under. Punt.

Wonderful. Hester is back...He breaks a couple of tackles...He's Off to the races, and brought down deep in Lions territory! Shit.

FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN! FIRE KWAN!

There's a flag, it's on the Bears, we'll do it over. Lions dodge a HUGE fucking bullet. 2nd tim is the charm, as Hester is stopped after a short return, Bears start just over their 45. Still, the Lions special teams show they are not so special. Christ, how hard is it to defend a fucking punt?

A short pass and Matt Forte run, and it's a 1st down. Forte is going to have a very nice day.

On 2nd down, it's a dump off to Forte...And a Lion just bounces off of him, allowing Forte to get close to the sticks. It should have been a loss. "Should have been" being the Lions' rallying cry.

It's Forte on 3rd and 1...He's hit short of the 1st...And still gets the 1st down . GOD DAMMIT! Fucking defense couldn't stop a one legged man with one arm tied behind his back from converting a 3rd down.

As the Lions approach the Detroit 20, we have a Kevin Jones appearance. He gets a 1st down on a hard run, joining in on the fun. After all that kid has been through, injuries and playing for the worst franchise in sports, I'm rooting for him.

It's 2nd and 15 from the Lions 20, and  Kyle Orton is back to pass...SACK at the 30! Jared Devries busted thru! Wonder of wonders, the Lions had a pass rush. I'm guessing it's the exception, rather than the rule, but I'll take it.

A Forte run gets the sack yardage back on 3rd down, setting up a 37 yard  FG attempt by Gault. Good.

3-0 Bears, and the Lions will be playing from behind for the 4th consecutive game. Fuckers.

What the HELL? Corry Smith takes the kick off, and as he going down at the 30...pitches it to Brandon Middleton?  Middleton is down after getting another 5 yards or so. Jesus Christ, that was God damn stoopid! Smith tossed him the ball in the middle of a ton of traffic. Sheer stupidity.

Kitna will throw on 1st down, throws towards the sidelines...and there's no one there. Blown assignment, someone went deep as Kitna threw short. Typical Lions.

Smith is blown up on 2nd down, 3rd and long. Kitna's back, under pressure, checks down to Smith, who's stopped short of the sticks. Wow, Jim Colletto has sure opened up the offense, huh?

Kitna and the offense walk off the field to a rousing and deserved chorus of BOOOOOOS!

Hester calls a fair catch on the Nick Harris punt inside the 10 .Whoops!

Orton's back to pass, looks deep...GREG OLSEN IS WIDE FUCKING OPEN DOWN THE MIDDLE! He's brought down at the Lions 41, 52 yard fucking gain! FUCKFUCKFUCK! Jesus, fire the defensive coordinator! NOW! Oh yeah, he's Marinelli's son-in-law. AWWWKWARD.

But after 2 Forte runs and an incompletion, the Bears have to punt. The Lions' D makes a stand. 3 plays too late, but a stand all the same.

The Lions will start at the 20, as the Bears just miss downing the ball at the 1. Small victory foer the Lions.

With 3 minutes left in the 1st, the Lions have -5 yards so far. FIRE COLLETTO!

Kitna's back to throw...Ball is batted high in the air! Falls incomplete. Christ, even the incompletions are scaring the shit out of me...

After a Bears offsides, we have our first Rudi Johnson run. Gets a couple. 3rd and short.

Kitna's back to throw...Holds it...Happy feet...Rolls right...Throws deep...and it's a good 5 yards short of Williams, who swats at the bouncing ball in frustration. I would too, this offense is FUGLY. FUGLY. FUGLY.

After the punt, Bears start at their 28. Get a quick 10 and a 1st down on a crossing pattern. The Bears are only up 3-0, but they are dominating the action so far. 

With under a minute left, a Jones run leaves the Bears 3rd and 4 at their 45. Orton with the 3 step drop, hits Hester on a quick slant, 1 st down.  This is a motherfucking joke. The Lions can't even stop the utterly below average Kyle Orton.

That's the 1st quarter. 3-0 Bears.

I HATE THE DETROIT LIONS!

FIRE MARINELL!

OK, I feel better. 

On the 2nd...

34 points the 4th quarter! Final thoughts on Lions - Bears

Here's the links to my live blogging of today's exciting, ugly, bizarre, and record breaking win...

The Bears offense is putrid: 1st quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

So what do you know, Griese actually is better than Grossman: 2nd quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

Where's the Lions' offense? 3rd quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

The Lions find a running game: 4th quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

1. For the Lions, today was 3 quarters of mediocrity, and 1 quarter of pure awesomeness. I didn't realize it at first, as I was totally wrapped up in blogging the game, but the Lions scored a jaw dropping, and an NFL record breaking, 34 4th quarter points. Against the Monsters of the Midway, of all teams...

Yes, some of the scoring was fluky (Running back an onsides kick for a TD), but much of it was truly encouraging. Such as the 5+ minute, 8 play, 62 yard drive that put the Lions up 30-20 with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter, a drive that was done mostly with the long AWOL ground game. That's the sort of drive good teams make at the end of games. A clock grinding, defense draining, ground chewing scoring drive. It was great to see, something we haven't witnessed in several seasons.

2. Roy Williams is immensely talented, but he can also be immensely frustrating. He cost the Lions 2 3rd down conversions with his lack of field awareness. Williams was also very lucky that his fumble on the aforementioned 62 yard, 4th quarter drive went out of bounds.

His mistakes were born mostly out of aggression, in trying to make something out of nothing. Williams sometimes forgets that more often than not, in the NFL you're better off to just take what the opposition gives you, and be happy with it. Not every play can be broken for big yards, and converting a 3rd down that moves both the chains and clock forward is all you need.

3. Why kick to Devin Hester? It a question that bears repeating in capital letters, WHY KICK TO DEVIN HESTER? Why did it take the Lions till their final kick off to realize that just squibbing the ball downfield was the best option? Hester had close to 300 return yards before the Lions gave up kicking the ball to him. Who's coaching special teams, the ghost of Bo Schembechler?

4. Jon Kitna got off to a slow start, but finished fast. 20-24-247-2-0 from your QB is a stat line I'll take on any Sunday. He did have 1 turnover, but it was on a blindside hit. Not totally excusable, but it can happen when your right tackle throws a "Lookout" block.

As Kitna didn't throw an end zone interception for the 1st time this season, that has me asking one thing... Was it a miracle?

Seriously, Kitna played much more within himself, keeping the silly plays to a minimum. I'd rather he just took a sack, than throw a ball up for grabs, hoping to make a miraculous play, but only resulting in a pick. Today, that's exactly what Kitna did, eating the ball instead of risking a turnover.

5. Rod Marinelli continues to hurt the Lions with his sometimes odd decision making, today's example being his challenge on the spot of a Roy Williams catch. Yes, he caught the ball past the 1st down marker. But it was obvious that it was Williams' own fault that he didn't get the 1st down. It wasn't due of a bad spot, it was because Williams tried to make a big play bigger, and gave back the yards he gained. He turned a 12 yard completion into 9 yd one, a 1st down into 4th down. It was obvious when it happened, and it was even more obvious on the replays. The spot was correct.

Yet Marinelli challenged a call he was sure to lose. There was 0% chance it would be overturned. It was a waste of a time out, and more importantly, a waste of a challenge that may have been needed later in the game.

I will give credit where credit is due, as Marinelli immediately challenged the out of bounds call on the Troy Walters end zone catch. I think the fans would have stormed the Lions' sideline if that call hadn't been challenged.

6. The running game made what is hopefully more than just a cameo appearance this afternoon. It wasn't spectacular, it wasn't there the whole game, but when they needed to run clock late in the 4th, Mike Martz found it.

Kevin Jones isn't all the way back, but he got some tough yards, along with his 2nd rushing TD of he season. Tatum Bell ground out 4 yards a carry, but had a demoralizing red zone fumble, costing the Lions a likely TD.

Overall, the Lions running game wasn't great, but with their passing game, they don't need great. OK will work just fine, and it was OK today. 95 yards rushing when you had 12 yards against the Eagles, and 56 against the Vikings, is a nice step up in play.

7. As much as I rip and rag on the Lions, I do want them to win...Desperately. The fact that they are an wholly unexpected 3-1 has me wanting to believe they may be onto something big. But their 50 years of futility has me holding back, waiting for the expected implosion to happen.

I'm not yet sure what's going to convince me that the Lions may actually be a good team, but a win against the Redskins, a team that traditionally owns the Lions, would be a really good place to start.

I'm not convinced that the Lions are a playoff contending team, but a 3-1 record, and beating the defending NFC champions with a 4th quarter blitz of points, speaks volumes.

The Lions find a running game: 4th quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

1st play of the 4th, a pass to McDonald in the flat...He scoots in for the TD! 13-10, Bears still lead. It's a ballgame, folks!

All I ask is the Lions kick the ball away from Hester. No such luck, but it's a moral victory, as Hester is stopped at the Bears 26.

On a swing pass, Fernando Bryant is called for a very silly spear on Benson, moving the ball all the Bears 48. An uber-braindead play by Bryant. Benson was already down, and it couldn't have been more blatant!

It's 3rd and 3 from the 50...Griese looks....KEITH SMITH PICKS GRIESE! Nothing but green in front of him! 63 yard TD return! Holy god damn shit! What the Hell was Griese thinking?!

17-13, LIONS! I'm stunned, to say the very least...

On the kickoff, it's to Hester at the 5...Oh shit...

95 yards, and several missed tackles later...20-17 Bears.

Special teams coverage is just killing the Lions today. At this point, I'd much rather see the Lions squib every kick. They sure as Hell can't tackle Hester, as he now has 261 (!) return yards.

The Lions, with no kickoff weapon like Hester, start at their 20.

Offsides on the Bears to start the series, a run gets nothing. 2nd and 5. A false start gives the 5 yards right back. Christ. 2nd and 10. But the Bears give it right back, encroachment! 2nd and 5. This is just silly.

An out to Williams gains 7, as he doesn't give any yards back...This time. 1st down at the 32.

Kitna looks for McDonald DEEP! He's open, but misses him! The Bears bail the Lions out with an illegal contact penalty. 1st and 10 at the 37.

Kitna down the middle...Hits Furrey in stride! It's good for 48 yards, 1st and10 at the Bears 14! Oh my God, it's red zone follies time!

A QB scramble loses 1, 2nd and 11. Kitna drops back...Walters is open deep in the corner of the end zone...Drags the feet...Called out! No! NO! THAT WAS A CATCH! You could see the rubber fly as Walters drug his feet!

Lions will challenge this for sure, it looks as if he was in on the replay. Marinelli is 0 for the season on challenges, will this break the streak? OVERTUNED!

TD counts! 24-20 Lions! But they are now out of challenges... Marinelli finally gets off the challenge schneid.

Kitna put together a nice drive, he was 3-3-71 and a TD.

Hester takes the kick..He's at the 40...FUMBLE! Out of bounds at the 30. Whew! Shit! Hester is going to give Lions fans a coronary...

Crowd's going ballistic. A Griese pass get 2 yards, 3rd and 8. Big play for both sides...Paris Lenon and Ernie Sims blitz! SACK LENON! Bears have to punt...

Lions take over at the 37. A running game would be nice here. Bell for 8! Bell again, off tackle, gets the 1st! Bears offsides, either way, Lions 1st down at th 45.

Bell again for 3. 2nd and 7. Kitna to Furrey! 1st down at the 29! Martz empties out the playbook, end around to McDonald gains 8! It's a fullback DIVE? Where's that come from? Bradley gets 4 yards on the dive, 1st down! Jones off tackle, gets 8 more! Where has this been all season? 2nd and 2 at the Bears 10!

Quick out to Williams, he's 1 on1, jukes, gets the 1st down...FUMBLE! ARRGH...Thank God, it's out of bounds at the 5! 1st and goal!

Jones on a sweep, cuts back...Runs through a tackle...TD LIONS!

It took till the 4th game of the season, late in the 4th quarter, for the Lions to find a semblance of a ground game. Not a moment too soon.

Bears block the extra point! SHIT! Only a 10 point game... Still, 30-20 Lions!

DO NOT KICK IT TO HESTER! It's a squib, Hester does get it, but is swarmed over at the 27. I can live with that...

Griese hits 2 passes, 1st and 10 at the Bear 42, 3 minutes left. A short pass to Peterson gets the ball over the 50. Griese looks...Completes ANOTHER pass, Davis is down to the Lions 34! Good Lord, what's with the soft D?

2:29 left, clock stopped on a Bryant injury. That actually helps the Lions, by getting that stiff off the field.

Griese with all kinds of time...It's Davis to the 28....A slant to Berrian, he's to the Lions 18!

Christ almighty, the Bears only need 2 scores. God damn the Lions if the blocked extra point comes back to bite the Lions on the ass...

Shawn Cody with encroachment...it's 1st and 5 at the Lions 13...

Griese looks in the end zone...Incomplete! But it's a 1st down and goal at the 6, thanks to a sort pass to Davis.

Griese drops back...Big time pressure from the Lions...Griese is hit! Ball is high the air! It's caught by Garza, a lineman who tries to rumble into the end zone...FUMBLE! It's in the end zone! Lions ball! Flags everywhere!

Here's the call...Illegal touch by Garza, declined, ruled a fumble, Lions ball, touchback! Holy mother of God, will the Lions be 3-1?

No so fast! Booth review on the fumble...

You've got to be kidding me1 It's not a pass by Griese, instead it's a fumble that Garza recovered, and by rule, he cannot move the ball forward within the final 2 minutes. Bears ball at the 13! Bizarre, to say the least. Mother... But looking back on it, as strange as it was, it looks to be the correct call.

A short pass has the Bears at the Lions 3! 3rd and goal...Pass broken up in the end zone, the Bears will kick and make it a 1 score game. Chip shot FG is good...What? Lions lineup offsides on the kick?! Penalty on Rogers! Shit...

Bears will take the points off the board, and will go for it 4th and 1. Gutty call by Lovie.

Damn! TD pass, Griese to Clark! 30-27 Lions. 52 seconds left.

The game hangs on the upcoming onsides kick... Takes a hop...

Well, what the HELL!? Casey Fitzimmons gets a good bounce...He has a wall in front of him...IT'S A 62 YARD LIONS TD RETURN! Jesus Mary Christ! TD LIONS!!!

A quick booth review says the play stands as called! 37-27 Lions! With 45 seconds left, it's game, set, and match!

Hester returns the kickoff to the Bear 31. Lions offsides on the kick, so tack on 5. 1st and 10 at the Bears 36. It's all moot anyway...

Griese drops back...And hits the turf on his own at the 26, rather than get run over by Jared DeVries! TO Bears.

A pass Clark goes to the 41, another Bear TO. Just delaying the inevitable... Another pass to Berrian to the Lions 43 pads Griese's stats. The game ends on a DeVries sack!

Game over. There's a crisis in Chicago, and they are now 1-3. Lions fans aren't sure what to make of a 3-1 start. I sure as Hell don't... Detroit's beat 2 lousy teams, got hammered by a decent one, and now have beat the defensing NFC champs, who, to be honest, look like an average to bad team, thanks to a beat up defense, and an inept offense.

So I'm still not sure if the Lions' 3-1 start is fraudulent or not. Still, the Lions have surprised everyone, especially me.

Where's the Lions' offense? 3rd quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

Will the Lions stop shooting themselves in the foot? Will Brian Griese continue to keep mistakes to a minimum, and "Manage the game" for the Bears? The next 2 quarters will answer all, and go a very long way in determining who will take control of the NFC North.

The Bears will start with the ball at their 20. Cedric Benson gets 8 and 16 yards on 2 carries to start the half. That's not a good sign, as he had a whole 3 yards rushing in 5 previous carries.

A 1 yard Benson run, and a big Lions pass rush that leads to a tipped pass, leaves the Bears 3rd and 9. Griese hits Gilmour in the numbers right at the stick...He DROPS the pass to force a punt. Whew... The Bears may keep the Lions in the game after all.

Lions start deep in their own territory at the 15. On the 1st play, Kitna gets blindsided! FUMBLE! Guess what? Bears ball at the 11. Jesus... Yep, it's still the same old Lions. Kitna becomes a turnover machine once again.

It's Bears 3rd and 9 from the 11. Griese looks for Berrian in the middle of the field...It's through his hands, and into the more secure ones of Ernie Sims at the 9! Pick Detroit!

The Lions dodge ANOTHER bullet!

It's a draw to Jones! Big ass hole, he's to the Detroit 31! But Martz goes to well twice more, fools no one, and it leaves the Lions' 3rd and 11.

Kitna rolls right, hits Williams at the 42 for 1st down yardage...But he runs BACK TO THE 40 in trying to get more yards. Wonderful, as Roy just turned a 1st down into a 4th down. That's the 2nd time today Williams didn't realize where he was on the field!

Marinelli is going to challenge the spot, but I think he's going to be wasting a time out.

Just as I thought, the play stands. A stupid, asinine, futile challenge by Marinelli. Just another in his career long series of game management mistakes. He does something wrong every game, and it's hurting the Lions.

On the punt, the always scary Hester scampers to the Bears 39. Benson is looking much better in the 3rd, gets 8 on a 1sr down carry. Another Benson run gets the 1st. If Benson can keep the ball out of Griese's hands, the Bears are much better off...

On 3rd and 3 for the Bears, Lions are offsides, free play! Griese connects with Brerrian on a slant for 14, rendering the penalty moot.

Bears are moving the ball, now at the Lions 30. On 2nd and 13, Griese channels his 1997 self, and scrambles for 7, to the 23! But a big Lions rush gets to Griese, sack at the 31!

The Lions force a 49 yard FG attempt. But Gould drills it through the uprights. 10-3 Bears.

The Lions have only 125 yards of total offense as they start at their own 20. Kitna drops, back, Urlacher with the near pick! Ugh, the Lions offense is totally out of whack. After a short pass, it's 3rd and 4. Bears with big pressure, and it's another sack of Kitna. Lions go 3 and out.

Hester takes the punt at his 30, and runs it 30 yards to the Lions 40! Hester has been great today, the Lions can do nothing to contain him.

A couple of Griese passes moves the Bears to the Lions 31. The Bears are on the verge of taking control of this game. A pair of Benson runs leaves Chicago 3rd and 5. Bryant stuffs the run, 4th down!

The Bears will attempt another FG, this one from 45. Gould drills it, 13-3 Bears.

Up to this point, Marinelli is getting a failing grade in having the Lions ready for this game. Detroit has only 128 total yards, 2-10 on 3rd downs. Kitna has been running for his life.

Lions start on their 30. Kitna hits Sean McHugh for 25! Add 15 more for roughing the passer! And just like that, the Lions are at the Bears 32.

McDonald is wide open on the right sidelines, Kitna hits him at the 11! Red zone time, God forbid the Lions actually find the ens zone. A short dump off to Bell gets the ball to the Bears 3!

And that's the 3rd quarter! Lions did absolutely nothing at quarter, until their final drive. It's still a game, if the Lions can avoid doing something stupid.

So what do you know, Griese actually is better than Grossman: 2nd quarter Lions - Bears thoughts

To open the 2nd, it's another Bell run, and with his ass hanging out of his pants thanks to a huge rip in the rear, leaves a 3rd and 1. Lions are just short of the 5.

Play 13 of the drive is another off tackle hand off to Bell...Who gets the 1st dow...NO! FUMBLE! Bears ball. SHITSHITSHIT! The Lions have been awful beyond belief in the red zone this season. Christ almighty, the Lions cannot do anything the easy way...

Bears start at the 3. A run and short pass leave a 3rd and 6. The D needs to make a play...Which they don't, as the Bears convert on a short Griese to Berrian pass.

2 more short gains, and it's 3rd and 2. It's a Benson sweep, Ernie Sims puts his HAT ON THE BALL...FUMBLE! But the ball goes directly out of bounds, 1st down Bears. Detroit can't catch a break...

In 8 stirring plays, the Bears have moved all the way to their own...25!

A penalty and 2 more incomplete passes has Chicago 3rd and 15. SACK! Shawn Rogers stunts, and buries Griese!

On the punt, Walters does his best Hester imitation, reverses his field, and gets to the Bears 41! Walters is brought down on a horse collar tackle! Where's the damn flag? It's a late one, but finally we see yellow flag! Tack on 15 more!

A quick slant to Furrey, and just like that, the Lions are in the red zone, at the Bears 13! But a big sack of Kitna on 3rd down forces a 39 yard Hanson field goal attempt...Which is blocked! Motherfu...God damn Lions.

Jesus fucking Christ, the Lions in the red zone are just..just...ARRGH...Words fail me.

Griese says the Hell with the nickel and dime stuff, hits Berrian at the Lions' 48! Another pass to Berrian, and the Bears are at the Lions' 30.

The Lions' D stiffens, and it's 3rd and 7 for the bad guys. But Griese hits Desmond Clark...1st down at the 16. The Bears offense is finding a groove!

The Lions stiffen on 2 short runs, and it's 3rd and 9. The Lions bring EVERYONE on a blitz...Which backfires badly, as Griese connects with an open Mushin Mohammed on a post pattern. TD Bears, and a drive that was much too easy. 7-3 Bears.

Griese has had a nice 2nd quarter, and is now 11-18-94-1-0 for the game. Kitna has been meh. 7-10-73.0-0, with 3 sacks. To this point, the Bears awful offense has out gained the Lions more vaunted one, 91 to 89.

The Lions start at the 16. A screen gets 5, and a Jones run gets none, as he recovers his own fumble. Christ.

A short pass to Williams is a yard short of the 1st down. Run the route to the stick, ow hard is that?The Lions go 3 and out on a drive that inspires little confidence in their offense. The Bears are beat up on D, but are more than holding their own.

The Bears start on their own 39 after the punt. A quick pass gains 5, and it's the 2 minute warning.

A pass to Berrian gets 10, 1st down at the Lions 45. Bears are in their 2 minute offense, no huddle, Lions back on their heels. A pass to Peterson gets 9, time out Bears. On 3rd and 1, Griese sneaks for the 1 st down. A 12 yard gain to Mohammed gets 12. Griese finds Clark on the sidelines to stop the clock, ball at the 20. Get the damn stop!

Then a stupid penalty on Travis Fisher, hitting a Bear out of bounds gives the Bears the ball at the Lions 6. SHITFUCK! Dumb, dumb, dumb! OK Marinelli, where's that discipline you keep preaching? Huh?

Greise is looking in the end zone for Berrian...It's Fernando Bryant with a goal line PICK! Didn't see that coming...

Ugh, the refs give the Lions the ball at the 1/2 yard line. Wait a sec, booth review for ball placement...The play stands as called. Well, at least the Lions have the ball, but they won't be able to do a damn thing.

Lions start on the goal line...It's a deep hand off to Bell? Risky call, as Bell takes the hand off 5 yards deep in the end zone, but picks his way to the 3. Doesn't matter, as the Bears are offsides anyway. The Lions take a knee at the 6 to end the half.

The 1st half ends with Chicago up, 7-3.

A very uninspiring half of football for the Lions. Only 97 yards total offense, and they have made a ton of silly mistakes. In all honesty, the Lions should be up at least a TD.

Why I hate Peyton Manning, and other championship Sunday musings

Is it just me, or was I the only person who found himself rooting for the Patriots last night? It was a great game, and Indy deserves all the credit in the world for coming back to win against such a battle tested team as the Pats. But I was disappointed in the result. Yes, I was disappointed that the big market Patriots, the 00's team of the decade, lost.

To be honest, when it comes to my feelings in regard to the Indianapolis Colts and the Patriots, it's 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. In other words, as a Lions fan, I can't help but be insanely jealous of the success of both franchises.

As for why I ended up rooting the way I did, most of it came down to Tom Brady and his Michigan Wolverines ties. That's even though he has become the iconic "Tom Terriffic," the man whose picture Bill Simmons rubs one out to every night and twice on Sunday.

Despite his massive success, Brady still comes off as regular Joe, or about as regular as a multi-millionaire, good looking, model dating, SNL hosting, Super Bowl winning QB can be. But Bill Belichick, on the other hand... Even though I'll admit that's he's a great coach, he's about as likable as Dick Cheney, with an even pricklier personality, and a much worse wardrobe. Let alone the disgusting fact that Belichick is an adulterer who helped break up a marriage, which in my mind makes him an absolute douchebag.

As for the Colts, Tony Dungy seems like a nice guy who has persevered through some tough times, both personally and professionally. He's a damn good coach, more than a bit holier than thou (I'm not a fan of those who "Thank God" after a win), but without the hubris of a Belichick. Peyton Manning, on the other hand... He's a willing victim of media overexposure, or as the GF told me last night, "Manning's a commercial whore! He endorses everything!"


I'm not sure I can take 2 more weeks of Manning being fluffed by the media, and you know it's going to happen. On top of the MSM man-love for Manning, we will continually be pummeled over the head with Mannning's ads for Gatorade, DirecTv,and that damn MasterCard ad with the,"They're not booing, they're saying "MOOOOVERS!" line. Enough already of that gomer with the fivehead hawking crap on my television, please.

So the thought of having to endure everything that is Peyton Manning overload, which has already begun, by the way, was the tipping point. The obnoxious ubiquitousness of Manning overtly pimping everything under the sun overrode my utter contempt for Belichick.

I'm warning you now, by the time the Super Bowl finally kicks off, you are not going to want to hear the 2 words "Peyton Manning" ever again. EVER again.

As for the NFC game, I'm still attempting to wrap my mind around the fact that a Bears team with Rex Grossman under center is going to the Super Bowl. Rex Grossman? Grossman makes Jon Kitna look like Tom Brady!

So a one dimensional team, the Chicago Bears, won the NFC. The Bears are a throwback team. Well, more like a backwards lateral team, as you only have to go back to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Win with defense, and don't F yourself over on offense. Unfortunately for the Lions, they can't win with defense, and do F themselves over on offense.

The Bears are direct competitors with the Motor City Kitties. They somehow went all the way to the Super Bowl, and did so with an extremely flawed team. Which, as a Lions fan, brings a question to mind. Could the Lions build a team with a defense so dominating, they win despite having a below average (Or worse) offense? (Or for that matter, vice versa, win with a Martz era Rams style offense and average defense?) Could the Lions EVER put together a run similar to the Bears'?

No. Never. Can't happen. Don't make me laugh. Are you insane?!

That's how far away our Detroit Lions are from being a contender. We fans can't even envision a scenario where they are in contention.