Lions lose, 21-34, to Falcons in opener
Let me briefly qualify this blog post: I have been watching Detroit Lions football every Sunday since I was a little girl. I love football (not as much as hockey) and usually watch 1-3 NFL games a week depending on my schedule. I am sadly a Lions fan and cheer for them with every solid pass or tackle and yell at the TV with every interception, missed tackle, or fumble like any other NFL fan.
As a Lions fan, you have learned to expect mediocrity and possibly flashes of brilliance that are ruined by stupidity. After being a Lions fan for the past 15 years or so (I’m currently 21), I no longer hold high expectations for this team. As silly as it may sound, it hurts too much to get one’s hopes up only to have the team find a new way to disappoint you. Last season, I bought a jersey and tickets to the last regular season game when the Lions were 6-2. They finished 7-9. I now refuse to pay for tickets to a game or support the team financially until Matt Millen is gone (or by some miracle, the team makes the playoffs), but I will still watch the team play every week on TV.
So when I say that I’m not surprised the Lions lost their opening game, I truly mean it. Sure many of the pundits predicted a Lions win over the Atlanta Falcons and this was certainly a more winnable game for the Lions, but their loss and lacking of grabbing any lead during the game doesn’t surprise me any more. I refuse to predict a winning season for this organization any more because I don’t believe it will happen yet. Every year, we find ways to bring in some talented players via the draft, but struggle to put the talented pieces together in the puzzle called the NFL season.
Anyways, the Lions went 4-0 in the preseason (the only NFL team to go undefeated). Their first game of the regular season came against the Atlanta Falcons, who had quite a tumultuous season last year with the indictment of quarterback Michael Vick and their head coach Bobby Petrino quitting during the season. You could view this as a season of rebuilding in Atlanta making this game certainly doable for the Lions team.
However, the Lions defense, in particular, had other plans. In the first quarter, the Lions defense allowed three touchdowns. Our defense seemed to really struggle against Atlanta’s rushing game, particularly running back Michael Turner who ran for 220 yards in the game (a franchise single game record) including two touchdowns on 22 carries. Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan went 9/13, threw 161 yards, and threw a 62-yard touchdown pass on his first throw in the NFL. Ryan is only the eighth rookie quarterback to win his opening game since the merger in 1970. Atlanta fans should be pleased by the play of both Ryan and Turner today.
I’m a big fan of Jon Kitna, as a person. I’ve seen him speak to a group of U-M athletes and was impressed by his demeanor and fiery passion for the game, his family, and his faith. However, today was just not his day. I missed the first quarter so I can’t speak for any of his errors then. In the second, he missed a chance to easily run in for a TD and instead chose to attempt a pass to a teammate in the end zone resulting in an incompletion. As I told my dad over the phone, I could have crutched into the end zone with the amount of room Kitna had there. He then threw an interception in the next series (I believe). Then he runs the ball and slides too early missing the first down line. Had he taken one more step (which was certainly doable), Kitna would’ve had the first down. Instead, the Lions had to punt. In the fourth, he fumbled the ball (and then recovered it). On the next play, he rolled out to the left (instead of the more open right) facing a rushing defensive end John Abraham, who easily sacked him.
During the second quarter, Kitna was shown visibly upset and yelling on the sidelines. It sounded like he was angry with the lack of passing as the team is trying to focus its running game. Obviously that’s important to develop, but when you’re down by three touchdowns at the end of the first, it’s important to go with what works and that’s not running. With the size differential between Roy Williams (6′3″) and Calvin Johnson (6′5″) to the Falcons corners (who were 5′10″ and 5′11″ or so), they should have been easy targets but that too was difficult for this Lions team.
All in all, it was a frustrating loss albeit an unsurprising one for Lions fans.
5/25 Quick Links
- Johan Franzen went all out in practice earlier today. He should return sometime this week, but he’s a maybe for Monday’s game.
General manager Ken Holland just told me that Johan Franzen will practice full out today and at Monday morning’s skate. His status will be determined after that, but the good news is Holland saying, “He will be in the lineup sometime this week.”
Game 2 is Monday. Game 3 is Wednesday and Game 4 is Saturday. Hopefully, Franzen will be on the ice for at least one of those games.
- Out of Bounds blogs about how challenging it must be for Steve Yzerman to be watching the game from the press box instead of on the ice making the big plays.
Steve Yzerman was that fidgety stuffed shirt last night. And I can only imagine what must be going through his mind right about now. Down below, the next captain, Nicklas Lidstrom, played his usual robotically brilliant game on the blueline – a predictably major reason why the Red Wings smothered and shutout the star-struck Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0, to move in front at the end of the first turn in these 2008 Finals. But I doubt that seeing how Lidstrom had things under control somehow lessened the angst Yzerman experienced last night.
- Former Wings and Penguins coach Scotty Bowman liked how current Wings head coach Mike Babcock handled Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The job the Red Wings did against Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin was what most impressed the legendary Bowman.
“We were talking about it with Babcock, and he said what he wanted to do with Malkin was give him some offence with [Valterri] Filppula and [Jiri] Hudler, and then give him some checking with [Kris] Draper, [Dallas] Drake and [Mikael] Samuelsson,” Bowman said. “Give him some variety, you know? He had some good matchups tonight. Babcock did a good job in that one.”
- The Detroit Pistons lost last night at home to the Boston Celtics, 94-80. The Celtics won their first road game of the postseason and has a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals (and home court advantage once again).
- The Detroit Tigers dominated the Minnesota Twins with a convincing 19-3 victory. Amazingly, they have 63 runs in the last five games. Impressive.
Kronwall Quick Hits
And because the media seems to have finally fallen in love with BTJ favorite, Niklas Kronwall. Here are some quick links (appropriately titled quick hits) to articles about the “hitman.”
- Larry Wigge at NHL.com has a great article on Kronner including this interesting snippet:
One thing about Kronwall that’s different from his Swedish teammates — Kronwall was a first-round pick, while Lidstrom and Franzen were third-rounders, Henrik Zetterberg was a seventh-rounder, Tomas Holmstrom was a 10th-rounder and Mikael Samuelsson came to the Red Wings as a free agent. But Kronwall almost fits the same successful late-round skill-set player from Sweden that the others did.
“Back in 1999 when I was supposed to be drafted, my agents told me to hold off a year, that NHL teams would not be interested in a 165-pound defenseman, and if I was picked at all it would be in the seventh or eighth round,” he recalled. “I worked with a personal trainer and the next year I was 189 and I was a first-round pick by the team I wanted to play for all along.”
- Don Cherry commented on Kronwall during CBC’s first period intermission.
About Kronwall’s hit on Pens defenseman Ryan Malone during a first-period power play, Cherry said, “This is a power play, Malone never dreamed that he would stand up and hit him. Who would ever think a guy would stand up and hit on a power play like that? He’s not even looking because nobody does that accept Kronwall.”
Mariners player cheers for Red Wings
A Seattle Mariners player, J.J. Putz, is from Michigan and is a big Detroit Red Wings fan. He lives in Arizona in the off season and whenever the Wings come to Phoenix for a game, he makes sure he attends the games (along with the other bazillion Michigan transplants in the area).
“This is a great hockey franchise,” Putz said. “I used to joke with (former Mariners reliever and Calgary Flames fan) Chris Reitsma that it was one thing to see a sea of red in Calgary, but that’s nothing until you see it in Detroit.
“They’re crazy about hockey here. I’ll never forget Yzerman holding that trophy up after all those years.” … “I always wear my red Steve Yzerman jersey,” he said.
The Tigers have actually won two in a row over the Mariners - rejoice!
5/21 Quick Notes
- Last night, the Detroit Pistons lost game one of their Eastern Conference against the Boston Celtics, 88-79. For postgame thoughts, check out my favorite Pistons bloggers at Need4Sheed and Detroit Bad Boys.
- Speaking of the Pistons, games three and four of their playoffs and games one and two of the NHL playoffs overlap in Detroit on Saturday and Monday evening. I wrote more about the problem at Winging It In Motown.
- Chris at The NHL Arena Program did an email interview with me yesterday and you can see what we talked about at his blog.
- Pride of Detroit, a Detroit Lions’ blog, reports that a Lions’ ticket employee dropped the F-bomb in an email in reference to a ticket holder who had just canceled his season tickets. The email was then accidentally sent to that ticket holder instead of the intended ticket employee. So if the abuse of watching a team suck year after year isn’t enough, this ticket holder was given the F-bomb as well. Way to go Lions. Way to go.
The Lions And Red Wings Have Something In Common
Joe here.
There was much comment about 9 months ago when the Red Wings announced that season tickets were available as they had exhausted their wait list. There was much hand wringing, and one thing that came up was that there was only one Detroit team (at that time) that still had a waiting list: the Detroit Lions.
That list is long gone. In fact, it’s so gone that they’re now offering half-season plans and single-season plans that include the Club level, which the Lions swore up and down would never be available (you had to buy Club Level seats as a three-year-minimum package).
I can tell you that when I canceled my Lions season tickets after last season, the person I spoke with made it abundantly clear that he didn’t care: that there were plenty of names on that waiting list who would love my tickets. Guess they didn’t want them as badly as I thought.
Game #1: Pistons 91, Magic 79
Last night, the Detroit Pistons took it to the Orlando Magic in the second half resulting in a 91-79 victory in front of a loud home crowd. It was a very enjoyable game to be in attendance at, particularly since my seats were in row nine!
When it was clear that the Pistons had the game in the bag, we saw Walt Herrmann get some playing time. This move resulted in the drunk guy behind me yelling, “Pass the ball to Walt! They aren’t even looking at him! Let the white boy play!” And when he actually did get the ball and took a shot, I thought that guy was going to pass out from excitement. It was pretty entertaining to say the least.
For a more thorough analysis on the game from someone who knows her basketball, be sure to read Need4Sheed’s postgame thoughts.
Game #1: Pistons vs. Magic
Later tonight, I will be enjoying my first Detroit Pistons’ playoff game and only my second Pistons’ game this season. Last year, I went to about 10 Wings’ games, 7 Tigers’ games, and 4 Pistons’ games. Due to work, I’ve been to one Tigers’ game and one Pistons’ game so I’m really looking forward to relaxing at a game and just being a fan.
The Pistons made it to round two against the Orlando Magic after easily dispatching the Philadelphia 76ers in Game #6 by a score of 100-77. Tonight’s one should be a good one and the Pistons always make the games entertaining even when it’s a commercial break.
4/16 Quick Notes
Here are some quick notes before I head off to take another final exam:
- The Wings face off against the Nashville Predators tonight in a critical Game #4 of the first round series in Nashville. This is a key game for Detroit who needs to play with composure and consistency for the entire game and not here and there. I will be live blogging tonight’s game from the comfort of my couch. On Friday for Game #5, Joe Hass will return to BTJ for another live blog while I’m at work. My Dad also managed to buy a discounted second row single seat for Friday’s game (season ticket holders can buy single seats at a discounted price) so we’ll have some nice photos from the game as well.
- The Detroit Pistons played their last home game of the regular season in a 115-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to earn home court advantage if they made it to the NBA Finals. The Boston Celtics have the upper hand in terms of home court advantage in their conference. They finish the regular season tonight in Cleveland against LeBron James and the Cavaliers. As the Pistons gear up for their playoff run, be sure to visit my favorite two Detroit Pistons’ news sources - Need4Sheed and Detroit Bad Boys.
- The Detroit Tigers have won two games in a row to make their overall record 4-10. For Detroit fans, this is a sign that the team is starting to turn it around (or its just the Minnesota Twins, I guess we’ll have to wait and find out). Mack Avenue Tigers and Bless You Boys are enjoying the turn around in play. Let’s just hope that both the Wings AND Tigers can win and it’s not an either or type of situation (when the Wings lost on Monday, it was only the Tigers’ third win of the season).
- Interesting tidbit: Through the first week of the postseason, 47% of all goals scored came from Easton sticks. Red Wings players like Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Dan Cleary are among Easton stick users.
Leyland to drop ceremonial puck
Like many Detroit fans, I tuned into FSN Detroit yesterday afternoon for the Detroit Tigers’ opening day game against Kansas City. Unfortunately, the Tigers blew a 3-2 lead in the seventh and lost the game 5-4 in the 11th inning. Despite that, it’s great to have baseball season start back up and that means the summer is near!
If you are a Tigers fan and aren’t already visiting the following blogs, you need to start visiting them because they provide great coverage of the Tigers and I rely on them heavily for my Tigers news. My favorites are Mack Avenue Tigers, The Detroit Tigers Weblog, and Bless You Boys.
And to tie this back to the Wings, Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland will actually be dropping the ceremonial puck before Thursday’s game according to Bruce MacLeod.
The Detroit Red Wings will hold a special ceremonial puck drop prior to their home game on Thursday, April 3rd as Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland will do the honors and drop the puck just prior to face-off between the Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Leyland, currently in his third season as Manager of the Detroit Tigers, has guided the team to a 183-142 record during his tenure. He is the 36th Manager in Tigers history and a veteran of 43 years in professional baseball. Leyland was named Major League Manager of the year in 2006 by Baseball America, and American League Manager of the Year by both the BBWAA and The Sporting News after guiding the Tigers to their first playoff berth since 1987. Leyland won a World Series title in 1997 as the Manager of the Florida Marlins.
FSN Detroit extends deal with Wings
The local FSN Detroit station has extended its deals with the Detroit Red Wings as well as the Tigers and Pistons to carry games well into the future (no definitive end has been given). FSN Detroit will be able to broadcast at least 70 Wings games each season (with any overlapping schedules going on FSN Plus). FSN’s deal with the Wings actually won’t go into effect until 2012-2013, which is when the 1997 signed contract expires. FSN Detroit has had the rights to all local Wings broadcasts since 2003.
For the first time, FSN Detroit will also have the only rights to local broadcasts for the Pistons’ games when the new deal goes into effect next season. Detroit sports fans will also catch at least 70 Pistons games each season. In addition to that, FSN Detroit will now broadcast a possible 152 Tigers games (they only showed 134 last year) and a whopping 103 of those games will be shown in HD.
The three deals are estimated to be worth over a combined $1 billion over at least ten years. Why would a company be willing to spend that kind of cash on broadcast rights?
FSN considers Detroit’s pro teams to be good business. It said the teams’ ratings — 7.5 for the Tigers last season, 4.8 for the Wings and 4.5 for the Pistons this season — rank second or third in their respective leagues for teams televised by regional networks.
Personally, I love the FSN coverage of the Detroit teams. After watching other games on Center Ice, I just feel fortunate to be able to watch/listen to Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond call the game. FSN senior vice president and general manager Greg Hammaren said that he is quite satisfied with FSN’s air talent, and said “Who doesn’t love Mickey Redmond?”
The on-the-field prospects of all three teams has Hammaren smiling, too.
“I’m thrilled,” he said. “There’s a real possibility the city could have three championships this season. FSN has made a huge investment in the town I’ve come to love. Now the fan is coming out in me.”
The only downfall I see to all of this is that Pistons games used to be shown on Channels 4 and 20. Channel 4, WDIV, is a local broadcast station allowing fans without cable to view games. I’m thinking of my Grandpa who doesn’t have cable, but loves to watch the Detroit teams play. Now, his options are down to the Lions and maybe an occasional game that gets bumped to Fox 2.