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22 Nov ' 01:40
Posted Nov. 22, 2010 - 1:22 a.m.
Once again, it's Same Old Bottom Line
BY STEVE SCHRADER FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
So what does Sunday's loss to the almost equally dysfunctional Dallas Cowboys mean, besides extending the Lions' NFL-record road losing streak to 26 games?
Mathematically, the 2-8 Lions clinched their 10th straight non-winning season, as if we didn't know that was coming.
And -- if things hold to form with the New England Patriots coming in for Thanksgiving -- they only have to wait four days to make it 10 straight losing seasons.
And after that it will be their third straight season with double-digit losses -- and ninth of this woeful decade, which corresponds exactly to the beginning of the Matt Millen era.
What was that they were saying about not being the Same Old Lions because of their close margin of defeat and all the competitive games?
"But it's still defeat, and until the Lions can start winning some of these games, it's the Same Old Lions in my opinion," Fox color man Daryl Johnston said at the top of the telecast. "This is a bottom-line business in the NFL. There are no moral victories."
Amen.
But the Lions didn't even get a moral victory Sunday.
The 35-19 loss is their largest margin of defeat this season, and it tied their season high of points allowed (the 35-32 loss to Philadelphia in Week 2). ...
• The stadium itself is quite impressive, too. Bunker suites line the field, an atrium in the end zones, even the floors of the concourse are more than your typical, sticky cement fare.
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21 Nov ' 21:33
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21 Nov ' 17:28
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21 Nov ' 13:18
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21 Nov ' 09:10
Posted Nov. 21, 2010 - 11:16 a.m.
Dispatch from larger-than-life Cowboys Stadium
DALLAS A couple random pre-game thoughts before the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys kick off today:
• The replay board at Cowboys Stadium is as massive as everyone makes it out to be, almost to the point its distracting. The screen is so big and the picture so clear that itll be hard not to watch it during the game. Even as I sit here for pre-game warmups, I can see lights from the scoreboard pulsating in my peripheral vision.
• The stadium itself is quite impressive, too. Bunker suites line the field, an atrium in one end zone, even the floors of the concourse are more than your typical, sticky cement fare.
Lions guard Rob Sims played here last year and offered this scouting report during the week:
Theres two glass things when youre walking out, theres like people thats been tailgating, theyve got a little restaurant right there, theyre just sitting there watching you. You feel like youre in a zoo, like youre a caged animal, Sims said. Its the real deal. New York got that new stadium, its nice but it aint like this one, though. Its like tricked out. Like Pimp My Stadium type of thing.
• Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett interviewed for the Lions head-coaching job after the 2008 season, when the Lions hired Jim Schwartz.
My experience with (the Lions) was a brief one but a quality one, Garrett told Dallas reporters this week. It doesnt surprise me in any way that theyre starting to turn this thing around because of the kind of people they have in that organization.
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21 Nov ' 05:00
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21 Nov ' 00:53
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20 Nov ' 20:45
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20 Nov ' 12:34
Posted Nov. 18, 2010 - 12:28 p.m.
Roy Williams having trouble again getting over the hump
Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams has fond memories of his 4 1/2 seasons with the Detroit Lions, even if he never had a winning record.
I had fun," Williams said. "It was a great time. I was always saying that I wanted to be a part of helping to turn that organization around. We were headed in that right direction but just could never get over the hump."
Williams talked with Detroit reporters on a teleconference Wednesday to preview Sunday's Lions-Cowboys game. He spoke about his time with the Lions, his new role as third receiver and what's gone wrong in Dallas this year. Here are some highlights:
* On what this year's been like: You cant really point your finger at any type of problem. You can talk about the turnovers, we turned the ball over a lot and we lost to some teams we should have beat, and the Lions can say the same thing."
* On playing with former Lion Jon Kitna again: Its good. He knows me, I know him. Hes still the same old Kit, throws a nice, soft catchable ball. Always takes the blame even if its not his fault. And I think thats what this football team needs, and hes a great leader."
* On his production diminishing in recent weeks: Well, I just make the plays when they come to me. Thats about all I can do. I continue to work hard in practice. I only got thrown to twice last week. I caught both of those balls. So I can only do my role."
* On if he's a third receiver now: I guess so. Im the third guy. Hey, whatever it takes. Whatever it takes for this football team to get some wins."
* On the Lions secondary: Oh man, theyre good. We like (Alphonso) Smith. Reminds me a little bit of a Dre Bly type. And I like 26 (Louis Delmas) back there bringing the helmet and playing football the right way. They have a really good secondary; they have a really good defensive front. I think thats the heart of their football team is their defensive front, and our guys are going to have a hard day and a hard time with those guys this week."
* On if he and Calvin Johnson will make a friendly wager on Sunday's game: "Nah, man. Calvin, he might go for like 17 touchdowns. Hes a great football player and a good friend."
* On the difference in the team under new coach Jason Garrett: Its just more of the law was laid down as far as fining people and what not. Coach (Wade) Phillips is another one of the coaches that Ill play for anytime, any day of the week. He just wants guys to do right. He treated us as men to do right. I dont know, Coach Garrett came from Coach Johnson, Jimmy Johnson. He came in and restored the order and got some discipline in here and making guys accountable and what not. Does it carry over to the field? I dont know."
* On how he felt about getting traded to the Cowboys: I was ecstatic to go, especially to come home, come home to Texas. To be a part of what we were thinking at the time, a Super Bowl contender, which we did make the playoffs last year. But at the same time, I was leaving my guys, the guys that went to battle with and got the bond with all my buddies up there, had to leave those guys. It was kind of hard at the same time, but at the same time it was kind of good to get out and get a fresh start." ... Read more
By STEVE SCHRADER FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Its a product of longevity and of being a Lion. Its not really his fault. But Jason Hanson is the losingest player in the history of the NFL, according to STATS.
Hanson has played in 190 losses over his 19-year career with the Lions. Another kicker, former Spartan Morten Andersen, is second with 188.
Funny, the Lions didnt put out a news release when Hanson passed Andersen this season.
Punters Jeff Feagles (178), Lee Johnson (158) and kicker John Kasay (154) finish the top five.
By Dave Birkett Free Press Sports Writer
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