With all due respect to the die hard Honolulu blue and silver faithful fans -- and a few over-koolaided scribes (you know who you are) that continue to peddle the same snake oil every year to the suckers -- there comes a time when it just starts getting ridiculous. Given the fact the Detroit Lions have collectively and historically been the most inept, bumbling franchise in the entire NFL since Super Bowls started back in 1967, one would think the current team would at least keep their heads down and show a bit of modesty and humility. One would be wrong. From the general manager and head coach on down to certain players -- they're flapping their gums once again.
GM Martin Mayhew recently said he's trying to "keep his seat cool". In other words, he doesn't want to get fired. Marty need not be concerned. After all, the Ford ownership of the Lions only seems to emerge from their coma once every 7-8 years to take a look around, make a few other bone-headed decisions, and then go back to sleep. Like his predecessor Matt Millen, the latest clueless version of an MM in charge of the team is probably safe for a few more years until the Fords wake up again. Mayhew's now yapping to the press about how much he likes the current team. Memo to Marty -- shut up.
Head coach Jim Schwartz is definitely spouting off with his confidence in this year's Lions. Um, excuse me, but isn't this the same guy who's team crashed and burned last year to a 4-12 record after having been projected as "contenders" following the previous year? The same guy with a career 22-42 record in Detroit? Note to Jimbo -- zip it.
Linebacker Stephen Tulloch has been vocal of late. Now that he's fully healthy, Stevie thinks to seem he's some sort of Lawrence Taylor or Demarcus Ware. Everybody look-out. He's even gone so far as to say a couple of the "young boys" that will be playing linebacker for the Lions are coming along just fine. Well gee. There's nothing like those young boys looking up to a guy that's been a career loser.
Speaking of loud-mouthed losers -- how about Lions' center Dominic Raiola? He's always had lots to say ever since he joined the Lions back in 2001. This not only includes the press, but also trash-talking to some LIONS fans when they dare to scorn what they're seeing on the field. If he hasn't already, the irrepressible Dom has to at least be closing in on the all-time NFL record for games lost as a center. In his first 12 years, Raiola has been on the losing end of 139 games. That's an average of 11 and a half losses per year. And whoever heard of a center being a spokesman for an NFL team? But still, in typical Lions' fashion, Dominic yammers away like he'll be Hall of Fame worthy someday. Only in Detroit would he be taken seriously. The same two words for D-Rai. Shut up.
Tight end Brandon Pettigrew says he wants to cut down on his dropped balls and fumbles. Yes Brandy, that would be helpful. In the meantime, just go do it, and be glad you're playing for the Lions. Any other self-respecting NFL team would have given you a one-way bus ticket out of town a couple years ago.
Newly acquired running back Reggie Bush is already being hailed as a team leader. He likes what he sees. Well, he should. At least he's got a job. Let's ignore the debacle Bush was front and center in during his college days at USC. After his pro hey-day in New Orleans, he went to the Miami Dolphins. Delusional Lions' fans probably look down their noses at the Dolphins. Yet even Miami didn't seem overly concerned about keeping Bush around. Nor were other teams exactly clamoring for his services. Enter the Lions offering him millions. The man hasn't played a single down yet for his new team, but he's already speaking on their behalf? Please. There was once another Reggie whose baseball exploits earned him the nickname Mr. October. Mr. Jackson no doubt remains proud of that to this day. Come this October, after 5-6 games with the Lions, it might just be a battered and bruised Reggie Bush looks around and says, "What the hell have I gotten myself into here?"
At that, over the decades, there are a few NFL teams that just seem to exude class. I would suggest the Packers, Steelers and Patriots for starters. They might not win every year, but they don't stay down for long. More importantly, you never seem to hear anyone from such successful franchises offering up false bravado, to be eaten up the local scribes and passed along to the die-hard koolaiders that don't know any better. No, they're too busy studying playbooks, watching film, along with practice, practice, and more practice, until they get things as perfect as they can. With very few exceptions, the vast majority of truly great coaches, players, teams, and even GMs over the years are too busy working to sit around flapping their gums about how good they are, or in the Lions case, might be. That sort of talking is shown on the field when the games start.
The perennial losers talk the talk. The perennial winners walk the walk.
There's a big difference.
The Lions are doing a bunch of talking right now, coming off a 4-12 season, including losing the last 8 in a row.
Their local biased scribes have bought into it once again, and are busy peddling their 2013 version of Honolulu blue magical elixir to those that so desperately want to believe.
Well, guess what? Reality check. It ain't gonna happen this year for the Lions, or likely any year in the foreseeable future. All they've had in the last few years is Matthew Stafford throwing a lot of passes to Calvin Johnson. Even now, beyond that, they're a mish-mash of unproven draft choices, free-agent cast-offs, a cocky head coach that talks more than he thinks, and a bunch of guys that would be lucky to make the practice squad on elite NFL teams.
Bottom line? If they catch a few breaks, the Detroit puddytats might go 8-8 this year.
But they really need to shut up.
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