Alas, the former LA Lakers star, and I use that word loosely, is fighting for his life in a Las Vegas hospital. This isn't supposed to happen to a guy that was in tip-top shape not long ago and hasn't even turned 36 yet.
Poor Lamar was found unresponsive at a "chicken ranch" outside of Vegas. Apparently, he had spent several days there. Early reports suggest dear Lamar had been using cocaine and eating "sexual enhancement" pills like popcorn. No word yet on how much dough it cost him, but it's probably a safe bet the lovely ladies of the evening weren't giving him any freebies.
Contrary to much public opinion, prostitution is technically against the law in Las Vegas, and the entire Clark County of Nevada it resides in. But a lot of it goes on, particularly in the casinos late at night. The cops and, more importantly, the pit bosses tolerate the pimps and their girls as long as they don't interfere with the wagering clientele. But if some gamer wants to "get lucky" and has a couple C notes to spare, the action is readily available. Nobody cares. As they say, what happens in Vegas -- stays in Vegas. Business as usual, with a wink and a nod.
But to be totally above board, one must take an hour's drive out of Vegas and Clark County way up into the mountains to a town called Pahrump. Home of the chicken ranches, and where Lamar Odom decided to spend a few days.
If true, one can only imagine what toll the combination of cocaine, a heavy diet of boner pills, and lovely ladies willing to do all manner of sexual "favors" 24 hours a day might take on the average red-blooded American he-man. It appears they damn near killed poor Lamar Odom. But hey, if you gotta go, such a scenario surely beats the heck out of, say, a gas leak blowing up your house with you in it, a stray bullet in a drive-by shooting hitting you in the head, or having a really bad attorney in divorce court. Why not go out in a blaze of testosterone glory?
Or maybe this is what happens after some poor devil marries into the Kardashian family, and is subsequently -- surprise -- dumped. It would be enough to make any man go off the deep end. Hanging out with the in-laws would stretch the emotional limits of any mortal man, but the ultimate dis of getting kicked to the curb by a no-talent yahoo might well have been poor Lamar's breaking point.
So he went to Pahrump. Party, party, party. Snort, snort, snort. Pill, pill, pill, and bang, bang, bang. It's unclear why Odom would need enhancement pills at his young age, but maybe his ex Khloe had something to do with it. Was she that bad in the sack to ruin Odom's natural libido? Unknown.
What I do know is the hookers in and around Las Vegas feature some mighty beautiful women. I've never partaken of such pleasures of the flesh when there, but I've never been a Los Angeles Laker or married to a Kardashian either. I suppose both could have taken their toll in recent years. Losers, and more losers.
For those so inclined, even the Holy Bible has long weighed in on such a subject. The Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 6 -- whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap..... for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.
Sounds like Lamar has been doing a whole lot of sowing of late, and perhaps he has reaped his just reward.
Here's wishing Odom all the best and a quick recovery, but excuse me if I find it a bit comical as well.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Detroit Lions and ill winds
You know your football team is in trouble when:
1) The coaches and players have to say they still stand behind their starting quarterback, despite how miserable his recent performances may have been. Be it in business, politics, or sports, usually a vote of confidence means somebody is on very thin ice.
2) There are whispers the head coach may have "lost his team". It doesn't have to be true, but the mere mention of the possibility is a very bad omen that has not played out well in the past. When the home-town media has to put a positive spin on a losing coach, it is definitely a red flag.
3) A player rips the home town fans because they didn't cheer loud enough at the last game. Well gee. Could it be said player and the rest of the team were stinking it up yet again in front of people that had coughed up big bucks to be in the stadium? And BTW, who's paying who's salary? The fans have every right to boo when their team continues to be incompetent. It's not a privilege, it's they're right. They paid for it. Said player is only showing his own arrogant stupidity. It doesn't matter how much he subsequently backtracks after catching major flak and tries to smooth things over. Even the cleverest people can't unring a bell they've already rung, and this guy appears to be little more than a grossly overpaid underperforming selfish idiot.
4) After such high preseason expectations, the team currently stands at 0-5 and apparently getting worse every week. If your team is the only one in the entire league that has yet to win a single game, you just might want to ease off on the koolaid a bit.
5) The ominous Game Six looms so large. The Chicago Bears are coming to town for a game against the Lions this Sunday. When the season started, Lions' fans thought this was a gimme. Now it's looking like anything but an automatic W. Even at home, Detroit is only a mere 3 point favorite against Da Bears. In other words, the bookies consider the teams evenly matched but give 3 to the home team.
Here's the deal. The Lions better hope they can beat the Bears. The Honolulu blue and silver wheels have already become quite wobbly this season. Defeating Chicago would be nothing to crow about, because the Lions' playoff hopes died a couple weeks back. But still, a win would be a win.
But if they lose at home to the Bears to go 0-6 -- entirely possible given their sorry current state of affairs -- the wheels just might fall off completely. Jim Caldwell's seat would rightfully begin heating up, and even their most faithful media might start sniping. That's not even to mention the finger-pointing that would likely start in the locker room.
It could turn into a regular zoo free-for-all. Then again, isn't that pretty much what the Lions have been over the last half century or so?
1) The coaches and players have to say they still stand behind their starting quarterback, despite how miserable his recent performances may have been. Be it in business, politics, or sports, usually a vote of confidence means somebody is on very thin ice.
2) There are whispers the head coach may have "lost his team". It doesn't have to be true, but the mere mention of the possibility is a very bad omen that has not played out well in the past. When the home-town media has to put a positive spin on a losing coach, it is definitely a red flag.
3) A player rips the home town fans because they didn't cheer loud enough at the last game. Well gee. Could it be said player and the rest of the team were stinking it up yet again in front of people that had coughed up big bucks to be in the stadium? And BTW, who's paying who's salary? The fans have every right to boo when their team continues to be incompetent. It's not a privilege, it's they're right. They paid for it. Said player is only showing his own arrogant stupidity. It doesn't matter how much he subsequently backtracks after catching major flak and tries to smooth things over. Even the cleverest people can't unring a bell they've already rung, and this guy appears to be little more than a grossly overpaid underperforming selfish idiot.
4) After such high preseason expectations, the team currently stands at 0-5 and apparently getting worse every week. If your team is the only one in the entire league that has yet to win a single game, you just might want to ease off on the koolaid a bit.
5) The ominous Game Six looms so large. The Chicago Bears are coming to town for a game against the Lions this Sunday. When the season started, Lions' fans thought this was a gimme. Now it's looking like anything but an automatic W. Even at home, Detroit is only a mere 3 point favorite against Da Bears. In other words, the bookies consider the teams evenly matched but give 3 to the home team.
Here's the deal. The Lions better hope they can beat the Bears. The Honolulu blue and silver wheels have already become quite wobbly this season. Defeating Chicago would be nothing to crow about, because the Lions' playoff hopes died a couple weeks back. But still, a win would be a win.
But if they lose at home to the Bears to go 0-6 -- entirely possible given their sorry current state of affairs -- the wheels just might fall off completely. Jim Caldwell's seat would rightfully begin heating up, and even their most faithful media might start sniping. That's not even to mention the finger-pointing that would likely start in the locker room.
It could turn into a regular zoo free-for-all. Then again, isn't that pretty much what the Lions have been over the last half century or so?
The Amazing Chicago Cubs
Well OK. Maybe it was a mild upset when the Cubs knocked off the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL wild car game. After all, with 98 wins, the Bucs had the second best regular season record in all of baseball and were playing at home. Star player Andrew McCutcheon's mom even sang the national anthem. Pittsburgh was geeked.
Yet the Cubbies had only won one less game (97), and anything can happen in baseball, especially in a single contest. Last place teams sometimes defeat "elite" clubs they trail by 20 games or more. It happens all the time. Baseball is funny that way. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.
But the Cubs were not supposed to dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds had the best record (100 wins) of all, and home field advantage to boot. The Cardinals have long been regarded as the classiest franchise in the Major Leagues, and their fans the most knowledgeable. Unlike other "high profile" teams, St. Louis has always been about playing at a high level in all phases of the game. True, they won't win the World Series every year -- nobody does -- but they're always competitive. When's the last time you saw a Cardinal team bringing up the rear in their division? It just doesn't happen. The Cards are always good.
To the delight of the delirious crowd at Wrigley Field, their Cubbies improbably -- or maybe not -- sent the Cardinals packing this year in an NLDS. Pity the late Harry Caray couldn't be there to see it, but I suspect he knows somehow, wherever he is. Three games to one and the mighty Cards are out, fair and square.
Now the Cubs await the winner of the NY Mets/LA Dodgers league semi-final. Just a few minutes ago, LA knocked off the Mets in the Big Apple to even the series at 2-2. The Mets really, REALLY wanted to win this game. Not only would it have given them a few days extra rest, but saved another trip all the way back out to the west coast for a deciding Game 5.
[Idle thought. Is there a longer flight in pro sports than from NY to LA? Even if the Mets win they have to fly all the way back home and then to Chicago for the first two games of the NLCS. Jet lag anyone?]
Regardless, whichever team emerges from the 3-way scrum in the NL to get to the World Series will be welcomed by the advertising folks. Chicago, NY, and LA are big markets indeed, especially the latter two.
Not so much in the AL. Regardless of who wins the series' between Houston/KC and Toronto/Texas, both currently tied at 2-2, none of those cities represent a commercial extravaganza for the Madison Avenue folks. Though all their teams are obviously very good, whoever makes it to the World Series will be considered a "small market" team, with the possible exception of Texas. The Lone Star state is chock full of teams, both in various pro leagues and college, so their loyalties are certainly divided. Would they all pull together to root on the Rangers if they make it to baseball's Big Dance? Maybe.
Nevertheless, here's to the Cubbies. They're going to the league finals for the first time in over 30 years. Who would have thunk it? As mentioned in a previous post -- if Joe Maddon isn't the NL manager of the year, something is wrong. Yes, the voting takes place before the post-season starts and remains a secret until it's all over, but even if they bow out short of a championship, what Maddon did with the Cubs throughout the year has been nothing short of magical.
And at this point, besides the folks in NY and LA, who isn't pulling for the Cubs? 107 years since they last won a World Series? The longest jinx -- by far -- in all of sports.
With apologies to American League fans, do we dare hope they can actually pull this off?
Hey, they're pretty good and have as good a shot as anybody remaining.
And wouldn't that be something?
Yet the Cubbies had only won one less game (97), and anything can happen in baseball, especially in a single contest. Last place teams sometimes defeat "elite" clubs they trail by 20 games or more. It happens all the time. Baseball is funny that way. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.
But the Cubs were not supposed to dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds had the best record (100 wins) of all, and home field advantage to boot. The Cardinals have long been regarded as the classiest franchise in the Major Leagues, and their fans the most knowledgeable. Unlike other "high profile" teams, St. Louis has always been about playing at a high level in all phases of the game. True, they won't win the World Series every year -- nobody does -- but they're always competitive. When's the last time you saw a Cardinal team bringing up the rear in their division? It just doesn't happen. The Cards are always good.
To the delight of the delirious crowd at Wrigley Field, their Cubbies improbably -- or maybe not -- sent the Cardinals packing this year in an NLDS. Pity the late Harry Caray couldn't be there to see it, but I suspect he knows somehow, wherever he is. Three games to one and the mighty Cards are out, fair and square.
Now the Cubs await the winner of the NY Mets/LA Dodgers league semi-final. Just a few minutes ago, LA knocked off the Mets in the Big Apple to even the series at 2-2. The Mets really, REALLY wanted to win this game. Not only would it have given them a few days extra rest, but saved another trip all the way back out to the west coast for a deciding Game 5.
[Idle thought. Is there a longer flight in pro sports than from NY to LA? Even if the Mets win they have to fly all the way back home and then to Chicago for the first two games of the NLCS. Jet lag anyone?]
Regardless, whichever team emerges from the 3-way scrum in the NL to get to the World Series will be welcomed by the advertising folks. Chicago, NY, and LA are big markets indeed, especially the latter two.
Not so much in the AL. Regardless of who wins the series' between Houston/KC and Toronto/Texas, both currently tied at 2-2, none of those cities represent a commercial extravaganza for the Madison Avenue folks. Though all their teams are obviously very good, whoever makes it to the World Series will be considered a "small market" team, with the possible exception of Texas. The Lone Star state is chock full of teams, both in various pro leagues and college, so their loyalties are certainly divided. Would they all pull together to root on the Rangers if they make it to baseball's Big Dance? Maybe.
Nevertheless, here's to the Cubbies. They're going to the league finals for the first time in over 30 years. Who would have thunk it? As mentioned in a previous post -- if Joe Maddon isn't the NL manager of the year, something is wrong. Yes, the voting takes place before the post-season starts and remains a secret until it's all over, but even if they bow out short of a championship, what Maddon did with the Cubs throughout the year has been nothing short of magical.
And at this point, besides the folks in NY and LA, who isn't pulling for the Cubs? 107 years since they last won a World Series? The longest jinx -- by far -- in all of sports.
With apologies to American League fans, do we dare hope they can actually pull this off?
Hey, they're pretty good and have as good a shot as anybody remaining.
And wouldn't that be something?
Monday, October 12, 2015
Odds, ends, and college football rankings
In case nobody noticed, and a lot of people didn't, the US Team just won another President's Cup in golf. What with the NFL and college football seasons in full swing and the major leagues slugging it out in the playoffs, it was easy to miss.
[Idle thought. Why do they call it the President's Cup? Most countries don't even have a President. There's kings, queens, premiers, prime ministers, emirs, and even a sultan or three, but very few Presidents outside the USA. And this time around the Americans took on an international squad in South Korea. Bet you don't know who the President of that country is. I didn't either until I looked it up. What with Rodman's buddy Kim to the north getting all the attention, one Park Geun-hye has flown under the radar south of the DMZ. But hye to you Park, whoever you are.]
It's kind of weird how the baseball playoffs have gone so far. A very good Pirates team got zapped in a one game wildcard playoff by the Cubs. And the mighty Yankees suffered the same fate at the hands of the upstart Astros. Somewhere the late George Steinbrenner likely twitched.
The Texas Rangers went into Toronto and won the first two games against the Jays, including knocking off ace David Price. In a best 3 of 5 format, the Rangers were sitting pretty. But then the Jays went down to the Lone Star state and returned the favor. It's now 2-2. So much for home field advantage.
Same with the Astros and KC Royals. Houston had them on the ropes up 2-1, playing at home, and enjoying a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning. Close out time. Oops, the Jays struck for 7 runs in the eighth to win 9-6. On to a deciding game 5 in that series as well. Very interesting stuff.
For entertainment value, it surely beat Bill Haas making a putt on the 18th hole against South Korean Bae Sang-moon in the final match to capture some obscure team golfing trophy. Bae Sang-moon's reward for coming so close? He just got drafted into the Korean military. Wow, evidently they take these things quite seriously in South Korea. Should have made a couple more putts Bae. Happy boot camp.
Most interesting of all are the college football rankings. Yep, Ohio State remains on top, though they've looked underwhelming so far. But hey, they're the defending champs, were ranked #1 in the pre-season, and somebody's going to have to knock them off for that ranking to change.
Baylor has been blistering everybody and the Waco Bears have rightfully earned #2 status.
TCU gives up a ton of points but somehow keeps managing to outscore everybody. They're kind of iffy at #3. But hey, how can you root against critters like horned frogs?
Utah rightfully belongs at #4. They've beaten some very good teams, both at home and on the road, including resurgent Michigan. Though pollsters would rather talk about the likes of the perennial "big boys", the absolute 62-20 mangling the Utes put on Oregon was impossible to ignore. These Salt Lake boys appear to be the real deal. Hardly what they uted to be. Sorry. Ahem.
Michigan State had climbed to as high as #2. But despite remaining undefeated, a few yawner performances against teams they should have clobbered has seen them slide in the rankings all the way down to #8.
Conversely, cross-state rival Michigan has been on the roll of rolls. Since a close opening loss to the above-mentioned Utah, the Wolverines have outscored their opponents 160-14, including 97-0 in their last three games. And not against patsies. BYU is decent, and Northwestern was ranked #12 before getting shellacked 38-0 at the hands of UM. Unranked in the preseason, the Maize and Blue has zoomed up to #12. They have earned it.
This Saturday, MSU travels to UM for a highly anticipated game. The Spartans have owned the Wolverines in recent years, but the expectations appear to have changed -- at least among Michigan, their fans, and the oddsmakers.
Somewhat surprisingly, Michigan is an early 7 point favorite over Michigan State. It would seem to defy logic. How can a #12 team be favored by a touchdown over the #8 team? Home field advantage is supposed to only be worth 3 points, right? So how does that work and what do the wise guys in Vegas know that we arm chair/big screen fans don't?
Yet make no mistake. This game is absolutely HUGE in the state of Michigan. It's more than just bragging rights for a year for either school. It's a crossroads for both programs.
If MSU wins, and remember their higher ranking and recent successful history, the status quo will remain intact. Could happen. Head coach Mark Dantonio has done a masterful job of making the Spartans perennial contenders on the national stage.
But if UM wins, and remember they're a supposed 7 point favorite and playing at home, the swagger will be back in Ann Arbor. Could happen as well. Let's not forget first year coach Jim Harbaugh will have pulled this off with, for the most part, the same rag-tag bunch he inherited from former coach Brady Hoke. Those guys couldn't get out of their own way under the tutelage of the hokey-pokey man. Can one training camp under a different head coach make that much of a difference with the same crew? Maybe.
Prediction? This won't be a game for the faint at heart. There will be some serious hitting going on in the Big House from both sides. Hard to say which team is in better physical condition and how that may play out as the game reaches its latter stages. If either gets gassed, they're in trouble.
But Michigan State has looked wobbly of late while Michigan features the best defense in the land. MSU QB Connor Cook may well be an NFL prospect, and he'll have to show it in this game. The Spartans won't be able to run against the swarming Wolverine defense. Yet when it comes to smarts, and been there done that, MSU has the advantage.
Despite their recent lackluster showings, my feeble head tells me the Spartans will rise to the occasion and put Michigan in its place once again.
But my heart says it's time for Michigan to finally turn the tables, put a whupping on their recent nemesis, and dispatch the demons.
I suspect the 7 point spread will shrink as the game gets closer, but give me Michigan to cover regardless. Methinks Jim Harbaugh is the real deal and the Wolverines are back.
So there.
[Idle thought. Why do they call it the President's Cup? Most countries don't even have a President. There's kings, queens, premiers, prime ministers, emirs, and even a sultan or three, but very few Presidents outside the USA. And this time around the Americans took on an international squad in South Korea. Bet you don't know who the President of that country is. I didn't either until I looked it up. What with Rodman's buddy Kim to the north getting all the attention, one Park Geun-hye has flown under the radar south of the DMZ. But hye to you Park, whoever you are.]
It's kind of weird how the baseball playoffs have gone so far. A very good Pirates team got zapped in a one game wildcard playoff by the Cubs. And the mighty Yankees suffered the same fate at the hands of the upstart Astros. Somewhere the late George Steinbrenner likely twitched.
The Texas Rangers went into Toronto and won the first two games against the Jays, including knocking off ace David Price. In a best 3 of 5 format, the Rangers were sitting pretty. But then the Jays went down to the Lone Star state and returned the favor. It's now 2-2. So much for home field advantage.
Same with the Astros and KC Royals. Houston had them on the ropes up 2-1, playing at home, and enjoying a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning. Close out time. Oops, the Jays struck for 7 runs in the eighth to win 9-6. On to a deciding game 5 in that series as well. Very interesting stuff.
For entertainment value, it surely beat Bill Haas making a putt on the 18th hole against South Korean Bae Sang-moon in the final match to capture some obscure team golfing trophy. Bae Sang-moon's reward for coming so close? He just got drafted into the Korean military. Wow, evidently they take these things quite seriously in South Korea. Should have made a couple more putts Bae. Happy boot camp.
Most interesting of all are the college football rankings. Yep, Ohio State remains on top, though they've looked underwhelming so far. But hey, they're the defending champs, were ranked #1 in the pre-season, and somebody's going to have to knock them off for that ranking to change.
Baylor has been blistering everybody and the Waco Bears have rightfully earned #2 status.
TCU gives up a ton of points but somehow keeps managing to outscore everybody. They're kind of iffy at #3. But hey, how can you root against critters like horned frogs?
Utah rightfully belongs at #4. They've beaten some very good teams, both at home and on the road, including resurgent Michigan. Though pollsters would rather talk about the likes of the perennial "big boys", the absolute 62-20 mangling the Utes put on Oregon was impossible to ignore. These Salt Lake boys appear to be the real deal. Hardly what they uted to be. Sorry. Ahem.
Michigan State had climbed to as high as #2. But despite remaining undefeated, a few yawner performances against teams they should have clobbered has seen them slide in the rankings all the way down to #8.
Conversely, cross-state rival Michigan has been on the roll of rolls. Since a close opening loss to the above-mentioned Utah, the Wolverines have outscored their opponents 160-14, including 97-0 in their last three games. And not against patsies. BYU is decent, and Northwestern was ranked #12 before getting shellacked 38-0 at the hands of UM. Unranked in the preseason, the Maize and Blue has zoomed up to #12. They have earned it.
This Saturday, MSU travels to UM for a highly anticipated game. The Spartans have owned the Wolverines in recent years, but the expectations appear to have changed -- at least among Michigan, their fans, and the oddsmakers.
Somewhat surprisingly, Michigan is an early 7 point favorite over Michigan State. It would seem to defy logic. How can a #12 team be favored by a touchdown over the #8 team? Home field advantage is supposed to only be worth 3 points, right? So how does that work and what do the wise guys in Vegas know that we arm chair/big screen fans don't?
Yet make no mistake. This game is absolutely HUGE in the state of Michigan. It's more than just bragging rights for a year for either school. It's a crossroads for both programs.
If MSU wins, and remember their higher ranking and recent successful history, the status quo will remain intact. Could happen. Head coach Mark Dantonio has done a masterful job of making the Spartans perennial contenders on the national stage.
But if UM wins, and remember they're a supposed 7 point favorite and playing at home, the swagger will be back in Ann Arbor. Could happen as well. Let's not forget first year coach Jim Harbaugh will have pulled this off with, for the most part, the same rag-tag bunch he inherited from former coach Brady Hoke. Those guys couldn't get out of their own way under the tutelage of the hokey-pokey man. Can one training camp under a different head coach make that much of a difference with the same crew? Maybe.
Prediction? This won't be a game for the faint at heart. There will be some serious hitting going on in the Big House from both sides. Hard to say which team is in better physical condition and how that may play out as the game reaches its latter stages. If either gets gassed, they're in trouble.
But Michigan State has looked wobbly of late while Michigan features the best defense in the land. MSU QB Connor Cook may well be an NFL prospect, and he'll have to show it in this game. The Spartans won't be able to run against the swarming Wolverine defense. Yet when it comes to smarts, and been there done that, MSU has the advantage.
Despite their recent lackluster showings, my feeble head tells me the Spartans will rise to the occasion and put Michigan in its place once again.
But my heart says it's time for Michigan to finally turn the tables, put a whupping on their recent nemesis, and dispatch the demons.
I suspect the 7 point spread will shrink as the game gets closer, but give me Michigan to cover regardless. Methinks Jim Harbaugh is the real deal and the Wolverines are back.
So there.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Detroit Lions. Again a laughingstock
Just when you think things couldn't possibly get any worse for the sad-sack Lions, leave it to the hapless puddy-tats to find a way. Their home game performance against the Arizona Cardinals was a combination of Murphy's Law and the Keystone Kops. After a while, it got downright comical.
Of their first seven possessions -- five of them resulted in turnovers? Really? Matthew Stafford was throwing interceptions like a wide-eyed rookie quarterback while receivers and backs were coughing up the ball on routine tackles. These guys are getting paid millions as professionals, and this is what they have to offer? Really?
Their, ahem, so-called vaunted offense can't seem to score. The defense is routinely torched for big plays. The special teams units appear to be almost as clueless as the folks that have assembled this rag-tag bunch -- the coaching staff. It's pitiful.
The Lions remain the only NFL team without a single victory. Forget the playoffs. Despite the annual (and predictable) local hype, that was never going to happen anyway. They'll be lucky if they don't wind up with the worst record in the NFL when the regular season is done. These guys are just.... that... bad. And they're not only terrible, but stupid as well.
In the fourth quarter, trailing by four -- count em -- FOUR touchdowns, Jim Caldwell calls for his team to kick a field goal? Really? By that point, it was already a blowout. Why not go for a touchdown? If they don't make it -- who cares? They were going to lose anyway. A meager three points was yuk-worthy. What are these clowns doing?
It could be argued the Cardinals could have taken a knee on every offensive snap after the second half started. Run a few minutes off the clock and don't risk any injuries. After all, with the Lions already trailing 28-7 at the break, and their offense in mega-bumbling mode, there was no way they posed a threat to mount a comeback.
Here's a few things Lions fans need to get used to. Matthew Stafford is not all that. He's never BEEN all that. And he'll never BE all that. Sure, he's thrown for a bunch of yardage -- mostly heaving the ball in the general direction of Calvin Johnson, but after 7 years in the league, he isn't any better than when he started. The Georgia peach still makes incredibly dumb decisions in the heat of battle. It doesn't matter how strong his arm is. If the ball isn't thrown to the right place at the right time, bad things can happen, and Matthew Stafford is a poster boy for trying to force things that aren't there.
Some say Calvin Johnson will eventually land in the Hall of Fame. Yours truly disagrees. Yes, he's big, tall, fast, and has made some amazing catches. But he's also taken a beating over the years, because the other defenses know full well Stafford's tendency to target him, regardless of double or triple teams. The poor guy has hobbled through the last couple seasons barely able to practice. And he's no longer considered amongst the Top 5 receivers in the game. Throw in the fact that the Megatron has never even won a single playoff game, much less sniffed a Super Bowl, pile on all the losses the Lions have suffered while he's been there, give objective Hall voters five years to think about it after he retires -- and CJ is far from a lock to wind up with a bust in Canton. And BTW, he played for the Lions, arguably the sorriest franchise in all of professional sports over the last half century.
Jim Caldwell is not the answer to what ails the Lions either. It is well known JC has enjoyed success under other head coaches as an offensive coordinator, but has crashed and burned when given the head job himself, typically in his second year. Look at the Lions. They're now 0-5 and quite the laughingstock in Caldwell's sophomore year at the helm. If Lions fans think Caldwell is going to lead them to the promised land, they are sadly mistaken. His Peter Principle is once again rearing its ugly head. Caldwell may be a nice guy, a good man, and a worthy lieutenant. But he's not cut out to be a general. Some people have it in them and some people don't. Caldwell decidedly does not. It's just a matter of time before he is sent packing like so many of his failed predecessors.
Like business, changing the long-losing culture of a sports franchise has to start at the top. The late William Clay Ford was often blamed for the Lions losing ways over the years. After all, he had owned them since 1963 until his recent death. Countless coaches and generations of players had come and gone, but still the Lions were losers.
What's sad is who is in charge of the Lions now. That would be William Clay's widow Martha. His son Mustang Billy is busy running the Ford Motor Co. Martha was born into the Harvey Firestone tire empire family, and married into the Fords. A true high-falootin blueblood. But given her lineage, just what, pray tell, can this 90 year old woman be expected to know about owning an NFL team, especially one with the sorry storied history of the Lions? Does anybody really think Martha can or will change the culture?
Best thing she could do is sell the team. It's not like she needs the money, but give it up to a future owner that will take an active interest in the Lions. Hopefully one that will blow it all up and clean house. The entire front office has to go. So does Caldwell. Trade off the players with any value for future draft picks and start over from scratch.
Sure, the Lions would bottom out for a few years, but what's so different about that? They already have again this year, and maybe "no hope" for a couple years would be a good thing. Could it be any worse than the "false hope" the Lions have given to their fans year after year, and decade after decade?
Better yet, maybe the new owner would move the Lions out of Detroit entirely. A few teams are considering a move to the Los Angeles area, namely the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders. Why not the Lions? And if not LA, move into one of the towns that was vacated by one of the above mentioned three teams. They might begrudgingly take them.
Long time Lions fans would go berserk and scream bloody murder, you say? Probably, but it might just be beneficial to them in the long run. No more blowing house payments to go see games played by a team that has NO shot at ever being a champion.
And if the Honolulu blue and silver maniacs just HAVE to root for somebody, try Cleveland. It's only a few hours drive away and the Browns will offer up much the same as what the Lions have over the decades. Despite having to change team colors, Lions fans could experience a familiar feeling on the shores of Lake Erie.
It's just trading in one loser for another. What's the big deal?
Of their first seven possessions -- five of them resulted in turnovers? Really? Matthew Stafford was throwing interceptions like a wide-eyed rookie quarterback while receivers and backs were coughing up the ball on routine tackles. These guys are getting paid millions as professionals, and this is what they have to offer? Really?
Their, ahem, so-called vaunted offense can't seem to score. The defense is routinely torched for big plays. The special teams units appear to be almost as clueless as the folks that have assembled this rag-tag bunch -- the coaching staff. It's pitiful.
The Lions remain the only NFL team without a single victory. Forget the playoffs. Despite the annual (and predictable) local hype, that was never going to happen anyway. They'll be lucky if they don't wind up with the worst record in the NFL when the regular season is done. These guys are just.... that... bad. And they're not only terrible, but stupid as well.
In the fourth quarter, trailing by four -- count em -- FOUR touchdowns, Jim Caldwell calls for his team to kick a field goal? Really? By that point, it was already a blowout. Why not go for a touchdown? If they don't make it -- who cares? They were going to lose anyway. A meager three points was yuk-worthy. What are these clowns doing?
It could be argued the Cardinals could have taken a knee on every offensive snap after the second half started. Run a few minutes off the clock and don't risk any injuries. After all, with the Lions already trailing 28-7 at the break, and their offense in mega-bumbling mode, there was no way they posed a threat to mount a comeback.
Here's a few things Lions fans need to get used to. Matthew Stafford is not all that. He's never BEEN all that. And he'll never BE all that. Sure, he's thrown for a bunch of yardage -- mostly heaving the ball in the general direction of Calvin Johnson, but after 7 years in the league, he isn't any better than when he started. The Georgia peach still makes incredibly dumb decisions in the heat of battle. It doesn't matter how strong his arm is. If the ball isn't thrown to the right place at the right time, bad things can happen, and Matthew Stafford is a poster boy for trying to force things that aren't there.
Some say Calvin Johnson will eventually land in the Hall of Fame. Yours truly disagrees. Yes, he's big, tall, fast, and has made some amazing catches. But he's also taken a beating over the years, because the other defenses know full well Stafford's tendency to target him, regardless of double or triple teams. The poor guy has hobbled through the last couple seasons barely able to practice. And he's no longer considered amongst the Top 5 receivers in the game. Throw in the fact that the Megatron has never even won a single playoff game, much less sniffed a Super Bowl, pile on all the losses the Lions have suffered while he's been there, give objective Hall voters five years to think about it after he retires -- and CJ is far from a lock to wind up with a bust in Canton. And BTW, he played for the Lions, arguably the sorriest franchise in all of professional sports over the last half century.
Jim Caldwell is not the answer to what ails the Lions either. It is well known JC has enjoyed success under other head coaches as an offensive coordinator, but has crashed and burned when given the head job himself, typically in his second year. Look at the Lions. They're now 0-5 and quite the laughingstock in Caldwell's sophomore year at the helm. If Lions fans think Caldwell is going to lead them to the promised land, they are sadly mistaken. His Peter Principle is once again rearing its ugly head. Caldwell may be a nice guy, a good man, and a worthy lieutenant. But he's not cut out to be a general. Some people have it in them and some people don't. Caldwell decidedly does not. It's just a matter of time before he is sent packing like so many of his failed predecessors.
Like business, changing the long-losing culture of a sports franchise has to start at the top. The late William Clay Ford was often blamed for the Lions losing ways over the years. After all, he had owned them since 1963 until his recent death. Countless coaches and generations of players had come and gone, but still the Lions were losers.
What's sad is who is in charge of the Lions now. That would be William Clay's widow Martha. His son Mustang Billy is busy running the Ford Motor Co. Martha was born into the Harvey Firestone tire empire family, and married into the Fords. A true high-falootin blueblood. But given her lineage, just what, pray tell, can this 90 year old woman be expected to know about owning an NFL team, especially one with the sorry storied history of the Lions? Does anybody really think Martha can or will change the culture?
Best thing she could do is sell the team. It's not like she needs the money, but give it up to a future owner that will take an active interest in the Lions. Hopefully one that will blow it all up and clean house. The entire front office has to go. So does Caldwell. Trade off the players with any value for future draft picks and start over from scratch.
Sure, the Lions would bottom out for a few years, but what's so different about that? They already have again this year, and maybe "no hope" for a couple years would be a good thing. Could it be any worse than the "false hope" the Lions have given to their fans year after year, and decade after decade?
Better yet, maybe the new owner would move the Lions out of Detroit entirely. A few teams are considering a move to the Los Angeles area, namely the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders. Why not the Lions? And if not LA, move into one of the towns that was vacated by one of the above mentioned three teams. They might begrudgingly take them.
Long time Lions fans would go berserk and scream bloody murder, you say? Probably, but it might just be beneficial to them in the long run. No more blowing house payments to go see games played by a team that has NO shot at ever being a champion.
And if the Honolulu blue and silver maniacs just HAVE to root for somebody, try Cleveland. It's only a few hours drive away and the Browns will offer up much the same as what the Lions have over the decades. Despite having to change team colors, Lions fans could experience a familiar feeling on the shores of Lake Erie.
It's just trading in one loser for another. What's the big deal?
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Michigan football. Amazing
The prevailing wisdom was new head coach Jim Harbaugh would turn the Michigan football program around. Eventually. Harbaugh's track record speaks for itself. Both at other universities and in the pros, the former Wolverine has enjoyed terrific success. Wherever he goes as a head coach, teams win.
But it wasn't supposed to happen this fast at Michigan. Their resurgence has been nothing short of amazing. Let's remember that as a first year head coach at UM, Harbaugh basically inherited the Bad News Bears left over from the woeful Brady Hoke administration. That, and whatever true freshmen JH was able to recruit -- but how often do true freshmen play football at a major university?
After Michigan's opening game loss at Utah, most likely yawned. It was to be expected from the Ann Arbor rag-taggers. But it turns out, the Utes are really good. Losing a close contest to them in Salt Lake City is nothing to be ashamed of.
Since then, the Wolverines have been basically lights out. Consider what happened when Northwestern visited Michigan just a few hours ago. The #13 Wildcats were undefeated and featured the #1 defense in the nation. They had given up only a paltry 7 points per game. Do the math. After 5 games they had allowed a total of 35 points.
Then #18 Michigan torched them for 38. Do the math again. 35+38 = 73. In the course of one game Northwestern's points allowed zoomed from 7 to over 12. They won't be #13 anymore. After a 38-0 drubbing, they might even fall out of the Top 25 altogether.
Meanwhile, Michigan featured the #2 defense, allowing an average of 7.6 points per game. After holding the Wildcasts scoreless (BTW, their third shutout in a row), the math says Michigan's points allowed average just dropped to 6.3.
Even playing at home, scorching the #13 team in the country 38-0 is bound to catch the attention of the pollsters. The opening loss at Utah has long been forgotten. [Remember, ever Ohio State lost a game early last year to Virginia Tech (in Columbus), and look where they wound up in the end.]
Michigan could well jump into the Top Ten when the new rankings come out.
And that sets up a big in-state showdown next week with Michigan State coming to Ann Arbor. In recent years past, the Spartans have pretty well owned the Wolverines. Their head coach Mark Dantonio has built quite the powerhouse. Thing is, as good as MSU has been, they never seemed to get the national respect they craved. Sure, they finished #4 or 5 in the national rankings, but were always a tad short if getting to the Big Dance.
This year that changed. The pollsters went out of their way to give MSU a lot of love. Somehow, they even briefly made it to #2 in the national rankings. But this was not deserved. Yes, MSU remains undefeated, but they've played a patsy schedule so far. At that, even against what could be called "minor league" teams, the Spartans have struggled. Central Michigan? Western Michigan? The always terrible Air Force? Pitiful Purdue? At home the Spartans barely nipped Oregon 31-28. The East Lansing faithful thought that was a signature victory. Then the above-mentioned Utah blistered the Ducks 62-20. Maybe not so signature. Just another patsy. Earlier today, MSU barely, and I mean BARELY survived against Rutgers. RUTGERS!!
With their lackluster performances, Michigan State has rightly dropped a few spots in the rankings. I mean, c'mon, six games into the season and they haven't faced a good team yet? If they were blowing them out, that would be one thing, but nail-biters against Girl Scout teams is definitely not a good sign.
They will be tested next Saturday when they visit Michigan. Big Brother appears to be back. It will be interesting to see where both MSU and UM are ranked when the new polls come out in a few days. Michigan will surely have jumped, and Michigan State might have slid another spot or two.
It will also be interesting to see what the point spread is. Before the season started, UM was unranked and not much was expected of them. MSU was thought to be a serious contender for a national championship. Could UM actually -- gasp -- be favored to win?
Oh my, how the tables have apparently turned. Regardless, the hype will reach a crescendo during the next week, and well it should.
This game is one of the most anticipated in recent history between the two schools.
Sure, the Major League baseball playoffs are a big deal, and they'll be looking at their League Championship Series' next Saturday. The NHL has started another season and will feature a full slate of games. Somewhere there will be golf and tennis tournaments, the NBA is getting ready to roll again, and NASCAR's "chase" is getting down to the nitty-gritty.
But it's probably a pretty safe bet a whole lot of TV viewers in southeastern Michigan, and across the country, will be tuned into watching UM and MSU duke it out next Saturday on the gridiron.
Oh yeah. Bring it on......
But it wasn't supposed to happen this fast at Michigan. Their resurgence has been nothing short of amazing. Let's remember that as a first year head coach at UM, Harbaugh basically inherited the Bad News Bears left over from the woeful Brady Hoke administration. That, and whatever true freshmen JH was able to recruit -- but how often do true freshmen play football at a major university?
After Michigan's opening game loss at Utah, most likely yawned. It was to be expected from the Ann Arbor rag-taggers. But it turns out, the Utes are really good. Losing a close contest to them in Salt Lake City is nothing to be ashamed of.
Since then, the Wolverines have been basically lights out. Consider what happened when Northwestern visited Michigan just a few hours ago. The #13 Wildcats were undefeated and featured the #1 defense in the nation. They had given up only a paltry 7 points per game. Do the math. After 5 games they had allowed a total of 35 points.
Then #18 Michigan torched them for 38. Do the math again. 35+38 = 73. In the course of one game Northwestern's points allowed zoomed from 7 to over 12. They won't be #13 anymore. After a 38-0 drubbing, they might even fall out of the Top 25 altogether.
Meanwhile, Michigan featured the #2 defense, allowing an average of 7.6 points per game. After holding the Wildcasts scoreless (BTW, their third shutout in a row), the math says Michigan's points allowed average just dropped to 6.3.
Even playing at home, scorching the #13 team in the country 38-0 is bound to catch the attention of the pollsters. The opening loss at Utah has long been forgotten. [Remember, ever Ohio State lost a game early last year to Virginia Tech (in Columbus), and look where they wound up in the end.]
Michigan could well jump into the Top Ten when the new rankings come out.
And that sets up a big in-state showdown next week with Michigan State coming to Ann Arbor. In recent years past, the Spartans have pretty well owned the Wolverines. Their head coach Mark Dantonio has built quite the powerhouse. Thing is, as good as MSU has been, they never seemed to get the national respect they craved. Sure, they finished #4 or 5 in the national rankings, but were always a tad short if getting to the Big Dance.
This year that changed. The pollsters went out of their way to give MSU a lot of love. Somehow, they even briefly made it to #2 in the national rankings. But this was not deserved. Yes, MSU remains undefeated, but they've played a patsy schedule so far. At that, even against what could be called "minor league" teams, the Spartans have struggled. Central Michigan? Western Michigan? The always terrible Air Force? Pitiful Purdue? At home the Spartans barely nipped Oregon 31-28. The East Lansing faithful thought that was a signature victory. Then the above-mentioned Utah blistered the Ducks 62-20. Maybe not so signature. Just another patsy. Earlier today, MSU barely, and I mean BARELY survived against Rutgers. RUTGERS!!
With their lackluster performances, Michigan State has rightly dropped a few spots in the rankings. I mean, c'mon, six games into the season and they haven't faced a good team yet? If they were blowing them out, that would be one thing, but nail-biters against Girl Scout teams is definitely not a good sign.
They will be tested next Saturday when they visit Michigan. Big Brother appears to be back. It will be interesting to see where both MSU and UM are ranked when the new polls come out in a few days. Michigan will surely have jumped, and Michigan State might have slid another spot or two.
It will also be interesting to see what the point spread is. Before the season started, UM was unranked and not much was expected of them. MSU was thought to be a serious contender for a national championship. Could UM actually -- gasp -- be favored to win?
Oh my, how the tables have apparently turned. Regardless, the hype will reach a crescendo during the next week, and well it should.
This game is one of the most anticipated in recent history between the two schools.
Sure, the Major League baseball playoffs are a big deal, and they'll be looking at their League Championship Series' next Saturday. The NHL has started another season and will feature a full slate of games. Somewhere there will be golf and tennis tournaments, the NBA is getting ready to roll again, and NASCAR's "chase" is getting down to the nitty-gritty.
But it's probably a pretty safe bet a whole lot of TV viewers in southeastern Michigan, and across the country, will be tuned into watching UM and MSU duke it out next Saturday on the gridiron.
Oh yeah. Bring it on......
The fate of Jim Caldwell
As Detroit Lions' fans surely know, their team is currently 0-4. Arizona's coming to town for a showdown Sunday, and the Cards are really good. The bookies list them as a 2.5 point favorite to beat the Lions. After they were upset at home last week, look for the Cards to bring their A-game to Detroit. The Detroit puddy-tats could easily become 0-5, and hopelessly out of the playoff picture, if they aren't already.
But Lions fans are a strange breed. How else to explain their continued blind loyalty when their team hasn't sniffed a Super Bowl since Super Bowls started? In fact, the last time they won a championship was when a guy named Eisenhower was President, way back in 1957. A full ten years before the first Super Bowl would even be played. Well over a half century ago.
During all that time, the Lions' failures have not only been many, but comical at times. From an absentee owner to an inept front office, to clown coaches, to high draft picks that went bust, to bonehead players making bonehead plays on the field, Larry, Moe and Curly had nothing on these guys when it came to yuks over the years. If there's a way to screw something up, rest assured the Lions will find it. Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard. Nyuk, nyuk.
Jim Caldwell was supposed to change the losing culture of the Lions. So was Jim Schwartz, and Marinelli, and Mariucci, and Ross, and a bunch of other guys that hit town, made millions, and were subsequently sent packing. Given the good old old boy head coaching carousel that has been so prevalent in the NFL in recent times -- as in fired from one team but quickly catch on with another -- Lions' fans might want to note that no head coach from their team has ever landed another such position with another club. EVER. Detroit is where head coaches go to die. Yes, every single one of them thinks they can turn things around, but give them a few years, and they'll be out the door too. The losing culture remains.
Caldwell spouts the usual party line. He's optimistic, says his team will get better because they have talent galore, and it's just a matter of execution and becoming consistent in all phases of the game. Yawn. So did all the other guys.
Lions fans have pointed fingers in a variety of different directions as to who's been responsible for the ineptness over the years. Maybe it was long time owner William Clay Ford. Oops, he's no longer amongst the living. Can't blame him anymore. Matt Millen had his reign of incompetence as GM, as did Russ Thomas before him. They've both been gone for many years. What's happened since can't be their fault.
Is the letter "M" a jinx to Detroit? Marinelli, Mariucci, Matt Millen, and now Martin Mayhew? Could be. But that doesn't explain guys like Wayne Fontes, Daryl Rogers, and Bobby Ross. Monte Clark is a maybe. Yours truly has never seen another NFL head coach in full prayer mode on a game-deciding field goal attempt by his kicker. Alas, it was wide right. Evidently God said request denied. You're the Lions and doomed to eternal damnation -- or at least a few more decades. And so it has come to pass.
Lions fans are still complaining about a blown call against Dallas in a playoff game last year. They need to get over it. Recently, they've been up in arms over another blown call against the Seattle Seahawks that may or may not have cost them the game. They need to get over that too. Right or wrong, it was what it was and is what it is. If it makes them feel better, perhaps they should go to the Detroit Zoo, which isn't even in Detroit, and shout obscenities at the zebras. That would make as much sense as some of the other lame rants they have come up with over the years.
And what it is is 0-4. Whining and excuses don't matter in the NFL. It's about winning. Something the Lions have yet to do this year. I don't want to hear about a tough schedule and/or bad breaks. If a team wants to be a contender, they're supposed to beat the good teams. And gimme a break on the breaks. Last year the Lions caught every break imaginable to make it to the playoffs. Despite the call in Dallas, did anybody in their right mind think the Lions would have prevailed in a subsequent playoff game against the likes of Green Bay on the road? The Lions haven't won in Lambeau since 1991. Please. Or in Seattle last year when the Seahawks were peaking? Pretty please.
But here's the thing. While Detroit fans are busy complaining about past wrongs, they overlook what's right in front of their noses. Jim Caldwell. His history speaks for itself. He's been a successful offensive coordinator for other teams under other successful head coaches, but when handed the reins of command has been a total failure. Let's not forget that when the head coaching carousel was going around following the bloodbath subsequent to the 2013 season, all the other teams had picked their guy before the Lions finally got around to making a decision. Everybody else had passed on him, but Detroit wound up taking Caldwell.
Granted, he had a semi-successful season last year, but for the most part had inherited Jim Schwartz's team and the Lions had an incredibly soft schedule. Outside their own 6 division mandated games, where only Green Bay was a force (Adrian Peterson of the Vikes was out), they only faced two decent teams the entire year. New England and Arizona. The Pats would predictably blow them out, and the Cards got past them even though their starting QB Carson Palmer had gone out with a season ending injury the week before. In London, they had lost the game to Atlanta on a missed field goal attempt, but got a second chance due to a penalty on THEMSELVES? And made it to win? REALLY? Has this ever even happened before?
Back to the present and reality. As mentioned above, the bookies have the Cardinals as a slight favorite to knock off the Lions in Detroit. If that happens and the Lions become 0-5, would Lions fans start zeroing in on Caldwell as their latest culprit? Maybe. But JC would certainly have his defenders. After all, despite how bad the team has been, it's only his first year with his systems fully implemented and his staff all on the same page, as they say. And let's get real. In today's politically correct world, certain people are cut extra slack in the hopes they eventually succeed.
Caldwell's head coaching seat likely wouldn't begin to get warm if the Lions lost to the Cardinals. But if the not-so-good Bears come to Motown the following week and drop the Lions to 0-6 -- don't laugh -- it's entirely possible -- somebody somewhere in the Lions hierarchy is going to have some serious 'splainin to do. And it would start with Jimbo.
The Lions and their media have continually trumpeted how much talent the team has. Matthew Stafford is all this and Calvin Johnson is all that. They've both been around for 7-8 years and have yet to win a single playoff game. Free agent acquisition Golden Tate was an All-Pro and had recently played on a Super Bowl championship team. New running back Ameer Abdullah was supposed to set the world on fire. But the Lions can't seem to score many points. What good are 80 yard drives if they result in a turnover and no points?
Bottom line? No way would the Lions fire Jim Caldwell this year, even if after all the high expectations, they went, say, 6-10, or heaven forbid, 4-12. Given the overall state of the team, either is quite possible. These guys are not good, and forget the playoffs. That's already over this year. Ain't gonna happen.
But if they stumble out of the gate in 2016 like they have this year, old Jimbo, nice guy that he is, might be looking for another job. (Even the owning Ford family comes out of its football coma once every few years to take a look around at what's happening.) As an offensive coordinator, of course.
It's highly unlikely Jim Caldwell will break the mold and become the first former Lions head coach to land another similar job elsewhere. Some things just aren't meant to be.
But Lions fans are a strange breed. How else to explain their continued blind loyalty when their team hasn't sniffed a Super Bowl since Super Bowls started? In fact, the last time they won a championship was when a guy named Eisenhower was President, way back in 1957. A full ten years before the first Super Bowl would even be played. Well over a half century ago.
During all that time, the Lions' failures have not only been many, but comical at times. From an absentee owner to an inept front office, to clown coaches, to high draft picks that went bust, to bonehead players making bonehead plays on the field, Larry, Moe and Curly had nothing on these guys when it came to yuks over the years. If there's a way to screw something up, rest assured the Lions will find it. Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard. Nyuk, nyuk.
Jim Caldwell was supposed to change the losing culture of the Lions. So was Jim Schwartz, and Marinelli, and Mariucci, and Ross, and a bunch of other guys that hit town, made millions, and were subsequently sent packing. Given the good old old boy head coaching carousel that has been so prevalent in the NFL in recent times -- as in fired from one team but quickly catch on with another -- Lions' fans might want to note that no head coach from their team has ever landed another such position with another club. EVER. Detroit is where head coaches go to die. Yes, every single one of them thinks they can turn things around, but give them a few years, and they'll be out the door too. The losing culture remains.
Caldwell spouts the usual party line. He's optimistic, says his team will get better because they have talent galore, and it's just a matter of execution and becoming consistent in all phases of the game. Yawn. So did all the other guys.
Lions fans have pointed fingers in a variety of different directions as to who's been responsible for the ineptness over the years. Maybe it was long time owner William Clay Ford. Oops, he's no longer amongst the living. Can't blame him anymore. Matt Millen had his reign of incompetence as GM, as did Russ Thomas before him. They've both been gone for many years. What's happened since can't be their fault.
Is the letter "M" a jinx to Detroit? Marinelli, Mariucci, Matt Millen, and now Martin Mayhew? Could be. But that doesn't explain guys like Wayne Fontes, Daryl Rogers, and Bobby Ross. Monte Clark is a maybe. Yours truly has never seen another NFL head coach in full prayer mode on a game-deciding field goal attempt by his kicker. Alas, it was wide right. Evidently God said request denied. You're the Lions and doomed to eternal damnation -- or at least a few more decades. And so it has come to pass.
Lions fans are still complaining about a blown call against Dallas in a playoff game last year. They need to get over it. Recently, they've been up in arms over another blown call against the Seattle Seahawks that may or may not have cost them the game. They need to get over that too. Right or wrong, it was what it was and is what it is. If it makes them feel better, perhaps they should go to the Detroit Zoo, which isn't even in Detroit, and shout obscenities at the zebras. That would make as much sense as some of the other lame rants they have come up with over the years.
And what it is is 0-4. Whining and excuses don't matter in the NFL. It's about winning. Something the Lions have yet to do this year. I don't want to hear about a tough schedule and/or bad breaks. If a team wants to be a contender, they're supposed to beat the good teams. And gimme a break on the breaks. Last year the Lions caught every break imaginable to make it to the playoffs. Despite the call in Dallas, did anybody in their right mind think the Lions would have prevailed in a subsequent playoff game against the likes of Green Bay on the road? The Lions haven't won in Lambeau since 1991. Please. Or in Seattle last year when the Seahawks were peaking? Pretty please.
But here's the thing. While Detroit fans are busy complaining about past wrongs, they overlook what's right in front of their noses. Jim Caldwell. His history speaks for itself. He's been a successful offensive coordinator for other teams under other successful head coaches, but when handed the reins of command has been a total failure. Let's not forget that when the head coaching carousel was going around following the bloodbath subsequent to the 2013 season, all the other teams had picked their guy before the Lions finally got around to making a decision. Everybody else had passed on him, but Detroit wound up taking Caldwell.
Granted, he had a semi-successful season last year, but for the most part had inherited Jim Schwartz's team and the Lions had an incredibly soft schedule. Outside their own 6 division mandated games, where only Green Bay was a force (Adrian Peterson of the Vikes was out), they only faced two decent teams the entire year. New England and Arizona. The Pats would predictably blow them out, and the Cards got past them even though their starting QB Carson Palmer had gone out with a season ending injury the week before. In London, they had lost the game to Atlanta on a missed field goal attempt, but got a second chance due to a penalty on THEMSELVES? And made it to win? REALLY? Has this ever even happened before?
Back to the present and reality. As mentioned above, the bookies have the Cardinals as a slight favorite to knock off the Lions in Detroit. If that happens and the Lions become 0-5, would Lions fans start zeroing in on Caldwell as their latest culprit? Maybe. But JC would certainly have his defenders. After all, despite how bad the team has been, it's only his first year with his systems fully implemented and his staff all on the same page, as they say. And let's get real. In today's politically correct world, certain people are cut extra slack in the hopes they eventually succeed.
Caldwell's head coaching seat likely wouldn't begin to get warm if the Lions lost to the Cardinals. But if the not-so-good Bears come to Motown the following week and drop the Lions to 0-6 -- don't laugh -- it's entirely possible -- somebody somewhere in the Lions hierarchy is going to have some serious 'splainin to do. And it would start with Jimbo.
The Lions and their media have continually trumpeted how much talent the team has. Matthew Stafford is all this and Calvin Johnson is all that. They've both been around for 7-8 years and have yet to win a single playoff game. Free agent acquisition Golden Tate was an All-Pro and had recently played on a Super Bowl championship team. New running back Ameer Abdullah was supposed to set the world on fire. But the Lions can't seem to score many points. What good are 80 yard drives if they result in a turnover and no points?
Bottom line? No way would the Lions fire Jim Caldwell this year, even if after all the high expectations, they went, say, 6-10, or heaven forbid, 4-12. Given the overall state of the team, either is quite possible. These guys are not good, and forget the playoffs. That's already over this year. Ain't gonna happen.
But if they stumble out of the gate in 2016 like they have this year, old Jimbo, nice guy that he is, might be looking for another job. (Even the owning Ford family comes out of its football coma once every few years to take a look around at what's happening.) As an offensive coordinator, of course.
It's highly unlikely Jim Caldwell will break the mold and become the first former Lions head coach to land another similar job elsewhere. Some things just aren't meant to be.
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