To me, last week’s preseason win reminded me an awfully lot of last year’s preseason. Detroit wound up finishing the 2008 preseason 4-0 en route to an impressive 0-16 regular season. I wanted this year’s preseason to be NOTHING like last year’s if it meant a reversal of fortunes during the regular season.
I got my wish this week, but instead of showing me something I’ve never seen before, Detroit went out and played exactly like they did for 16 games during last year’s regular season: flat out devastating, gut-less, and, of course, win-less.
It’s the preseason, so I agree, who truly cares, but I think it’s important to establish something in the preseason. Last year’s preseason wins were garbage time wins. I was hoping this preseason, even if we went 0-4 (which would mean we’d go 16-0 in regular season, right?), I just wanted to see the first unit go out there and do something positive. Nope. They let the Browns, who hadn’t scored a touchdown since November of 2008, put up 17 points in the first 10 minutes.
It all started with the opening kick when the Browns took it back for a touchdown. It was called back, which at first, I thought could mean the Lions’ luck was starting to change. Nope. Instead, Cleveland rammed it down their throats and didn’t tell them when. It was like in baseball when the pitcher throws a pitch that barely grazes the hitter’s jersey. The hitter whines that it definitely hit him (a quick and easy way for him to get on base), but the ump and pitcher argue it didnt. After a strenuous ensuing at bat, that same hitter hits a home run. Don’t we wish we could just go back and give them the kickoff return for a touchdown and save the 5 minutes they spent driving down the field? You follow?
On offense, the Lions could use a wide receiver or five. Without the Johnson mash brothers, the WR corps is about as slim as Mischa Barton during fasting. It was an extra kick in the nuts to see Mike Furrey looking healthy and catching balls for the Browns. I don’t think it was entirely the reason why Stafford looked like Joey Harrington, but I’d say it’s a good place to start pointing fingers.
Anyway, as I said, it’s just preseason. It doesn’t mean anything as soon as September 6th rolls around. Last year is exhibit A, exhibit B, and exhibit C. However, I’d still like to see the first unit go out there, make some stops, and put up some numbers on offense. Would it really kill them to do that?
Just something to consider.
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