Cutler, Rodgers and Ponder have 6 months to live...

You can't double team EVERYONE can you? The Lions stayed true to taking the best player available, didn't reach for players that eventually slid and now they may not even need a back 7!

Suh, VanDen Bosch, Avril, Williams, Hill, Lo-Jack, McBride...and now Nick Fairley!

NFL...meet the new Steel Curtain

Draft night - here we go!

Anything can happen. ANYTHING. It is the magic of draft, and with Mayhew running the ship we can be confident we will emerge strong and with top talent for 2011 and beyond. On primetime we know we are ideally placed at 13 to move around the 1st round up or down as talent slips down, teams reach for QBs and paranoia sets in. If we stay put, we can grab top talent anyway...anything can happen!

Martin Mayhew has said it is a safe bet that the Lions will move around. Tom Kowalski reckons we will emerge with 4 starters for week 1. I will be at home with friends, food and plenty of excitement. Bring it on! Hope you have a fun few days. Here's to Detroit finding the pieces to win the NFC North next year.

Bears in for a shock

I wrote a piece last month questioning whether or not the Bears can be viewed as contenders and how much the Lions should fear them. See

http://thebritishlion.blogspot.com/2011/03/schedule-preview-should-lions-fear.html

Now I know we are in a lockout, the draft is 3 days away, we haven't had free agency yet, and players cannot train with their coaching staffs yet, but it isn't keeping Bears fans out of of cloud cuckoo land. I read this yesterday by a Bears writer on Bleacher Report:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/674847-chicago-bears-insider-a-deeper-look-at-the-bears-2011-regular-season-schedule-w

Apparently the Bears are guaranteed to hit a home run in the draft despite picking 29th and having a less than impressive track record under Jerry Angelo. They are also guaranteed to land a top WR, DT and OLineman in free agency, then have a 13-3 season despite facing Atlanta, New Orleans and Green Bay in weeks 1-3. They could very well go 0-3 to start the season!

Still no respect, least of all for Detroit. Dream on Chi town!

Lions win in all scenarios

There are 4 short days to go and everyone is finishing off their preparations. The sports media world is busy adjusting their own draft boards and submitting their final mocks for our musing. Many of us have been through the mill of emotions attatching ourselves to various picks as 'the guy' to make Lions playoff calibre finally. Now it seems to me that the Lions can go in numerous directions with the 13th pick (including trading it) and hit on a solid contributor. Let us survey:
1. Scenario 1 - Aldon Smith, DE
It looks like Aldom Smith from Mizz is the new cool pic to Detroit. It also looks like all of a sudden Detroit could do with as many Defensive Ends as possible or we won't have a great line anymore. I personally don't think Smith slips past the Texans at 11. However, the possibility of that has raised talk of the Lions TRADING UP (with what ammo??) to ensure they get his services. Now I am not saying that getting Smith wouldn't be awesome. But I do think trading up would be silly. We need the picks and if anything, trading down is the smart move. Besides if Smith goes at 11, it probably means that Bowers or Quinn are still around at 13 which in my book is just as good. Even trading down could mean we have a shot at Ryan Kerrigan. All good. WIN
2. Scenario 2 - Tyron Smith, OT
Several mocks have us taking Tyron Smith or Anthony Castonzo to sure up the offensive line. Again most mocks seem to think we have dire need at OT and need to sure up our swiss cheese, sack alley of an o-line. Utter rubbish, but either of these guys are a big plus and sure upgrade for now and the future. Interior linemen are a bigger need but this pick is a WIN
3. Scenario 3 - Prince Amukamara, CB
My favourite pick and the biggest need on the Lions team right now. The Lions secondary is not as bad as advertised and is full of potential, but we live in the NFC North and if you want to make the playoffs, and make noise there, then you need that number 1 guy who can take the best receiver out of the game. The Prince can be that guy and if he falls to 13 we have to pull the trigger surely. Yes talented young corners can be found from rounds 3-5, but we already have guys like that. Grab the Prince, WIN
4. Scenario 4 - DeQuan Bowers, DE
He may never fully recover from his knee injury. His private workout showed his limitations due to the injury. He may only last 3 years in the league. Most of his sacks at college came from a clear run at the QB. But he led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss. One thing is for sure, Mayhew will not take a risk if there is bust potential. He is too smart and will consider all his options. So if he drafts Bowers it is because all necessary questions were answered. WIN
5. Scenario 5 - Trade down further into round 1 and take Jimmy Smith or Akeem Ayers.
If the Lions trade down for more picks in rounds 2-4 that is very good news. There will be suitors at 13 for the best OTs, Julio Jones and any DEs that slide. The Lions will get good trade offers and if they can drop to the 19-32 range and build up a good number of picks it will most likely allow them a good, non-reach opportunity to grab Akeem Ayers or Jimmy Smith (if he is worth the risk). This is a win as long as good trade value is gained. I say go for it if we can collect more picks. WIN

The Lions Schedule: First forecast

The schedule is set and we are all anxiously awaiting 2011 football and September 8th. It is usually totally pointless to be making predictions now, the draft is a week away. If we have a season we will have some semblence of free agency too. You cannot account for injuries, the surprises and who will flop or rise out of nowhere. We do not know how the new coaches will fair, especially given how little time they will get with their players. All that being said, the general consensus is that the Lions are a sleeper playoff team and may get their first winning season this tear, so here is my take on how that may play out:
Week 1 @Tampa Bay - WIN
The Lions allowed Tampa a lot of rushing yards but with the offseason focus on stuffing the run this will not happen twice. Stanton was also able to pile up big yards so imagine what a healthy Matt Stafford could do? The Lions won't need overtime this time around.

Week 2 v Kansas City - WIN
The Lions open at home with a big win against KC who overacheived last year.

Week 3 @Minnesota - WIN
Whether it is McNabb or  rookie under centre I see Detroit winning this one as the Vikings have more holes to fill this offseason than can be filled in one go.

Week 4 @Dallas - LOSS
As much as I hate to say it, and as much as Detroit let this one get away in the 4th quarter last year, a healthy, stable Cowboys may be too much to handle on the road.

Week 5 v Chicago - WIN
The Lions will take care of business on MNF. BIG win here.

Week 6 v San Francisco - WIN
I do think the 49ers will be much improved this year, but I still see the Lions being the most improved in the NFL in 2011 with Stafford there. CJ rules and the Lions scrape a win at home.

Week 7 v Atlanta - LOSS
The Lions suffer a disappointing home loss to Matt Ryan and the Falcons

Week 8 @Denver - WIN
Denver has a long road back and I don't think they have enough to beat Detroit this year.
The Lions go into their bye 6-2.

Week 10 @Chicago - LOSS
This would suck but I think Detroit splits with Chicago in the wind and cold.

Week 11 v Carolina - WIN
The Lions run free against Carolina

Week 12 v Green Bay - LOSS
I think the Lions can handle Green Bay but it will be a sad thanksgiving I think. Tough, close defeat.

Week 13 @New Orleans - LOSS
Back to back defeats as Drew Brees and the noisy superdome play strong.

Week 14 v Minnesota - WIN
Back to winning ways against the Vikings

Week 15 @Oakland - WIN
Stuff the run and win big against Oakland. That is exactly what will happen.

Week 16 v San Diego - LOSS
No Christmas gift against the immense Chargers offense

Week 17 @Green Bay - LOSS
With playoffs on the line for both teams I think the freezing tundra of Winsconsin sends the Lions to 9-7 and a possible wildcard berth.

I think the Lions have potential here for a 10-11 win season. I don't think there's any way they win less than 7 games except for if they lose Calvin or Stafford to long injury. What do you think?

After 10 years...

 THE LIONS ARE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!!

Respectability and the prospect of a good game has returned to Ford Field. In fact, it is the first time (apart from Vikings-Giants last year) that Ford Field will be on MNF.

The mojo continues to change :)

Restore the roar...

Marlow Wolves Flag Tournament 1 - Cadet report

A Wolves Cadet team with high expectations going into the season went to Solihull on April 16th to open the season. The team was missing QB Ben Truchard, WR Josh Osborne and Safety Joe Miller. Rookie Connor Crowe was starting at QB and the extravagant Jordan Barras is the only player on the 2011 squad who started the Britbowl against Studley last September.

GAME 1 - COVENTRY JETS - WON 20-0

Jets began on offense and a deep pass was intercepted by Jordan Barras playing safety. After 2 great runs by rookie running back Marty Filipov Jordan Barras took the ball 14 yards for a TD. The 2 point conversion was ran in by Barras for an 8-0 lead. The Wolves then intercepted the football and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. The xp was no good but the Wolves led 14-0 with little time left.

The Wolves got the ball back again and drove to the 4 yard line, then on 4th and goal Crowe connected with rookie receiver Josh Hall for a magnificent grab in the corner of the endzone. Connor's first touchdown pass and Hall's first touchdown catch. The game finished 20-0 and the Wolves were 1-0 to start the season.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Josh Hall was fully extended and kept his foot in bounds to bring in an amazing TD.

PLAYER OF NOTE - Marty Filipov was fantastic at running back for his rookie game.

GAME 2 - STUDLEY BEARCATS - WON 13-0

The Bearcats and Wolves were featuring almost entirely new teams to those who started the Britbowl. As they were down to too few healthy players to play so forfeited the result, taking the Wolves to 2-0. They partnered with Coventry to play a friendly which the Wolves won 13-0 after 2 Jordan Barras TDs and an extra point.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Jordan Barras' TD run went for 40 yards when he cut back across the field and outran the safety to the corner of the endzone.

GAME 3 - CHORLEY BUCANEERS - LOST 14-6

The Wolves saved their worst for last and played well below par against a good Chorley team that finished the day 3-0 and tournament champions. The Wolves played their part in the deteat with poor execution, bad line ups, missed exchanges, a TD called back for a penalty and Jordan Barras ejected from the game and suspended for the next tournaent. The Bucs running back was on fire, scoring on a beautiful rushing TD. They also scored on a reverse and gained a 2 point conversion off a play action pass. The Wolves tackling was poor and they were outplayed in every department. However they will only improve looked great in their first outing of the season, finishing 2nd and getting off to a promising 2-1 start.

Wolves flag tournament 1 - Junior report

JUNIOR REPORT - TOURNAMENT 1 - 16/04/2011, MIDLANDS UK

The Marlow Wolves Juniors got off to a 1-4 start on opening weekend and a tough first day. 3 losses were decided by one touchdown but the signs are there that the Wolves will not just compete this year, but as they come into there own, they will win plenty of games.

The Wolves went into the tournament with only 1 player over 13 years old going against players 14 and 15 years old. The juniors also started 5 rookies so there is plenty of room for improvement and growth and with the exception of the match with the London Blitz, they were in every game until the end.

GAME 1 - LONDON BLITZ - LOST 51-0

The Wolves were outmatched on every level against a bigger, older, more experienced and more athletic Blitz team that elimated last year's first placed Wolves in the playoffs. The Wolves only fielded 1 player from last year's team. The Blitz got off to a flying start scoring on their first 2 possessions, they then returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns. Their zone defense with a spy linebacker shut down the short passing game constantly leaving the Wolves in 3rd and long situations. The age/height difference then left the Wolves throwing deep passes against much bigger defensive players, leading to 5 interceptions, 4 returned for touchdowns.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Barnaby Smith hauling in a heroic pass, wresting it away from a linebacker who looked to have intercepted it. It kept the Wolves in possession and was a heads up offensive play with courage and determination.

PLAYER OF NOTE - Eddie Ntahira was a good 2 years younger than the receiver he marked but chased him endlessly never giving up on a lost cause.

GAME 2 - STUDLEY BEARCATS - WON 17-12

The Wolves then went up against the Bearcats team they faced in last year's cadet championship game. Both squads featured plenty of those players meeting for the first time since. The Wolves controlled the game but were hanging on at the end as time expired, retaining the ball on 4th down and running out the clock for thier first win of the season. After forcing a 4 and out the Wolves drove for a first down through good running before a great rushing TD by rookie Dan Pierce in his first tournament as a wolf. Eddie Ntahira then caught a magnificent conversion off a tipped pass in the corner of the endzone to ake it 7-0.

The Bearcats then quickly scored after a deep ball downfield had been caught by their tall receiver. Dan Ramsdale intercepted the XP and returned it for 2 points and his first score of the year to make it 9-6. The Wolves then scored again thanks to a debut rushing TD by rookie George McCarthy in his first tournament. However, with time becoming a factor the Bearcats scored to bring it to 17-12 but the Wolves were able to run out the clock thanks to a first down conversion by Dan Ramsdale off a clever reverse play.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Dan Ramsdale's conversion return gave the momentum back to the Wolves after the Bearcats had just scored a touchdown

PLAYER OF NOTE - Lewis Edis scored a great touchdown run only to have it called back for a flag guarding penalty but he ran well all day and has improved immensely every tournament.

GAME 3 - COVENTRY COUGARS - LOST 13-6

This was the game that got away. The Wolves had the chance to turn the nightmare start into a 2-1 turnaround but let the game slip in sad circumstances. The Wolves had done such a great job to pick themselves up and win game 2 after being so dejected in the opening loss and now were turning it on with great football.

The Cougars opening posession resulted in -1 yard giving the Wolves 1st down on their own 5 yard line. The Cougars then immediately intercepted the football to take posession on the Wolves 18 yard line. Callum Dean, playing safety for the first time in his career then intercepted the football to take the ball back and save what looked to be a bad situation.

Charlie Clymo then threw a beautiful pass to Dan Ramsdale who gained huge yards after the catch to put the Wolves ahead with his first touchdown of the tournament. The extra point was dropped in the back of the endzone though keeping the score at 6-0. With the Cougars now having their last posession of the game all the Wolves needed was a stop. They had the Cougars at 4th and 25 but inexplicably gave up a huge run for a 1st down. They then had the Cougars at 4th and goal on the 6 and gave up the game tying touchdown with hardly any time left. The Cougars receiver then made a phenomenal catch in the corner of the endzone off a tipped pass to give the Cougars a 7-6 lead.
The Wolves now had to score and after a beautiful run by Jamie Ainsworth got a first down off a 20 yard catch by Dan Ramsdale. The Wolves had the opportunity but after a dropped pass and a sack ended up 4th and 30 with the final hail mary pass intercepted and returned for an unfortunate 13-6 defeat. The Wolves had the game by the neck and lost it to fall to 1-2.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Callum Dean's crucial interception to keep the scores level early on.

PLAYER OF NOTE - Dan Ramsdale bossed the game at receiver and came up big again and again.

GAME 4 - CHORLEY BUCANNEERS - LOST 15-7

The Wolves picked themselves up and faced eventual tournament champions Chorley Bucs. After going a touchdown down early, quarterback Charlie Clymo teamed up with Lewis Edis for a fantasic QB option run resulting in Clymo running 55 yards for a magnificent touchdown and his first of the season. However, the Bucs managed to control the game and won 15-7 to move to 4-0 after their 27-25 win over the Blitz beforehand.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Clymo mangificent heads up play, the longest of the day.

GAME 5 - COVENTRY JETS - LOST 13-6

Marlow got off to the worst possible start with Coventry running a trick misdirection play for a touchdown on the first play of the game. They converted the extra point for a 7-0 lead immediately. The Wolves clawed back and Clymo connected with Dan Ramsdale again for a touchdown pass after the Wolves running back committee did a great job getting the first down. However, the extra point pass was dropped wide open at the back of the end zone. This would hurt later on.

Later in the game the Jets fantastic running game controlled the clock, resulting in a 4th and goal situation where the Jets captain caught the deciding touchdown. With time running out after a heroic play by George McCarthy at corner the Wolves ran out of time driving towards the goal to tie the game. Another game that got away and a 1-4 start, which ultimately did not reflect the effort and skill the Wiolves showed.

The next tournament on May 28th will go much better and the Wolves are alive this season.

PLAY OF THE GAME - George McCarthy made 2 heroic back to back pass defenses in the corner of the end zone on 3rd and goal and 4th and goal to give the Wolves the ball back and a chance to win the game late on.

PLAYER OF NOTE - Charlie Clymo, Callum Dean and Jamie Ainsworth recovered well at linebacker after the trick runs were working early on for the Jets to gather the defense and keep the longer balls away from the endzone.

Schedule preview: Broncos have a long road back

Last year I got a first hand look at the Denver Broncos in their International Series match up with the 49ers at Wembley. The lasting image in my head was an unchallenged and clueless Troy Smith throwing a hopeful hail mary up from the halfway line, and a tight end whose name I can't remember just winning the jump ball setting the 49ers up for the go ahead touchdown. Their defense was every bit as poor as advertised and against a better offense than San Franciscos you knew they were going to have big problems. But hey, new coach, new front office and new year, those days are gone right?

I'm sure Josh McDaniels is not the most popular guy in Colorado right now. His reign of terror left a lot to be desired and a lot of the building blocks of the team are gone. The Broncos have some talent to build with but they have far more questions than answers. Champ Bailey is resigned and that was the first order of business. The next will be who is the QB? It has to be Orton surely. Apparently it is. But the road back to the top of the west is long, tough and full of questions. 

Here's a question for you: Is Brandon Lloyd going to be the same model as 2010 or was that a freak year? Will Demarrius Thomas ever be able to recover from his tragic injury? Wide Receiver and Tight End are now huge positions of need, (funny cos Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall were pretty fantastic in 2008 and 2009) What about Knowshon Moreno? Will he ever live up to his high draft status? Ryan Clady is great at tackle but other than that his O-Line needs to be able to make a few more holes for the 26th ranked rushing offense. Peyton Hillis would sure look good back in a Broncos jersey right now! The number 7 ranked passing offense does not tell the full story.

Here is the rather pathetic truth to face up to Broncos fans: that is just the offensive problems the McDaniels era has left you with. Now for the defense...

The Broncos last year ranked last in points per game allowed and yards per game allowed. This is a luxury normally only known by Lions fans. The 31st ranked rush defense is also owned by the Broncos, who now have an aging and underacheiving defense anchored by veterans well past their prime. DJ Williams and Champ Bailey are still full of life but Brian Dawkins is a shadow of his former self. The pass defense was also 25th in the league, so surely defense is where pick number 2 goes. And it could be anywhere, they need run stuffers, pass rushers, defensive backs...They need strength on the inside and the outside. Thankfully they have 4 picks in the top 67, but they need to draft a lot better than thye have the last few years. Can John Elway make this better? He wasn't hired for his scouting experience or front office knowledge.

Does it get any better? Is there any good news? Well, the Chiefs and Raiders and much improved and San Diego is still the best team in the division...so no.

It is going to be a long road back and I don't see them surprising anyone next year, least of all the Lions.

Schedule preview: Don't sleep on the Saints

Yes, their year ended badly and their season never quite got fired up, but don't sleep on the 2011 Saints. They finished 11-5 and threw away a few games (the home opener to the Atlanta Falcons springs immediately to mind) but this team is clearly a contender for the superbowl next year. Any team with Drew Brees manning the attack, and Greg Williams running the defense should be.
This was the first year in a while that the Saints did not finish 1st in the NFL in offense. A good place to start with is the injury to Pierre Thomas. Chris Ivory did a very good job filling in but as he shared carries with Julius Jones the pairing was less effective. Thomas will be back and the Saints will be stronger. Jimmy Graham may well have put Jeremy Shockey out of his job and into Carolina and looks to be an exciting prospect. Basically the Saints should recover quickly here. They have a strong claim to still being the class of the division and will look to wrest their crown back from Atlanta.

When it comes to defense though, there is one play that sums up the year that was. Marshawn Lynch going into 'beast mode'. Somehow breaking 11 tackles on the way to a playoff exiting touchdown does not inspire confidence in the defense of next year. This surely will be what they address in the draft. They have a few studs on the defense: Sedrick Ellis, Jonathan Vilma, Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins. But Roman Harper was no tackling machine last year and the linebacking corps of Scott Shanle and Danny Clark needs upgrading. Will Smith is getting on a bit, as is Alex Brown and a pass rushing lineman would be ideal. Despite finishing 4th against the pass, the Saints were 16th against the run and it is Lynch's devastating run that will be imprinted in the minds of Saints fans.
Don't be surprised at all to see the Saints take a run stuffing lineman or linebacker in round 1 of the draft. Then again don't be surprised if Mark Ingram ends up with the Saints either.

What can the Lions expect when they meet the Saints? I think they have every reason to be confident they can win, but they will be fighting a wounded and angry Saints team looking for some retribution on a disappointing 2010.

20 years on: are the 1991 Lions the best ever?

This season will be the 20th year since arguably the greatest Lions team ever, and definitely the best of the superbowl era. When I mentioned to my wife that the Lions had only one playoff win in the last 20 years she thought I was joking, then took back the laughter as that fact sank in (I later told her that it was the Lions only playoff win...of the superbowl era! Now she knows what she married into!)
I wanted to pay tribute to and reflect on the sheer beauty of that team, the magic and tradgedy of that season, and just how special the Lions were back then. It stands as a sadness that the best the Lions were didn't match up to the power of the greatest Dallas and San Francisco teams of that decade. Later on the Packers would step up and the Lions were continually good, but not good enough. It is sad and tough. The Lions would slowly orchestrate their own destruction with letting good players go, then good coaches, then hiring Millen at the start of a new decade and post-Barry era...and the rest is history better forgotten...

The Lions finished the previous season 6-10 and 3rd in the division (sound familiar? I hope so...) They hadn't made the playoffs since 1983 and hadn't had a winning season since. The Lions had 2nd year pro and former Heisman winner Andre Ware who had huge expectations but did not fit as of yet (and wouldn't). Ware had run a lot of the 'run and shoot' offense and it seemed he would fit in Fontes offense whey ran a very exciting Run and Shoot themselves. The Lions had Rodney Pete and Eric Kramer at QB, with Ware not in the starting picture after being beaten out in training camp. They had exciting first round wide receiver Herman Moore added to the offense to go with superstar Barry Sanders in the backfield. In 1990 he was the only Lion in the pro bowl and no one envisaged the year that was to come.
With little to no expectations of what they would acheive the Lions headed off to Washington for the season opener at RFK Stadium, a place they had never won in. The Redskins were the dominant force of the 1991 season and no one came close to stopping the hogs and the Joe Gibbs machine. The Lions were embarassed 45-0. However, fight was there. Late in the 4th quarter with the Redskins in the redzone running out the clock Chris Spielman was screaming to Riggins and Rypien to bring it, rather than let the clock expire. Wayne Fontes is maybe the greatest Lions coach ever, he had a way with the team that would be sorely missed later in its absence.
If there were no expectation before week 1 then after the thumping by the Redskins no would be laughed off for expecting the poor start to continue. However, the Lions were then 5-1 by the bye week with Rodney Peete and Barry Sanders running a slick offense with dynamic receiving corps of Brett Perriman, Herman Moore, Willie Green and Mike Farr. Not to mention that Mel Gray was one heck of a kick returner. The Lions had 3 division wins including a demolition of Tampa. Inconsistency reigned though. Following their bye week San Francisco destroyed Detroit. Then the Lions ripped Dallas apart at home, but at great cost. Rodney Peete was lost for the season with a knee injury. Eric Kramer, journeyman QB took over instead of Ware but in his first 2 starts the Lions lost to Chicago and Tampa to fall to 6-4.

In week 12 at home to the LA Rams, Mike Utley suffered a horrendous spinal injury. Unknown to him, he gave a thumbs up sign to the crowd as he was stretchered off the field. His injury left him paralysed from the waist down. For the rest of the season the players wore number 60 apparel on their helmets and the thumbs up sign became a rallying cry. The Lions won out the remaining 6 games including a decisive win over Chicago and a win over the superbowl bound Buffalo Bills in week 17. They finished the season with a 12-4 record which is still their best ever, and the first (and only) division title of the superbowl era. Finishing 2nd in the NFC the Lions gained a first round bye and a rematch at home with Dallas in the divisional playoffs.

How would they fare without Rodney Peete tearing up Dallas? The Cowboys had just won their first playoff game since 1992 and were looking good. They set up their game to stop Barry Sanders who had over 1500 yards in 1991. Eric Kramer however, would have the game of his life. He threw for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns with Barry Sanders closing the game out with a 47 yard touchdown run. January 5th 1992 is a day Lions fans will never forget and is 'that game' that we keep talking about. In the second quarter Mel Jenkins picked off a Troy Aikman pass and returned it for a touchdown. The Lions scored 24 unanswered points and shut out Aikman, Emmit Smith and Michael Irvin in the second half in a rout in Pontiac. Everything went right in that game. Spielman intercepted a pass as the Lions forced 4 turnovers, and Barry Sanders broke free for a 47 yard touchdown run to round it off.

With this the Lions finished the season undefeated at home in the Thunderdome. They were unbeatable indoors. The Lions were in their first NFC Championship and anything seemed possible. The emotional rollercoaster of a season had led them this far and would even be able to carry them through RFK and an unstoppable Redskins team. If the divisional playoff game was one where everything went right, then the NFC Championship was the complete opposite.

Truth be told I have watched this game many times. It is hard to watch and the second half I have only bothered to watch once. It is tough watching a disconsolate Barry Sanders on the sidelines, watching a sad Ray Crockett marching off the field surrounded by joyous Redskins players, tough watching Andre Ware try and see out the game and make something of his opportunity (throwing a pick six to Darrell Green as he does it).
The Lions started badly, Kramer being sack fumbled in the first 2 minutes and intercepted on the second series. But then he found his groove and the Lions pulled back to 10-7 and were down 17-10 at halftime. But credit to the Redskins, it really was their year and they completely dominated the second half. Kramer was sacked 5 times and constantly had to change the line under the immense pressure being shown up front. Charles Mann was a beast and rookie right tackle Scott Conover was bullied. The Lions receivers along with Barry were finding their game in the first half and beginning to turn things round but once the contest had left them the Lions couldn't play catch up. It was a very sad way to end the season and that team would never quite return.

When you look at the team the Lions had that year, you can't help but think "Wow..." That was a truly underrated team and it never quite recovered after that magical ride. Dallas and San Francisco rose to prominence while Tampa and Green Bay would rise in the division.

Part of the issue is Ford would never let Fontes get comfortable in the coaches seat. The Lions could not add to the squad around Barry Sanders to build a championship team. At the quarterback position the Lions had good but not great players in Scotty Mitchell and Charlie Batch. This also held the team back but for me the main issue was far too many good players were allowed to leave. Willie Green and Ray Crockett both won superbowls with Denver later on and we all know how the story ended with Barry. Saving money by letting good players leave for greener pastures is not how you win the superbowl. Couple that with poor drafting and you can see why Barry left.
What can we learn for today from the best year the Lions ever had? Comparing this brilliant team to the 2008 Lions makes you sick. But in the Lions of 2010 we have a lot of the magic the 1991 team had. Imagining the Lions in the NFC Championship game is hard, but gosh can't you just see the future Herman Moore, Bennie Blades, Mel Jenkins, Brett Perriman, Chris Spielman, Willie Green, Mel Gray and Barry Sanders on the Lions team today..?

Believe 2011. Go Lions win!

Lions draft scenarios...the WHAT IF game

No-one said that picking at 13 would be easy. It has only become more complicated as players stock has soared then fallen. Let us observe the Lions fan predicament recently:
- We want Akeem Ayers! - Then a poor combine showing and the rise of others makes him a reach at 13.
- We want the Prince! - now it looks like there is no way he falls to 13.
- We want Jimmy Smith! - now his serious character issues are leading to GMs and scouts referring to him as a "piece of %*@"£
- We want Tyron Smith - now everyone wants Tyron Smith and he seems like one of the more 'can't miss' hits of the draft and a sudden temptation to Dallas and Minnesota.
Scary huh? What if all our heart's desires on draft day are gone by 13, no-one we like is there, and all we can do is reach?

And now we are stuck in a no man's land. An uncertain country of not really having any clue who will fall, who will fit and where the 13th pick will go. MaySchwartz will simply follow their mantra of drafting the best player available. It was easier in the past but it has steadied the ship and got us this far in 2 short years. And we stand seemingly on the verge of playoff football again.

However, we have been slightly kidding ourselves. Fooling ourselves into thinking that if we just get 1 or 2 pieces we are at the door of the Superbowl. The Lions need depth and quality across the board with the exception of quarterback and defensive line. This year we have a draft of real elite prospects at the defensive line who may slide to 13. That just doesn't happen very often and we cannot pass on one if they slide.

But here is what we do have: We have a coaching staff that has gone from Texas to Florida through Carolina via a host of other pro days scouring the nation for every bit of detail available. According to the 2006 book "The Draft" Matt Millen was villified for not even interviewing prospects he drafted. Mayhew couldn't be more his opposite!

In Jim Schwartz we have a man buying into a certain type of player to fit his scheme and philosophy. No flash, bang, burnout...just pure football in the Kyle Vanden Bosch/Matt Stafford mould. We can rest easy knowing full well that, no we don't have the answers, but the front office and coaching staff are truly brilliant at what they do, and they WILL find a gem in rounds 1 and 2 that will be pieces contributing towards a winning organisation.

We can play the 'what if' game and confound ourselves but these Lions' staff will not be confounded.

Schedule preview: Just how good ARE the Falcons?

Franchise quarterback? Check...
Feature back? Check...
Hall of fame tight end? Check...
Multiple pro bowl players? Check...
Division title? Check...
NFC number one seed? Check...
Great head coach with a winning record...Check...soooooo...what's missing?
Oh yes, humiliating home playoff defeat floor wiping by the eventual superbowl champions...CHECK!

So for a team that finished mostly high in the pack in offense and defense the Falcons need to face up to reality that they squeeked a few wins last year, won lots of close games and perhaps they aren't as dominant as they thought they were. People were giving them grief for them not really being the number 1 seed. Falcons fans complained of being disrespected and having earned the right to be feared more. There was lots of "why isn't Matt Ryan in conversation for being the best QB?" and then fears were confirmed when Green Bay silenced the dome and crushed the dreams.

Up until 2009 the Falcons had never had back to back winning seasons. They have had 3 in a row since the tragedy of 2007 and goodbyes to the Vick era. The Falcons are for real and will be around for a while, but until they can add to their pass rush and learn to shut down the passing attacks of the likes of the Saints and Packers they will be also rans during this stage. The only talk of the draft for so far has been a corner or pass rushing end/linebacker and that has to be the way they go.

When the Falcons visit Ford Field they will get more than they bargain for. The good times are rolling in Georgia but they are just set to start in Motown too. How the Falcons fare this year will have a huge amount to do with how they recover from the debacle that was the NFC divisional playoff.

Schedule preview: Can Carolina leap back into relevence?

Are Carolina going to do a St Louis? Will they draft a new QB and instantly flee their sorrows and become a competitive team? Now I don't think they were anywhere near as bad as the 0-16 Lions, but they were lucky to face a 49ers team that gave them a game last year. They have some talented young pieces, and I key on the word "young" as they were very young across the board last year; young, unprepared and inexperienced.

With that in mind it is hard to guess as to how long the road back is. Throw in the fact that they could lose DeAngelo Williams and it gets harder. I remember the Lions wanted to trade for Ken Lucas when Schwartz first joined and he laughed the Lions off saying "heck no! Never!" Bet he wishes he could change his tune now...

The fact is the Panthers are in this position because they draft and manage their squad extremely poorly. You cannot continually trade away future picks like they do. In 2008 they traded back into the first round to grab tackle Jeff Otah. Good player, except they gave up their 2009 first round pick to do it. So then in 2009 they give up their 2010 second round pick to trade back into the bottom of round 3 (!) and take wide receiver Armanti Edwards...just 11 selections after taking a capable wide receiver in Brandon Lafell. Armanti Edwards' career stats so far? No receptions, 1 rushing attempt for 7 yards, and one fumble! They then lose Julius Peppers in free agency and apart from rookie DE Everette Brown they can't fill that gap. Now they have had a nightmare season and pick first in the draft and instead of picking 1st and 33rd they pick 1st and have a long wait...and who has their 1st pick in round 2? New England! A team whose draft strategy is the complete opposite of theirs, and has the success to back it up.

The front office has also pushed the team to the very limits of it's cap with boneheaded moves. It gave Jake Delhomme upwards of $14 million a year on a 5 year extension after he'd dumped them out of the playoffs with 6 turnovers, leaving them no money for Peppers when he became a free agent. They have just not had the cap space to sign anyone in free agency as they have pushed things so far. They did well to pick up Jeremy Shockey on the cheap though so maybe the penny has dropped finally...

I personally thought grabbing Clausen was a great decision but he needs help and weapons badly, as well as a defense that won't allow him to be under so much pressure. Given the opportunity to develop properly he has the tools to succeed.

Ron Rivera will improve the defense massively for starters. He did an amazing job at Chicago and San Diego as DC, but he sure does have his work cut out for him in Carolina.