Lions News

Lions game on Sunday will be blacked out
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November 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Sunday's game against Cleveland will be blacked out on local television because the Detroit Lions did not sell out by today's 1 p.m. deadline. The Lions had more than 7,000 tickets remaining as of Wednesday afternoon, but they declined to give a number today. Eight of the Lions' last 11 home games have been blacked out. Tickets remain for the Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay, but the Lions have not released a figure."
Shaun Rogers: Lions' collapse wasn't my fault
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November 19
Detroit News
 
"The problem child nicknamed "Big Baby" was a big scapegoat at the end of the 2007 season. A 6-2 start and talk of the playoffs disintegrated as the Lions lost seven of their last eight games, marking the beginning of the end of the Matt Millen era. Shaun Rogers, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle with a world of talent that wasn't always on display, was jettisoned in the offseason, traded to Cleveland for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick. And while his new team hasn't found much success since his arrival, Detroit has stumbled to historic depths: a 1-24 record since the 2008 season. "I guess it wasn't all me then," Rogers said Wednesday, speaking to the Detroit media -- something ..."
Louis Delmas cured from not-so-sweet tooth
Comment
November 19
Detroit News
 
"Louis Delmas would like to blame the tooth fairy. But he has no choice but to blame himself for last week's unexcused absence at Minnesota. Delmas, the Lions rookie starting safety, was a late scratch against the Vikings with an infected tooth that flared up and required a root canal and dental surgery last Friday. He fully expected to play after flying with the team to Minneapolis, as pain medication helped reduce the swelling and discomfort. "Even in the hotel that morning, I thought I was going to get by with the painkillers," said Delmas, who'd started the first eight games. "But my jaw just started swelling up before the game and when I went to put my helmet on, I was like, 'No, I'm ..."
Lions get yet another new face in secondary
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November 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions now have added eight defensive backs since Sept. 4. "I thought it was 800," defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham joked Wednesday. "I guess it's eight." The latest is DeAngelo Smith. The Lions signed him off Chicago's practice squad to replace Marquand Manuel, whom they placed on injured reserve with a shoulder problem. Smith plays both safety and cornerback. Drafted in the fifth round this year out of Cincinnati, the 5-foot-11, 197-pounder went from Dallas to Cleveland to Chicago and now to Detroit. The Lions play the Browns on Sunday. "I don't even know his name yet," Cunningham said, joking again. "DeAngelo. I watched him at Cincinnati and thought he was a pretty good ..."
Shaun Rogers won't confirm or deny interest in Lions
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November 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Shaun Rogers returns to Detroit on Sunday with the Browns. But does the Pro Bowl defensive tackle wish he could play for the Lions again -- not against them -- even though he wanted out two years ago? That was the word in August. After former Browns defensive tackle Shaun Smith signed with the Lions, he said Rogers had spoken highly of the guys in the locker room and the staff at team headquarters in Allen Park. "He wishes he could come back here now," said Smith, who was cut Sept. 5. "He misses it. Come on. You've been here your whole career, and you see the talent they're bringing in." So is it true? Rogers rarely spoke to Detroit reporters as a Lion, at least toward the end of his ..."
Lions towel a fine way to show solidarity in losing
Comment
November 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"As the Lions and Browns prepare to put their 1-8 records on the line against each other Sunday at Ford Field, two local fans are commemorating the franchises' decades of futility with versions of the Steelers' Terrible Towel. Emphasis on "terrible." Birmingham residents Gordon Miller and John Crick are selling white towels (naturally), with "The Official We ARE Terrible Towel: A Detroit Original Since 1957" emblazoned in Honolulu blue. They're $10 each -- or less for bigger orders -- and can be purchased online at weareterribletowel.com or by calling 877-442-7935. "It's hard to eat a hot dog or drink a soda with a bag over your head," Miller said in a news release. "With the official We ..."
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford proves toughness amid team's woeful season
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November 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz lauded rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford for handling pressure Sunday at Minnesota and playing through a knee injury the past three games. But Schwartz didn't want to go too far, not in the wake of a 27-10 loss to the Vikings, not when he's trying to keep expectations high and turn around a team in a 2-31 funk. Stafford was harassed, hurried and hit the whole game Sunday. But he escaped some potential sacks, taking just three, and avoided interceptions, after throwing five last week at Seattle. "Thank goodness he did, because it would have looked a lot worse," Schwartz said. "Matt did a really good job of getting away from some of those situations. He did take ..."
Lions sign offensive lineman Melvin Fowler
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November 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions have signed veteran offensive lineman Melvin Fowler, with right guard Stephen Peterman likely sidelined by a right ankle injury. Fowler, listed as a 6-foot-3, 310-pound center, went through training camp with Arizona this year after spending the past three seasons with Buffalo. He played one season for Minnesota and three for Cleveland before that. He has played 87 games, with 60 starts. The Lions have not placed Peterman on injured reserve. They put cornerback Jack Williams on IR to make room for Fowler on the 53-man roster. But coach Jim Schwartz indicated Monday that Peterman could miss some time and said it would be a big loss. In February, the Lions signed Peterman ..."
Drops piling up for Lions
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November 18
Detroit News
 
"It might be difficult to separate the performance of a quarterback from that of his receivers. But it's not hard to see Matthew Stafford's receivers have dropped the ball -- literally and figuratively -- the last few weeks. Who's to blame? Well, Shawn Jefferson, the Lions receivers coach, would like to make one point clear, dismissing one of the criticisms of his team's rookie quarterback. "I think he throws a very catchable ball," Jefferson said. "For a receiver, you want that ball to come in hot. You don't want that ball left up in the air while that cornerback's bearing down on your head." So how to explain the drops that may have cost the Lions a victory against the Rams and proved ..."
Young Lions struggle in latest loss
Comment
November 17
Detroit News
 
"Detroit's youth movement spent much of Sunday's 27-10 loss at Minnesota spinning its wheels. Quarterback Matthew Stafford showed some moxie under duress all afternoon. But tight end Brandon Pettigrew, the Lions' other rookie first-round pick, had two more dropped passes and a costly late-hit penalty. Safety Louis Delmas didn't play in the game -- despite being on the active roster -- because of an infected tooth. Linebacker DeAndre Levy had some glaring missed tackles. And running back Aaron Brown was benched after repeated assignment errors in recent weeks. The Class of 2008 didn't fare much better. Defensive end Cliff Avril was inactive after a poor showing at Seattle -- "I kind of ..."
Lions' Jack Williams done for season; Stephen Peterman also out
Comment
November 16
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions cornerback Jack Williams is out for the season because of a knee injury suffered Sunday at Minnesota. Coach Jim Schwartz said the team would make a roster move shortly to replace Williams, whom the Lions claimed off waivers last week from Denver. Williams, the seventh defensive back the Lions have added since Sept. 4, was injured on his first defensive snap with the team."
Pounding fails to make Stafford go away
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November 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"At least Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford took Sunday's colossal beating with a veteran's toughness and a good sense of humor. "He was joking with me the whole game," Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards said. "He was saying, 'Ray, why you keep hitting me? Stay away from me a little bit.' He's definitely a fun guy. I can see that he enjoys the game." Stafford lost the game 27-10, but the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick seemed to gain a certain amount of respect from some players in the Vikings' locker room. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact Stafford absorbed three sacks, 13 additional knockdowns and at least six dropped passes but kept bouncing back for more. Despite ..."
Paymah, Allen get chances after injury sidelines Sapp
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November 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield was still sidelined because of a right foot injury, and his replacement in the Vikings starting lineup, Benny Sapp, left Sunday's game in the third quarter because of an injured groin. Sapp said he just moved in a weird manner on the play on which he was hurt, and remained on the sideline doing some running. "The trainers, they know what they are doing," Sapp said. "I wanted to go back in, but the trainers were just doing their job." With Sapp out, Karl Paymah got all the snaps at left corner and rookie Asher Allen took over as the nickel back. "You definitely want your best players on the field," Paymah said. "It's going to be beneficial to the team ..."
Lions QB Matthew Stafford gets back up -- again and again
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November 16
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"As far as I can tell, the Lions had two ways to beat the Vikings on Sunday, and both involved witchcraft. The final score was Vikings 27, Lions 10, and the amazing thing is that Minnesota fans seemed disappointed. They seemed to think the Vikings should have won by at least 17 touchdowns, then chewed on Matthew Stafford's limbs to celebrate. Vikings coach Brad Childress said afterward that "we had a chance to put some distance in there and not be sweating as you go to the locker room." In other words: He was ticked the game was not over at halftime. What did Childress hope to do in the second half? Play his walk-ons? This was ugly, but you knew it would be. The Lions lead the NFL in ugly. ..."
Lions12th straight game in the Metrodome
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November 16
Detroit Free Press
 
"In the second quarter Sunday, Lions cornerback Phillip Buchanon fired up his afterburners and caught perhaps the best running back in the NFL, the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. Buchanon went back to what he had learned as an 8- or 9-year-old, playing for the Riverdale Wildcats in Ft. Myers, Fla. "The first thing that flashed in my head was, 'Strip the ball,' " Buchanon said. Buchanon forced a fumble, linebacker Jordon Dizon recovered it in the end zone, and the Lions took possession at the 20. "I was open and swinging the ball, and he came up and punched it out," Peterson said. "You got to give him credit. He made a great play." It was great. It was the Lions' play of the day. There was ..."
Vikings WR Sidney Rice big thorn for Lions
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November 16
Detroit News
 
"Beating the Lions is about as glorious as cleaning out the litter box. It's something necessary and expected, but not always appreciated. But there remains the possibility something wonderfully exciting will happen during this otherwise mechanical exercise. On Sunday, those in attendance saw a landmark performance by Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice, who caught seven passes for 201 yards. Only Sammy White (210), Randy Moss (204) and Paul Flatley (202) have recorded more receiving yards for the Vikings in a regular-season game. At 6-feet-4 and a couple of celery stalks over 200 pounds, Rice appears almost gangly when he lines up at wide receiver. In fact, he's superbly coordinated, which ..."
Lions' Louis Delmas out with tooth infection
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November 15
Michigan Live
 
"Rookie safety Louis Delmas did not start today's game against the Vikings because of an infected tooth. The situation apparently got worse during the team's warmup period. Delmas, who was walking the sideline without his helmet could enter the game -- he's been officially listed as "questionable.''"
Surprising inactives for Lions -- Aaron Brown, Cliff Avril and Landon Cohen
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November 15
Michigan Live
 
"Three players who were expected to play significant roles for the Detroit Lions this season are listed as inactive for today's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie running back Aaron Brown is inactive which could be an indication the LIons are going to go with a power running game and try to control the clock and keep Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson off the field. With both fullbacks -- Jerome Felton and Terrelle Smith -- active, the Lions could use a lot of two-tight end and two-back formations."
Ernie Sims is expected to be back this season for the Lions
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November 15
Michigan Live
 
"There was some speculation earlier this week that Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims, who suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Seahawks, would be out for the season. Sims did not practice this week and was listed inactive for today's game. However, according to team sources I've talked to, Sims is expected to return at some point before the end of the regular season. The Lions have a policy of not discussing injuries publicly. The injury is considered week-to-week and it's the reason the Lions did not place Sims on the injured reserve list."
Vikings' Harvin is speedy, dangerous on kickoffs
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November 15
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Vikings have enough offensive firepower with quarterback Brett Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and company. The Lions don't need to give them a head start today by letting rookie Percy Harvin break free on kickoff returns. Harvin, the No. 22 overall pick this year, ranks second in the NFL in kickoff return average (30.7). The Vikings rank first in average field position after receiving kickoffs (34.9). The Lions rank last in average field position allowed after kickoffs (32.0). "That's going to be one of -- if not the biggest -- keys to winning the game, period, between offense, defense, special teams, is limiting their field position and stopping him," Lions special-teams ..."
Except for a few failures, Lions display dreariness
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November 15
Detroit Free Press
 
"If it wasn't 1-7, it couldn't have been far off. The Lions are coming off the NFL's first 0-16 season. To think they would win more than a couple of games the first half of this season would have been overly optimistic, at best. The Lions have a new coach (again). They have new systems on both sides of the ball (again). They're breaking in a new quarterback (again). Although they have turned over much of the roster - and keep making changes every week - they still have major holes left from the Matt Millen era. Coach Jim Schwartz said in the off-season that the Lions' No. 1 need was talent. He can't say that during the season, because he has to work with the players he has. But he often ..."
Lions have no buyer's remorse for struggling Matthew Stafford
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November 15
Detroit News
 
"Matthew Stafford knew there'd be days like these. So did his coaches. The Lions rookie quarterback endured a nightmarish game last week, throwing five interceptions in a 32-20 loss at Seattle. But what's done is done, and the task now is to try to avoid doing it again. "You don't want to have very many of 'em, but if you play this game long enough, you're gonna have some tough days like that at the quarterback position," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "And you better have a short memory. Because you have to get yourself back on the horse for the next game." Not to beat a dead horse here, but Stafford's next game -- Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings (7-1) at the Metrodome ..."
Lions rookie safety Louis Delmas improving, but 'still making a lot of mistakes'
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November 14
Michigan Live
 
"The more Louis Delmas does, the more he's asked to do. He wouldn't have it any other way. Delmas, a rookie safety from Western Michigan, continues to show improvement as the Detroit Lions' season progresses, but he's still got a long way to go. "I think I'm playing alright, but I'm still making a lot of mistakes," Delmas said. "I haven't been playing my role as the quarterback of the defense, guiding the defensive line and the linebackers and the rest of the secondary to the right spots." Delmas has started every game at safety, one of only three Lions defenders to start in all eight games this season -- linebackers Julian Peterson and Larry Foote are the others. Delmas will be in the ..."
Lions K Jason Hanson fights to keep spirits up
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November 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions kicker Jason Hanson has seen it all before. The eventual slide toward oblivion -- 0-16, 3-13, 2-14 -- has happened time and again over his previous 17 seasons in Detroit.

The Lions are 1-7 and again teetering on the brink of another lost season. Sure, they won't go 0-16 again, but Hanson said if more wins don't come soon, things could sour quickly. "It's a dismal record again and nobody's happy," Hanson, 39, said Friday. "But there's been more often than not some of these games we've fought hard and just either made stupid mistakes or things that you can look to right away and be like, you know, you can't do that if you're going to win. "So the ..."

Can the Lions slow Vikings DE Jared Allen?
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November 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"How do you stop Vikings defensive end Jared Allen?

"Probably shoot him," said Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who once coached him in Kansas City. "I'm saying that in a joking way. I love him. I respect him." If only the Lions had a silver bullet Sunday at Minnesota, so to speak. Allen is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 10 1/2 and, according to Cunningham, is playing the run as well as ever. The last time these teams met, Sept. 20 at Ford Field, Allen had a sack, a forced fumble and three tackles for loss. The Lions put rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew on Allen at times. "Brandon Pettigrew got him pretty good in the first game on a ..."

Winfield aiming for Nov. 22
Comment
November 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, sidelined since for the past month with a fractured right foot, said he hopes to return against Seattle on Nov. 22. Winfield suffered the injury Oct. 18 against Baltimore and has been limited in practice this week. He was officially listed Friday as out for Sunday's game against Detroit. "I've been out the last couple days running on it, testing it," Winfield said. "It's good going forward, but I still have a little problem cutting. But I say next week I should be OK." Winfield said it has been frustrating to miss games, but he understands the healing process. "A lot of guys try to come back from injuries real early, and something else ..."
Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford working out kinks
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November 14
Detroit News
 
"They're on the same page. But they're not quite ready to finish each other's sentences yet. Clearly, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson -- No. 1 and No. 2 picks, respectively -- are the cornerstone pieces to the Lions offense. But they've only had bits and pieces of quality time together in games, which might explain why the offense has been stuck in neutral the first half of the season. It probably explains the overblown exchange between the two caught on camera in last week's 32-20 loss at Seattle. Stafford's third and fourth interceptions were intended for Johnson. On one, Johnson broke inside while the pass went outside. On the other, Stafford's deep ball down the sideline was ..."
Brett Favre back for more vs. Lions
Comment
November 13
Detroit Free Press
 
"The first time the Lions played Brett Favre this season, he was the crusty quarterback making a comeback. He had been with the Vikings for only a month. He was still getting his legs under him and still getting comfortable with his new teammates. Favre completed 23 of 27 passes Sept. 20. He threw two touchdowns, too, as the Lions lost, 27-13. But his longest pass was only 13 yards, and his yardage total was only 155. Now, after turning 40 on Oct. 10, he is playing at an elite level again and could cause major problems for the Lions' struggling pass defense Sunday at the Metrodome. "When we played them early in the season, he was a little bit more game-managing," Lions coach Jim Schwartz ..."
Ernie Sims may miss month or more
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November 13
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions have good news and bad news on the linebacker front for Sunday's game at Minnesota. They will be without Ernie Sims, who has a tear in his hamstring area, but Larry Foote is expected to play despite an knee injury. Both players sat out the portion of practice open to reporters. Sims, who suffered his injury late in Sunday's game at Seattle, said that according to a medical diagnosis, he has a Grade 2 tear, which is a partial tear in the muscle. Sims said he has begun rehabilitation but had no timetable for his return. Recovery for Grade 2 tears often take one to two months, according to medical literature. Rookie DeAndre Levy is expected to start in Sims' place on the ..."
Lions QB Matthew Stafford still recovering from knee injury
Comment
November 13
Detroit Free Press
 
"Ask Matthew Stafford how much his knee injury still is a factor, and he gives a short, quick answer: "It's not." But it is. At least a little bit. And if you prod and pull teeth, the Lions' rookie quarterback acknowledges it. "I'm still getting better at trusting it, I guess," Stafford said. There is a fine line between making excuses, showing weakness and putting things into context, and the Lions must walk it now that Stafford has struggled in two games since his return. Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the draft, started to make strides in a victory over Washington and a strong first half at Chicago. But he suffered a right knee injury in the second half against the Bears and sat out the ..."
Foote says he's playing against Vikings
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November 13
Detroit News
 
"Larry Foote missed a second day of practice Thursday resting a sore knee, but he said he expects to play Sunday when the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham does, too, though he also expects his veteran middle linebacker and captain to play better. Foote was signed as a free agent in May after getting released by Pittsburgh, where he spent his first seven NFL seasons, winning two Super Bowl titles. He had a productive start with his new team, including an impressive showing in the home opener against the Vikings, when Foote had a game-high 10 tackles and a sack. But his play has slipped a bit the last couple weeks, and it hasn't ..."
Lions coordinators have history with Vikings defensive end Jared Allen
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November 12
Michigan Live
 
"Gunther Cunningham was so sure that Jared Allen would become a premier pass rusher in the NFL that he wanted to deliberately break one of his fingers. Allen was a rookie fourth-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004 when Cunningham, who now is defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, held the same job with the Chiefs. "He was drafted to be a deep snapper,'' Cunningham said. "There are a lot of people taking credit for drafting Jared Allen.'' Allen quickly became one of the league's best pass rushers and eventually was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 for a first-round pick and two third-round selections. He is tied for the league lead in sacks this season with 10 ..."
Lions QB Stafford: No feud with Megatron
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November 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"What happens on the bench stays on the bench. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford joined coach Jim Schwartz and wide receiver Calvin Johnson in brushing aside suggestions that he and Johnson had a tiff Sunday. To the casual viewer, Fox's cameras seemed to show Johnson turning his head and giving Stafford the cold shoulder as he tried to talk to him on the bench as things were going to pieces in the 32-20 loss to the Seahawks. "Oh, really?" Stafford said when asked about it Wednesday. He laughed and said it wasn't an issue. Asked why he was laughing, he said: "Because that's funny. I didn't know that happened." Johnson and Schwartz addressed the issue Monday, saying there was no problem. ..."
Lions LBs Foote and Sims, DE White sit out practice
Comment
November 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Three members of the Detroit Lions' starting front seven did not practice today: linebackers Larry Foote and Ernie Sims, as well as defensive end Dewayne White. Foote has a knee injury and White a toe injury, according to the injury report the Lions were required to file. But the severity of the injuries is unknown. Coach Jim Schwartz declined to comment. Sims has a hamstring injury, and he said it was the first of his life, even though he has a background in track. Schwartz said Monday that Sims' injury had "the potential to be significant," language he has used only in reference to long-term injuries. "My body tends to heal up pretty quick," said Sims, who just got over a shoulder ..."
Lions are better, with a long way to go
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November 12
Detroit News
 
"If you don't mind, Jim Schwartz will take a pass on his first midterm exam as the Lions' head coach. And that's probably smart: His 1-7 team would get mostly failing grades right now at the halfway point of the 2009 season. "A coach's focus is so short term, and so to say, 'This is where we were going to be after eight games' or 'This is where we expected to be' -- it never even registered," Schwartz said Monday at his weekly news conference, on the heels of a 32-20 loss at Seattle. "Are we happy where we are? Absolutely not. Do we have a long way to go? Yes, we do. Are we working? Sure. Are we seeing positive signs? Yeah. Are we seeing inconsistencies? Yes. Are there changes to be made ..."
Stafford enduring rookie woes with Lions
Comment
November 12
Detroit News
 
"Matthew Stafford had the type of game in Seattle last week that nearly every rookie NFL quarterback endures at least once. Stafford threw five interceptions, the last returned for a game-clinching touchdown, and had passer rating of 42.2 in a 32-20 loss. Some the NFL's best have been through similar experiences. Peyton Manning threw 11 interceptions in his first four games in 1998 and John Elway threw four interceptions in a game against Kansas City during his rookie season in 1983. "You definitely want to play better; everybody knows I wanted to play better," Stafford said Wednesday. "It's not like I went out there and tried to play as poorly as I did. It's just one of those things ..."
Lions LB Ernie Sims unlikely to play against Vikings
Comment
November 12
Detroit News
 
"Linebacker Ernie Sims was held out of practice Wednesday with a right hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday's loss in Seattle. Lions coach Jim Schwartz called the injury "fairly significant" during Monday's press conference. "As of right now it looks like I'm not going to play this week," Sims said Wednesday. The Lions travel to Minnesota for a 1 p.m. game this Sunday. "I've never had a hamstring injury so I'm taking it day-to-day," Sims added. "I'm hoping God blesses me and lets me get back a little sooner. I hate the feeling of being away from football and not being on the field." It is not clear how long Sims will be out. "They say it takes a good two or three weeks depending on how ..."
Lions safety Loius Delmas is no average rookie
Comment
November 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions rookie safety Louis Delmas has hardly ever been regarded as a rookie this year by his coaches or anyone who has witness his attuned, hard-hitting style of play. Even snagging his first career interception Sunday, Delmas still sees room for improvement. "I think I've been playing all right," he said. "I think I've still be making a lot of mistakes as far as playing a complete defense. I haven't been playing my role as being a quarterback on defense. ... I think I still got a lot to work on and in order for me to do that I've got to get back in the film room." Studying the NFL game has become important in Delmas' transition. He admits there's only so much information he can absorb with ..."
Show
Comment
November 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Even with their three children clustered in the living room, dressed and ready for school, Ken and Sharon Hromada's Sterling Heights home was unusually quiet Tuesday morning. After all, they really had not expected to receive a visitor in this way. The Hromadas' middle child, 10-year-old Michael, had entered an NFL sweepstakes for the league's "Play 60" campaign that promotes daily exercise. The Hromadas were told two weeks ago Michael was one of 34 students chosen among 75,000 entrants who would take an NFL player with them to school. They were thrilled. Then they were told Lions receiver Calvin Johnson -- Michael's favorite player -- would be his guest. They were really thrilled. Shortly ..."
Calvin Johnson visits Sterling Heights school
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November 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"As the black, stretch limousine pulled up to Michael Hromada's home this morning in Sterling Heights, neighbors looked out from their porches. Passing cars slowed. Drivers craned their necks. Hromada's Doberman pinscher, Maximus, even looked like he did a double-take. Calvin Johnson was about to knock. Michael, 10, answered and could barely speak while draped in an oversized version of the Detroit Lions receiver's No. 81 jersey. "Mike, you're not going to faint, are you?" kidded his father, Ken. No, he didn't. But the rest of the Hromada family nearly did when it found out Michael, a fifth-grader at Collins Elementary in Sterling Heights, was one of 34 students chosen among 75,000 ..."
With a little luck and pluck, Lions can finish 3-13
Comment
November 10
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"The Lions are at the halfway point of their season, which means if this were a funeral, it would be time for the eulogy. This is where I come in. The Lions just lost to Seattle. Jim Schwartz said the game was "filled with errors," yet the Lions still had a chance in the fourth quarter. "I don't know whether to look at it as glass half-full or glass half-empty," Schwartz said, and this is also where I come in. The Lions are 1-7, which according to my rigorous statistical formula, puts them on pace for 2-14. The best-case scenario is 3-13. If they go 4-12, we ought to hold a parade, and if they finish 5-11, they should retire the number of every player on the team. Only three teams have a ..."
Injury to Lions' Ernie Sims could be 'fairly significant'
Comment
November 10
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said the right hamstring injury suffered by linebacker Ernie Sims in the second half of Sunday's 32-20 loss in Seattle has the potential to be "fairly significant" pending more tests Monday. Sims was hurt trying to tackle Julius Jones on a 49-yard screen-play in the second half. Sims immediately grabbed his right hamstring while laying face-down on the field and was still walking gingerly on Monday. The right-knee injury to Louis Delmas is not serious, though, which is good news for a banged-up Lions secondary. Delmas said he is day-to-day."
Lions claim cornerback Jack Williams
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November 10
Detroit News
 
"The Lions claimed cornerback Jack Williams, a 2008 fourth-round pick, off waivers from Denver on Monday, releasing cornerback Jason David to make room on the 53-man roster. The team had just signed David last week after placing cornerback Demarcus Faggins on injured reserve. The Lions beat out three teams -- Cleveland, Philadelphia and Indianapolis -- that put in claims for Williams, the Denver Post reported. Williams, who was released by the Broncos when they signed veteran cornerback Ty Law, was splitting time with rookie Alphonso Smith as Denver's nickel back. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound cornerback played in 21 NFL games for Denver the last two seasons."
Calvin Johnson: I'm fine with Matthew Stafford
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November 10
Detroit News
 
"Receiver Calvin Johnson is frustrated. In his first game back from a right knee injury that kept him out for two games, Johnson caught just two passes for 27 yards Sunday in yet another Lions loss, this time in Seattle. Johnson has gone over 100 receiving yards just once (Oct. 4 at Chicago) this season. He has 24 catches for 352 yards and only one touchdown, which is two fewer receptions than running back Kevin Smith. Television cameras caught a visibly frustrated Johnson coming off the field a number of times in Seattle. At one point on the sideline, cameras caught a chilly exchange between quarterback Matthew Stafford and Johnson. Stafford looked like he was trying to talk to his upset ..."
Lions' Louis Delmas not seriously injured; Ernie Sims could miss time
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November 9
Michigan Live
 
"Without actually committing to anything, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz indicated today that the right leg injury to safety Louis Delmas (right knee) was not significant. Schwartz also said all the tests have not been done yet on linebacker Ernie Sims (hamstring), but there is "potential'' that Sims could miss some time."
Latest Lions setback crushing to Foote
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November 9
Detroit News
 
"For linebacker Larry Foote, this is all pretty new, which makes it even tougher. He spent seven seasons with the Steelers and won two Super Bowls, far from the losing the Lions have done over the years. But now they're 1-7 in his first season back home in Detroit, and after a 32-20 loss to Seattle, the pain was especially evident. This was in Detroit's hands and then it was gone, its 17-0 lead wiped out by the relentless short passing of Matt Hasselbeck. Hassleback completed 39 of 51 passes for 329 yards and was sacked only once. Safety Louis Delmas intercepted him once, but there wasn't much the Lions could do to slow him, after he got rolling. At one point, Hasselbeck completed 15 ..."
Coaches opt for young speed over veteran power in lineup against Seahawks
Comment
November 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions went with a younger, more athletic lineup Sunday against the Seahawks, holding veteran linemen Grady Jackson and Jon Jansen out of uniform. Jackson, 36, had played the Lions' first seven games, starting six of them. But he is a 6-foot-2, 345 pound defensive tackle. The Seahawks attempted 51 passes and only 18 runs, and when they ran, they mostly used a zone scheme that forces defenders to run sideline to sideline. "Grady's job is a run-stuffer, and the running game that they give us is draws and Denver stretch plays," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "That's sideways chasing. That's not his forte." The Lions started 23-year-old Landon Cohen, a 6-foot-3, 300-pounder, in Jackson's ..."
Lions drop to 1-7 and lose 16th straight away game
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November 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Trailing by five, backed up on their 5, the Lions still had a chance to win Sunday. They had the ball with 2:03 to go. Time for quarterback Matthew Stafford to make up for everything and lead the Lions to an inspiring, roller-coaster victory. Stafford started moving the Lions down the field, then disaster struck again. He threw another interception -- his fifth of the game -- and safety Josh Wilson ran 61 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Lions' 32-20 loss. The Lions lost their 16th consecutive road game by blowing a 17-0 first-quarter lead. They are 2-30 in their last 32 games. They are 1-7 at the halfway point of this season, tied for the worst record in the NFL. Even though kicker ..."
Stafford-Johnson reunion fails to generate spark
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November 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"For the first time in a month, the Lions had quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson on the field together. But Stafford threw five interceptions and Johnson caught only two passes for 27 yards Sunday in a 32-20 loss to the Seahawks. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Stafford took a step back in that he was too aggressive down the field. Stafford had settled down and taken better care of the ball after throwing five interceptions over his first two NFL starts. "It's frustrating," said Stafford, who went 22-for-42 for 203 yards and two touchdowns. "Didn't play well. Just made some poor throws, really. "I was aggressive sometimes, but if I make a good throw in those ..."
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
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November 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"So at what point did you figure the Lions were going to lose Sunday? When they were leading 7-0, 14-0 or 17-0? Sorry, but the more they were being handed points by the Seahawks in the first quarter, the more I flashed back to 2008. Because whenever things like that happened last season, the only question was how the Lions would blow it this time. And they always did, just like Sunday. How bad was it? At the end, Fox play-by-play man Dick Stockton and color analyst Charles Davis even felt the need to take a couple minutes and express their sympathy for the Lions and their fans, for all they've endured. There, there. "But I do believe they're making progress," Davis said. "I really do." How ..."