Talent & Execution

If the Detroit Lions were on America's Got Talent, even David Hasselhoff would tell them to go home and find another career, you're not good enough! The Lions loss their 3rd straight game with a horrific 31-13 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Once again the team was down early, and had no chance for a comeback. On offense they made too many mistakes, dropping passes, missing targets, and taking bad penalties. Turning the ball over is also not going to keep you in the game. Jon Kitna played a bad game, got hurt, and now his job should be in question. Rudi Johnson came in for Kevin Smith, who was benched, and actually had a decent game. Probably the one bright spot for the offense. On defense the Lions could not stop the run, or rush the passer. Come on can you at least take care of one! If not you will continue to get the same results week after week.

So the Lions go into the bye week with many questions, and doubts about this team. Can anything be salvaged? When is it time to throw Marinelli off the boat? He didn't help himself by mismanaging the game clock at the end of the 1st half. Sure, I agree, he has changed some things around there for the better. I believe the players are more professional, and have the proper attitudes to succeed. However their execution, which falls on the coaching, is not there. I don't care what they do in practice, if they can't translate it into the games! Let's not fool ourselves, there isn't much talent on this team. Thanks Millen! How is this guy keeping his job? Let's look at the past 4 drafts. All that remains from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 drafts are Calvin Johnson, Dan Orlovsky, and Drew Stanton on offense, and Ernie Sims, Daniel Bullucks, Shaun Cody, Ilaika Alama-Francis, and Gerald Alexander on defense. 8 players, are you kidding me! That's not to mention that Orlovsky and Stanton don't see the field, and Alama-Francis has been a bust. So let's agree for arguments sake that really only Johnson, Sims, and Bullucks have truly contributed to this team. It's too early to judge the 2008 draft, but only Gosder Cherilus and Kevin Smith have gotten any significant playing time. Most of the guys from that draft were deactivated for the 49ers game. The fact is Millen hasn't produced the talent for any coach to succeed.

The Lions had better start scouting the college ranks because it looks like another top 3 pick is on the horizon. Of course their track record doesn't really lead me to believe that the player they pick will do anything different. You have to love Monday mornings if you're a Lions fan!