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    Super Star

    How not to handle young quarterbacks

    Sunday, December 6, 2009, 11:50 PM EST [NFL]

    I know that most of you here at the "new" Fox Sports blogs don't know much about me. I used to post regularly before college got in the way. But I will give you a bit of background on me. I am a Detroit native, but that doesn't mean I'm a homer. I criticize my local teams all the time, especially one certain NFL team, the Losers, er Lions.

    The Lions have given plenty of reasons to laugh at them over the years; they last won a title when my dad was a baby (1957), and have but one playoff win since that time. But I really had a glimmer of hope when Jim Schwartz was hired as coach. After all, he had good success as the d-coordinator with the Titans, and after a historic 0-16 season, he couldn't be worse than Rod Marinelli!

    But the last two games (against the Packers and Bengals) have me wondering what the heck he was smoking. Why, when the game is hopelessly out of reach, are you leaving #1 pick Matthew Stafford in the game? For those of you who didn't watch the game (which means pretty much the whole country) Stafford hurt his shoulder again, and was taken out of the loss to Cincinnati. To be quite frank, I'm surprised Stafford wasn't hurt sooner.

    But that's besides the point; what exactly does Schwartz think he's gaining by leaving Stafford in? The chance to lose by only two touchdowns instead of three? Did he watch how Sam Bradford put in jeopardy his NFL career by injuring his shoulder twice? This either shows that Schwartz believes in EXTREMELY tough love, or an extreme lack of confidence in Daunte Culpepper (probably both).

    Look, I know Culpepper is washed up and that he'd probably lose every start, but at this point, with a 2-10 record, that's not a problem. Stafford has gained valuable experience, and he needs to be completely healthy to achieve better things in the years ahead. Schwartz needs to be willing to fall on his sword and be willing to finish 3-13 or 2-14 to build with Stafford. Otherwise, you're right back where you started.

    Here's hoping that Jimmy knows the old axium "Rome wasn't built in a day".

    0 (0 Ratings)

    My List: Top Ten Alternative Punishments that could have happened to Vick

    Friday, August 14, 2009, 06:32 PM EST [NFL]

    Well, Michael Vick is once again in the NFL. In a sorta surprise move, he landed in Philadelphia, signing a 2 year deal worth nearly $7 million in base salary form the Eagles. Indeed. I was surprised because some thought he might sign with a lesser profile, less pressure-filled environment. Going to Philly is akin to Barry Bonds signing with the Yankees or Donte Stallworth signing with the Lions (oops, forget that one!). But I won't begrudge him; if TO could (briefly) be loved in Philly, Vick has a chance to win fan support.

    But, for those of you who can't stand the fact that Vick is back, have no fear! Here's a list of things you probably would have preferred happen to Vick:

    10. The "Wildcat" formation eats him alive!: Wouldn't that be the ultimate irony?

    9. Jose Canseco says in his next book he injected Vick with steroids!: It just seems like a natural step for Jose, doesn't it?

    8. Have Vick sit in a room, and listen to Skip Bayless talk nonstop for ten minutes: There's nobody in the world who can stand up to that pressure!

    7. Have him on the new "Shaq Vs" playing football...and have him try to tackle Shaq!: Wouldn't that be like what Kobe said one time; a Ferrari running into a brick wall?

    6. He signs a multi-year deal to play for and coach the Clippers: He'd rather be in jail than endure that!

    5. Have him watch a soccer match: Sorry, I just plain hate soccer!

    4. Have him hire Trevor Ariza's agent: If he ran negotiations, Vick would've landed in the UFL!

    3. Have him work at a Home Depot: That would be so ironic; to work at Arthur Blank's old stomping ground! I just wish Blank still owned it.

    2. Have him star in a reality-show version of "The Fugitive": Can you just see him looking at Tommy Lee Jones saying "I don't care." when he says "I didn't mean to kill my pets!"?

    And finally...

    1. Have him play for the Detroit Lions: Technically, they aren't an NFL team!

    What say you about Vick's return? Will he be eaten alive, or will he give Philly fans a reason to cheer? Leave me a comment. And it's great to be back after a month in dry dock! See ya later!

    2.3 (4 Ratings)

    Whose to blame for Lions' woes

    Thursday, November 23, 2006, 10:09 PM EST [NFL]

    Today, in another display of Thanksgiving ineptitude, the Detroit Lions lost to Miami 27-10 as Joey Harrington burned his former team for 3 TDs. During the game, frustrated fans started a familiar chant of "Fire Millen!" in reference to the embattled president of the ball club. As a lifelong Detroit resident, lets put things in perspective. Yes, Millen's record as the prez is terrible (23-68 after today) and yes he did draft badly (Harrington, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams) but lets say he is fired after the season. Then what? I say when things are always bad, you must look at the top, which means you must look at the Fords in charge. That family has owned the franchise for 42 years now, and exatly how many titles have they won? Zero! And the team has just one playoff win in those years to boot. They've hired too many coaches to count, and they hired Millen despite having no experience as a executive and have allowed his reign of terror to continue into a sixth season. So I ask you, who is to blame for this disaster and how would you fix it?
    0 (0 Ratings)