The Detroit Lions held the lead heading into the fourth quarter once again this week, but (as expected) lost it. Despite their two and ten record through twelve games, the Lions were able to attract over fifty eight thousand fans out to Ford Field Sunday for their intra-divisional matchup with the geographically attractive Chicago Bears. The latter’s fans were out in full force; partially due to their current position atop the NFC North. And partially due to the ASTRONOMICAL cost of all tickets in their home stadium.
Michigan State product Drew Stanton filled in admirably for the two men above him on the depth chart even though he must have been fuming that his Spartans were left out of the BCS shuffle even though they were Big Ten champions.
By Patrick Herbert
He wasn’t the only one on the roster who filled in admirably in the absence of a starter. Kicker Dave Rayner (Also a Michigan State product!) made both of his field goal attempts- with a long of fifty yards.
It’s the time of the season when players decide whether their injuries are going to cause long term damage or if the amount of pain is manageable. Running back Jahvid Best decided that he could run and it proved beneficial for the Lions. He not only gained sixty five yards on the ground, but he also provided an able target for Stanton on pass play of thirty two yards. His average of over seven yards per rush proves his explosiveness and the reason that he is the featured back even though he wasn’t close to one hundred percent.
Head Coach Jim Schwartz continues to prove that he is a competent and capable coach in the NFL. His clock management was called into question earlier this season in a close defeat, but anyone constantly under a microscope will feel the fire of criticism at some point.
It is imperative to look at the entire body of work before coming to conclusions. His demeanor on the sideline is that of a consummate professional and this carries over to the play of his players. Critics may point to the flag thrown by official Ed Hochuli on Ndamukong Suh to counter the aforementioned point.
League officials must realize that a major reason fans in the desired demographic love football and UFC is because of violence. Unnecessary roughness is a release for the viewer who has had a rough week at the office and has to come home to holiday planning that he has no desire to engage in.
Jay Cutler was the recipient of the blow and it is much more difficult for a defensive lineman to turn off the aggression on a quarterback than the casual fan realizes. Suh has the mindset of a warrior heading to battle on the football field. It is what made him effective at Nebraska and at the professional level.
The Lions brass should not even address the incident with him. It may take away from his strengths and cause him to be apprehensive in the future.