PocketJacks's Blog

Detroit Lions 2008 Season

By PocketJacks | View all Posts
Posted Wednesday, September 03, 2008 04:31 PM

28 comments

What do you say boys? Time for a little bit of Football, by far my favorite sport.

Since the Lions are my hometown team and I have followed them since I started playing football when I was 10 yrs. old, I decided to start a blog. I will talk about the past weeks game as well as the upcoming game.

Feel free to chime in with whatever you boys want, good or bad. I am a big boy and can take it......plus, the Lions have been bad for some time now, so I am use to hearing from all my friends.

When going into this season I saw a team that went 7-9 last year and did absolutely nothing to improve on their team.....then training camp came.

Their D looks so much better than I thought it would. Their O looks more balanced (even though they only avg. 3.4 yds. per carry in the pre-season), they ran the ball an average of about 23 times per game last year.....this pre-season alone they averaged 31 carries.

This more balanced O will help keep the pass rushers off of Kitna. He didn't face any real pressure all pre-season. The addition of Rudi Johnson will help.

The D should benefit from the O holding onto the ball for more sustained drives, thus making them more fresh when they come out. This D was ranked last in the league last year. From what I have seen in the pre-season, they should improve to middle of the pack, this will have me putting some coin on their Over win total this year of 6.5.

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Lou says:

09/03/08 08:05PM

Your Detroit sports coverage will be a great addition to Covers blogs.

We've added you to Covers featured members blogs section, so you'll get the front page recognition it deserves.

Lou

PocketJacks says:

09/03/08 08:15PM

Thanks Lou.

I try to provide as much valuable info as I can about the teams I follow closely.

Hopefully it will help those out that are looking to bet on Detroit teams make some more educated plays on or against my home teams.

Cheers.

kuddish says:

09/04/08 05:11AM

This is what I'm talking about Pocket!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weathered says:

09/04/08 09:54AM

Good Stuff PJ

I'm looking forward to keeping up with your blog.

...congrats on being on the Covers front page!

PocketJacks says:

09/04/08 10:53AM

It appears that Rudi Johnson did not suffer any soreness in his hamstring after going through practice yesterday.

He will be playing in Sunday's game and should give Detroit a nice little 1-2 punch at RB with Kevin Smith starting. It is yet to be seen if the Lions can grind out 4,5, & 6 yards per rush, but between these 2 backs, I expect to see rushing attempts in the 30's and if that happens, it will be about 10 more than what they averaged last year.

Running the ball is going to open up some 1 on 1 match-ups for Roy Williams and Clavin Johnson.

Rudi said the hardest thing for him to do is picking up the playbook quickly, but Kitna is working with him on it and relating it to Cincinatti Bengal terms, since they both played there together and some of the palys and blocking schemes are similar, just different terminology.

Glad to see Kitna stepping up and helping Rudi get as prepared as possible for Sunday's game.

george19 says:

09/04/08 05:34PM

Lions should win 7 games this year. Roy will post big numbers in his last year as a Lion and Calvin Johnson will turn some heads. Rudi gives them a vet in the backfield and Kevin Smith gives them speed (he may end up being a 3rd down back if Rudy steals the job). Kitna will put them in both good and bad spots. When lions get behind Kitna tries to make plays that he just can't make. If the Lions can get on the board 1st in a lot of games their win total should be better than most think. I would say that a 7-9 season is about right. They play a tough schedule but if you watch the lions regularly you know that they play better against good teams. 7-9

FreezyF says:

09/05/08 08:38AM

Yeah, to me this season is gonna be a success. We don't need much for it to be in Detroit. :)

I really like the lions at -3 in the ATL Week 1. I would hop on that line cause its gonna move to a 3.5 or a 4.

Megamaniak says:

09/07/08 01:28AM

Megamaniak says:

09/06/08 10:27PM

Yea... I like 'em tomorrow against the Vickless Falcons.

But.. seven wins man, you're hoping on the push, right?

I'll be eyeballing your Detroit views and inside information. Good stuff.

Buenos Suerte my friend.

PocketJacks says:

09/07/08 04:04AM

Megamaniak,

Got them at 6.5 Mega, so 7 would be a win. Before the pre-season started, I said I was laying off their win total, taking under with a gun to my head.

But, once the pre-season started, I started to see how those vets on D are making a difference and the rushing attempts going up and Kitna taking shorter drop steps makes me feel they can at least match last years win total.

PocketJacks says:

09/07/08 04:14AM

Well, just as I thought. Season kicks off in 9 hours (well, it kicked off on Thursday, but for most, the season starts today) and I can't sleep.

Drank my ass off today watching College Ball from Noon until the Texas game ended.

I feel like I have drank red bull all day rather than Capt. Morgans, cause I am WIDE awake. Figured I would come on here and post my props and futures. Futures are kind of square for Super Bowl, but I feel that those will be the two teams in it, so I bet them.

Detroit Over 6.5 For 5 Units

Bears Under 8 For 3 Units

Detroit to win NFC North +550 For 1 Unit

Dallas to win SB +600 For 1 Unit

Chargers to win SB +700 For 1 Unit

I believe that Minnesota will win this division. But, I also feel that Detroit has the best QB in this division and with the improved D that I have seen, think that at the nice number I will throw a unit on it for value alone.

Don't like betting on two team win totals that are in the same division, but I see these 2 teams as going in opposite directions. I believe that the totals on these 2 should be reversed. Bears are going to be just awful this year. 8 is about 3 too many wins for them.

Please feel free to comment and/or pick apart my props and futures. I welcome all discussion.

Cheers boys, and may all of you be profitable this season.

BlueAgave says:

09/07/08 10:21PM

Just as expected they never disappoint. They let a rookie quarterback destroy them on the first play of the season. Nothing more needs to be said !

Detroit to win the NFC North ? I sure don't want any of what you're smoking !

As far as your defense goes, nothing changes, they got shredded again !

220 yards on the ground by one running back alone and a rookie quarterback makes Kitna mad as hell and possibly cry and almost outplays him.

I don't even want to know what the total yards against was, but it's embarrassing as usual.

How many guys appear to come off the field hurt again 6,7 ?

Rod Marinelli has the boys he wants now though

Welcome to the 2008 Detroit Lions Season !

BlueAgave says:

09/07/08 10:48PM

Also a little tidbit from NFL.com

Noteworthy

Falcons rookie Matt Ryan became the first quarterback to throw a TD pass on his initial NFL attempt since New England's Michael Bishop accomplished the feat against Indianpolis on Oct. 8, 2000

Megamaniak says:

09/09/08 01:08PM

Yea... outright garbage... I'm glad I layed off, almost fired on them.

To out-coached and out-played by rookies.

Hope you bounce back man, I'm growing tired of the Packers already. They are on MNF four fuckin' times this year?!!!

PocketJacks says:

09/10/08 02:28PM

That D looked HORRIBLE. They go from giving up a little over 8 points per game in the preseason to 21 in the first quarter.......to the Falcons.

Now, the starters don't play very much in the pre-season, but to give up so little points in the pre-season then a boat load to the Falcons is just shameful.

The Lions fell down big so early, that they couldn't continue to run the ball like they wanted to. They were driving in their first drive of the second half and could have made it a game, and then Kitna throws an INT inside of the Falcon's 20 yard line. Talk about a game changer.

Last year after getting whopped on the road, they would come back at home and win, don't know if they can do that this year, but we shall see.

I will be back later in the week to look at Sunday's game with some thoughts.

PocketJacks says:

09/11/08 02:05PM

Seems like the Lions are going to make some changes before the Packers game.

Leigh Bodden will start at corner for Travis Fisher....but Fisher and Brian Kelly will rotate in to keep them all fresh. Rookie LB Dizon will see more playing time (he saw 14 snaps last week). He has the physical skills, but during camp would make mistakes that would leave the field wide open. In the Tampa 2, the MLB runs it all, and Dizon had no mistakes in last weeks game, so he will get more playing time.

Daniel Bullocks will see more time at Safety, and might even start. He was out last year with a torn ACL. What I have seen of this kid, he has good ball instincts, always seems to be around it.

On Offense, they are looking to start Manny Ramierz at right guard over Peterman. Peterman is horrible, but Manny has never made a start before.

I will update more throught the week.

Cheers

PocketJacks says:

09/11/08 03:42PM

Offensive Coordinator Jim Colleto says that rookie Tackle Cherilus will get playing time this week against the Packers. Foster will still start, but Cherilus will rotate in.

Kapman plays on that side, the Rook is going to have his hands full when he comes in.

PocketJacks says:

09/13/08 06:54PM

Well boys, another Sunday is upon us.

I am going to the game tomorrow. Have a fifth of Captains, a pint of Zambuka (sp is all wrong, but I don't feel like going to get the bottle right now), picked up some shrimp cocktail and some chili con queso dip. The rest of the boys better bring the meat (that don't sound right, but you get what I mean).

Wouldn't touch the side on this game if you threatened me with torture. I will be making a play on the Over in this one. I think both teams are going to move it pretty well.

Last year after getting blown out on the road, the Lions would come home and win. I don't give a damn about that. Everything about the side in this one stinks to me.

Good luck to you boys tomorrow.

PocketJacks says:

09/16/08 03:53PM

Up 25-24 with 7 minutes left in the game.......and then GB scores 24 straight points.

What a joke. Kitna fell apart. They should have started running more when they got the lead. Once again they spotted a team a 21-0 lead.

Now Roy Williams is starting to complain that he isn't getting the ball enough. Losing will do that to a team.

Going to San Fran, and they need a win in the WORST way. If they lose to San Fran, you might see some changes in Detroit over the bye week.

I will be back later in the week with notes for the game.

1-1 betting on Detroit games this year.

PocketJacks says:

09/18/08 04:19PM

FYI, Detroit has not won in San Fran in 33 Years. And we all know how they did on the road in their first game.

Now, they are going up against Mike Martz and JT O'Sullivan....two Lion castoffs from last season.

PocketJacks says:

09/21/08 05:29PM

Oh looky.....9ers have 21.....but somehow Detroit snuck a FG in there....

Come on Over.

PocketJacks says:

09/24/08 03:02PM

I told you if the Lions lost to the 9ers that there would be changes with a Bye-week coming.....and there was.

Matt Millen, the main culpret of all the finger pointing for the Lions woes, was fired today.

This after a couple of days ago Bill Ford Jr. said on tv that if he were in charge, Millen would be fired by now.

I will update more as I find out.

People here in Detroit want Bill Cowher to come over and coach, but a GM is what they need first, and then if he doesn't like the current coach, he can bring in HIS guy.

PocketJacks says:

10/01/08 04:03PM

So, after the Bye Week the Lions decided to make some changes.

Matt Millen is gone......but that change won't help them on the field.

The Lions are last in the NFC in rushing and next to last (Rams) in total offense........so the change they make is......benching Kevin Smith for Rudi Johnson.

This franchise is lost. When you fall behind 21-0, 21-0, & 21-3 in your first 3 games.....how do you expect to establish a running attack and chew up the clock?

If ANY changes were made during the Bye Week, it should have been on the Defensive side of the ball....but, no, we see changes made on Offense.

The Lions are running a Zone Block scheme, and that is what Kevin Smith ran in College, so lets pull him as the starter.

This organization is clueless. The reason why Marinelli doesn't want to make changes on the Defensive side of the ball is because:

A.) He was on the Defensive side of the ball at Tampon Bay and when he came here, D is what he preached.

B.) His Son-in-Law is the Defensive Cordinator, that would make family gatherings a little akward.

C.) Marinelli brought in a shit load of his old players with the Bucs, and admitting there are problems with the Defense would mean he failed.

For making changes on Offense after the Bye Week and making no changes to a D that has your team falling into 21-0 holes before the 2nd Quarter has a chance to get going......says to me he is not the man for this job and that the New GM (whenever he is picked) needs to bring in his own guy and get rid of this enitre coaching staff.

PocketJacks says:

10/02/08 05:33PM

Tommie Harris is suspended for this game.......that will give the Lions some running room.

The OC for the Lions was on the radio today saying he is going to open things up......that means that either Williams and Johnson have over 150 Receiving Yds. each.......or Kitna throws 6 picks and gets pulled in the 3rd Quarter.

With DT Harris being out, they will try to run with Johnson and Kevin Smith (if they let him get some touches this week).

PocketJacks says:

10/03/08 03:40PM

The Lions will have a new starting Guard for this game........Manny Ramierez, a 4th round pick last year out of Texas Tech.

This will be his first start and his first action ever on the offensive side of the ball.

With Harris being out, that should make it a little easier on him.....but, he will have to watch out for Briggs and Urlacher blitzing up the middle.

PocketJacks says:

10/05/08 02:22PM

Well, looks like this time they are behind ONLY 17-0 early on.......guess that is considered improvement considering they have been behind 21-0/21-0/21-3 in their first 3 games.

Maybe these scrubs ARE starting to turn it around (you can't hear the sarcasm in my voice, but it is there).

PocketJacks says:

10/09/08 04:41PM

Kitna went out of the game last week with back problems.

This may very well keep him out of the game this week. Heard a report on the radio today that said either Orlovsky or Stanton could start in Kitna's place.......I would think that it would be Orlovsky.

Stanton missed half of the preseason and some of the regular season because of an injury to his hand. And, Orlovsky was the one that came in to replace Kitna last week.

Minny showed on Monday Night just how many yards they will give up on Offense, but if Kitna is out, I don't see the Lions moving the ball very much......not that they were going to light it up anyway.

Was leaning taking the Lions getting 2 TD's, but if Kitna is out, I will lay off of this game.

PocketJacks says:

10/17/08 10:18AM

Roy Williams is gone and Jon Kitna is on the IR for the year. Millen has been fired.

Change is happening in season for the Lions. At 0-5, they are now looking towards the future.

For this weeks game, Gosder Cherilius (First Round Pick) is benched and George Foster is taking his place (which was Foster to begin the season). Edwin Muatalo might not play on the line this week as well. Cook would take his place.......I know nothing of Cook, so I can't say how much of a downgrade/upgrade this is.

Orlovsky took 80% of the snaps this week and will be the starting QB against the Texans.

Shaun McDonald, who led the team in receptions last year, will be taking over the vacant starting role left by Williams.

The Defense stepped up on Sunday with 5 sacks and only 10 points allowed. After allowing over 30 points per game this year and a TOTAL of 4 sacks on the year, they seem to maybe have finally gotten it.

Houston can put up points, so this D will be tested again.

Houston's D gives up about as many points as the Lions, so we could be seeing a game where the last team to score is the team that wins.

Still not sure if Orlovsky will be able to put up numbers in a shoot-out........9 points is alot for this Houston team to be giving anyone. But, Detroit is known to play extremely bad on the road.....last week being the exception.

Having decided on anything for this game yet, if at all.

PocketJacks says:

10/22/08 07:15PM

Well, they fell behind 21-0 again.....but this time the Offense came back. They didn't win the game, but they did cover that big spread.

Detroit has not score in the first quarter yet this year......and to take it to another extreme, I believe last week when they got a first down in the 1st quarter, it was only like their 2nd or 3rd of the year........yes, I said 1st down.

The Defense stepped up after alllowing 3 TD's on Houston's 1st 3 drives and only gave up a TD after that. But, the Lions O, while showing a little sign of life in this game, couldn't put up enough to finally put them in the win column.

I know I have said that Orlovsky has looked timid and somewhat lost in his 2 starts, but, I heard on the radio the other day that he has numbers that would put him in the Top 10 of the league for NFL passers.

Washtub comes to town this week, and there are still some 7,000 tickets that need to be sold by Thursday afternoon to keep this game from being Blacked out here in Detroit. They have never had a blackout in Detroit since Ford Field opened in 2001.

The last time the Lions won a game against Washtub, the Lions played at the Silverdome and we signed Desmond Howard the night before the game and he returned a punt for a TD.

No leans on this game yet, Washtub seems to have come down to earth these past couple of weeks and the Lions have been protecting the football the last couple of games. Maybe they get their first win of the year at home this Sunday......or at the very least, keep it within a TD.

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