Stevo's Fearless Lions Predictions for 2006

[yostevo 0]

1. QB--- McCown proves in camp that he's got the better arm to get the ball downfield in the Martz system and wins the #1. He's also pretty nimble which should buy himself more room in the pocket to allow the plays to develope. I expect a better than avg. year for him. 20-25 TDs is very likely. Kitna accepts his role as the professional that he's been and remains a competent backup. Orlovsky wins the #3 based upon unknown potential and Shaun King returns to journeymen status.

 

2. RB--- Martz will force feed Kevin Jones the ball through the air in camp to test the young man's catching ability. His shortcomings catching the rock will be exposed and we will have a full blown RBBC. The Calhoun pick was a head scratcher to me because he's basically a Bryson clone who is shifty, fast and hands like velcro but can't block as well as Bryson. Expect Bryson to be the one catching out of the backfield and handling key 3rd down blitz pickups. However, Calhoun has been compared to Tiki Barber since he's a very good all purpose back who has a nose for the endzone and will give KJ a rest. When, and I do stress when KJ gets banged up Calhoun could start a few games and seriously turn some heads. He may be a very fine dynasty pick since I predict he'll be starting in 2007. Artose Pinner may be lucky to survive camp and will be a last resort.

 

3. WR--- It will all depend on discipline. End of story. Roy is a year wiser and perhaps a little more inspired with Harrington gone so I expect bigger things from him. Perhaps a pro bowl alternate if he keeps it together. CRog is a waste of space and a lame duck receiver on this team. When the Lions asked for money back due to a breach of contract, that sealed his fate as a Leo. His fragile mind won't do what is asked of him and he'll be gone after this year if not sooner. Mike Williams is still a year away. He'll show improvement but it will be minor. Corey Bradford steps into the #2 spot to stretch the field vertically and might be solid for 5-7 TDs.

 

4. TE--- This group should be a better blocking unit with the addition of Dan Campbell. Pollard has dropped quite a few balls since becoming a Lion. Drops are all about concentration and it would be easy to lack that on previous Lion squads. Dont expect that under Marinelli. He'll be better and should have a decent year as your FF backup TE.

 

5. OL--- This group has got to be the biggest weakness and unknown going from last year into this one. They have added a boat load of FA's and draft picks while retaining virtually the same starters. Damien Woody is solid along with Jeff Backus (if/when he signs) but you could throw the rest into a hat and pull names because there are plenty of postions to be won yet. Kelly Butler returns as a possible starter but he will be challenged. Center D. Raiola may not keep his starting role. It's entirely possible that Woody moves to center if someone shows they are capable of taking Woody's spot. This group may make or break this team.

 

6. Defense--- The defensive line will be solid but not specatacular. The Lions brass are probably secretly hoping that Big Daddy Wilkerson retires to move the more athletic Shaun Cody into the starting lineup which would be more fitting for a cover 2 defense. The LB's got a shot in the arm with the speedy and intense Ernie Simms. He'll be outside with Boss Bailey supposedly moving to the middle. The obvious key is for this unit to remain healthy and to become more of a playmaking unit which will make the DB's job a lot easier. Rd 2 of the draft saw the Lions nab a potential starting safety in Daniel Bullocks. He's got speed and is a hitter which should couple nicely with Kenoy Kennedy. Terrence Holt is average and not a Marinell draft pick so look for him to land on the bench. Often injured Fernando Bryant returns to join Dre Bly at CB but look for him to lose his job to either Keith Smith or the speedy Stanley Wilson.

 

7. Special Teams--- Hanson returns again. He may not have quite the leg he once did but he's still steady. Nothing to see here.

 

8. Coaching--- Great additions of some of the better football minds in the game with Martz & Henderson. The general Marinelli runs a tight ship so expect better discipline or players will see the streets in a heartbeat. The big question mark here is will Martz and Marinelli ego's fit through Ford Field's door. Even if they do, will the sideline be big enough? I'm not so sure. The only thing that brings Martz back next year is if the Lions offense blows up and the team really makes strides toward the playoffs. Then maybe they will grin in bear it for the team. Don't count on it. Martz will be one and done.

 

Record (at this point)--- 8-8

[swamp dog 0]

the lions will start slow (tough early schedule, new coaches/system, lots of young players) but at some point click under marinelli's new approach. how soon they pull out of the inevitable slow start will determine their win-loss record. but i wouldn't want to be seeing this team on the schedule come the second half of the season if i'm an opposing team.

[football_scooter 0]

Record (at this point)--- 3-13

 

fixed.

[ShaneFalco 0]

Good assessment. I like the predictions.

 

I only disagree with a few things.

 

I think Kitna will win the job over McCown, who is still a bit raw but has some untapped potential. I think he will spend this year mentoring Kitna, who has an above average year. Martz will bring him along and turn him into a decent starter for us in the future.

 

Although I really like KJ, I can really see Calhoun blossoming. Been described as a poor man's Marshall Faulk, and who better to fit into a Martz-style offense. If KJ stays healthy, he will keep Calhoun down though. That's a big if though.

 

Everything else is spot on. I'm expecting 6-8 wins, missing the playoffs.

 

for the effort put into this.

[football_scooter 0]

but i wouldn't want to be seeing this team on the schedule come the second half of the season if i'm an opposing team.

 

Indeed - because suctitude of this monsterous proportion could actually be contageous.

[swamp dog 0]

Indeed - because suctitude of this monsterous proportion could actually be contageous.

 

another well-thought reply by the king of rhetoric on this board. brilliant.

[football_scooter 0]

another well-thought reply by the king of rhetoric on this board. brilliant.

 

Posted only to elicit a response from the king of delusional Liedowns homers.

 

King of rhetoric...that's funny. I love how anyone who puts down your craptastic team gets labeled by you with a sweeping generalization, as though that somehow devalidates the fact that your team sucks balls.

 

Keep that up and you'll never need to engage anyone in debate again, as you'll have lumped everyone into thier own catagory.

[yostevo 0]

Good assessment. I like the predictions.

 

I only disagree with a few things.

 

I think Kitna will win the job over McCown, who is still a bit raw but has some untapped potential. I think he will spend this year mentoring Kitna, who has an above average year. Martz will bring him along and turn him into a decent starter for us in the future.

 

Although I really like KJ, I can really see Calhoun blossoming. Been described as a poor man's Marshall Faulk, and who better to fit into a Martz-style offense. If KJ stays healthy, he will keep Calhoun down though. That's a big if though.

 

Everything else is spot on. I'm expecting 6-8 wins, missing the playoffs.

 

for the effort put into this.

 

Kitna is very possible (granted). A couple of things though. First, he's only got a 1 year contract if I remember correctly and McCown is signed for two. It would be a lot easier to send Kitna to the bench this year and send him packing if need be for 2007. Kitna is a team guy and if he gets beat in camp, I think he'll accept his role without a hiccup. We are slightly more vested in McCown so let him get in there and get the reps in the offense and no matter what, he should be better/more prepared for 2007. The other point being that Kitna will show (any Cinci fan can attest) that he doesn't have the arm for the deep outs or the 9 routes that Martz insists upon. Once he throws up a few quales, Martz pulls out the gun on that experiment.

[DrJ 0]

the lions will start slow (tough early schedule, new coaches/system, lots of young players) but at some point click under marinelli's new approach. how soon they pull out of the inevitable slow start will determine their win-loss record. but i wouldn't want to be seeing this team on the schedule come the second half of the season if i'm an opposing team.

 

I would suspect they have a greater chance at coming out of the box strong. With the new staff, the entire team will come out with a different attitude. But a couple of tough losses and the babies will need to be handled rather sensetively, and that's when it will all unravel.

 

By the end of the season, they'll all be crying about how they're misused and it'll be business as usual in Detroit.

[swamp dog 0]

I would suspect they have a greater chance at coming out of the box strong. With the new staff, the entire team will come out with a different attitude. But a couple of tough losses and the babies will need to be handled rather sensetively, and that's when it will all unravel.

 

By the end of the season, they'll all be crying about how they're misused and it'll be business as usual in Detroit.

 

so you're predicting the lions will storm out of the gate and beat seattle and chicago the first two weeks--your bears in chicago? not even i'm predicting that.

 

history shows it's just the opposite: the attitude adjustment, the resistance, the turmoil, occurs initially as the old way of doing things meets the new way of doing things. saban in miami comes to mind more recently. even lovie in chicago.

 

so your theory is nonsensical.

 

all signs point to the lions going through the adjustment period first. the only unknown is how long it will be.

[jman316 0]

Posted only to elicit a response from the king of delusional Liedowns homers.

 

King of rhetoric...that's funny. I love how anyone who puts down your craptastic team gets labeled by you with a sweeping generalization, as though that somehow devalidates the fact that your team sucks balls.

 

Keep that up and you'll never need to engage anyone in debate again, as you'll have lumped everyone into thier own catagory.

 

 

This coming from a Whiners fan...now that's some good rhetoric!

 

I do suppose your SanFran ties have helped you discover a thing or two about sucking balls.

 

[football_scooter 0]

 

This coming from a Whiners fan...now that's some good rhetoric!

 

I do suppose your SanFran ties have helped you discover a thing or two about sucking balls.

 

 

Not sure who you think you're talking to, but I've been quite realistic in all my posts abou the Niners...nothing delusional about it.

 

And I never stormed off the site in a huff ala Swamp Puppy either...

 

Here's a tip: read, then post. Once again, read, then post. It will help you to avoid this sort of confusion in the future.

[swamp dog 0]

 

This coming from a Whiners fan...now that's some good rhetoric!

 

I do suppose your SanFran ties have helped you discover a thing or two about sucking balls.

 

 

i didn't realilze that about scooter. now that is hilarious. and ironic.

[football_scooter 0]

i didn't realilze that about scooter. now that is hilarious. and ironic.

 

Wow - so that must mean that you're blind AND stupid...that explains a lot about your Lions posts.

 

Thanks for clearing that up for us.

 

Hey, didn't you storm off this site in a huff, vowing never to return? Kinda sad that you lack the fortitude to stick to it.

[DrJ 0]

so you're predicting the lions will storm out of the gate and beat seattle and chicago the first two weeks--your bears in chicago? not even i'm predicting that.

 

history shows it's just the opposite: the attitude adjustment, the resistance, the turmoil, occurs initially as the old way of doing things meets the new way of doing things. saban in miami comes to mind more recently. even lovie in chicago.

 

so your theory is nonsensical.

 

all signs point to the lions going through the adjustment period first. the only unknown is how long it will be.

 

They'll most likely lose both games, but they'll be in both until the end and will be considered moral victories. They'll have a good shot at being 2-2 after 4 weeks with Green Bay and St Louis after that.

 

All of the Lions fans will be riding high and talking about how much the team has turned around. A tough loss to the Vikings will have some fingers pointing, and then a humiliating loss the Bill will have the wheels ready to fall off.

 

It may not happen exactly like this, but something similar is what I am expecting...

 

You can say that Marinelli's hard nosed style is exactly what is needed, and blah blah, but when things start going badly and he starts calling out these babies, he's going to lose them. Roy, BMW - these aren't the kind of guys that you can bench or call out in the media to get through to them. They need to be handled carefully, and Marinelli doesn't have the experience as a head coach to know how to do it... It's just a matter of time before he pushes the wrong button, and it'll be all downhill from there.

[Grigs Allmoon 0]

Posted only to elicit a response from the king of delusional Liedowns homers.

 

In other words... Trolling?

[football_scooter 0]

In other words... Trolling?

 

Actually it was fishing since I had bait out for only one target.

[Walter34 3]

all signs point to the lions going through the adjustment period first. the only unknown is how long it will be.

 

the question is whether the adjustment is 3 weeks or 3 years ...

 

I see them around a 7 win team this year. The line is still the achilles heal as is the qb spot until one of the new guys shows he can do it. The D is above avg.

[Portis26 0]

Lions and 49ers fans fighting....

 

How cute

[donhaas 18]

14-2

[jman316 0]

C'mon guys, everyone's undefeated in the off-season.

 

 

Let the dreamers have their dreams.

 

[Sweetness_34 0]

i didn't realilze that about scooter. now that is hilarious. and ironic.

 

9ers definitely suck and will continue this year too. BUT at least the Niner fans have 5 Superbowl rings and some great great memories the last 25 years.

 

What do the Lydown fans have? Oh yeah.....Barry storming out in a huff like swamp

 

<hijack over>

 

---------------------------------

 

Frankly how does it matter what happens with the Lions? They do not have a stud QB, stud running game or a stud defense. To get into the playoffs, you typically need 2 out of 3, or 1 out of 3 (given that 1 is really really good). And they will not have any of that next year either.

[swamp dog 0]

9ers definitely suck and will continue this year too. BUT at least the Niner fans have 5 Superbowl rings and some great great memories the last 25 years.

 

What do the Lydown fans have? Oh yeah.....Barry storming out in a huff like swamp

 

<hijack over>

 

---------------------------------

 

Frankly how does it matter what happens with the Lions? They do not have a stud QB, stud running game or a stud defense. To get into the playoffs, you typically need 2 out of 3, or 1 out of 3 (given that 1 is really really good). And they will not have any of that next year either.

 

immaterial--unless you were alive and old enough to remember them. just like you and the 85 bears. that's no more significant to fans who weren't around then it is to lion fans who weren't around in the 50s. oh: it does allow you to thump your chest on a fantasy football message board. but that's all you get for it.

 

it's all about the NOW another free tip for you.

[football_scooter 0]

immaterial--unless you were alive and old enough to remember them. just like you and the 85 bears. that's no more significant to fans who weren't around then it is to lion fans who weren't around in the 50s. oh: it does allow you to thump your chest on a fantasy football message board. but that's all you get for it.

 

it's all about the NOW another free tip for you.

 

Ok, well since I was around for all 5 (with season tickets for 4 of those glory years) I can officially tell you that you suck, your team sucks, and your sister woulda sucked, but I did have $5. Oh!

 

(thank you, Andrew Dice Clay)

 

Ps - as for "the NOW" your team still sucks.

[Portis26 0]

immaterial--unless you were alive and old enough to remember them. just like you and the 85 bears. that's no more significant to fans who weren't around then it is to lion fans who weren't around in the 50s. oh: it does allow you to thump your chest on a fantasy football message board. but that's all you get for it.

 

it's all about the NOW another free tip for you.

 

 

Wow - I feel old! I remember the goal line stand against the Bengals and Kenny Anderson, like it was yesterday

 

I was born in 74 and The first SB I remember was is 1980 Pittsburgh (31) vs. L.A. Rams (19)

[swamp dog 0]

Wow - I feel old! I remember the goal line stand against the Bengals and Kenny Anderson, like it was yesterday

 

I was born in 74 and The first SB I remember was is 1980 Pittsburgh (31) vs. L.A. Rams (19)

 

cheers to you

[football_scooter 0]

Wow - I feel old! I remember the goal line stand against the Bengals and Kenny Anderson, like it was yesterday

 

I was born in 74 and The first SB I remember was is 1980 Pittsburgh (31) vs. L.A. Rams (19)

 

I'm older than you. Thanks a lot.

[swamp dog 0]

Ok, well since I was around for all 5 (with season tickets for 4 of those glory years) I can officially tell you that you suck, your team sucks, and your sister woulda sucked, but I did have $5. Oh!

 

(thank you, Andrew Dice Clay)

 

Ps - as for "the NOW" your team still sucks.

 

 

the key is now. and you best be more worried about how the niners are going to get out of the shiathole than stalking me in lion threads

[football_scooter 0]

the key is now. and you best be more worried about how the niners are going to get out of the shiathole than stalking me in lion threads

 

lol...touche. I am - but I love the progress they've made in the last 2 years. Nolan & staff, and the players they've added through the draft & FA seem to indicate the team's turning it around.

 

I'm not so sure about the Lions...all joking around aside, I honestly hope they do turn it around because DET deseves better than they've had the last few years.

 

Hard to imagine that I used to look forward to Thanksgiving, as it was among the only times I could see Barry Sanders play...now it's almost torture watching the Lions that day. Good luck to you & your team Swampy...here's hoping they eek towards respectibility this year.

 

 

Ps - this is the only Lions topic I've ever addressed you in, and I initially just ripped the team and you lept to their defense. Hardly "stalking" but hey, whatever gets you through the night, man.

[Portis26 0]

I'm older than you. Thanks a lot.

 

 

sorry scooter

[swamp dog 0]

lol...touche. I am - but I love the progress they've made in the last 2 years. Nolan & staff, and the players they've added through the draft & FA seem to indicate the team's turning it around.

 

I'm not so sure about the Lions...all joking around aside, I honestly hope they do turn it around because DET deseves better than they've had the last few years.

 

Hard to imagine that I used to look forward to Thanksgiving, as it was among the only times I could see Barry Sanders play...now it's almost torture watching the Lions that day. Good luck to you & your team Swampy...here's hoping they eek towards respectibility this year.

Ps - this is the only Lions topic I've ever addressed you in, and I initially just ripped the team and you lept to their defense. Hardly "stalking" but hey, whatever gets you through the night, man.

 

i don't have anything against the 49ers. i hope they turn it around.

[Lions_or_Die 0]

Kitna is very possible (granted). A couple of things though. First, he's only got a 1 year contract if I remember correctly and McCown is signed for two. It would be a lot easier to send Kitna to the bench this year and send him packing if need be for 2007. Kitna is a team guy and if he gets beat in camp, I think he'll accept his role without a hiccup. We are slightly more vested in McCown so let him get in there and get the reps in the offense and no matter what, he should be better/more prepared for 2007. The other point being that Kitna will show (any Cinci fan can attest) that he doesn't have the arm for the deep outs or the 9 routes that Martz insists upon. Once he throws up a few quales, Martz pulls out the gun on that experiment.

 

Kitna's contract is for 4 years while McCown's is for 2 years. Outside of any signing bonuses, Kitna gets just under $1.5M for the first 2 years and just under $2M for the last two while McCown's contract is for $2M each year.

[yostevo 0]

Kitna's contract is for 4 years while McCown's is for 2 years. Outside of any signing bonuses, Kitna gets just under $1.5M for the first 2 years and just under $2M for the last two while McCown's contract is for $2M each year.

 

I kinda doubt that he'll see the end of that contract but stranger things have happened.

[DrJ 0]

the key is now. At least until I argue with a fan of a good team, and then the past 15 years are of extreme importance. Well, unless they were good in the last 15 years, in which case I just start making stuff up.

 

Winnah!