Should the Lions Really Lose the Thanksgiving Day Game?

This has been talked about all week leading up to the annual Thanksgiving Day game for the Lions. People seem to really be in support of punishing this horrible franchise with the lack of competition they give their opponents every week. Most importantly in the nationally televised Turkey Day game. So the Lions had something to prove this year and they failed miserably.

From the opening drive of the game you knew they were in serious trouble. On just the 2nd play from scrimmage the Lions fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Titans inside the Lions own 25. It got worse from there. Much worse. By the end of the 1st quarter they were already down 21-3. Of course that is nothing new. They have gotten lambasted several times this year by giving up 21+ points with nothing to show for it. 21-3 is so common that you almost expect it at least once every 2 weeks. By halftime they were trailing 35-10. When the game was finally over they had lost 47-10. Their worst Turkey Day defeat ever.

An amazing game of statistical futility. If you actually watched the entire game, CBS displayed an array of record setting statistics for the abysmal Lions season. The best part about the Lions games is that the stations almost always display Rod Marinelli's win-loss record during the game several times. All I need to know is that the Lions are 1-19 since they started 6-2 last year. They were 1-7 after starting 6-2!. Now they are 0-12 and well on their way to the first ever 0-16 season.

So...do we really think the tradition should be broken and take the game away? I'm not so sure I can defend keeping the game anymore as a Lions fan. I'm to the point that I hope the NFL provides them with a nice moving services and gets this franchise out of here and gives us a new one. As long as William Clay Ford isn't allowed to own that new team and has to go wherever they do.

I think only Hitler can reasonably sum up how bad they are

5 More Losses to Go for Lions 0-16 Season

The Lions lost another game Sunday after taking a 17-0 lead in the 1st half against the Tampa Bay Bucs. They were then outscored 38-3 the rest of the way. They were even trailing at halftime after taking the 17-0 lead. It isn't a matter of thinking the Lions can be in games anymore. The fun is figuring out how they are going to lose.

They have done it all this year. They have taken a beating and gone down 21-0, 0r 21-3 several times. They have been leading at halftime. they have come back from being down 21-3 to take the lead and still lose. Every QB on the team has Jon Kitna disease in the 4th quarter. When there is a slight chance to get a win you can guarantee an untimely interception. Daunte Culpepper is no exception.

The Lions even have swapped Drew Stanton into games since Culpepper has been here only to "embarrass" himself time and time again. They actually pulled Culpepper in the 4th quarter when the Lions were only down a couple scores and forcing a turnover inside the 30 yard line for a real scoring opportunity. Stanton went on to get a concussion to add to his laundry list of injuries since being drafted.

So...Stanton is the future, and Culpepper is the present, or is Stanton the present? Who the hell knows with this team. Neither of them are the answer, and don't even try to hype up Stanton you homers because he is just the latest version of McMike.

We will likely be stuck with the same front office and same coaching staff next year too for some incredible reason. Rod Marinelli is 1-18 in his last 19 games, but has not been fired. What makes anyone think that if he goes 1-23 he will be? We'll get him back, Culpepper back at $5 Mil+ next year in need of Leptovox, and Stanton waiting in the wings to come on in and get injured again. There is no hope.

Pistons Starting to Look Better Since A.I. Trade

This team still ahs a long way to go, but last night they seemed to work together a bit more. Rip Hamilton got off his horrible slump since the trade and put in over 20 points for the first time since the deal went down. He still looks a bit lost out there at times with the new look, but he is adjusting, and hopefully be back to normal soon.

Tayshaun Prince has been playing like a beast the last 5 games. He has been asked to bring the ball up a lot when AI isn't in the game, and is even doing it a lot when Iverson is on the court. Although he holds the ball more his assists don't show it. He is rebounding and scoring like mad though. HE pulled down 16 rebounds last night, which is a career high. He has been averaging a double double over the last 5 games as well.

Tonight they begin a big test with the stretch of games they will play n the next week. They start off in LA against the Lakers, then have to play Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston in the coming week. That's a tough schedule for anyone, but even worse with the way these guys seem to be still finding how they work together. Add to that Stuckey has been out a game and probably will be inserted back in soon after a heart condition scare.

If you are at a hotel las vegas it probably isn't wise to bet on the Pistons right now. It is hard to say what kind of team you are going to get on a nightly basis for a while. They are also struggling badly with their lack of size and beef. With out Antonio McDyess on the roster anymore the frontcourt is a bit thin. When they have to play against the likes of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Shaq, it may be a rough night for them on the boards, although it has been the last couple years since Big Ben left.

Whatever happens, at least we get to watch AI do crazy stuff every night. That is the one thing that makes it better. I have grtown tired of this team of underachievers and it is nice to see someone that can get to the rim on a regular basis every time they touch the ball.

Culpepper to start Apparently

Everywhere I look it appears that newly signed (Monday) QB, Daunte Culpepper is going to get the start Sunday for the Lions. Dan Orlovsky is out due to injury, and the Lions coaching staff must still believe that Drew Stanton is going to "embarrass" himself if he steps onto the field.

Culpepeer was signed for a pittance for an NFL QB of about $350K to play this year, but if he is kept for next year he will be due about $5 Million.

So...the Lions will be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars who look to be in serious trouble this week. They are coming off a loss to the other winless team in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bungles. The Lions are 6.5 point underdogs going into the game. This may be their best chance to win a game the rest of the way.

Of course the coaching staff that makes decisions as if they have all been repeatedly hit on the head with a paella pan tend to think that a guy with a few days practice is the way to go to try and get that win. Culpepper has not gone through training camp this year, and has literally not played since last season.

On top of all this...center Dom Raiola has an injury that may force him to snap the ball with the OPPOSITE hand if he is to play.

Of course i would never bet on the Lions to win or lose because they are as brutal to your wallet when you bet for or against them as they are to watch when you are a fan. If I were going to bet I would likely still bet against them considering the new QB and the pathetic team that is the Lions no matter how bad off the Jags are. They will run the ball down our throats. Guaranteed.