Thursday afternoon, people all over the nation were excused if they made a slight gagging noise at the table.
They were excused if a slight bit of their food came back up.
And, if they were football fans in Detroit, they were excused if they happened to let a “Thankful for what?” slip during grace.
Lions football has a habit of making you do all three.
Last afternoon, millions of people made a trek across our nation to spend a holiday dedicated to being thankful for America’s bounty with their family. Most of them would bring another tradition in as a piece of their own tapestry: Lions Thanksgiving Day Football.
On that national stage, the NFL’s version of a very unlikable Charlie Brown had a chance to score, if not a real victory, a moral one.
They had the chance to prove that they might be bad, but it’s not for lack of effort.
They had a chance to prove that there is life in Detroit football, to prove they have professional pride, to prove that they could give the slightest damn about anything meaningful to their long-suffering fans, and to really make a statement.
And make a statement they did: Detroit football is dead, and the people who should care the most couldn’t care less.
They could have proved all of the above, or at least convinced me otherwise, and they could have done it without even winning the game.
All they had to do was look like they were trying, and they couldn’t even do that.
This team has 60-some grossly untalented and/or washed-up players, and Calvin Johnson; they couldn’t even pretend to try.
As much as I want to scathe the players—they do deserve a good helping of blame—I can’t.
I want to write about how this is Marinelli’s fault—and part of it is, he’s a terrible head coach—but he’s just a guy who needs to be left as a coordinator so he can micromanage the way he likes to.
Marinelli is a man in over his head and he knows it. But better to ride it out than admit defeat. As weird as it sounds, I can buy that.
The players, for the most part, aren’t even able to hold a candle to the other team's backups, and they know it. It helps explain why this team just can’t get motivated any more. Think about it.
If you or I were asked to sign with a team we knew we’d be able to start for, we’d take it, even if we were in over our heads. And for a while, we’d go out and give it our all.
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about 1 month ago
What do you mean the CBA basically ensures they will turn a profit? How?
And what do you mean they will never be embarrassed on a more-than regional scale again? Are they no longer going to play on TGD?
from about 1 month ago
The way funds are distributed according to the CBA ensures that the Lions won't ever have a losing season financially.
And they'll play on TGD again. They're just done being embarrassed on any kind of level that matters for this year.
from about 1 month ago
Where's a good place to find the details on this?
about 1 month ago
WE had to keep the tradittion alive, the Lions lose. It has to happen otherwise I cannot have a happy thanksgiving. Lets hope my dream of seeing a 0-16 team on my lifetime happens now. I want to see it so bad, the dumb Dolphins had to ruin the dream last year. Idiots! They have an incredibly hard schedule coming up. And it looks good for me. Good article Ray.
from about 1 month ago
I had circled New Orleans and Minnesota, but I've since retracted that statement.
This team is done. You'll see 0-16.
Thanks
Ray
from about 1 month ago
FINALLY!!!! My life will be complete. My Pats should have gone -0 and I would have seen everything. Darn Giants!
about 1 month ago
good scathing assesment on the current, past , and likely future lions! i have an idea! Ray , get a hold of Mr. Ford. Pitch him on You AND nfl mikee,[ me] taking ove team operations for 4 years. if we can t get a winning season in 4 years, then we will quit! I will pt in 10 hours a day for a measly 100, 000 per year, you, probably knowing more and having more energy being younger, can have 200, 000 per year. We can turn this team around! We will hire Bill Cowher as Coach. or Dick Vermiel, 3rd choice,Marty Scotenheimer. We can do this! Ford has to be desperate, so we have the advantage. Now s the time to make our move . i don t like the cold weather much,,, 1st we move the team to puerto Rico to get a fan base thats not totally disgusted with our team. 2nd we rename the team something cool ,like The Rico Rhino s or the Atlantic Hammerheads, something catchy,, you with me so far......... Get back to me! Thomas[ NFL Mikee] Moreland ps i know how to work a stopwatch and i can type a little!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks.
I'll work on Mr. Ford.
Ray
from about 1 month ago
Thomas,
Let's be clear. I am probably the most qualified to run the team, and would do so for the exact amount I get paid now as a systems engineer. I would do it for free but I have a family to support.
I would, however, entertain the idea of hiring people that are smart about business, sports, and the Lions. No better place to find that type of person than the fan base. I'm quite sure there are passionate fans that are successful in business, that pay an awful lot of attention to the sport. I am an example of this type of person.
So, I'd maybe hire you and Ray as my VP's or whathaveyou.
Either way, one thing is for sure. Nobody could possibly do a better job than the last 20 bumbling idiots that the Ford's have hired at all levels of the organization.
about 1 month ago
I think part of it is the curse Ray. Their quarter Bobby Layne said they would not win for 50 years after they traded him and the curse came true.
I think the Lions have a chance. They just need a good general manager to help them. The Bucs were just as pathetic until the 90s when the GM got Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber. Then the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
from about 1 month ago
I'm not one to believe in curses, but if you're on to anything they'll start improving next season.
And Dutch Clark was better than Bobby Layne.
>_>
Thanks
Ray
from about 1 month ago
James provide the source where you heard Layne actually say that.
from about 1 month ago
Bob, I have to say I am offended. Are you accusing me of making up facts?
http://www.curseofbobbylayne.com/index2.shtml Here is your source
about 1 month ago
Ray, Phenomenal article.
I loved when they got rid of Millen, and everyone thought they would begin to win this season..... the players he selected are still there, and like you said, other than Megatron, (Calvin Johnson) and maybe Kevin smith, nobody on that team really has talent or potential.
Great article, and I feel the same way, living in Chicago, watching the Bears play them twice a year.... other than last year when they miraculously started 6-2, I have NEVER seen this team fight.
Great article, POTD.
from about 1 month ago
awww. Thank You!
about 1 month ago
You know--my hopeful self really was hoping to see a good game---i said HOPEFUL. Awws the sad looking Lions. Quite pitiful if you ask me. Great article and thanks for pointing me to it.
from about 1 month ago
Thank You.
And you're welcome
about 1 month ago
Good piece, Ray. I think it's a little much to say that the Fords don't care about winning. I think anyone in a position of theirs wants to win. They have provided the NFL with a lot over the years, minus a good football team in Detroit (sponsorships, perks, etc). However, they have gotten very very complacent in the past 10 years or so in terms of properly running this team. In terms of trying to bring a winning team to Detroit, they have definitely shown they care in the past- I just think they trusted the wrong people to bring that attitude to Detroit.
At any rate, I'd like to see the Fords win because I'm a big fan of the underdog. I don't think anyone would think any more of them, other than perhaps feeling relieved that all these pitiful feelings we have for them can be SOMEWHAT washed away. Seriously, no one will ever forget how bad this team has been and it'd be great to finally win, no matter who is owner/gm/coach whatever. Although you make very good points as to why you don't ever want to see the Fords win.
If the Lions don't win this weekend vs. Minnesota, I think 0-16 is a definite possibility. I've been saying all year it won't happen, so I will keep that talk from happening until I see 0-13 and the rest of our tough-er schedule ahead of us.
Lastly, if you dont mind, check out my recent articles. I think you might like some of them.
Thanks for directing me toward your work.
Bob
about 1 month ago
good stuff Ray. I love the part in particular when you were talking about how all Detroit had to do was prove to the nation that they were trying.
You're right, they didn't even try. It was over 90 seconds into the game.
I don't think William Clay Ford will be running this team much longer thankfully. However, his replacement will almost assuredly be Bill Ford, I at least think Bill has his head on straight and won't stand for incompetence. I think Bill has the common sense that his father doesn't. We might not be better with Bill in charge, but at least change will happen if it needs to instead of keeping Millen for 7 years, he would have been gone after year 4 or 5.
*sigh* this team is just sad.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with Keith. Bill Jr. will likely take over and I believe will make it a point to get the Lions winning. Remember, the Millen firing was set into motion after Bill Jr. threw his old man under the bus by saying that if it was his call, he'd fire Millen. A couple days later, Millen was fired. So, Jr. got thru to the old man.
The reigns will be passed. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
from about 1 month ago
Sad doesn't even begin to describe them
Thanks
Ray
about 1 month ago
It was just a terrible day for football on Thursday. Three games settled by a total of 90 points. At least I didn't mind when my little nephew took over the TV to play Super Mario. Watching him was more entertaining than anything the NFL trotted out there.
from about 1 month ago
Let's make one thing clear:
Super Mario World > Football
from about 1 month ago
Oh bro you lost all kinds of street cred with that statement.
from about 1 month ago
I had street cred?
Fuck it, I might as well kill off the rest of it...
As I respond to this, I'm watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".
about 1 month ago
ray, i enjoyed the scathing commentary on the lions. sheesh, you're so harsh, but i think you call it correctly. to go with the playoffs once every five seasons stats, it seems that the lions hit on a first round pick once every 5 drafts as well.
it's insane that c.j. could arguably be the best player in the nfl, yet he never gets a chance to show it b/c the team around him is so mediocre, at best.
the lions need to just start from scratch holding open tryouts. surely they can find some random dudes that could possibly play with more passion than some of their current players. as for the front office, go raid the new england patriots.
and hey,sorry for being so late in getting to this. crazy holiday weeks...
from about 1 month ago
That's cool you got in late dude; I'm sure my response time just confirms that I've been a little scattered over the holiday myself.
Thanks
Ray
about 1 month ago
Ray, good article. The Lions are near and dear to my heart and I ride the "hope" rollercoaster every year hoping to see the day that they are a legitimate contender. We had that possiblity in the 90's with Barry, Herman Moore, and Co. but squandered it away. Now we have a few building blocks and another year with multiple 1st round draft picks. Let's hope they finally select the right guys.
from about 1 month ago
I hate the word hope. It's just an excuse to fail.
You needed a QB back in the 90's.
The more things change right?
Ray
from about 1 month ago
Ray, you make a good point about us needing a QB in the 90's. That is precisely why I start laughing everytime someone comments that the Lions should go after Matt Cassel or Derek Anderson.
Haven't we learned anything from Scott Mitchell? (The so-called heir apparent to Dan "friggin" Marino)
Aside from Drew Brees, how many quarterbacks go from one team after a good season to another the next and play well? Not many. The only one's in recent memory that I can think of are Brees and Matt Schaub.
What typically happens is a starter gets hurt. The backup comes in and plays well in relief, and then parlays that into a ton of FA interest. Mostly with poor results. We saw this with A.J. Feely, Scott Mitchell, Jeff Hostetler, etc. Tom Brady could get lumped in this as well, although he didn't change teams.
Look, the Lions almost made the Super Bowl in 1991, before running into a juggernaut Redskins outfit. The QB then was decent at best, Erik Kramer.
We were contenders in for 2 out of the 5 seasons with Scott Mitchell (1994-1998), and that was with one of the top rated offenses in the NFL, and Tom Moore (Indy's OC) as offensive coordinator. If there was a good time for the Lions to win, it was then. Unfortunately, we had a lousy, mistake prone QB that occasionally would wow you but more often left you dismayed. Hell, his first year in Detroit, he played badly and was injured a couple times, which led the Lions to look to veteran Dave Krieg, who led us to the playoffs.
I would ask those clamoring for someone else's "next big thing" to look to history before wishing for such things. The success rate of backup's succeeding on other teams is significantly less than 1st Rd drafted QB's. So, if you were gonna go that route, I would say you'd be better off taking a top college signal caller or an established veteran.
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