Archives for September 2010

Lions ready for real games after 3-1 preseason record (Detroit Free Press)

Lions’ Louis Delmas sits out exhibition finale (Detroit Free Press)

Lions’ Kevin Smith works on trusting repaired knee (Detroit Free Press)

My foolish prediction? Lions aren’t totally bad (Detroit Free Press)

Lions notes, quotes from Thursday’s win over Bills (Detroit Free Press)

Hot topics from the Lions’ exhbition game (Detroit Free Press)

Three Lions questions with Michael Rosenberg (Detroit Free Press)

Photo gallery (Detroit Free Press)

Lions start slow, finish strong (Detroit News)

Lions RB Kevin Smith starts to get comfortable (Detroit News)

The time has come to see what Lions are made of (Detroit News)

RB DeDe Dorsey might not make Lions roster (Detroit News)

Photo gallery (Detroit News)

Lions starters look shaky in preseason win against Bills (Grand Rapids Press)

Lions show true colors — and all the deficiencies that come with them — in preseason finale (Grand Rapids Press)

Lions’ secondary knows Week 1 vs. Bears will be ‘big test’ after unhealthy preseason (Grand Rapids Press)

Detroit Lions finish preseason with win (Oakland Press)

Judgment time is coming sooner instead of later for Matthew Stafford (Oakland Press)

Stanton makes most of opportunity (Oakland Press)

Coaches Have Tough Decisions Ahead (DetroitLions.com)

Game Notes: Lions vs. Bills (DetroitLions.com)

Postgame Quotes: Lions vs. Bills (DetroitLions.com)

Opponent Postgame Quotes: Lions vs. Bills (DetroitLions.com)

Photo Gallery (DetroitLions.com)

Photo Gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo Gallery (AP)

‘Buffalo’s Marshawn Lynch had 2 yards rushing on five carries after missing two games with an ankle injury. Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller was rested and running back Fred Jackson missed a third straight game because of a broken left hand.’

‘Trent Edwards started for the Bills and did nothing to hurt his chances of being the No. 1 QB come Week 1. He completed all four of his throws for 66 yards in lasting a full quarter. Next in was Brian Brohm, who threw for 78 yards on 7-of-15 attempts with an interception. Rookie Levi Brown finished out the game and was also picked off on the way to a 10-of-18, 92-yard showing.’

‘The Bills led until the midway point of the third quarter thanks to a Drayton Florence 40-yard interception return for a touchdown and three 40+ yard field goals from Rian Lindell.’

‘It just becomes more and more apparent that the Bills need to cut ties with former second round pick James Hardy. He went virtually unnoticed on the playing field until the mop up duty time of the game. Even on his supposed touchdown that was called back, he should have been battling with the defensive back for the football, not hanging back and watching it unfold in front of him. Meanwhile, his training camp adversary David Nelson is getting reps with the first team and making catches in the process.’

‘”We wanted to run the ball and throw a couple deep (passes),” said Edwards. “I think we accomplished that on the first drive. Chan said were going to get around 12 plays and we put together a 13-play drive. In terms of what we were looking for, it was a good way to start the game.”‘

‘With a starting quarterback who seems to have plateaued and a head coach who does not inspire confidence in fans, the buzz around the 2010 Buffalo Bills is going to remain near-flatline. Divorce yourself from the "they’ll never win with Edwards and Gailey" talk, however, and you’ll find elements of this team (running back, the secondary, special teams) that are of a high caliber and will have to be respected by opponents. Though they’re highly unlikely to escape the AFC East cellar in 2010, don’t be surprised if the Bills are a tough out on a weekly basis. Just keep those overall expectations low, because with a shaky group of QBs and wideouts, a weak o-line, and a defense transitioning to a new system, consistent winning is not going to be in the cards during Gailey’s first year on the job.’

‘This year is a lot different. They could go 2-14 or 8-8. The offensive line should be a little better and the idea of going to a 3-4 defense is intriguing even though they don’t really have the players to make it work the way it should, but their running game could be a strength and maybe Gailey will have the tools to get something out of Edwards. The key is patience. Gailey and Nix aren’t rushing themselves this season and will bring in the right players when they identify them.’

‘”I’ve heard a lot of people are going to be there,” said Bell who is expecting hundreds of supporters. “The Wayne State colors will be flying big. It’s only about a two-minute or three-minute drive.”‘

‘There’s a growing number of people both in the media and in the fan base that believe that Brohm’s play on Thursday won’t only determine his spot on the depth chart, but his spot on the final roster entirely as well.’

‘Gailey promised a competition for the starting QB job between Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, last year’s starters, and young pro Brian Brohm, but it never transpired due to Edwards’ progress. Edwards started the team’s first three preseason games and didn’t disappoint, completing 65 percent of his throws for 304 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 97.1 rating. That would be a good game. In his first three pro seasons (14-17 career mark), Edwards has yet to throw for 300 yards.’

‘Meanwhile, second-year NT Lonnie Harvey was also cut. He joined the team’s practice squad last November after spending time with Carolina and was third on the depth chart behind Torell Troup, the club’s second-round pick who has enjoyed a stellar camp and will man the middle of Buffalo’s new 3-4 defense in a rotation with Kyle Williams.’

‘WR Roscoe Parrish has found new life under coach Chan Gailey. One of the NFL’s all-time leading punt returns, Parrish was an afterthought as a wide receiver under previous coaches Mike Mularkey and Dick Jauron. He was even benched by Jauron last year after muffing a punt that cost Buffalo a game against Cleveland. Despite his rare speed and good hands, Parrish wound up with just three catches for 34 yards. This summer, Parrish has shined working out of the slot and has seven catches for 82 yards and a TD. "In this profession, you never get down on yourself," Parrish said. "Last year was tough and I had to handle myself like a professional and have a good attitude. You never know what tomorrow will bring." It brought Gailey, one of the NFL’s most successful offensive coordinators who knows what speed can do."’