Detroit Lions Season Opener: Just a Bump In the Road?

Wow, heck of a way to start a season. 

A controversial catch by Calvin Johnson that in the opinion of most NFL fans and writers should have been ruled a touchdown was taken away from the Lions.

A legal hit by linebacker Julius Peppers that may have 2nd year quarterback Matthew Stafford out for up to six weeks.

I was absolutely elated when Calvin Johnson made the game winning touch down that wasn’t.  And hearing the explanation of this arcane and totally subjective rule, I felt cheated as I’m sure that everyone outside of the greater Chicago area felt.  I work third shift and happened to watch “Morning Coffee” on MSNBC. 

All of the commentators feel the Lions got robbed, there are very few NFL pundits who agree the officials got it right.  Some have even stated that yes the officials got it right but the rule is ridiculous.

Before I go on, let’s give some credit to the Lion defense.  That goal line stand when Chicago was on the 6” line was epic.  And the fact the Bears had started pretty much in Detroit territory, holding them to only 19 points is saying something.  Way to go guys, keep up the great work. 

I’m not going to expound too much more on the robbing of Calvin Johnson, suffice to say that I think the ruling needs to be changed.  How can a runner need only 1/8” length of a football to break the plane of the goal-line for a touchdown and CJ going up high, catching the ball, landing on his two feet and his butt, roll over due to the momentum of his body not be a touchdown? 

The nonsense of him dropping the ball due to his actions were all part of the “process” of making the catch is nuts.  Enough said about that.  Lions got screwed, let’s move on. 

Now what really has me rankled was the blindside hit by Julius Peppers made on Matthew Stafford.  As much as I loathe Jeff Backus at left tackle, I will give him his props that he knows and admitted who is at fault for the injury to Stafford’s shoulder.  Backus is going to wake up for the next several days, look in the mirror and say that it is his fault for Stafford being on the IR. 

Action needs to be taken in regard to Backus.  His stats over the years are abysmal for what is a supposed elite left tackle.  Over the last two years, he has allowed an average of 9.25 sacks.  Part of that could be the fact that he has had a revolving door at left guard, that in his career he’s had five different head coaches he’s had to play for and at least seven different offensive schemes to learn.

Still, it reminds me more that he may be a “Jack of All Trades” of offensive schemes, he is master of none. 

Mitch Albom’s column describes it perfectly.  “Jeff Backus, the left tackle, could not stop Peppers — 'He made a great move,' Backus would glumly admit — and all 6-feet-7, 283 pounds came flying into an unsuspecting Stafford, who was poised to pass. The kid went down like a crushed bug, he landed on his right arm, the ball came loose, Chicago recovered, and moments later, Stafford was walking off, holding his shoulder.”  Here is Mitch's full article:  http://www.freep.com/article/20100912/COL01/100912028/1354/Forget-call-Lions-lost-QB-Stafford-in-loss#ixzz0zP2svnc3

Later in the same column, he is quoted as saying “It’s your worst nightmare as an offensive lineman,” he said quietly. “It’s our job to keep (Stafford) upright.”

Backus’ face reddened. He had cost his team immeasurably. It was not his intent, but it was now his burden.

“We can’t have any mistakes,” he said. “There’s consequences. And today, it cost us having Matt in the second half. ... I’ve never been in this situation before, where I’m the direct cause of my quarterback getting hurt.”

I couldn’t agree with him more that there are consequences.  It’s time to either move him to the right side or set him on the bench for this year and use him as a back-up and most certainly before next season, part ways with Backus and let him try to keep his career going with another team.

All that being said, the Lions need to dig deep and move forward from both the fact they had a game taken away from them due to an idiotic ruling on the field and the loss of their quarterback for possibly the next six weeks.

Shaun Hill has the capability to win some games for the Lions.  He’s started in the league before and has had some success.  He led the San Francisco 49’s to a six game undefeated 7-0 home streak in 2009.  He’s had some impressive wins in some critical games.  But he knows his role, he’s there to fill in for Matthew Stafford until Stafford is fully capable of coming back to lead these Lions.

The defense showed a lot in the loss against the Bears.  The goal line stand they made when Chicago Bears head coach decided to go for the touchdown instead of the go-ahead field goal was epic.  

Throw out the statistics of the total offense the Bears piled up on the Lions.  We had the same offense in 2006 & 2007 that saw a journeyman quarterback, Jon Kitna, throw for a combined 8,276 yards and 39 touchdowns.  Granted he also tossed 42 interceptions but that isn’t all that unusual for a QB to do in a Martz offense.

But the problem with this current version of the Martz offense is the same issue when he was with the Lions: all kinds of offense between the 20’s but get in the red zone, and the offense stalls.  It was a typical Mike Martz offense, rolling up 463 total net yards and yet only putting up 19 points.

I have no doubt that Jim Schwartz will have this team ready to play against the Philadelphia Eagles.  They may not be seeing starting QB Kevin Kolb who was knocked out of last week’s game by Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews.  But Michael Vick isn’t going to be a picnic since he is always dangerous when he scrambles.

I still believe the Lions have the capability to win six games this year.  And they need to dig deep and forget about the Bears game and rally around Shaun Hill and keep him upright and healthy until Stafford comes back.

Go Lions!