Detroit Lions: Progress? What's That?

Don't be fooled.

In the past week Rod Marinelli has done his damnedest to convince the media and what fans remain of this pitiful franchise that he still has some credibility. He thinks his pound the rock philosophy, mantra, whatever, is finally working this season.

The Lions lost their first four games by a combined score of 66-147, but their next two, they only lost by a combined score of 31-40. So I suppose by that measure, Marinelli is right, there's been improvement.

However, the Lions have still, inexplicably, unbelievably forgotten that the game begins in the 1st quarter and AGAIN fell behind 0-21 to Houston. It was the fifth time this season the Lions had fallen behind 3-21 or worse before halftime. The only exception was against Minnesota, who we all know doesn't have a credible passing attack. Houston does though.

The most glaring stat of all? The Lions have been outscored 54-0 in the first quarter throughout their first six games. This team has just not been prepared whatsoever at the start of the game.

Progress? How about playing a game where the Lions defense doesn't let the opposition score on the first drive of the game? How about playing a game where *gasp* the Lions score some points in the first quarter?

The fact is Rod Marinelli has no credibility left. He actually believes the Lions are still playing for this season and not next season, which is why he stubbornly refuses to play young guys like Cherilus Gosder and Drew Stanton.

Dan Orlovsky has one positive about him. He hasn't committed a turnover through two games. Houston's defense of course isn't that impressive, but Minnesota's is and Orlovsky hung tight there. However, his accuracy is awful. His favorite target of the day against Minnesota and Houston was the ground, and his second favorite was the crowd.  He hit Calvin Johnson with a meaningless hail-mary bomb to end the half against Houston, and then hit him with long touchdown pass that was mostly the work of Johnson. Orlovsky's awareness is god-awful though, and his happy feet have already gotten him in trouble once, almost twice this year. That safety against Minnesota was inexcusable.

My point? Cherilus Gosder needs to start every game. He's not learning anything on the bench and the Lions have absolutely nothing to play for this season other than to evaluate their own talent. Gosder needs to be out there and so does Drew Stanton.

If Marinelli won't do it, fire him. Seriously. He's not coming back next season, what purpose does he really serve  right now? Who's really calling the shots here? Is it William Clay Ford? Is it Mayhew? Is it Lewand? Why can't someone just admit that the season is lost and play the young guys, evaluate the talent? Its maddening!

Look. The Lions have stockpiled draft picks and I don't think they're done trying to acquire more either. In order to maximize the use of those picks the Lions must know what they have in Drew Stanton and Cherilus Gosder. This team can make dramatic improvement next season, or they can be the same old Lions. Its all in the hands of...somebody in that cluster#$!@ of an organization we call the Detroit Lions.