Lions Diary

See, when I don't have any feeling for a game, it usually goes badly. The Lions had plenty of chances to beat Dallas, but just couldn't complete the task. This is what is so frustrating, not only about the Leos, but about the whole league in general. It just seems like a league of mediocre football teams.

Yes, there are a few (less than a handful of teams) each season that emerge as top tier, and an equal amount at the bottom, but the vast majority are these up-and-down, 8-8 caliber squads. The Lions, and the Cowboys, too, find themselves in this mix. That beats being a cellar dwellar, but it's difficult to watch week in and week out. You just never know which version of your team is going to arrive.

I'm sure some would argue, rightly so, that the Lions have always been that way. Point taken. It doesn't make it any less frustrating to watch.

I'd also like to take a moment to complain about the offense. This version of the west coast offense is pretty darn tepid. I understand it's a low risk system, built on the premise of yards after catch and avoiding turnovers. It's also like a paint by numbers book. That's fine for a while, but eventually somebody may want to be creative. Espeically, the quarterback.

As usual, I could be horribly wrong. I'm not a coach, scout or even a rabid student of the game, but eight yard patterns just aren't very daring. Would mixing it up really hurt? Throw a bomb. A real bomb, not a twelve yard pattern. Think back to the old AFL days. Let Joey air one.

Here is something else I don't understand about the Lions and football in general. Coaches want to establish the run. They say so all the time. Then on gameday, they run the ball eighteen times or less. Eighteen? That's making a committment to run the ball?

When quizzed about this coaches nod their heads and agree the team needs to get more carries and make a more of an effort in the ground game. Coach, wouldn't you be the guy in charge of that? How come you wanted to run on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, but on Sunday you don't? If you want to run, run the stinking ball. You are already half way through the season, why haven't you figured out how to get more than eighteen carries in a game yet?

If coaches ran it half as much as they claim they want to, the NFL would be like the Bo and Woody Big Ten. Instead, Mooch just tells me each Monday how much the Lions need to run more in the weeks to come. Look, I'm a pass happy sort of guy. I love the Don Coryell Chargers, but if you tell me you want to run the ball and then don't, I get the impression you are doing something wrong. Especially when this pattern happens each week.

That's enough complaining for now. The Lions return home to face the Redskins Sunday. Right now, I have a good feel for this game. Why wouldn't I? The Lions have played lousy at home and are coming off a loss, it's a perfect time to win.

Finally, a fond farewell to Robert Porcher. Porcher retired today after thirteen years in Honolulu Blue and Silver. Porcher recorded ninety-five sacks in his career. However, he spent the entire year on the inactive list as the Lions ninth defensive lineman. Instead of looking for another team, Porcher retired.

The last home date of the season we be Robert Porcher Day at Ford Field. The three time Pro Bowl selection was not only a good player, but was involved in numerous Metro Detroit activities. He was the face of the Lions, especially in the post-Barry years.

Porcher has a number of off-field interests, so his transition should be smooth. Although, I suspect we will see and hear much more from Porcher. I could easily see him landing a local media job quickly. If not, a front office Lions job could be in the offing, as well.

Rumor has it no one will ever wear Porcher's number 91 again. That would be a nice tribute to a true professional.

Good luck, Robert.