Who's More Pathetic? Lions or Raiders

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by 9lives

See: Matt Hasselbeck

Not very effective anymore with Seahawks not having a dominating running game. But when they had Hutchenson and Alexander, it was pretty good.

Hasselbeck as a good play action passer makes sense. Favre, at least in his first several years, was excellent. I think Holmgren and his coaches taught good fundamentals in that regard.

I still remember Favre pulling a fake against the Bears, hiding the ball against the back of his hip, then, as the Bears were totally out of place, launching the ball to Sterling Sharpe for a touchdown. It was beautiful.

[Slackker]

Originally Posted by The Professor

But the Raiders are, as of today, a more talented team. If Cable turns out to be competent, if Davis doesn't wreck the thing, and if Russell emerges (or some other good QB option does) then the Raiders will be better sooner than the Lions, a team on the bottom rung of rebuilding. A lot of "ifs" there, though, and Davis is a huge variable.

For some reason the mention of Russell reminded me..

For a guy in his third season to STILL only be reading one side of the field on most plays? Ridiculous. I couldn't believe Steve Young was commending him for that on MNF.

I really have a hard time believing that Russell will emerge, honestly. I don't have a definitive opinion, it's still early - as I've said in this thread.

But you are right. The Raiders would win most games against the Lions. Asomugha shutting down Calvin Johnson, and an above average defensive line stopping Kevin Smith - their only two real offensive weapons. Then consider.. the Lions defense is completely horrible, and even the Raiders could put 30 on the board against them.

What say we just combine the Raiders defense and the Lions offense? (Except.. maybe the Raiders offensive line, too.) Then we'd have a playoff contender. Although there'd still be a huge need for linebackers. Oh, and a QB. Small things like that.

[BaseballMan]

Originally Posted by Slackker

For some reason the mention of Russell reminded me..

For a guy in his third season to STILL only be reading one side of the field on most plays? Ridiculous. I couldn't believe Steve Young was commending him for that on MNF.

I really have a hard time believing that Russell will emerge, honestly. I don't have a definitive opinion, it's still early - as I've said in this thread.

But you are right. The Raiders would win most games against the Lions. Asomugha shutting down Calvin Johnson, and an above average defensive line stopping Kevin Smith - their only two real offensive weapons. Then consider.. the Lions defense is completely horrible, and even the Raiders could put 30 on the board against them.

What say we just combine the Raiders defense and the Lions offense? (Except.. maybe the Raiders offensive line, too.) Then we'd have a playoff contender. Although there'd still be a huge need for linebackers. Oh, and a QB. Small things like that.

For the most part i agree with you but in fairness it really is Russell's 2nd season. You might as well consider his first a wash. Yes he he had the clipboard but its not the same as getting on the field. Wildthing was a little erratic monday but the td to Murphy can show what he can do when his receivers do their part as well. I think a lot of it was first game jitters and 2 rookie recivers.
When Chaz comes back it will help Russell. I still do not know why the raiders abandoned the running game when SD wasnt able to stop it. Only when they saw how erratic wildthing was did they slow it down.
Seemed like the raiders were determined to show Russell could complete a long pass. I think its still too early to give up on Russell. The raiders havent been exactly a good place to start as a qb. Matt Ryan did great with the falcons but i think his supporting cast was better.

[BaseballMan]

One other thing. Russell has only started about 17 games. Are you seriously telling me that 17 games is enough to judge a qb as a bust?

[Slackker]

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

One other thing. Russell has only started about 17 games. Are you seriously telling me that 17 games is enough to judge a qb as a bust?

My answer lies in the multiple times in this thread, and the other thread, in which I've stated it's too early to call him a bust - but that I have a general feeling he'll turn into one.

Basically, it's not too early to have an opinion. It's just too early for that opinion to be cemented as truth in my head.

That said.. no QB in that draft has done anything worth mentioning to this point. Russell, Quinn, Kolb, Beck, Stanton, Edwards, Stanback, Troy Smith, and Thigpen. (And after checking.. I forgot Jeff Rowe and Jordan Palmer.). Edwards, Russell, and Quinn have the best opportunity this year.

IF one is going to break out you've gotta think Edwards has the best shot. Owens, Lee Evans, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, and a decent defense on the other side. He's the only QB on this list I feel is judgeable after this season.

[AshBats48]

So nobody watched the MNF game?? Cause the Raiders are at least decent. The Lions, well if they keep Stafford in all year they may be looking at 32 in a row.

[Slackker]

Originally Posted by AshBats48

So nobody watched the MNF game?? Cause the Raiders are at least decent. The Lions, well if they keep Stafford in all year they may be looking at 32 in a row.

The question was "more pathetic". For me there's a difference. And while I agree the Raiders are better, I'd be cautious using 'decent'. I'd still expect another losing season, but most Raiders fans would happily take 7-9 as a step in the right direction, as they should.

As far as Stafford.. the Lions are hoping he grows while playing, over the course of the season. I don't think anyone is expecting them to win more than a few games this year. Lets not base how his entire season will go off of his first ever NFL start.

[Left-handed Badger]

You know, the more I think about these 2 teams are run kind of like where i work if they owned a franchise in some ways. Except for maybe if they were in the Lions position with the 1st overall pick they'd trade it for the best damn placekick holder in the league.

And they'd probably want to bring back the single wing.

[Ragnar]

I don't like either team but I voted Lions.

The Lions just flat out suck. They have never been a good team for long. I think they made it to 1 championship game. At least the Raiders showed some sign of a defense as pathetic as they are.

[Slackker]

The numbers for the poll have certainly turned since the Raiders had a nice showing in their week 1 game.

[Le Grande Orange]

Nine more losses and Detroit breaks the record...

[MorseMoose]

Lions come out better than the Vikes today. The Vikes haven't had a good possession yet!

[Bryan Swartz]

Past tense. Kevin Smith fumbles, and the Vikings take one play -- 27-yd TD by Peterson. Good old Lions football, turning a 10-7 halftime lead into a 17-10 deficit(with more to come, I'm quite certain).

[Bryan Swartz]

Eight to go. I think Detroit has a decent shot at breaking the record.

[Delgadodawg]

Originally Posted by Slackker

The numbers for the poll have certainly turned since the Raiders had a nice showing in their week 1 game.

Then they have an ugly showing today, but still come out with a win.

[BaseballMan]

Yeah it was ugly but at least they finally showed they could win an ugly game. I think things will get better for them when Chaz gets back. Murphy is still progressing. DHB finally got his feet wet with a catch. I dont think he should be starting but Chaz is injured. So far murphy has outplayed DHB.
Doesnt matter though if JRuss cant pick it up.
The play calling hasnt helped. Sure they had almost as many runs as passes but how many passes were on 1st down? They need to run the ball on 1st down. McFadden & Bush are capable of getting 4 yds that J Russ cant seem to get on a simple screen pass.

[dsvitak]

OK, the Rams lose again, now, 13 in a row. They have quietly been racking up an impressive losing streak, over shadowed by the Lions.

When will the Rams start to get some respect as being the worst team in the NFL?

[Goody]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

OK, the Rams lose again, now, 13 in a row. They have quietly been racking up an impressive losing streak, over shadowed by the Lions.

When will the Rams start to get some respect as being the worst team in the NFL?

But they're in such a crappy division according to pretty much everyone who claims to be a football fan and follows an east coast team or any of the bandwagon teams (Cowboys, Steelers). The Rams must suck as much as a high school team if they can't beat the other 3 scrubs in the division at least once during the span of 13 games.

[marioh]

I thought I was hallucinating when I saw that the Lions won a game yesterday.

Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions - Recap - September 27, 2009 - ESPN
It's not April 1st, right?

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by 9lives

But they're in such a crappy division according to pretty much everyone who claims to be a football fan and follows an east coast team or any of the bandwagon teams (Cowboys, Steelers). The Rams must suck as much as a high school team if they can't beat the other 3 scrubs in the division at least once during the span of 13 games.

If I have a point, that's it. They can't win a game, in the dead worst division in football.