William Clay Ford Sr: The Right Owner For The Detroit Lions

William Clay Ford Sr. has been vilified in the media, being labeled the “Second Worst NFL Owner” recently by SI.com and before that the “Second Worst Owner in Sports”, behind being the current Oklahoma City Thunder owner that relocated the team from Seattle.

Ford Sr.  became the sole owner of the Detroit Lions in 1964, when he purchased the team for $4.5 million dollars. The team is now worth $917 million. 

The Lions have been second-rate throughout Ford’s ownership, with the team winning only one playoff game.  The biggest disgrace was former general manager Matt Millen’s eight-year stint in Detroit with a pathetic 31-97 overall record.

While it has been dismal during the Ford era and the Lions are one of the worst franchises in all of sports, would you consider taking Ford over these potential owners in 2009?

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were the top franchise during the 1980’s, led by superstars Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. They fell short of a ten win season once in the decade while collecting four Super Bowl Championships. 

Those days are long gone since a scandal hit in 2000, forcing new ownership.  Their dismal play and the lack of a new stadium have raised many doubts in the new owner. 

The 49ers have not been able to reach an agreement on a new stadium and may be heading south to Santa Clara County.   Since the takeover, the 49ers barely eclipsed the Lions with a higher winning percentage by .006.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals feeble record is worse than Detroit’s winning percentage under Ford. 

The owner is adamant about not hiring a general manager and has an undermanned scouting department, possibly the reason so many misfits with criminal records end up in the Ohio city.  

Their top receiver, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, departed, leaving Chad OchoCinco to attempt to cry his way out of town. These developments, along with their criminal convictions, make this not a team to be proud of. The hooligans that don the orange and black were arrested ten times in 14 months back in 2007. 

Washington Redskins

Daniel Snyder has thrown absurd amounts of money at every talented free agent with a pulse.  With his monetary backing, the team is still four games under .500. 

Maybe Snyder is confused and thought this was a high-stakes fantasy football league.  While he will definitely splash the cash, the team hasn’t produced results, resulting in sub-par season after sub-par season in a strong NFC East.

Oakland Raiders

“The Worst Owner in the NFL” is the Raiders aging owner, Al Davis. 

Davis has driven a once proud organization into the ground. Finding a new head coach for him is a lengthy process with several candidates declining the opportunity. 

He continues to shock everyone with his outrageous first-round draft selections: including a kicker, punter, and the perennial selection of the fastest 40-yard dash time including this year’s choice in Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Looking at these other NFL owners, would Detroit be better off without Ford Sr.?  Is he as terrible as he’s made out to be?

Ford Sr. has kept the Lions in Detroit during his ownership of the team, while seven NFL teams since 1964 have changed their address. 

He moved the team to downtown Detroit to revitalize the city, placing a state-of-the-art stadium adjacent to Comerica Park, while the Pistons remain in an upscale suburban neighborhood. 

Ford’s winning percentage leaves room for improvement, yet his worst flaw is loyalty.  He kept Millen around for several years too long, even giving him a large contract extension in the process. 

That loyalty will come in handy as the world continues to witness Detroit’s financial meltdown, Ford will keep the team entrenched where it belongs. 

In 2008, Ford made a very unpopular choice in keeping Martin Mayhew as the team’s general manager.  That move has given fans hope again, with Mayhew’s shrewd trade tactics and free agent moves. 

Ford could have saved himself $20-$30 million dollars by demanding the team select linebacker Aaron Curry number one overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, yet he went with the quarterback he hopes will resurrect the franchise. 

He spends money, maybe it’s not as flashy as Redskins owner Snyder, yet he isn’t accused of withholding funds to improve the team. 

Detroit currently has $7.4 million dollars left on the cap, while Tampa Bay and Kansas City have over $30 million available. 

Ford Sr. may not be the best owner in the NFL, but he’s exactly what Detroit needs during these dire times. 

The Lions’ Den: Does Detroit Possess a Top Five NFL Linebacking Corps?

The Lions’ Den:  Your source for Detroit Lions information year round.  Player profiles, analysis, rumors, interesting tidbits, etc.  The weekly will be published every Friday, barring any (punter) Chris Hanson-like injuries (e.g. Axe to the non-kicking leg or third degree burns from a cheese fondue accident).

Detroit has transformed their pathetic linebacking corps into a formidable unit with the additions of Pro Bowler Julian Peterson and two-time Super Bowl Champion Larry Foote.

Peterson, a Michigan State graduate, returns to Michigan after previous NFL stops: San Francisco and Seattle.   

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz had previously identified Peterson as a player he would love to coach and ranked him higher than Keith Bullucks on the Tennessee Titans draft board during the 2000 NFL Draft.  At the time, Schwartz was the Titans linebackers coach, before spending eight years as defensive coordinator starting in 2001.  When Peterson was selected No. 16 overall by the 49ers, the Titans snapped up Bullucks at No. 30. 

Even though Bullucks and Peterson were friends, Bullucks never let Schwartz forget that he ranked Peterson higher. 

Schwartz spoke about it, stating, “So every time Keith would make a play, he’d bring the ball over to me and say, ‘Hey, let’s see Peterson do that.’ Well, now we’ve got a chance.”

Schwartz and Peterson have a chance to produce similar stats to what Bullucks did in his time in Tennessee.  Bullucks registered 930 career tackles, 18 sacks, and 15 interceptions, while starting every game from 2002 onwards.

The Lions picked up Foote after his mutual release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.  His leadership and two Super Bowl rings will help solidify the middle linebacker position, a position that has lacked a playmaker since Stephen Boyd. 

Detroit’s acquisitions will give Ernie Sims help at the linebacker position while bringing up the question: Where does Detroit rank among NFL linebacking corps?

Pittsburgh and Baltimore are the cream of the crop, while other superior units attract top-five consideration.

Seattle is a strong contender with Lofa Tatupu providing worthy 2008 stats: 94 tackles, one forced fumble and an interception. Leroy Hill added 84 tackles and highly-touted rookie Aaron Curry will etch Seattle’s name into the top five corps.

The New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers have superstar players, yet lack legitimate starters at all linebacker positions.

The Jets added Bart Scott to play alongside Calvin Pace, but do not have the talent to round into to be considered elite. David Harris makes up for a lack of premium talent with an incredible passion for the game. Fellow linebacker Vernon Gholston disappointed in his rookie season and will need to prove to be more than a workout warrior.

Carolina may have filled their void at outside linebacker by adding Everette Brown to the likes of Thomas Davis and Jon Beason, a group that combined for 251 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Brown will stay at defensive end if Julian Peppers is moved. A swap to linebacker is possible.

Chicago has tremendous linebackers in Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, though another genuine starter is lacking.

The biggest difference between these other teams and Detroit is simple: the Lions have three quality linebackers in Peterson, Foote, and Sims. 

Peterson ended 2008 with 86 tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles, while Sims may have been the only bright spot on the Lions defense, which ranked last. 

Foote still contributed 63 tackles and a forced fumble, while splitting playing time with Lawrence Timmons and will be looking for a productive season and a long-term contract after the season.

The 2009 season will have to play out before it’s known if Detroit’s linebackers can demand the respect of a top unit, but the outlook looks substantially brighter than in 2008.

 

A Little Story About a BIG Man:  Toniu Fonoti

Toniu Fonoti signed with Detroit during the offseason, after weight issues kept him out of football the last two seasons.

Fonoti is 6’4” and is generously listed at 340 pounds. His weight has earned him the nickname “Two Ton,” while his play at Nebraska earned him another nickname, “God.”

His college teammates nicknamed him “God” after he continually destroyed Big 12 defensive lines.

As a sophomore in Lincoln, he set a school record with 155 pancake blocks, a mark he shattered his junior season. During his junior season, Fonoti racked up 20 pancake blocks against Baylor and another 32 against Texas Tech in two consecutive weeks. 

While Fonoti demonstrated remarkable talent in college, it has not translated to the NFL.

He has potential and started two seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.  Fonoti’s former NFL employers is a lengthy list including: Minnesota, Miami, Atlanta, and Carolina before Detroit.  This opportunity with the Lions may prove to be his last shot at sustaining an NFL career.

Hopefully, 2009 will prove to be a turning point in his career, a 340 pound mauler next to Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola sounds spectacular to Lions fans.

If Fonoti can resurrect his career, he could be the answer to Detroit’s offensive line problems.

1995 Detroit Lions: The Forgotten Greatest Show on Turf

The Greatest Show on Turf personified the St. Louis Rams franchise at turn of the millennium, after their offense left the rest of the NFL in ruin. 

But was that title mistakenly placed on the wrong franchise? 

In 1995, the league saw an offensive juggernaut post superior numbers than the Rams would compile four years later, that team…The Detroit Lions.

The biggest argument anointing the 1995 Lions the Greatest Show on Turf would be: the team finished with a 10-6 record, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs while the 1999 Rams were 13-3, and went on to become Super Bowl Champions. 

Four key offensive categories demonstrated the elite status of the 1999 Rams. They ranked first overall in offensive yards, points scored, passing yards and passing touchdowns. 

Similarly, the 1995 Lions were ranked first or second in the same categories.

Detroit’s quarterback Scott Mitchell threw for seven more yards than Kurt Warner did in 1999; he also incurred three less interceptions. Warner did shine in one category with a higher completion percentage at 65.1 versus Mitchell’s at 59.3.

During these highly productive offensive years, Detroit and St. Louis boasted two of the greatest NFL running backs of all-time: Barry Sanders and Marshall Faulk. 

Sanders rushed for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Faulk compiled 1,381 yards with eight touchdowns. Faulk also contributed 1,048 yards in the receiving game and added 5 more touchdowns to his yearly total.

Detroit’s potent receiving corps in 1995 was led by wide receiver Herman Moore. Brett Perriman and Johnnie Morton helped supply the Lions with additional weapons.

Moore ranked third in the league with 1,686 receiving yards, behind legends Jerry Rice and Isaac Bruce. He led Detroit with 14 touchdown receptions and had ten games with 100 yards or more. 

Perriman supplied 1,488 yards with nine catching touchdowns with seven games of 100+ yards, while Morton tallied another 590 yards and eight touchdowns.

Behind Moore, Perriman finished a close sixth in receiving yards. Detroit continued their dominance in the NFL rankings with Moore, Perriman and Morton being ranked in the top 18 in touchdown receptions, difficult to fathom with NFL great Sanders being the team’s superstar. 

The Rams rankings in 1999 were inferior to Detroit’s receivers with Bruce ranking 12th, Faulk at 21st, and Holt trailing behind at 44th in receiving yards.

Detroit’s receivers all equaled or topped their Rams counterpart. Moore had 521 more receiving yards and two more touchdowns than Bruce. Perriman nearly doubled Holt’s 788 receiving yards, with 1,488 and delivered three more scores. 

Az-Zahir Hakim, the Rams slot receiver, gave St. Louis an advantage at one receiver position; adding 87 more yards than Morton, while matching his touchdown total of eight.

In four different NFL seasons since 1995, Moore and Perriman’s outstanding production would have seen them ranked No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the receiving yards (1996, 1998, 2004, and 2006).

Detroit’s superior offensive play was highlighted best in their 44-38 Thanksgiving Day victory over Minnesota in Week 13. The Lions had a record-breaking day with 534 yards of total offense, being fourth in team history. Mitchell broke Lions records with pass attempts, completions and passing yards. 

This game featured the first time ever; three Lions receivers eclipsed the 100 yard mark. Perriman had a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns, Moore added 127 yards and a score, with Morton completing the trifecta with 102 yards and a fourth team touchdown.

Sanders became the fourth Lion 100 yard contributor with 138 yards rushing and a 50 yard touchdown run in the second half to solidify the victory.

While their season didn’t end with a Super Bowl victory, 1995 boasted some of the best teams ever. Dallas, San Francisco, Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay all possessed Hall of Fame talent on their rosters.

These talent-laden teams may have overshadowed Detroit’s spectacular season. 

Detroit’s players set numerous single-season records and created multiple highlights.

They etched Wayne Fontes name into the club’s record books becoming the winning-est coach in team history and their season included an upset win over reigning Super Bowl Champion 49ers.

All of the 1995 season records are still intact, Mitchell’s 4,338 passing yards ranks first overall, Moore and Perriman rank first and second overall with their receiving yards totals in 1995, and Sanders had his fifth best rushing yard total of his stunning career.

Detroit’s season faded from memory, though it does not erase the legacy of the Lions greatest team since the AFL merger.

 

Schwartz, Linehan, and Cunningham Bring New Direction to Detroit Lions

From the coaching staff to the abundance of new players, the 2009 Detroit Lions will be completely revamped. 

Lion coaches will bring a playbook full of new schemes and a fresh set of players will unveil the team’s new look.  Specific plays will not be known until the regular season starts, though the Lions coaches have given a glimpse of what’s to come.

New Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz was the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator for the last eight years, during his coaching career he’s studied under great football minds like Bill Belichick and Jeff Fisher.

Schwartz is known as a smart coach that uses unorthodox methods known to football; he brings a different strategic and statistic approach to his game plan.  Schwartz learned from current coaching legend Bill Belichick, who had some very flattering comments about Schwartz after his appointment as Lions head coach.

“He’s smarter than I am,” Belichick said. “He’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever been around. He’s one of those guys who can be working on 10 different things at the same time and if you gave him another one, it wouldn’t faze him.

“He’s a multitask guy who is very bright. He can be there at five in the morning and still be there at midnight, still full of energy.”

Schwartz does seem like a bright guy, his first order of business proved this by selecting highly-qualified coordinators in Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham. 

Linehan was the former head coach of the St. Louis Rams and his appointment as Lion’s offensive coordinator brings instant credibility to the team. 

He is known as an offensive genius who gets the best out of his players like Daunte Culpepper a two-time Pro Bowler under his direction with Minnesota.  Culpepper averaged over 4,000 yards and accumulated 82 passing touchdowns in his three previous years with Linehan.

Linehan adapts his system to fit around his players, until previous coordinator Mike Martz.  He likes a run first offense that is capable of big strikes.  

His big strikes will surely be coming from top NFL receiver Calvin Johnson, the pride of the Lion’s attack.

When Linehan was asked if the Lion’s would be known as a power rushing team, he responded with, “I would say that’s a good way of describing what we are all about in the run game, but we have different schemes though that can utilize the abilities of our players.”

Schwartz and Linehan have added several new players including new receivers Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry, and rookie Derrick Williams.  Newcomers Maurice Morris and rookie Aaron Brown add different options to the running backs.

The opposite side of the ball is no different with an intelligent, defensive mind as coordinator.  Cunningham also has a previous relationship to Schwartz and son-in-law is not correct, Lions fans.

Cunningham coached under Schwartz during his time in Tennessee.  Schwartz added another capable person to run the defense.  Cunningham was a former head coach and the 2008 defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs before arriving in Detroit.

Under his guidance, the Chiefs were one of the worst defensive teams in the league, though it’s not entirely his fault.  He was obligated to run a Tampa-two defense forced upon him by then head coach Herm Edwards and the Chiefs had the youngest defense in the league. 

Cunningham prefers veterans, but was duty-bound to build a defense around a profound number of younger players.

Cunningham is an aggressive play-caller who may blitz more than any 4-3 defensive coordinator in the NFC, when given the chance to implement his approach on defense.  He’ll enthusiastically dispose of the Tampa-two defense from Detroit’s playbook and add bigger, stronger players in a more versatile scheme. 

The Tampa-two defense emphasizes smaller, quicker players; which directing conflicts with the new schemes Schwartz and Cunningham look to put in place.

The defensive tackles brought in under Schwartz were Grady Jackson, generously weighted at 345lbs and Sammie Lee Hill a 330lbs raw talent added in the draft.  Both Jackson and Hill are monsters compared to the 300lb and under club, utilized by former coach Marnelli and staff.

Look for Detroit to increase blitzing and man-to-man coverage with less zone coverage.

Cunningham plans on using Julian Peterson as a main rusher, even converting him to a down lineman in certain circumstances.  He expects better play from linebacker Ernie Sims, letting him play with his eyes and hitting the ball faster, instead of “bluffing” directions in the former Tampa-two. 

 Another change for the 2009 Lions is explained by Cunningham, ”I have a scheme where there’s only three linemen and three linebackers, five DBs—we call it quarter and a lot of coaches don’t let you get it on the field.” 

Three defensive backs Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry and Eric King will be the beneficiaries of the quarter package.

This defensive transformation will not likely bear full effect until 2010 or 2011, when Detroit can get the perfect fits at each position. 

The 2009 Lions will need time to adapt to the new schemes and to get the right personnel in place.  Detroit has added great minds that will ensure a more stable, winning mindset which will benefit the team in the upcoming seasons.

The Lions’ Den: Detroit Lions Weekly

The Lions’ Den:  Your source for Detroit Lion’s information year round.  Player profiles, analysis, rumors, interesting tidbits, etc.  The weekly will be published every Friday, barring any (punter) Chris Hanson-like injuries (I.E. Axe to the non-kicking leg or third degree burns from a cheese fondue accident).

 

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My Two Cents:  Larry Foote’s signing was a major boost to the Lions roster, instantly giving them a top linebacking corps in the NFL. 

Foote’s off-the-field contributions to his home town of Detroit may make a greater impact.

In March 2008, Foote paid for 10-year old Mark Brown-Williams funeral, after the boy fell through the ice and drown in the Rouge River in Detroit.  He felt compelled to do something even though he had no previous relation with the family.  Foote’s son is around the same age as Mark and Foote played on the same river as a child growing up. 

His dream after the NFL is to coach football at his former high school, Pershing High School in Detroit.

Lion’s fan should welcome home one of their own, but also recognize his great accomplishments off-the-field  that so few athletes contribute today.

 

Player Profile:  Zack Follett

Zack Follett was a seventh round selection picked 235^th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.  He is 6’2” 240lbs and played all three linebacker positions during his collegiate career at California.

His versatility will be a welcome addition to the Detroit Lions team, giving Detroit depth at linebacker and as a special teams contributor.  His biggest strengths are his pass rushing ability and his violent tackles, which have made him a fan favorite along with his quirky personality.

His hero growing up was Terry Tate, the office linebacker from the Reebok commercials. Follett said, “Growing up, Terry Tate, No. 56, the Office Linebacker, he was my hero watching those commercials. I tried to emulate him when I was out there.”

Do you notice what number Follett wore in college (seen in the picture above)?  No. 56 the same as Terry Tate.

Not a bad hero to have, Tate’s fictional character brought a lot of energy and violent hits to his coworkers or “opponents.”  Follett brings that same energy to his game.  Though he has an injury history, including a neck stinger and shoulder injuries.

Follett seems determined to prove the NFL wrong for not selecting him before the seventh round.  His comment clearly shows that, “They’re gonna pay for it,” says Follett. “I’m gonna go out there and hit their players and take them out of the game.” 

Other interesting notes about Follett:

He spent the 2007 season at Cal with dyed hair resembling tiger stripes with a “Z” dyed in the back of his head, earning him the nickname “Ziger.”  He also makes life-size work carvings of teammates.

Follett doesn’t allow his off-the-field antics to change the way he plays on the field.  He takes the game very seriously and wants to sustain a long NFL career.

 

Transactions of the Week (Notables only)

Signed: 

DE Eric Hicks- 44.5 career sacks, played in a 3-4 under Gunther Cunningham in Kansas City.  

OG Toniu Fonoti- 27 years old, 6’4” 340lbs, once promising guard that was out of football for two years with weight issues.  This could be his last chance in Detroit.

 

Released:  TE Michael Gaines, CB Travis Fisher, RB Brian Calhoun

It’s Official: The Detroit Lions Will Select Matthew Stafford

It’s official. The Detroit Lions will select Matthew Stafford, the junior quarterback from Georgia as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

NFL.com’s Thomas George was told by a source in the Detroit Lions organization that they select Stafford regardless of whether a deal is in place by the beginning of the draft Saturday at 4 p.m.

Now here comes the hard part for some Lions fans, if you’re at the NFL Draft in New York, don’t boo Stafford, what good will it do? 

Last year when the visiting Cincinnati Bengals came to town, Lions fans tried the “orange out” by asking all fans to wear orange  in protest of Matt Millen.  Did it work?  Of course not. 

Whether or not you wanted Stafford as the Lions quarterback or you would have preferred Aaron Curry or Jason Smith, it’s a done deal. 

Let’s give Stafford a chance to succeed.  It’s not his fault the Lions drafted him, he’s a young man, his first impression of Detroit doesn’t need to be a negative one.

The Lions will need Stafford to have success, which could happen with a year learning from the sidelines under Scott Linehan, a proven offensive coordinator.  Linehan helped fellow Detroit quarterback Daunte Culpepper become a league MVP and Stafford has far more talent than Culpepper did coming out of college.

Stafford does have question marks, but every quarterback in college always does.  Peyton Manning was a No. 1 selection, yet many experts thought Ryan Leaf would have a better career, others stated he had the hype because of his last name. 

Peyton’s father was a great NFL quarterback and some experts thought he was living off his father’s reputation, experts stated if his name was “Peyton Jones” he would be a third-round pick. 

While Stafford is holding the clipboard for Detroit in the 2009 season, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy will be playing against the inferior defenses of the Big 12 conference. 

The only Big 12 quarterback with a chance to start in 2009 is Sage Rosenfels from Iowa State. 

The biggest change will be all of the Lions front office and staff will be onboard with the selection of Stafford.  Mayhew made this comment, “Whoever we pick, it’ll be a player Jim and I both like — and Scott and our scouts, too. We’re going to be on the same page.”

That is a major change from the Millen days where former head coach Marty Morningweg was adamant he did not want Joey Harrington, yet Millen had his way.  The same happened when he selected Drew Stanton in the second round, a pick that was not embraced by the coaching staff. 

It’s hard to coach a guy you didn’t want.  Linehan will have wanted a chance to coach Stafford that will be backed by the entire organization.  That’s a huge improvement.

The Lions can improve their offensive line later in this year’s draft or early in the 2010 draft.  If Detroit grabs a middle linebacker such as Rey Maualuga or James Laurinaitis, it’s still giving the Lions a very good linebacking corps, as it would with Aaron Curry.

Stafford has a chance to succeed in the NFL; Lions fans need to support him and hopefully the Lions will be smiling in future years with a solid NFL quarterback, something that hasn’t been seen in Detroit for 50 years. 

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