Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

This post is a mostly a shout-out to one of our coolest Posters, Slo Motion. What is this, your 3rd anniversary with B&G.com?

For those of you who just joined us, SloMotion, who lives in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area, I believe, appeared here a few years ago,
as a Lions Fan, which he is. He came here peacefully, to discuss what to look for in our matchup, which at the time, was a pretty exciting one, as both teams were playoff bound. SloMo was impressed at how friendly, and cool we were, and he became a regular member of our board, and the Saints are now his other favorite team.

SloMo's involvement here surpassed normal internet chat, as he went as far to drive from Michigan all the way to my house, at the time, which was 40 minutes East of Houston, in the Trinity River Marshes/ swamps for MudBugs III, our annual Hou-Dats Saints Fans crawfish boil. If anyone deserves to wear black and gold, it is you, my friend, and my hats off to you. I would like to remind you, MudBugs VII is coming after Easter.

So, being a Lions expert, Slo Mo, tell us how the Saints & Lions matchup, what to look for on both sides of the ball, what is the state of the Lions, what does this game mean for them, and give us a predicted outcome.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Hey thanks, Mike, ... this is the best board/group out there and MudBugs are a huge bonus, ;).

Well, I've given it some thought, and this might be the first time since joining B&G that I might actually pick the Lions to win this one ... "might" ... jury's still out, game ain't 'til Monday ... I got time, :).

I know, I know ... Lions can't win on the road, Stafford is something like 1-18 vs winning/good teams, Caldwell has all the personality/energy of a Fathead life-sized, precision-cut, vinyl wall graphic with the coaching ability to match, but just like the Saints inexplicably beat Can'tlanta, Dallas & Tampa Bay, I'm thinking Detroit might be able to take advantage of the down-cycle and win one in the Dome ... hey, they beat the Packers in Lambeau for the first time in about 30yrs, #itcouldhappen.

The resurgence of the defense (NO) after releasing RR makes me think twice and the games vs Carolina/Tampa Bay kinda' make me think the Lions are gonna' get slaughtered, but they've (Detroit) had their brief moments of clarity despite the 1-7 start. Of course, they (Lions) also don't start playing their best ball until they've been mathematically eliminated and the games are meaningless, at which point they ripped off three consecutive wins this year, :neutral:.

Both teams have talented rosters, IMO, and neither one of them should have a losing record, but only one team has a history of turning itself around and winning something and that'll probably, in all likelihood, manifest itself on MNF ... only time will tell, :).

This game could be a trap, Detroit's had some pretty good MNF performances under similar circumstances, just sayin' ... ya'll know the deal ... we're not so different, you and I, ;).

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

If anyone would know the Lions, it's SloMo ;).

I think Stafford will sling the ball all over the place & torch #39 early and often.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

"This game could be a trap, Detroit's had some pretty good MNF performances under similar circumstances, just sayin' ... ya'll know the deal ... we're not so different, you and I, . "

At least you and I aren't the failclowns!

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

over under has to be at least 60 points

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

There is just no telling who shows up. Saints in a prime time game in the Dome? Another Megatron thanksgiving display of awesomeness? Maybe it's who makes the least mistakes. I agree with RC83, don't look for a defensive match-up.
But Slo-Mo, appreciate you on the board!

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

SloMo for what it's worth I feel for Detroit because they are arguably the most screwed-over team in the NFL. Hope it's a fun game, but probably not much at stake for either team given this year.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Stafford isn't gonna torch #39...#39 is gonna torch himself! He's is own worst enemy...

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Hahaha! I was telling my fiancee about Caldwell one night while we were watching the Lions beating the crap out of someone or another only to get beat at the end (Personally, I think it has to do with how close Detroit is to Cleveland) and this is this greatest description of that man ever!

I think Caldwell's in line to be the next James Bond. He has about the same range of expression as the current 007. -Just a little side jab at Sphinctre. :D

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

He is his team's worst enemy...

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

I see this game going just like the Giants game. Down to the wire, last team with the ball wins. Over 700 total yards offense combined.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

I dunno.... do you even think Stafford even knows what Browner looks like? :bng::clown:

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

I agree. Shootout.

Which is why it'll finish Saints 3 - Lions 2. :bng:

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Ok, I guess I'll accept my responsibility to the board and "stick-up" for the Lions, but I just want you guys to know my heart may not really be in it given the Lions current state of affairs for the last 50yrs or so, :lol:.

Vegas line is -3 Saints ... that's the home team line, so it's pretty even. Saints hold the all-time series record 12-10-1 (their first meeting in '68 wound up a tie), have won 4 outta' the last 5 and dropping a few 40-burgers on Detroit in the process. The Lions averaged an incredible 20.6 ppg during this stretch to New Orleans' 37.2 ppg. Remember 2011/12? Lions Cinderella story? Stafford 's breakout season? Passing for 5038yds or so? First playoff appearance in how long? Who crashed the party and went home with the crown and the playoff win? Drew ... that magnificent bastard, :neutral:.

It ain't all doom & gloom in Motown, I guess. Injuries and departures have decimated the defense, but they surprisingly have been able to maintain pressure on the QB without Suh/Fairley. Ziggy Ansah remains in JJ Watt's rearview mirror for QB sacks and Devon Taylor has had some big games. Hali Ngata fills the gaps nicely. The losses of DeAndre Levy (leading tackler) and Rasheen Mathis probably hurt this team most and the Lions secondary (like the rest of the team) is inconsistent. There's a veteran presence with Ihedigbo, Quin, but they've lost a step or two. Linebacker corps is at best, spotty.

The 23rd ranked offense has continued to be a disappointment. After seven years in the league, I'm done sticking up for Stafford and relegating him to "2nd" tier QB indefinitely. I keep hearing the Lions can't run the ball, can't block anyone, blah, blah, blah ... and for the most part, their record would indicate that it's true, but I watch every game. There's just too many Superbowl rings on that team to suck so bad, IMO. Megatron, Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Theo Riddick (from the backfield) ... you'd think they'd have a better ppg average, #shrug. Ameer Abdullah has some flash, protecting the ball is his issue. Joique Bell is solid, IMO ... why can't they run the ball? The O/L just isn't that bad either ... young maybe, but not that bad, #scratchhead.

Lets not forget the H/C variable either, fellas. Yeah, Sean's been in a funk and all, but Caldwell cannot make adjustments like Payton. Our new OC, Jim-Bob Cooter, has simplified the offense and made it move, but nobody make adjustments like "the Sean". Also and for some reason, nobody on the Lions sidelines can count & they have had only 10 players on the field for Special Teams on occasion ... take advantage of that & block a few kicks.

All that being said, a lot of their games, win or lose, have been one score games and if they play like they did vs Seattle, Green Bay, Denver and Chicago, they could pull it off ...

IDK, it has the potential to be one of the worst games of the MNF season, a Saints blowout or a Lions upset ... it harkens back to the day when both teams were pretty equally sucky so the games were actually pretty entertaining. I think I'm getting an ulcer, :neutral:.

That's the key right 'chere, ;) ... which team(s) are gonna' show up? Both teams have looked like world beaters this season and both teams coulda' been mopped up by the expansion Tampa Bay Bucs of the '70s.

Yeah, the Lions have had two, maybe three games this year decided by the officials, #sigh. We've all said it, "don't put yourself in the position for the refs to decide the game", but come on! "Good teams get the calls", we've said that one also on here. Part of the problem is the Lions will let you punch them in the face, tackle their QB out of bounds, et ... without a whimper. It's part of the "sheep" mentality Caldwell brings to a team, :neutral:. Look for #39 Brandon Browner (NO) to have a big game in that aspect.

The guy has demotivated the entire team ... you see it in interviews, they all have that deadpan, deer-in-the-headlights, Caldwell expression/demeanor. It's depressing. Schwartz (Caldwell's predecessor) was not the right H/C either, but at least the team was fired up to play on Sundays.

Pressure on Stafford is key because without it, he has too many targets. Pettigrew (TE) is out for the season and that hurts the Lions blocking schemes more than anything ... Staffy's been holding the ball too long lately & there are questions concerning the Lions O/L. Go get 'em boys, ;).

The matchups on Megatron are gonna' be interesting. A couple teams have been able to contain him and the Lions haven't gone to him as much as they should, but he's still the ultimate redzone monster, IMO. It's a good game for Browner because the refs let everyone mug the Lions, for some reason. Yeah, I'm blaming the refs, :lol:. They've finally started getting the ball to Mr. YAC, Golden Tate and Ebron'll burn you for one, maybe two big catches, but he'll drop the ball when it counts.

I think the key to the game is gonna' be the Saints O/L and the Lions D/L. Believe it or not, the Lions have managed to maintain a decent pass rush even after losing their two big "stars" from last season. They have a bigger problem in coverage than on the D/L, IMO. With "Cool-Hand" Drew back there and a weak(er) Saints O/L, that's where the game is decided.

May the best team win, :neutral:.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

A few of my favorite Lions memes/pics floating around the internet for your enjoyment, :) ... I'm laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside, :lol:.

http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp...onssuckfl6.jpg

http://www.totalpackers.com/wp-conte...14/06/3800.jpg

http://www.gumballempire.com/wp-cont...3/12/romod.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmoya5Mfkj...2Ba%2Bring.jpg

http://nflhumor.com/wp-content/uploa...11684910_n.jpg

http://isportsweb.com/wp-content/upl...fan-usable.jpg

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

I've been a Lions fan since Tim the Tool Man Taylor. Of course, Slo Mo helps keep the feeling alive. Glad you're here. :razz:

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Thanks Rugby! ... but we all know why we watched that show ... and it wasn't Tim, Al or Binford tools, ;), :lol:.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam...ge-gallery.jpg

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

it was the Binford 2000.

GAME ON!

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

SloMo Kent, Merry Christmas. Your other team won tonight.
One team was going to win and either way you look at, it would have been your team, :-)

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Thanks & Merry Christmas! Can't believe it's Friday ... I'm still fishing! I didn't really enjoy this game, both teams looked ugly, are out of it, et ... Hope to see ya' at Mudbugs this year, :).

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Maybe at my crib... I'll show a replay of this game here played tonight.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

:lol: ... don't you dare!

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Congrats, Slo Mo. Your D looks good. Its hard to tell about the run game,
considering it's against us. Your O-line is a bit sketchy.
Congrats to Lions, though. : )

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

Thanks Mike, no congratulations necessary ... I wasn't rooting for 'em (other then the fact they're the hometown team) and had NO picked all the way, :(. I hate to say it, but the Saints defense made 'em look like world beaters ... Lions haven't run the ball like that all year, Ebron hasn't had a game with multiple catches like that, big yard plays have been non-existant and Stafford's been beat up a heckuva' lot worse, :(.

I really feel for you guys, but at least you have a SuperBowl win and some playoff victories to reminisce on while you rebuild, :) ... Lions'll use this game to somehow validate a 5-9 season & blow smoke up the fan's butts on how they're "on the right path", :rolleyes:.

I'm ready for some Mudbugs, :D.

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

SloMo,

Does Jim Caldwell get another year in Motown or is he Dead Man walking (fired right after the last game)?

Re: Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?
 

This is one of my greatest concerns ... after a 1-7 start, he was definitely on the hotseat, but the front office shakeup and rattling off 3 straight had people calling to retain him. One of my fears about this game was that it would further validate him as the future H/C, but when you look at some of the common mistakes during the game, ie too many men on the field, incorrect challenges, et, and sadly, strength-of-opponent, Caldwell is just another mediocre Lions H/C in a long line of mediocre H/C's.

He's a nice enough guy, professional and all, just not a "winner", #shrug. If he's the choice going forward, it's just more of the same 'ol, same 'ol, IMO.

Martha Ford (owner/Marth Vader) seems to be warming up to him, but I'm hoping the new GM comes in and sweeps clean, :neutral:.