2011 Lions season (if there is one)

[The Suburban Avenger]

Fox Sports, which ought to know what with it being one of the NFL's TV partners and all, is reporting the Lions will host Chicago Oct. 10 for the first regular-season Monday night game in Ford Field history.

[The Suburban Avenger]

Fox Sports, which ought to know what with it being one of the NFL's TV partners and all, is reporting the Lions will host Chicago Oct. 10 for the first regular-season Monday night game in Ford Field history.

Fox Sports was right, Oct. 10 vs. Chicago on Monday night.

That's the only prime-time appearance they get (unless, snicker, flex-scheduling gets involved). The Packers come to town for Thanksgiving day and the Chargers are at Ford Field the day before Christmas. You also can roll out of bed New Year's Day to watch them lose at Green Bay in the regular-season finale.

[The Suburban Avenger]

Cross-post to things I'll be sure to miss ...

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions will hold a Draft Party at Hard Rock Cafe Detroit Friday, April 29 from 4-8 p.m. Fans could have an opportunity to welcome the Lions’ first round pick and enjoy other festivities scheduled as the NFL kicks off Round 2 of the NFL Draft at 6 p.m.

Admission to the draft event is FREE to the public, and no ticket is required. Parking will be available in the Compuware garage and is also FREE for Hard Rock Cafe guests.

After making their first round selection Thursday, April 28, the Lions plan to bring the drafted player to Detroit Friday and introduce him to the fans (pending flight schedule/availability).

Fans would also be on hand as the Lions make their second round selection. As it stands, Detroit holds the 12th selection in the second round and is expected to be on the clock sometime between 7-7:30 p.m. ET.

[Doctor Detroit]

I like the pick. That line is going to be feared.

[The Suburban Avenger]

It will be at least until next week when the 8th circuit decides on the temporary stay in the NFL lockout case. If you've forgotten the stakes because this case continues to drag on for what seems like several hundred years: a ruling from the 8th circuit in favor the players would mean immediate football. A ruling for the owners would mean no football until probably July. This is a big, big ruling. So much at stake.

I can tell you from speaking with a number of people around the NFL the lives of many in the sport have almost come to a stop. Players continue to work out and coaches continue to plan for Football PL (Post Lockout) but these same NFL types constantly have their eye on St. Louis where the 8th circuit is located.

The NFL remains totally inactive. It's actually stunning to see a billion dollar industry totally shutdown for going on two months now. Can't imagine what Hollywood would look like if it was shut down. Maybe like this. Stadiums empty. Practice fields empty. Facilities without players. Weight rooms silent. Film rooms inactive.

"I feel pretty much lost right now," said one AFC assistant coach. "I don't know what the hell to do with my life."

Teams are bracing for what might be the next inevitable step: more layoffs of lower level team officials like assistant coaches.

Meanwhile the 8th circuit keeps us waiting. And waiting.

And waiting.

http://mike-freeman.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6264363/29107154

Granted, it's not the same as actually being with position/strength coaches and watching film, but I think that one-day window where players could return to team facilities was extremely fortunate if/when the lockout ends. If the appeals court grants a permanent stay, my understanding is mid- to late July as the earliest some sort of ruling could come.
In the meantime, players have playbooks, suggested workout regimens and other tidbits from their respective coaching staffs. If training camps open later than usual, I'm thinking there won't be much of a problem when it comes to reporting out of shape or completely unprepared.

[Doctor Detroit]

It's actually stunning to see a billion dollar industry totally shutdown for going on two months now.

He doesn't get to Detroit much, I guess.

[The Suburban Avenger]

Duties as Lions boy begin Friday. Not sure if he'll be on the field yet, but looking forward to see how/if they pair Fairley with Suh.

[James Scott]

Duties as Lions boy begin Friday. Not sure if he'll be on the field yet, but looking forward to see how/if they pair Fairley with Suh.

I don't know how much they will be playing together, but I bet that combo will make third downs mighty interesting for a while around these parts.

[coreytron]

You know what makes makes me almost feel like the Lions hype is justified, and that we are creeping back towards respectability? When other teams start picking up our discarded trash.

"Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Williams is expected to sign with the Bears, reuniting with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who coached Williams in Detroit. There is some dispute about the report.

Just minutes before Jensen made his report, Michael C. Wright quoted Williams’ agent Ben Dogra, saying Williams has not agreed to terms. But a deal is possible. (That query come in response to Twitter chatter a deal was done.)

It sounds like this reunion is close, but not done just yet. This will allow Bears fans time to prepare for the celebrations in the streets sure to ensue after the move is official."


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ing-bears/

[James Scott]

You know what makes makes me almost feel like the Lions hype is justified, and that we are creeping back towards respectability? When other teams start picking up our discarded trash.

"Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Williams is expected to sign with the Bears, reuniting with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who coached Williams in Detroit. There is some dispute about the report.

Just minutes before Jensen made his report, Michael C. Wright quoted Williams’ agent Ben Dogra, saying Williams has not agreed to terms. But a deal is possible. (That query come in response to Twitter chatter a deal was done.)

It sounds like this reunion is close, but not done just yet. This will allow Bears fans time to prepare for the celebrations in the streets sure to ensue after the move is official."


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ing-bears/

Just wait until he starts giving up on routes like he did here and in Dallas. They will really love him there.

[The Suburban Avenger]

Only two days in and no hitting yet, but Stafford looks bigger and his throws are awfully crisp. Mikel Leshoure also looks like a healthy upgrade at running back. If he's moderately successful as a north-south runner, they can do all kinds of stuff with Best, who I think is better as a receiver out of the backfield than a between-the-tackles runner.

Shit, 1,600 people showed up in stifling heat to watch these idiots today.

[Heywood McCrakin]

You know what makes makes me almost feel like the Lions hype is justified, and that we are creeping back towards respectability? When other teams start picking up our discarded trash.

"Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Williams is expected to sign with the Bears, reuniting with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who coached Williams in Detroit. There is some dispute about the report.

Just minutes before Jensen made his report, Michael C. Wright quoted Williams’ agent Ben Dogra, saying Williams has not agreed to terms. But a deal is possible. (That query come in response to Twitter chatter a deal was done.)

It sounds like this reunion is close, but not done just yet. This will allow Bears fans time to prepare for the celebrations in the streets sure to ensue after the move is official."


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ing-bears/

Just wait until he starts giving up on routes like he did here and in Dallas. They will really love him there.

Chicago can't wait to see his first down celebrations!

[The Suburban Avenger]

Zack Follett is an ex-Lion. Probably for the best, because he likely wouldn't be more than a special teams player after the Lions signed Tulloch and Durant and brought back Jerome Felton.

[Andy]

Zack Follett is an ex-Lion. Probably for the best, because he likely wouldn't be more than a special teams player after the Lions signed Tulloch and Durant and brought back Jerome Felton.

I guess that means a new Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men commercial on the jumbotron.

[The Suburban Avenger]

Zack Follett is an ex-Lion. Probably for the best, because he likely wouldn't be more than a special teams player after the Lions signed Tulloch and Durant and brought back Jerome Felton.

I guess that means a new Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men commercial on the jumbotron.

Bobby Carpenter signed a contract this afternoon, so maybe be can do it. They also re-signed Chris Houston and expect to have Cliff Avril in camp tomorrow when all the free agents are finally allowed to practice.

Sindbad was at practice today, for some reason.