Moneyball NFL Version

[kdmajoslin]

Despite starting the season off a miserable 0-3, Coach Munny remains popular in the Motor City.

Recent polls have his approval rating at 76%
(Fans 90; Media 87; Owner 58; Players 99; Staff 70)

Coach Munny should enjoy the honeymoon now, because unless he starts producing some wins his time in Detroit is likely to be short-lived.

[kdmajoslin]

Free Agent Pickups

With CB Terrell Thomas injured (separated shoulder) and likely to miss the next 3-5 weeks, Lions GM Gil Darnell brings in former Georgia standout CB Demario Minter. Minter who was orignally drafted by the Browns in 2006, has played for the Browns, Chiefs and Cardinals.

When asked about the pickup, Coach Munny had this to say "Demario has solid man cover skills and he will give us a little more speed in the secondary. We are simply seeing too many big plays and we think Demario can help with that."

Minter isn't the only free agent pickup.

The Lions also brought in veteran TE Mark Campbell and FB Kyle Johnson. Injuries to backup TE Brandon Manumaleuna and FB Jameel Cook left Detroit hurting last week, and Coach Munny doesn't plan on letting that happen again.

TE Mark Campbell most recently of the New Orlean Saints is a veteran TE known best as a blocking TE, but he's got decent hands.

FB Kyle Johnson played for the Broncos most recently and is a jack of all trades. He has decent speed for a FB, decent hands and is okay at point of impact. His signing really comments on what the coaches are thinking about Jameel Cook and his most recent injury...namely that Cook isn't going to be able to return to form.

To make room on the roster for Minter, Campbell and Johnson the Lions let TE Manumaleuna, SS Greg Wesley, and rookie CB Jeremie Chapman go. Wesley was strictly a backup, Chapman was never activated and while the Lions had high hopes for Manumaleuna he sustained a torn pectoral and was set to miss at least 3 months...so he was expendable.

SS Greg Wesley was picked up by the Dolphins and TE Manumaleuna was picked up by the Bengals after their release.

[kdmajoslin]

Redskins (1-2) @ Lions (0-3)

Two once great franchises meet on their way down. The Redskins look strong with HB Clinton Portis busting off a 60yd TD run in the first quarter.

WAS 7 DET 0

Lions QB Troy Smith is struggling and the Washington secondary is there to take advantage. An interception by Safety Chris Horton gives the Redskins the ball back. The offense turns it into points when K Billy Cundiff hits a 35yd FG.

WAS 10 DET 0 at the end of the 1st quarter

K Billy Cundiff adds another FG in the 2nd quarter this one a 44yder.

WAS 13 DET 0

With time in the half running out, the Lions come alive. QB Troy Smith finally starts finding some targets...and miraculously his receivers actually hold on to the ball. WR Shaun McDonald slips his DB and catches a rocket pass with 2 defenders in front of him, 9 yards to go, and no time left on the clock...McDonald slips under the first defender, but the second defender hits him with 4 yards still to go...but McDonald doesn't go down, he starts dragging the safety toward the endzone. The rest of the Redskins defense starts to converge...McDonald falls forward...he reaches out...the ball crosses the goal line. Touchdown Loins!

HB Justin Fargas takes the pitch for a 2pt conversion.

WAS 13 DET 8 at the end of the half

The Lions start with the ball in the 2nd half, but QB Troy Smith gives the ball right back to the Redskins. CB K. Ward takes the interception 52yds for the TD.

WAS 20 DET 8

WR Shaun McDonald shines again with a 18yd TD catch. Another two point conversion closes the gap to 4.

WAS 20 DET 16

The Lions defense comes up big forcing Jason Campbell to fumble the ball. New acquisition CB DeMario Minter scoops it up and goes 32yds for the TD.

The Redskins challenge the fumble and despite the replay clearly showing it was fumbled as QB Campbell was hit by DE Derrick Burgess, the ball coming out while he was in the air and not down, the play is called back. NO TD!

The 4th quarter starts off with a bang when CB K. Ward makes his second INT and he returns this one for a TD as well, going 40yds.

WAS 27 DET 16 in the 4th quarter

The Lions come right back and after a few good runs by HB Justin Fargas, Fargas dives over the top for a 1yd TD. He adds another 2pt conversion to bring the Lions within 3 pts.

WAS 27 DET 24

The Lions go for the onside kick despite there still being 5 minutes in the game. They get it!

The Lions keep to the ground game and turn it into points when backup HB Darren Sproles takes the pitch and goes around the corner for a 1yd TD.

WAS 27 DET 31

The Redskins look shaken, the momentum of this one has definitely shifted. HB Clinton Portis fumbles the ball and DT Tank Johnson has it...he's going for the endzone. He's not fast, but he throws down any Redskins that catches up to him. TD Lions! The Redskins challenges the fumble! On the replay Portis clearly coughs up the ball when Lions LB Rosevelt Colvin makes initial contact. DT Johnson has the ball before Portis is even wrestled to the ground...but once again the refs overturn the play, giving the ball back to the Redskins! The Lions fans are going crazy!

On the very next play, HB Clinton Portis takes the ball around the end for a 48yd TD.

WAS 34 DET 31 with under two minutes remaining.

The Lions get a solid return by WR/KR Josh Cribbs and then QB Troy Smith takes over. A couple of scrambles gives the Lions some much needed first downs. A big catch by TE Vernon Davis brings the Lions into the redzone with 32 seconds remaining. A couple of dropped passes puts the Lions into a 3rd and 10 from the 18yd line with only 14 seconds left on the clock and no timeouts. QB Troy Smith hits backup HB Darren Sproles for a 15yd gain. First down with 8 seconds on the clock ticking away. Detriot rushes to the Lion and just gets the snap off in time...QB Troy Smith sees WR Malcolm Kelly open in the endzone. Safety LaRon Landry comes on the blitz and knocks the ball down, no he didn't knock it down...he intercepted it!... He's gone...93yds for the TD!

WAS 41 DET 31 Final! The Lions lose a heartbreaker.


DET QB Troy Smith 21/44 (47%) for 271yds 2 TDs 4 INTs
WAS QB Jason Campbell 10/23 (43%) for 89yds INT

DET HB Justin Fargas 26 runs for 118yds TD
WAS HB Clinton Portis 18 runs for 181yds 2 TDs

DET WR Shaun McDonald 5 catches for 76yds 2 TDs
WAS WR Santana Moss 5 catches for 46yds

DET DE Derrick Burgess 5 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks
WAS CB K Ward 9 tackles 2 INTs, 2 TDs

After the game Coach Munny had this to say, "I'm not going to lie, I'm pissed. We had that one. It was ours, except for two horrible calls by the refs. It is unforgiveable that something so clear on replay was missed. With that said, we've got to put it behind us and get ready for next week."

[kdmajoslin]

Lions (0-4) vs Packers (0-4)

Who would of guessed that the Packers would be 0-4? I'd ask about the Lions, but let's face it, the Lions being 0-4 isn't exactly shocking.

The Lions get off to a good start by forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff and then turning it into points. QB Troy Smith dives into the endzone on a QB sramble.

DET 7 GB 0

QB Kerry Collins looks like, well like Kerry Collins...and that isn't good for the Packers...perhaps the mystery of the 0-4 start has been solved? The Lions get the ball back and settle for a 29yd FG.

DET 10 GB 0 at the end of the first quarter

GB QB Kerry Collins hits WR Donald Driver for a 12yd TD.

DET 10 GB 7

The Lions defense comes up big, DT Tank Johnson scoops up a fumble and goes 65yds for a TD. The Packers challenge the call...but this time the refs get the call right and the TD stands.

DET 17 GB 7

The Lions offense relies on the run game and it is working. Backup HB Darren Sproles dives for the endzone, but fumbles the ball. There is a pile up in the endzone. When the refs pull off the bodies, Lions OG Jeb Terry is at the bottom with the ball.

DET 24 GB 7

The Packers strike quickly with a 95yd kickoff return by WR Greg Jennings.

DET 24 GB 14

The Lions come right back, pounding the ball down the Packers throat. HB Justin Fargas pounds his way through the middle for a 1yd TD.

DET 31 GB 14 at the end of the half

The Lions deferred after winning the toss, so they start with the ball in the second half. Once again they turn to the run game and come up big with another HB Justin Fargas TD.

DET 38 GB 14

The Packers refuse to say die however and QB Kerry Colllins hits K. Shell for a 43yd TD

DET 38 GB 21 to end the 3rd quarter

The Lions return to what has been working all game...the run game. Backup HB Darren Sproles comes up big with an 8yd TD on a pitch play.

DET 45 GB 21

New Packers starting HB Fred Jackson breaks off a big run for the Packers and gets a 51yd TD and the 2pt conversion.

DET 45 GB 29

The Packers get the ball back on a successful onside kick, but waste no time in giving it right back. LB Shawn Crable forces a fumble and DE Derrick Burgess scoops it up and goes 56yds for a TD.

DET 52 GB 29 Final!

The Lions have won their first game of the season!

DET QB Troy Smith 13/19 (68%) for 206yds
GB QB Kerry Collins 14/23 (60%) for 178yds 2 TDs

DET HB Justin Fargas 42 runs for 266yds 3 TDs
GB HB Fred Jackson 15 runs for 118yds TD

DET WR Mike Furrey 6 catches for 110yds
GB WR K Shell 7 catches for 97yds TD

DET DE Derrick Burgess 2 tackles, TFL, Sack, Fumble Recovery, TD
GB LB Nick Barnett 15 tackles

[rdnk]

I guess it's going to be harder than you thought. Hopefully you can get some cheap late round talent that fits the Moneyball mold in the next draft.

[kdmajoslin]

49ers (3-2) @ Lions (1-4)

Coach Munny and the Lions are looking to build on their success from last week and get off to a good start in the 1st quarter when HB Justin Fargas busts a 75yd run for a TD.

SF 0 DET 7

The 49ers get on the boards in the second quarter when K Joe Nedney hits a 37yd FG

SF 3 DET 7

Detroit WR Mike Furrey turns a short pass into something special by spinning out of a tackle and out running the rest of the 49ers defense. Furrey gets credited with a 68yd TD!

SF 3 DET 14

San Francisco answers with their own long TD, QB Alex Smith hits WR Roscoe Lester for a 58yder.

SF 10 DET 14

Where is the defense? They must have stepped out, because the Lions score on another big play. This one a 30yd TD run by HB Justin Fargas.

SF 10 DET 21

The 49ers respond with a 36yd FG

SF 13 DET 21

One offensive play and the Lions are back in the endzone. HB Justin Fargas takes the pitch and after breaking a shoestring tackle goes 80yds for another TD.

SF 13 DET 28

The scoring explosion continues with the 49ers adding another TD, Alex Smith to R. Babbitt.

SF 20 DET 28 at the end of the half (41 points scored in 15 minutes)

The Lions start with the ball in the 3rd quarter and they turn it into points when HB Justin Fargas goes in for his 4th TD.

SF 20 DET 35

The San Francisco Defense and a familiar face to Lions fans add another score. LB Ernie Sims comes back to bite his former team with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and 9yd return for a TD.

SF 27 DET 35 at the end of the 3rd

Detroit WR Mike Furrey makes another big time play coming up with a 29yd TD.

SF 27 DET 42

The Lions defense look to put the nail in the coffin on this one when OLB Boss Bailey returns a fumble 39yds for a TD.

SF 27 DET 49

The 49ers score quickly on a 56yd TD pass to WR D J Hackett. The go for two and get it.




SF 35 DET 49

The 49ers go for the onside kick and get it, but don't have enough time to get close enough to score.

SF 35 DET 49 Final

The Lions have won another one!

DET QB Troy Smith 17/34 (50%) for 286yds 2 TDs
SF Alex Smith 28/40 (70%) for 418yds 3 TDs INT

DET HB Justin Fargas 29 runs for 272yds 4 TDs
SF HB Frank Gore 6 runs for 10yds

DET WR Mike Furrey 5 catches for 139yds 2 TDs
SF WR Roscoe Lester 10 catches for 164yds TD

DET DE Derrick Burgess 5 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 Sacks
SF OLB Ernie Sims 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks, Forced Fumble, Fumble Recovery, TD

[kdmajoslin]

Bears (0-5) @ Lions (2-4)

Riding a two game winning streak, the Lions hope to take advantage of the winless Bears to climb one game closer to 500.

Lions QB Troy Smith scores the first points of the game, unfortunately he scores them for the Bears! Bears CB Nathan Vasher intercepts Smith and goes 60yds for a TD.

CHI 7 DET 0

Second verse almost the same as the first. DET QB Troy Smith gets picked again, this time by Safety Mike Brown. Brown goes 88yds for the TD

CHI 14 DET 0

The Lions get on the board in the 2nd quarter when QB Troy Smith scrambles up the middle for a 9yd TD.

CHI 14 DET 7

The Lions defense is holding the Bears in check and the Lions offense seems to have shaken off their mistakes in the first quarter. The Lions score on a 5yd run by HB Justin Fargas.

CHI 14 DET 14 at the half

The Bears take advantage of a QB Troy Smith fumble to add a 51yd FG.

CHI 17 DET 14

The Bears add another FG to end the 3rd quarter.

CHI 20 DET 14

A QB Troy Smith interception sets up a 2yd TD run by Bears HB Ryan Grant. They go for 2 points, but fail.

CHI 26 DET 14

The Lions put in QB Chris Redman to replace QB Troy Smith who has accounted for 4 turnovers, 2 resulting in immediate scores and 2 setting up scores. Unfortunately, QB Redman doesn't do any better. CB Charles Tillman picks him off and returns it 56yds for the TD.

CHI 33 DET 14

The Lions end the game by fumbling the ball and giving up another score to the Bears. This time it is a 24yd FG by Robbie Gould.

CHI 36 DET 14- The Bears win their first game of the season and the Lions are left looking for anwers.

DET QB Troy Smith 14/32 (43%) for 190yds 3 INTs
CHI QB Sage Rosenfels 11/15 (73%) for 94yds INT

DET HB Justin Fargas 24 runs for 80yds TD
CHI HB Ryan Grant 20 runs for 74yds TD

DET WR Mike Furrey 6 catches for 99yds
CHI WR B. Swann 4 catches for 45yds

DET MLB Napoleon Harris 11 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 Sacks
CHI CB Nathan Vasher 3 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs, TD

[kdmajoslin]

Lions (2-5) @ Bears (1-6)

The Lions are looking for revenge against their division rival the Bears. They faced the Bears two weeks ago and hope that a bye week spent preparing will bring them more success.

The Lions start this one off looking good, scoring on a 43yd run by HB Justin Fargas.

DET 7 CHI 0

The Lions start the 2nd quarter by settling for a FG from K Stephen Gostkowski.

DET 10 CHI 0

The Bears get on the boards when QB Sage Rosenfels finds WR Devin Hester for a 63yd catch and run TD.

DET 10 CHI 7

An interception of Detroit QB Troy Smith sets up an 11yd TD run by Bears HB Ryan Grant.

DET 10 CHI 14 at the half

The Bears recover a fumble to set up a 34yd FG by K Robbie Gould.

DET 10 CHI 17

Lions QB Troy Smith falls apart throwing another 2 picks and fumbling the ball twice when Detroit was poised to score. Coach Munny pulls the plug on Smith and sends in backup QB Chris Redman.

Redman doesn't look like the solution either. With time running out, the Lions turn to their one offensive star: HB Justin Fargas. HB Fargas does his best and manages to get the Lions within 5yds of scoring. He takes it up the middle and fumbles the ball! The Bears recover and take a knee to end the game.

DET 10 CHI 17 Final- The Bears have swept the Lions.

DET QB Troy Smith 14/24 (58%) for 224yds 3 INTs, 3 Fumbles
CHI QB Sage Rosenfels 8/12 (66%) for 159yds TD

DET HB Justin Fargas 28 runs for 165yds TD, Fumble
CHI HB Ryan Grant 21 runs for 90yds TD

DET TE Vernon Davis 6 catches for 125yds
CHI WR Devin Hester 2 catches for 93yds TD

DET OLB Justin Durant 9 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks
CHI MLB Brian Urlacher 9 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs