Game 16: Packers @ Lions Thread

[dubbsco]

Cincinatti holy shit

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Ziggy Ansah finishes with 12 sacks. 12!!

That has to be the worst 12 sack year in NFL history. He impacted 3 games this year and was basically invisible in 12.

He made MILLIONS the last 2 games. Someone is going to pay him like a true 12 sack DE......hope it isn't us.

 

[sggatecl]

Cincinatti holy shit

Just ruining the playoff hopes of teams left and right.

 

[sggatecl]

Ziggy Ansah finishes with 12 sacks. 12!!

That has to be the worst 12 sack year in NFL history. He impacted 3 games this year and was basically invisible in 12.

He made MILLIONS the last 2 games. Someone is going to pay him like a true 12 sack DE......hope it isn't us.

It sure felt like it, didn't it? Another way to look at it though, if the offense actually shows up against Cincinnati, we're talking about how Ansah stepped up at the most important time and helped lead us into the playoffs.

Either way...I agree that I don't want the Lions to overpay. And whoever gets him, will overpay.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2017/12/jim_bob_cooter_got_really_crea.html#incart_river_index
Jim Bob Cooter got really creative in the final Lions game of the season.
Mlive

http://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400951741
Boxscore.

http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/video/recent-videos.html
Webvideo Highlights of the Lions win over the packers.
Lions.com

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-detroit-lions-35-green-bay-packers-11
Refocused: Detroit Lions 35 - Green Bay Packers 11.
PFF

For the first time in 26 years (1991), the #Lions sweep the #Packers.

Quick observations from the Lions' season-ending rout of Green Bay.
Ezekiel Ansah racked up three sacks for the second straight week. Jarrad Davis intercepted his first career pass, while Darius Slay picked off his NFL-best eighth of the season. Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes and had his highest passer rating in two seasons.

He caught a pass from Golden Tate, too.

Yeah, you read that right.

If the Lions were playing for Jim Caldwell's job, it seemed they were determined to have fun doing it in a 35-11 rout over the hapless Green Bay Packers. Why exactly it took this long for them to open things up is another matter, though, and one that will be considered as Detroit sets sail for an offseason that is clouded by uncertainty.

Caldwell's future already appears imperiled. He is 36-28 in four seasons at the helm, which means he's won more often than any other Lions coach in the Super Bowl era. He's made the playoffs twice, and twice took the division title to the final day of the season.

He's owned the division, too, going 5-1 this year and 16-8 overall. His .667 winning percentage in the division is the best by any Lions coach in any four-year period.

With their 9-7 finish this year, Detroit posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1994-95. But with their 9-7 finish this year, they also missed the playoffs for the second time in two seasons. They didn't win either of their playoff games under Caldwell, either, and have lost both Week 17 games that could have won the North.

Multiple reports surfaced before the game indicating Caldwell was expected to be relieved of his duties after the finale. Matt Patricia, the Patriots' defensive coordinator, is the hot early name to replace him.

Here are some quick observations from what could prove to be Caldwell's last stand in Detroit:

-- A lean couple of weeks left Golden Tate needing 101 yards to reach 1,000 on the season. And not only did he do it, but he did it in style, racing through the defense for a 71-yard touchdown that gave Detroit a 27-3 lead late in the third quarter. He teamed up with Marvin Jones to become the first Lions teammates to crack 1,000 yards since he and Calvin Johnson did it in 2014. It has only happened five other times in franchise history: Herman Moore/Brett Perriman (1995-96), Moore/Johnnie Morton (1997), Morton/Germaine Crowell (1999) and Roy Williams/Mike Furrey (2006).

-- With seven catches, Tate also pushed past 90 for the fourth time in as many seasons in Detroit. He's the first player in franchise history with four straight 90-catch seasons, and just the seventh in NFL history.

-- Not to be outdone, rookie Kenny Golladay chipped in 80 yards on two catches, 54 of which came on a touchdown grab in the first half. He finishes the season with five catches of at least 40 yards. Only one man has had more in Detroit since 2000, and that man is Calvin Johnson. And Golladay did it while operating behind two 1,000-yard recievers. Throw in Matthew Stafford, and the Lions have an offensive nucleus that should make them one of the hottest coaching jobs out there should Caldwell be fired as expected.

-- The Ezekiel Ansah question is one of the biggest facing Bob Quinn this offseason. Ansah, whose contract exipres in March, racked up three more sacks against Green Bay. That gives him 12 for the season, the second-best output of his career. But anyone actually watching these games knows how misleading that is. He was just occupying space for most of the season. Nine of his sacks came in three games. He had just three in Detroit's other 13 games. So which is it? Is Ansah still a dominant pass rusher who was just slowed by injury the last two years? Or is he now a shell of himself who will occasionally remind of the player he once was? That's why they pay Bob Quinn the big bucks.

-- Teez Tabor was among four rookies who were playing on the field together in the first quarter, along with Jarrad Davis, Jamal Agnew and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. That's nearly half the defense, populated by rookies. But Quandre Diggs put an early end to that, spearing Tabor in the arm. Tabor left the game and did not return because of an arm injury.

-- The Lions rolled with a lot of Davis and Reeves-Maybin in the second half, a possible sneak preview of the starting linebackers in 2018. Tahir Whitehead, the usual starter at weak-side linebacker, is due to become a free agent. But Whitehead deserves credit for bouncing back from a disasterous 2016 season too. He recovered his fourth fumble of the season against Green Bay.

-- Glover Quin forced the fumble that Whitehead recovered. His line for the season: Four fumbles forced, one fumble recovered, three interceptions and one touchdown. Not a bad season. Not bad at all. Some might even call it a Pro Bowl season.

-- Matthew Stafford solidified his place as a top-10 quarterback this season with another sharp day. He completed 20 of his 29 passes for 323 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. His 140.4 rating was his best since 2015, actually. Plus he caught that 2-point conversion pass on a beautiful play design by Jim Bob Cooter. The play began with Ameer Abdullah carrying the ball right, before he dished to Golden Tate coming back around on the reverse. And then Tate pulled up and lofted a pass to a wide open Stafford, who then chucked the ball up into the stands. It was a fun and creative playcall, which really begs the question: Where was this kind of thing when the plays actually mattered?

-- Running back Theo Riddick (ribs) and special teams ace Don Carey (knee) both left the game with injuries. Carey's looked particularly serious, and required help to walk gingerly to the locker room. He's not a household name, but he's one of the best gunners in the league, and one of the biggest reasons Detroit has been so good on coverage teams the last couple years. He was named a captain against Green Bay, too. But he also turns 31 in February and can become a free agent in March. It's possible he has played his final game in Detroit.

Stafford finished his day 20-for-29 for 323 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Oh, and the two-point conversion.

Cornerback Darius Slay capped the day, and his Pro Bowl campaign, with his league-leading eighth interception.

Matthew Stafford completed 20-for-29 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns, Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay all caught scoring passes, and Stafford capped the win by catching a two-point conversion pass by Tate with 7:16 to play.

Tate had seven catches for 104 yards to go over 90 catches and 1,000 yards for the season. He has at least 90 receptions in all four of his seasons with the Lions, and has topped 1,000 yards the past two years.

Golladay gave the Lions a 10-3 lead midway through the second quarter when he caught a 54-yard bomb from Stafford on third-and-10.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...oit-lions-green-bay-packers-grades/993783001/
Detroit Lions grades: Win over Green Bay Packers merits many Bs.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...-ansah-makes-contract-push-3-sacks/993814001/
Detroit Lions stock watch: Ziggy Ansah makes contract push with 3 sacks.
Freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...-receivers-rise-fore-season-finale/109065970/
Lions grades: Stafford, receivers rise to fore in season finale.
Detnews

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/PPY3090013530?selected=LKN4254064132
LOCKED ON DETROIT LIONS PODCAST VOLUME 327. December 31. 14 minutes.
POST GAME POD. #Lions excite and taunt you at the same time. Detroit finishes 9-7.

 

[biggunsbob]

Just ruining the playoff hopes of teams left and right.

The defense the Ravens played on 4th and forever when only and I mean only a td can beat you was poor high school esq it was so bad.

 

[turok]

The Browns not only matched the '08 Lions by going 0-16, they also won all 4 of their preseason games, just like that Lions team had.

 

[biggunsbob]

I could have counted wrong but both Cleveland and Detroit have 22 years of 10+ losses a season in there history . For sure both are over 20. Just pathetic .

Lions were
2009.....7-9
2008....0-16
2009.....2-14

Browns last three years .
0-16
1-15
3-13

 

[Tonyballs2]

Ziggy Ansah finishes with 12 sacks. 12!!

That has to be the worst 12 sack year in NFL history. He impacted 3 games this year and was basically invisible in 12.

He made MILLIONS the last 2 games. Someone is going to pay him like a true 12 sack DE......hope it isn't us.

Quietest 12 sack season in the history of the NFL..lol.

 

[LKP]

Quietest 12 sack season in the history of the NFL..lol.

Injured most of year and had 12 sacks. Quinn will tag him

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Injured most of year and had 12 sacks. Quinn will tag him

That would be a truly terrible move. His sack numbers look good, but his pressure % is below league AVERAGE. He made little to no impact in all but 3 or 4 games. I'm ok if Ziggy comes back......but GM'ing 101 says you don't pay a top 40 DE top 2.5 money. I'd be happy with a 3 year...$25M contract that's only guaranteed for performance. Anything north of $10M per is too much for a player who makes too little of an impact.

That's just bad business.

I will actually lose some respect for Quinn if he tags Ziggy. DE tag last year was $16.9M. Way Way Way too much for ZA

 

[LKP]

That would be a truly terrible move. His sack numbers look good, but his pressure % is below league AVERAGE. He made little to no impact in all but 3 or 4 games. I'm ok if Ziggy comes back......but GM'ing 101 says you don't pay a top 40 DE top 2.5 money. I'd be happy with a 3 year...$25M contract that's only guaranteed for performance. Anything north of $10M per is too much for a player who makes too little of an impact.

That's just bad business.

I will actually lose some respect for Quinn if he tags Ziggy. DE tag last year was $16.9M. Way Way Way too much for ZA

Lol no way he only gets 8 per. He was hurt and his pressure percentage is fine

Getting at least 15.5 per like jpp. Tag is correct rout given injuries

Mario Addison just got 7.5 per. 8 per is slap in face for Ansah. Hicks and tuitt got 12 per

15 per or more

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/average/defensive-end/

 

[mhughes0021]

we're not getting a star rush de at pick 20... you have to resign ansah.... unfortunately in order to do that he will be overpaid.

 

[Tonyballs2]

Injured most of year and had 12 sacks. Quinn will tag him

I hope not!

 

[LKP]

Ansah is best on market besides Lawrence who will be tagged. Ansah tag is smartest move due to injuries

You don't commit long term and you get extra year to build rush

Zettel, mediocre fa de and Washington and rookie 20th pick isn't enough fire power. Need Ansah. Hyder coming off Achilles

Lions have a ton of space. Even after tagging Ansah

Tag is best move

 

[mhughes0021]

Ansah is best on market besides Lawrence who will be tagged. Ansah tag is smartest move due to injuries

You don't commit long term and you get extra year to build rush

Zettel, mediocre fa de and Washington and rookie 20th pick isn't enough fire power. Need Ansah. Hyder coming off Achilles

Lions have a ton of space. Even after tagging Ansah

Tag is best move

Agreed... tag him until you have a replacement or shows he can be more consistent. You can't roll into next year with zettel and hyder.

 

[Tonyballs2]

Agreed... tag him until you have a replacement or shows he can be more consistent. You can't roll into next year with zettel and hyder.

Tag a player that has shown up for maybe 3-4 games this year and pretty much nothing in 2016? That`s beyond frightening. Injury or not, taking that risk is dangerous......ugh.

 

[mhughes0021]

Tag a player that has shown up for maybe 3-4 games this year and pretty much nothing in 2016? That`s beyond frightening. Injury or not, taking that risk is dangerous......ugh.

I agree with this also lol. But we have no alternative... team has no Talent on the dline.

 

[Tonyballs2]

I agree with this also lol. But we have no alternative... team has no Talent on the dline.

Zettel is pretty good but I agree. All this agreeing is giving me a headache lol.

 

[sggatecl]

Now one of you tell the other to fuck off. You're messing up my feng shui.