How soon is NOW?
Photo: Al Messerschmidt - Getty Images
“Do you believe in now?”
That’s the Detroit Lions’ tagline to try and sell tickets to their games. They’d better hope people who are considering supporting their team base their decisions on nifty marketing phrases rather than the actual product on the field as the Lions were embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons in their season opener. That’s probably a safe bet though as who in their right mind would support the worst franchise in professional sports?
This is a team that just got thoroughly outclassed by what was a rebuilding Atlanta team that went 4-12 last season and started a number of rookies at key positions like quarterback, middle linebacker and on the offensive line. Hey rebuilding apparently works and results in progress for some teams! But alas not for the Leos as they are in a perpetual state of rebuilding since Matt Millen assumed leadership of the team.
The Falcons decided to pound the rock and for them at least it wasn’t just an empty platitude. They rammed the ball right down Detroit’s throat and in doing so set a new franchise record by rushing for 318 yards. It kept the pressure off rookie signal-caller Matt Ryan who nonetheless completed his first NFL pass, which went 62 yards for the opening touchdown.
Atlanta’s first three possessions resulted in them tearing right through the dazed and confused Detroit defense. The first two touchdowns were capped off by big plays: the 62 yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins and a 66 yard touchdown run by Michael Turner. Turner in particular had a career day, rushing for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. He averaged 10 yards a carry.
A little over 10 minutes into the new season and the Lions were looking at a 21-0 deficit. They would eventually go on to score the next two touchdowns to make the score 21-14 at the half. But Atlanta regained control of the game in the third quarter by once again going on the offensive in the first 10 minutes of the half, extending their lead to 31-14. The Lions would never get closer than 10 points from then on.
The promise to pound the rock? Well new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto learned what Mike Martz could have told him: it’s pretty damn hard to commit to the running game when you’re down 21-0 less than 12 minutes into the game. It’s also tough to keep the defense off the field when your running plays average three yards a carry. I don’t think the 62 yards rushing Detroit tallied is going to improve their ranking amongst the top rusing teams. In fact Kansas City was the worst in the league last season and even they averaged 78 yards rushing per game.
Kevin Smith looked decent [80 yards in total offense] and tallied his first career NFL touchdown. Rudi Johnson played a bit and had one good run. Calvin Johnson had a good game and Roy Williams made a nice touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone shortly before halftime. But everything this team supposedly stood for this season proved to be hollow and easily debunked the second the regular season started, revealing the team as being completely inept.
And inept is a phrase that has fit this franchise like a glove for a long, long time.
atlanta falcons Calvin Johnson Kevin Smith Lions Roy Williams rudi johnsonNo Comments
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