August 17, 2011

8:00 PM EST

M&T Bank Stadium

After a tough loss in the preseason opener last week, the Lions are looking to rebound against a Baltimore Ravens team that made a 31-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons look awfully hard last week.

Both teams have been plagued by the injury bug this offseason and both struggled to get their first team offense going early on.

The Ravens and Lions will return several players tonight who missed the opener, and it could mean a more consistent attack on both sides of the ball. Defensive end Cliff Avril, strong safety Amari Spievey, and wide receiver Titus Young are all expected to be active tonight for the Lions, while Baltimore will welcome back veteran center Matt Birk and rookies Courtney Upshaw and Bernard Pierce.

Here are some things to watch for: » Continue reading “Preseason Game 2: Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens”

If preseason was any indication of how this year is going to go for the Detroit Lions, then last night’s 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns would mean three things:

1. We’d be 0-1,
2. Shaun Hill would be more valuable than Matthew Stafford, and
3. Our running backs more productive than our receivers.

Hello, parallel universe.

Luckily for everyone, preseason — in the grand scheme of things — means nothing. Sure, it’s important. But it in no way is it proof of what will happen for the 16 games of the 2012 regular season. The 2008 Lions are proof positive of that.

I saw positives in last night’s game. Jim Schwartz did not. Fortunately, it’s his job to be overly critical. Also, that’s just the way Schwartz is.

“Let’s be clear: Preseason games, we don’t use them as a barometer,” Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. “But you want to play well and I don’t think we played well on offense, defense or special teams from the beginning to the very end.” » Continue reading “Lions Drop First Preseason Game 19-17 to the Cleveland Browns”

August 10, 2011

7:30 PM EST

Ford Field

Oh happy day! Football is back. Maybe not officially, officially. But when you go more than six months without the National Football League, preseason may as well be the Super Bowl. And it seems I’m not alone in that sentiment, considering tonight’s game against the Cleveland Browns is sold out.

The Lions are coming off one of the most active (and not in a good way) offseasons in recent memory and  and I imagine are just excited to put those troubles behind them and focus on football. And with the recent injuries for both teams — most notably Louis Delmas and Trent Richardson — I imagine they both will try to avoid further clogging up their injured list.

After a breakthrough, 10-win season last year, the Lions are hoping to build off that success and enter the preseason with the majority of their starting spots figured out. The Browns on the other hand, will be breaking in rookie quarterback, and former minor league pitcher. Brandon Weeden in hopes that he can do what Colt McCoy couldn’t.

Here are some things to watch for: » Continue reading “Preseason Game 1: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions”