There’s nothing like being welcomed back into the blogosphere with a little Detroit Lions drama. Maybe I’m the problem. Maybe I insight stupidity in these guys. Who knows? What I do know, is that at the very least, I can be thankful (for today anyway) that no one was arrested.

Instead, we have a little Titus Young Twitter incident. After remaining silent on Twitter since December of last year, the Lions wide receiver started spouting off at the keyboard. Young has since deleted most of the tweets, but here are some of he highlights for your reading pleasure:

• “Like I said I never been selfish but if I’m not going to get the football i don’t want to play anymore.”
• “Never have I ran the wrong route, just put my self where the ball was going.”
• “To Be the best you gotta Beat the best #Me.”
• “My first year I played football I was the best. It’s true I could be alot better, But wit the football. My first year I was a captain Lol.”
• “I’m a team Playa that just loves the Football.”
• “Never played the game for d money.”
• “2 All the Detroit fans that are speaking against me, #ItwasjustAllgoodjustaweekago.”

So, yep. » Continue reading “Detroit Lions WR Titus Young Continues to Dig Massive Hole”

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”

In case you missed it yesterday, Calvin Johnson didn’t practice and he had his left index finger taped. Subsequently, everyone lost their damn minds. But fear not, Megatron missed Monday’s practice due merely to what Jim Schwartz called a scheduled day off.

“He wasn’t shut down because of his finger,” Schwartz said. “Just general camp kind of legs and soreness. He needed a day here, too. Calvin doesn’t have a regulator, either.”

When asked about his finger, Johnson said it was injured but that he would be fine. Johnson was also asked about the Madden Curse, to which he replied: “I’m a God fearing man. Curses don’t bother me.”

Well that’s good.

With Schwartz, you never quite know if he’s being honest about injuries, but in this case, I don’t think we have much to worry about (::knocks on wood::). Johnson was at practice today, though his finger was still taped up.

Other notes from training camp: » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson’s Finger and More Notes from Training Camp”

Well here’s something you would have never expected a few years ago. According to local TV ratings, the Detroit Lions preseason opener Friday night against the Cleveland Browns was watched by more people than the Olympics and the Tigers game.

The game was No. 1 among Metro Detroit households with a 11.0 rating. In comparison, the Olympics received a 10.1 rating. The Tigers’ opening game to kick off a weekend series with the Texas Rangers received a 10.4 rating. Each rating point represents 17,000 households tuning in. The Lions game was the No. 1 program among men ages 18-49 (7.0 rating) and men ages 25-54 (9.3 rating).

This was apparently a 10-percent increase over last season’s opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

There’s always a lot of anticipation and expectations entering preseason and then the regular season. But because last year was the first time in a long time that those expectations were actually met, this year the excitement is apparently even higher.

You can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

Dan Miller joined Casey Ford and Bill Blohm on ESPN 970 in Marquette, Mich., to talk about the situation at the running back position and his thoughts on Titus Young having a breakout year.

He also discusses Ryan Grant and Cedric Benson and the possibility of them coming in for a tryout.

Ford was gracious enough to share the interview with Barry Sanders Memorial Blog so we’ve posted it here for your listening pleasure! Enjoy!

You can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

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”

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure will be suspended for two games during the upcoming NFL season, according to a league source. Leshoure will also be docked two additional game checks, which will cost him $109,411, according to Dave Birkett.

Well, we kind of knew this was coming, right? Right? Sigh. The suspension comes after Leshoure was busted twice this offseason for marijuana possession. Leshoure later pleaded guilty and paid a $575 fine. Unfortunately, he couldn’t avoid further punishment.

In a radio interview with 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, Lions president Tom Lewand said he was expecting a suspension.

“Obviously that discipline falls under the commissioner’s purview,” he said. “And suspensions are certainly something that could be a possibility and I would say are likely if you look at similar types of incidences on other teams. “ » Continue reading “Mikel Leshoure To Be Suspended 2 Games”

The back and forth between the Detroit Lions and defensive end Cliff Avril has actually become quite comical and perhaps a bit immature.

The Lions are set to start a mandatory minicamp next week, but it doesn’t look like Avril will be there. Avril has yet to sign his franchise tender and contract negotiations appear to be getting worse, not better.

To make matters more interesting, president Tom Lewand was asked about the negotiations between the two sides and his response was not in the least bit comforting:

“We obviously have the tender out on Cliff and he’s welcome to sign that anytime he wants,” Lions president Tom Lewand said at the team’s charity golf outing today. “We’ve continued discussions on whether we can convert that into something on a longer-term basis but, really, in many ways, in terms of the tender, the ball’s in his court.”

On Saturday, Avril countered that with a response of his own. When asked about what Lewand had to say, Avril said: » Continue reading “Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions Still in Contract Negotiations”

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley released a statement apologizing for his actions this offseason that resulted in both an arrest for marijuana possession and most recently an arrest for DUI.

In Ndamukong Suh like fashion, Fairley took to his Facebook page to apologize for his actions that he called “inexcusable.” The full statement is as follows:

After taking some much-needed time to reflect on recent incidents, and after conversations with my advisors, teammates, and members of the Lions organization, I would like to make the following statement:

I want to personally apologize to my fans, teammates and the Detroit Lions organization for bringing this unwanted attention to our team. I recognize my actions were inexcusable and I personally need to uphold the expected standard of behavior of a professional athlete. I do not take for granted this opportunity and feel blessed everyday to play in the NFL.

At this time, I am fully cooperating with the Mobile, Ala. Police Department. I am now focused on moving forward and committing my focus to football. I would like to thank everyone for your concern and understanding. » Continue reading “Nick Fairley Releases Apology Following His Arrests”

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the world of professional sports and the idea of heroes. While there are certainly heroes in every profession and in all walks of life, the real heroes are the men and woman who fight to protect this country every day.

On this memorial day, remember those — past and present — who have served our country in the armed forces. It’s because of their dedication, bravery, and sacrifice that we get to enjoy the things we love — like the Detroit Lions — every day. We appreciate all that you do.

Here are a few messages from the Detroit Lions on this Memorial Day:

» Continue reading “Happy Memorial Day from the Detroit Lions”