(L-R) Charles Woodson, Ryan Leaf (tee-hee), Peyton Manning

In case the horse hasn’t been beaten quite enough, I’m going to take a brief moment to discuss Peyton Manning, who was officially cut today via a press conference with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.

What does this have to do with the Detroit Lions, you say? Nothing. But it has a lot to do with the spirit of football. And I wouldn’t be writing this blog without it.

As a good friend of mine said this morning, “It doesn’t matter what team you ordinarily write about or root for. Today,  you write about Peyton Manning.” And she’s right. I’m not generally a mushy, gushy type of sports writer. But, I can appreciate a good thing when I see it. And if today’s press conference did anything, it was solidify my feelings toward Manning as a football player and as an individual.

With that said, I can’t say I’ve always loved Manning. Because, well, I’m a Michigan fan. And the first time I ever heard his name was in 1997 when he lost the Heisman trophy to my all-time favorite player Charles Woodson. The hoopla it created — none of it Manning’s fault — led me to hold a grudge against him — and the University of Tennessee — for several years. » Continue reading “A Detroit Fan’s Take on Peyton Manning”

Yep.

This news and notes might be a bit long, so I apologize in advance. I feel like I’ve missed a few things over the past week that are definitely worth mentioning.

So I won’t bore you with idle chit chat and instead get right down to it.

• I suppose by now everyone has seen the redesigned NFL logos that have incorporated Peyton Manning’s face into them. They are quite hilarious — and equally creepy. Check out the Lions logo to the right.

• Dave Birkett reported yesterday that Shaun Hill is expected to stay in Detroit, which is good because Hill wants to stay as well. Injuries to Stafford the first couple years of his career proved how important a reliable backup QB is and Hill has certainly stepped in and contributed when needed. I would hate to see him go.

The Lions have told Hill, his representatives and others that they want him back as the primary backup to Matthew Stafford. Hill also wants to return to Detroit — and might even take a slight discount to do so. » Continue reading “Lions’ Droppings: News, Notes and Nonsense”

I know, I know, it’s been awhile. But us NFL girls have been sort of preoccupied with the awesomeness that is regular season football. So you’ll have to forgive us.

Needless to say, we are back with another addition of the Aerys Huddle. This one should be sort of exciting, considering it’s the first Huddle we’ve done during actual, meaningful games. The excitement is a bit overwhelming.

In this addition of the Huddle, your favorite NFL writers discussed everything from the Colts pitiful start to what HGH testing means for the NFL. We have a little bit of everything this time around. And since there was so much to discuss, the Huddle has been broken down into three parts. So check back tomorrow and Friday for the second and third parts to the Huddle. For now, I present to you Part 1.

Welcome to the Huddle …

Question 1: Will the Colts ever win a game this season without Peyton, and if so what do you think it will take? Click here to read our responses.

Question 2: This season it seems that refs are throwing a lot of flags for helmet-to-helmet this season but completely disregarding late hits on quarterbacks. Michael Vick mentioned that he has not been getting those calls, but he isn’t alone, it’s happen to numerous other quarterbacks. Does anyone else feel that their quarterback is getting knocked down late with no call? Also, are the refs too concerned with the helmet-to-helmet and missing other things? Click here to read our responses.

Question 3: As of Week 7 there are 3 winless teams (MIA, IND, STL). Which winless team, if any, do you see turning things around for this season? Click here to read our responses.

Question 4: What have been the biggest surprises for you so far this season? Click here to read our responses.

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

Did you miss us? We missed you. And as a result, the Aerys Huddle is back for your reading pleasure.

We took a bit of a break, but we’re back and better than ever. We promise. After all, we figured there’s no better reason to rejoin the Huddle than the start of the regular season.

And what a start it’s been. I mean, the Lions won, does anything else really matter? No, I didn’t think so.

In this addition of the Aerys Huddle we discussed everything from the biggest rookie impact players to Jim Tressel’s suspension to Peyton Manning’s uncertain future. To read the entire transcript, you can visit our Jacksonville Jaguars writer’s site.

Welcome to the Huddle …

• Question 1 – How important do you think preseason records and performances are? Are they good indicators for the regular season? Click here to read our responses!

• Question 2 – Which game in weeks one through four do you think is the most compelling? Click here to read our responses!

• Question 3 – After watching the preseason games, which rookie do you think will have the most impact on their team? Click here to read our responses!

• Question 4 – Peyton Manning is such an iconic QB. Reports indicate he will miss week one and possibly more of the season. Former head coach Tony Dungy said the Colts won’t make the playoffs without him. Is Indianapolis in trouble? Click here to read our responses!

• Question 5 – Roger Goodell said recently he would suspend Jim Tressel if the Colts did not make him sit out games to start the 2011 season. Colts have stated he will miss the first seven games. However, is this Goodell’s place to implement a suspension if they did not? Is it the NFL’s responsibility to enforce NCAA rules? Click here to read our responses!

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