To be truthful, I don’t know what to make of the Lions about now. They have won six games, but when they are bad, they are so bad it is impossible to dismiss.
They dropped a stink bomb Sunday in Arizona that wasn’t unlike their performances earlier in the season at Philadelphia and Washington. And both times, they came back nicely with victories. So what do you believe more, the Lions’ past history or their track record this season? I tend to believe their track record this season is more relevant.
It’s going to be more difficult now from a schedule standpoint. The Giants and Packers and their combined 14-4 record are coming up within a span of 10 days. But those games are at home - and the Lions have been a much different team at home compared to the road.
There has been an unexpected flip-flop with the Lions. The offense, considered the strength, is now the concern. The defense, which had been the concern, is now the strength. The Giants have a great pass rush. I don’t see the Lions manhandling them at the line of scrimmage and running the ball all that effectively, either. Brett Favre has been getting most of the ink in Green Bay, but the Packers’ defense is actually the reason they have emerged as dominant force.
The Giants’ Eli Manning and Favre are a cut above the caliber of the quarterbacks the Lions have seen to this point, but both can get a little careless with the ball if pressured. Getting that pressure will be the key. That means getting defensive end Dewayne White back from injury is very important.
One thing is for certain: The mistakes must end. When the Lions have won, they have limited their turnovers and penalties. When they have lost, they haven’t. It’s been very simple.

Random Thoughts

- If the Tigers do, indeed, trade Omar Infante to the Cubs for Jacque Jones, it would be fitting. I’ve always thought he is a talented player with a good upside. But Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski, obviously, don’t feel the same way. Time will tell if the deal comes back to burn the Tigers. At this stage, Jones appears to be little more than a platoon player, a rather expensive upgrade from Timo Perez. Wonder how much input Alan Trammell, on the Cubs’ coaching staff, had on the deal? He was less than enamored with Infante when he was the Tigers manager.

- It’s a great sign for Michigan’s basketball program that freshman Manny Harris is off to a fast start. The Wolverines need a star-caliber player to build around. Early indications are he is that player.

- Look, I know the Blackhawks are better. But come on, how can they continually beat the Red Wings? They seem to be the only team that can. It’s weird.