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Was It The Curse of Bobby Layne Or Brett Favre?
We’ve heard about the curse of Bobby Layne forever in this town. It was supposed to last for 50 years. It was to be up in October, when it became five decades since Layne - the Lions’ last great quarterback - was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, the Lions haven’t won a game since and are looking at 0-16 unless they win at Green Bay Sunday.
The curse of Bobby Layne lives on. Or was the curse just hoax? I suppose it depends on whether you believe in the 50-year aspect of it.
My theory about the Lions’ troubles doesn’t have as much to do with Bobby Layne as it does with another great QB, Brett Favre.
The Lions last won a playoff game in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
The Lions last won at Lambeau Field in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
The Lions took their only legitimate run toward a Super Bowl berth in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
More than any other opposing player, Favre ruined the Lions. They did beat the Packers sometimes at home, but for the most part, it was embarrassing. It pretty much started with the game-deciding touchdown pass Favre threw to Sterling Sharpe during the playoff game in ‘93 at the Silverdome that set the tone. Is it possible it will different now that Favre is gone?
Now earlier in the season, the Packers did scorch the Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field without Favre. Even with a 5-10 record and not winning in more than a month, the Packers deserve to be 10-point favorites over the Lions. I can’t see the Lions’ defense stopping a CYO offense, let alone any NFL team.
But if there is a ray of hope for the Lions Sunday, it is that Favre is no longer with the Packers. If he were still in Green Bay, especially in a December game at Lambeau, I’d say the Lions’ chances of winning would be nil. Without him there, they are minuscule.
Just a thought - as convoluted as it might be.
Random Thoughts
- Amazing how quickly an organization can turn it around if they get the right person in charge. Look what Bill Parcells has done in Miami. Lets see - Bill Parcells compared to Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew. Hmmm. What a difference, eh?
- If the Yankees keep going at this rate, it’ll only be a year or two before they hold half the money to players in guaranteed contracts.
The curse of Bobby Layne lives on. Or was the curse just hoax? I suppose it depends on whether you believe in the 50-year aspect of it.
My theory about the Lions’ troubles doesn’t have as much to do with Bobby Layne as it does with another great QB, Brett Favre.
The Lions last won a playoff game in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
The Lions last won at Lambeau Field in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
The Lions took their only legitimate run toward a Super Bowl berth in 1991 - the year before Favre joined the Packers.
More than any other opposing player, Favre ruined the Lions. They did beat the Packers sometimes at home, but for the most part, it was embarrassing. It pretty much started with the game-deciding touchdown pass Favre threw to Sterling Sharpe during the playoff game in ‘93 at the Silverdome that set the tone. Is it possible it will different now that Favre is gone?
Now earlier in the season, the Packers did scorch the Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field without Favre. Even with a 5-10 record and not winning in more than a month, the Packers deserve to be 10-point favorites over the Lions. I can’t see the Lions’ defense stopping a CYO offense, let alone any NFL team.
But if there is a ray of hope for the Lions Sunday, it is that Favre is no longer with the Packers. If he were still in Green Bay, especially in a December game at Lambeau, I’d say the Lions’ chances of winning would be nil. Without him there, they are minuscule.
Just a thought - as convoluted as it might be.
Random Thoughts
- Amazing how quickly an organization can turn it around if they get the right person in charge. Look what Bill Parcells has done in Miami. Lets see - Bill Parcells compared to Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew. Hmmm. What a difference, eh?
- If the Yankees keep going at this rate, it’ll only be a year or two before they hold half the money to players in guaranteed contracts.
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:52 PM
4 Comments:
Book,
Bill Parcells or no Bill Parcells, it would not work for the Lions org. Clay Ford, Sr. is a passive/aggressive force for mediocrity. He has lived his life in the shadow of big brother Hank the Deuce and the Lions are the only thing he controls. No one is going to interfere with his control of this entity. If that means the Lions lose then so be it. Ford will not hire strong dominate personalities to run his team because Ford would lose control and that is what is most important to him. It is futile to hope that the Lions will win while he is the owner because that is not his goal. His goal is to show that he is the man and that he will run things his way. That is why he is so stuck on "loyalty" Millen, Thomas, Schmidt, Fontes all stayed around for years not out of competency but because of their public proclamations of love for Ford. They did his bidding and he rewarded them. Mayhew and Lewand are loyal soldiers (they learned how to play his game and collect a check too!)that's why they will return next year. Winning and the Lions occur only through pure happenstance.
Alan
Alan,
I agree. It does seem like the Lions are the one thing Ford seems to be in total control of, and has never been afraid to let the world know that's how it is. It's frustrating for Lions fans because they know the team is shaped totally by his whims.
Caputo
Alan,
I agree. It does seem like the Lions are the one thing Ford seems to be in total control of, and has never been afraid to let the world know that's how it is. It's frustrating for Lions fans because they know the team is shaped totally by his whims.
Caputo
Alan,
I agree. It does seem like the Lions are the one thing Ford seems to be in total control of, and has never been afraid to let the world know that's how it is. It's frustrating for Lions fans because they know the team is shaped totally by his whims.
Caputo
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