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Time Moving Quickly On Lions To Make QB Decision
It's funny how there are so many complaints about the length of training camp, and the length of the NFL's preseason schedule, yet it seems to be moving too fast for the Lions this particular year.
Count me among those in favor of adding two regular season games, and limiting the preseason to two games, but only if they add a couple players to the 53-man rosters of each team.
For the Lions, however, is there really enough time to evaluate their quarterbacks, Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford, this preseason? How much are they going to play? About a full game each in the first three preseason games, when you get down to it. Are they going to be playing with regulars? Not really - at least not for long, especially given the Lions' injury situation.
Not sure if I'm in the majority on this, but I would start Stafford to begin the regular season based on what I observed in the preseason opener vs. Atlanta. Round 2 Saturday at Cleveland will be, to say the least, interesting. Lions coach Jim Schwartz hasn't named a starter for that game yet. It would be a surprise if it isn't Stafford.
Schwartz has to name his starter before the fourth and final preseason game, doesn't he? That fourth game, which is the ultimate throwaway game, can't have the starting position on the line. Not when the opposition, Buffalo that night, will only play its regulars for a series or two.
Random Thoughts
- Amazing statistic: It has been 153 games since Ichiro has had back-to-back games without a hit. He is one of this generation's great players. If his career ended today, he'd still get my vote for the Hall of Fame.
- It was the right move by Jim Leyland to sit Curtis Granderson for two games against left-handed pitching. For all that Granderson does well, hitting leftiies obviously isn't one of them. His .178 average against left-handers this season speaks volumes. It's the last hurdle Granderson must overcome to become an elite player.
- Enough already about the Louis Delmas hit on Aaron Brown in training camp. It means nothing. Now if he does the same to Adrian Peterson in a regular season game, that would mean something
Count me among those in favor of adding two regular season games, and limiting the preseason to two games, but only if they add a couple players to the 53-man rosters of each team.
For the Lions, however, is there really enough time to evaluate their quarterbacks, Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford, this preseason? How much are they going to play? About a full game each in the first three preseason games, when you get down to it. Are they going to be playing with regulars? Not really - at least not for long, especially given the Lions' injury situation.
Not sure if I'm in the majority on this, but I would start Stafford to begin the regular season based on what I observed in the preseason opener vs. Atlanta. Round 2 Saturday at Cleveland will be, to say the least, interesting. Lions coach Jim Schwartz hasn't named a starter for that game yet. It would be a surprise if it isn't Stafford.
Schwartz has to name his starter before the fourth and final preseason game, doesn't he? That fourth game, which is the ultimate throwaway game, can't have the starting position on the line. Not when the opposition, Buffalo that night, will only play its regulars for a series or two.
Random Thoughts
- Amazing statistic: It has been 153 games since Ichiro has had back-to-back games without a hit. He is one of this generation's great players. If his career ended today, he'd still get my vote for the Hall of Fame.
- It was the right move by Jim Leyland to sit Curtis Granderson for two games against left-handed pitching. For all that Granderson does well, hitting leftiies obviously isn't one of them. His .178 average against left-handers this season speaks volumes. It's the last hurdle Granderson must overcome to become an elite player.
- Enough already about the Louis Delmas hit on Aaron Brown in training camp. It means nothing. Now if he does the same to Adrian Peterson in a regular season game, that would mean something
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:19 PM
4 Comments:
I agree and disagree with you on Delmas hit lol. Nice to hear and see that we have a guy in the defenive secondary that can blow up/tackle people.. I agree that enough do it in the regular season and we can start talking..
I like the QB battle. Though lets see what Stafford does this week.. But I still think you have to see what both QBs do week 3. Though stafford is looking pretty good and I say lets ride it out.
One name I am suprised the Lions haven't looked at is Chris McAllister. I think he be an awesome pickup for this lions team on a 1 or 2 year contract.
Yeah, Ichiro is like the modern day equivalent of Ty Cobb.
By the way, to go completely off topic I have a question I've been wondering for a while. Why haven't the Tigers ever tried moving Inge or Polanco to SS? They're both so good defensively for their positions, and while most 3B wouldn't have the range to be able to make the move it seems like Brandon would be the exception when healthy.
Obviously I'm not suggesting they do it now, but they both are great defensively and have good bats for their position, but not great. However they'd both be great offensively for a SS, and would allow a better offensive replacement at 2nd or 3rd than Everett or Santiago (we'd replace Everett with Huff right now in the lineup if Inge played SS, which would obviously be a big boost to the offense). It seems like it would be worth trying them out there in Spring Training if they aren't too old to learn a more demanding position.
Maddog52,
Did you see the video of the hit. It didn't seem like that big a deal. A nice hit, but legendary as it was portrayed. Not sure how much McAllister has left in the tank.
Caputo
Michael C,
I think it's because they both lack range. Inge played SS in college, but speed is probably his worst tool. But he has quick reflexes. Polanco's arm strength might be an issue.
Caputo
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