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It's nearly impossible to turn on sports talk radio or pick up a newspaper in Detroit these days without hearing chatter about the prospect of the Detroit Lions trading Calvin Johnson. Columnists Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, Pat Caputo of the Oakland Press, and 97.1 the Ticket, have both recently touched on the subject, as have many contributors here at the Bleacher Report;it won't happen. Beyond my personal opinion that ...

Drafting players, successful ones at least, has not been a a strength for the Detroit Lions' organization in recent years. The Lions have just one player on their rosterùErnie Simsùleft from the draft classes between 2002-2006. This was a crucial stretch in which the Lions were picking high and picking often. Yet, just Sims remains on the roster, and his time in Detroit could be coming to an end after this ...

In a surprising turn of events, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz gave an honest injury report before "game time decisions" must be made public. Schwartz announced that Daunte Culpepper would start for the Lions this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. He had previously said Matthew Stafford was day-to-day and that the decision would be a game-time choice on whether or not to sit Stafford. Damn you, Bill Belichick. Injury ...

Football is a game centered around toughness. Teammates and coaches respect it. Fans love it. Players themselves are determined to show it. Matthew Stafford is one tough dude. He proved as much last Sunday when he willed the Lions to a comeback 38-37 win, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with a separated AC joint. During the game, Stafford was wired for sound and was quoted as saying, "I can throw ...

What happened at Ford Field last Sunday was terrific. Other than the end result of the Detroit Lions winning a football game, there was the ôcoming out partyö of hopeful franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw for 422 yards and an NFL rookie record five touchdowns. More importantly, he led the Lions on a game-winning touchdown drive with less than two minutes on the clock. His game-winning touchdown pass, with a ...

Quick, try to name two Midwest cities with prideful sports fans, faltering economies, freezing cold winters, horrible football teams, and that absolutely hate one another. Detroit and Cleveland fit that description perfectly. Detroit was once known as Hitsville, USA and has since been called a Third World Metropolis. Cleveland is the home of the Rock NÆ Roll Hall of Fame, yet often is labeled as the Mistake on the Lake. ClevelandÆs economy is ...

For the first time in his NFL career, Matthew Stafford will get to play against an opponent for the second time. The Detroit Lions travel to Minnesota this Sunday for their second game against the Vikings this season. Stafford, like most rookie quarterbacks who see the field right away, has been through some growing pains this season. The difference between college and NFL defenses is astounding. But Sunday, Stafford will have the ...

Don't blame Kevin Smith for Detroit's offensive ineptitude. He is not at fault. Yes, his 3.1 yards per carry average is below par, as is his 393 total rushing yards eight games into the season. But there is enough mud to be slung around the Lions locker room so Smith should not bear much, if any blame for the Lions' lack of production. The talk show hosts who label Smith a ...

Recycling someone elseÆs trash is not a formula for long-term success.á If it was, the city of Detroit wouldnÆt be littered with homeless people wearing ripped jackets and teal Pistons hats. Yet there are times when someoneÆs curbside pickup is better than anything in your living room.á In terms of football, and the Detroit Lions, recently waived wide receiver Chris Chambers fits this metaphor. DetroitÆs current core of wide receivers is horrible.á ...

Expectations are low in Detroit. No question about it. But even the lowly Lions have some expectations they should meet. SundayÆs 17-10 loss, at home, to the St. Louis Rams was a total disaster. For the first time this season, the Lions looked completely unprepared. Getting outplayed by a superior opponent is understandable for a rebuilding team like Detroit, but not being prepared to play, against a winless team, after a bye ...