The Lions Congregation is back from the bye week refreshed and ready to help our beloved Leos win a football game. Here are this week’s questions:
1. With Matthew Stafford possibly out Sunday, do you start Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper?
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: First off, I believe that Stafford will play. The Lions are not playing for draft position, they are actually trying to move the franchise forward one win at a time, atop Matthew Stafford’s shoulders. Their chances for winning increase significantly by playing Stafford over Culpepper and Stanton. The Rams are eminently beatable, but much less so with either of the Lions current backups starting in Stafford’s place.
I am actually rather surprised that during the bye week that one of either Stanton or Culpepper weren’t jettisoned. I was also surprised that there weren’t news reports that the Lions were working out veteran QB’s (Jeff Garcia, Brooks Bollinger, heck, anyone) to see if anyone else may be capable of earning the backup spot to Stafford, since neither Stanton nor Culpepper, following the recent news that Stanton may have actually passed Culpepper on the depth chart, appear remotely competent, at this point.
Phil, MLive: I’m not so sure Matthew Stafford won’t play against the Rams. Speculation about that has been far too premature. Nevertheless, IF it is the case that Stafford is held out, I’d start Drew Stanton. That’s my personal opinion because of two reasons: A) Stanton deserves a shot at showing what he can do during a regular season game. He wasn’t good against the Packers, but judging him based on that game is, for MANY reasons, obtuse, at best. He’s been very effective at times, albeit in the preseason, so why not follow that up to see how he does? Furthermore, a game against the Rams is the perfect segue from preseason play to real NFL experience. B) Culpepper has been far too pedestrian in the couple of games he’s filled in for Stafford. He may have a great game; he may have another yawner. But you already know what you have in him.
With all that said, I’ve got no doubt in my mind that Culpepper would start over Stanton, assuming he’s able to go.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: I’ve been beyond vocal about this very subject for the past few weeks. I’m on the Stanton bandwagon, only because I’m so anti-Culpepper.
There’s 2 compelling reasons to start Stanton.
1. Culpepper is done as a productive NFL player.
Culpepper is an 11 year veteran, and has thrown 3104 passes in the NFL. Despite all that experience, and his relationship with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, he stunk out the joint as the Lions’ starting quarterback.
Culpepper was signed this season to be a veteran stopgap, to run the team if Stafford couldn’t. He was supposed to offer veteran stability when called upon. Unfortunately, Culpepper has been nothing but unstable, and done little more than grind Detroit’s offense to a halt…when he’s not getting sacked or throwing horrific picks.
Culpepper was supposedly auditioning for a starting gig with another team in ‘10. Some audition. He’s confirmed what the rest of the NFL thought after he was cut by Oakland.
2. Stanton is under contract for next season. Culpepper is not.
Sure, Stanton replaced Culpepper against the Packers, and for the most part, fired blanks. But he’s only thrown all of 28 passes in his entire career, compared to the 3K which have left Culpepper’s hand. We know what Culpepper can do, and it’s not much. We can’t say the same about Stanton.
It’s time to see what Sparty’s finest can do under pressure.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: I’m hoping and praying that Stafford will be fit enough to play against the Rams (please, please, please). If not, I would give Drew Stanton the start. Daunte Culpepper has shown that he no longer has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in this league and has no business being on the field for the Lions unless there are no other options available. It’s time for Stanton to get some experience and a chance to show what he can do. I believe he may be a career back-up but let him prove that he should hold the #2 spot for the Lions.
Josh, Roar of the Lions: As of my writing, it appears that Matthew Stafford will be starting against the Rams on Sunday, and that CJis 70-30 to go for it as well. With those two back, and Kevin Smith fully healthy I think that the Lions have a good chance of being able to put a LOT of points up on the Rams.
Now, lets say Stafford has a setback — I say start Drew. Sure, Drew Stanton is not the guy you want as your starting QB in this league — however; with a little more experience I believe he could easily evolve into a solid #2 QB — the kind of player that can come in and finish out a game, maybe even win a game or two if your main QB is out. Culpepper showed me that he hasn’t learned how to read defenses in 11 years in the league, and he won’t be back next season. Get Drew some experience, and develop him into your own Craig Niall, Jim Sorgi, or Seneca Wallace. They aren’t your long term answer to start, but they are a solid long term #2.
Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: I think everyone has the same opinion on this one. You go with Stanton. You need to see what you have in him and if he can be your “back up of the future.” However, with Calvin likely out, coupled with the fact that probably six more starters or important players will still not be ready to go, it’s going to be a long, tough day for whoever takes the snaps.
Reverend Spielman, CofS: Though it looks like Stafford will start as of this posting, I’d go with Stanton over Culpepper any day. I don’t think Drew Stanton has any future in the NFL aside from clipboard holder but we don’t know that for sure because we haven’t seen him enough. We know Daunte will not be a Detroit Lion after this season and thats all we need to know about him.
2. DT Ed Johnson (formerly of the Colts) is still out on the street. Should we sign this guy?
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: I am not opposed to the Lions signing Idi Amin to play defensive tackle, if the Lions defense improves as a result. We forget, football players aren’t noted for being “good guys”.
If it’s Ed Johnson, Shaun Smith, or Terdell Sands, given the rash of injuries along the Lions defensive front, the Lions clearly need help there, it doesn’t matter. Johnson, who has been productive despite his troubles, could actually be a similar project to what Albert Haynesworth was for Jim Schwartz, who was made very rich under Schwartz’s direction last season. Even Tank Johnson has been able to stay comparatively out of trouble, since his imbroglio’s while in Chicago. Why the hell not sign Johnson and see what happens?
The bigger question I have is, can the Lions find anyone who can actually cover in their secondary? Why hasn’t there been a revolving door of free agent workouts to help bolster their problems there?
Phil, MLive: I don’t like to answer these questions absolutely because Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz know the dynamics of the team far better than I do. So here is what they have to ask themselves: Does Johnson hold potential to be a real contributor? He has to be better than at least one other defensive lineman on the team in order to be considered. I’m not so sure I could answer that affirmatively, as the defensive line has played better than expected. Also, Johnson had a marijuana-possession issue. I’m not saying he’s an evil man, by any stretch. But is he worth the possibility of being a locker room distraction? Again, I doubt it.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: As thin as the Lions are on talent and healthy bodies on the defensive line, signing Johnson seems like a no-brainer. He’s a solid run stuffer.
But the fact no NFL team has come calling for Johnson after being released by the Colts is a huge red flag. He was busted for pot, then waived by the Colts, after one game in ‘08, and he went unsigned the rest of the season. The Colts picked him up in this past off season, then waived him two weeks ago, this time based on a lack of production.
Just as in ‘08, no NFL team has shown much interest in a young defensive tackle who has started for one of the NFLs elite teams.
Cut twice, yet no interest from any team other than who originally drafted him. Why?
There has to be some very big reason causing the entire NFL to treat this kid the same way Superman treats kryptonite.
Personally, I don’t think the Lions are in a place where they can be picky about talent. They need players, not choirboys. If Johnson was good enough to start for the Colts, he’s sure as Hell good enough for the Lions to sign.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: I think Johnson would be a good pick-up. He was a starter in Indy but was let go for performance and weight issues, according to Colts President Bill Polian. Johnson is an excellent run stuffer and would greatly help the line. If Cunningham and Schwartz could get him to trim down a bit and play to the level he’s able, he would be a great pick-up.
Josh, Roar of the Lions: This guy is unsigned for a reason, and it is not his play on the field. He has some serious character issues, and with Hill back fully healthy, the Lions have their Beef enough at DT for now. Joe Cohen on the practice squad is a better risk at this point – Johnson wasn’t cut just because of his play or amazing depth on the Dline. Bill Polian didn’t feel he could trust him to keep his nose clean (after a 2008 Marijuana possession charge, they gave him a second shot in 2009, but then cut him again) and thus be counted on to help the team from week to week. Hill-Cohen-Jackson-Fluellen can handle the run stopping duties; what they really need is a DE or two to step up and do more than run stopping duties and get pressure off the edges.
Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: Why on earth would you do that!?!? This is the perfect situation to give Cohen, Fluellen and Hill (when he gets healthy) some snaps and some experience. This season is lost already so you may as well let the young players play and develop. There are no quick fixes so stay away.
Reverend Spielman, CofS: I’ve always liked this guy since his Penn State days. He’s a more talented version of Shaun Smith. I think we have nothing to lose by signing him to a contract for the rest of the year and see if we can make a player out of him. Grady Jackson isn’t getting any younger and while Sammie Lee Hill looks like a great building block, I’m not so sure about Fluellen and Cohen.
3. Whats your projected score for Rams-Lions?
Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: I expect this to be a high-scoring game, especially if Matthew Stafford plays. Even without Calvin Johnson, and any rustiness from missing a few games, Stafford should have a field day against the Rams. The problem is, I expect the Rams to likewise exploit the Lions weak defense and papier mache pass coverage. I expect a high-scoring shootout where, if the Lions have fewer turnovers than the Rams and allow no “explosion” plays, especially in kick coverage, the Lions will eventually prevail. Lions 31 Rams 24
Phil, MLive: This is a tough one to predict, as I don’t know who’s in and who’s out with injuries. At this point (Wednesday morning), it looks like the Lions are going to get at least a couple of their defensive linemen back. So, if I go under the assumption that Stafford and Calvin will be back, I’m quite certain they’ll be able to shred the St. Louis defense. As far as the Rams offense goes, it just doesn’t have the weaponry for me to expect them to do damage. Of course there’s Steven Jackson, but the Lions have actually played respectably against the run. Marc Bulger is simply not the quarterback he once was, nor does he have the explosive wide receivers he once had. He is, however, facing one of the worst secondaries in the game. If the Lions defense allows the Rams offense to put up big numbers, it will prove that their awful stats have nothing to do with facing some of the NFL’s top passing attacks in the first seven games, rather it’s because they truly are the worst group of defensive backs in the league. All that is to say that I think if Stafford and Johnson play, the Lions roll, 37-17.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: If Stafford and Johnson play (and it does as of Friday morning), the Lions should beat the Rams. For the first time all season, I’m predicting a Detroit victory, 24-21!
But…if by some freak occurrence, the Glimmer Twins don’t play, all bets and predictions are off.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: If Stafford starts, Lions by 7. If Calvin Johnson also plays, Lions by 13. If neither plays, this game becomes a toss up. Vegas has the odds around 4 points in Detroit’s favor but no one in Vegas is predicting the O/U and the line might change if Stafford plays. This game could be ugly. If the Lions do something stupid like starting Culpepper, I can see the Lions losing by 7-10.
I’m hoping Stafford plays and I’ll make a wild stab in the dark and say Lions 27 – Rams 20. I’d definitely stay away from the bookmakers on this one.
Josh, Roar of the Lions: Lions: Lots
Rams: Not Much
If the healthy defensive starters play with as much intensity as the entire unit did against Green Bay, then the Rams are in for a VERY long afternoon. I feel kind of silly saying this since I didn’t even want them to draft the guy, but I will anyways: With Stafford in the game I just feel like the Lions have a chance to win until the bitter end. This is a game the Lions SHOULD win (and knock St. Louis to 18 losses in a row and on pace to beat the Lions’ recent winless streak, tie 0-16, and tie the Bucs’ 26 game losing streak.)
Lions win a close one as they still aren’t good enough to just plain out-play or blow-out even one of the few opponents who is weaker than them. (Here’s hoping I’m wrong!)
Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: With Calvin, Rams 24 Lions 17. Without Calvin, Rams 27 Lions 10
That being said, won’t it be interesting to see what the spread on this game will be??? By the time this gets posted the spread will be up but can you imagine, the Lions MIGHT ACTUALLY be favoured to win a game!!
Reverend Spielman, CofS: If Stafford plays, Lions win 31-24. If Stafford and CJ both play, the Lions will blow out the Rams 38-17. If neither plays, the Lions will lose this game by a TD or so.
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My answers to the questions…
1. I agree with Big Al on this one. Stanton gets the nod. I know I am not at the practices and fortunate enough to see Stanton every single day, but I have to believe that he gives us a better chance to win than C-Pep. It is amazing to see how terrible C-Pep really is even after signing Linehan. Stanton appears to even be more polished in his game than Daunte. Daunte has only sold me on one aspect of his game…weak…(A less polished terd) Stanton has not sold me on anything which is the lesser of two you know whats..(A more polished terd)
2. I completely agree with Josh on this one. I look at the players who we already have and analyze the root of our problems. Currently, I believe most of our problems are leaning to lack of experience and cohesion. (Kwan still needs to go) You can also argue lack of talent which I somewhat agree with. The talent in the NFL is enormous (Yes even on the Lions) I spoke with a current NFL player and he said from team-to-team talent is incredibly “similar and comparable” (YES, he said that) The coaching “makes all the difference.” (Our staff needs to be given some time to “fine-tune” different areas of unmanageability.) I have to side with him on this one and say give the current Lions the benefit of the doubt and stick with these guys on the roster. At least wait a week or two to see if the hobbles persist or are better after the bye.
3. I see the game unfolding somewhat like the Redskins game. A “defensive” knife-fight for the ages. J/k. I am going to disagree with the “experts” calling for a “shootout” and pick the Lions to win 17-10. S. Jax getting his first TD and posting over 100 yards. Stafford managing the game, humbly, and K. Smith scoring 2 td’s and 100 yards-plus total after receptions.