Olympic Fever

I don't know about you, but I am totally geeked for this Friday night's Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London!  I've watched as many qualifying rounds as possible...swimming, gymnastics, track and field...and whatever else I could fit in between Wimbledon and baseball.

We've got some local peeps to cheer for over the next two weeks, Jordan Wieber, the leading World Champion overall gymnast is from Dewitt, MI.  Sam Mikulak is from the men's gymnastic team at the University of Michigan.  Super-swimmer Phelps, well he used to train in Ann Arbor...does that count?

It doesn't really matter where our team came from...I'll be cheering them ALL on because they are on the team representing our United States of America. 

That being said, should our guys or gals be out of contention, I'll still be rooting for underdogs, or record breakers or history makers.  The drama and excitement is all part of the fun!

Wishing you hours and hours and hours (NBC is giving 5500 hours of coverage!) of Olympic-watching fun! Sit back, have an Opening Ceremonies Party, and drink in all that is red, white and blue! 

And when the Closing Ceremonies are upon us, as athletes parade their medals...don't fret.  The NFL pre-season is fast approaching!!

2012 In Like a Lion

Dear doubters,

TOLD YA!

The Detroit Lions are in the Playoffs.  Like Schwartzy implied, some day getting into the Playoffs won't be such a surprise...it will be expected.  We've got one more game this week before the post season begins, and low and behold it is against the extremely formidable Packers.  The good news is that they are entirely beatable, and we have momentum.  Some have suggested we take our starters out, save them for later...and I'm glad the Lions aren't going to buy into that idea.

Per injuries, Delmas is out and Calvin is a "maybe"...but the rest are in and we will take the field to win.  I like the idea of ending the season 11-5 over 10-6. Not sure what the Packers have up their sleeves...can't wait to see on New Year's Day.

Don't talk to me about 2008!

If I hear one more naysayer tell me that the Lion's preseason 0-4 record is a BAD thing, I'm going to scream.  Some Lion watchers (I will not call them fans) are hung up on the fact that just because we had our worst season the last time we were 4-0 in the preseason, that somehow history will repeat itself.


Enough already.  This is a new time, a new team.    Even the sports announcers on TV (yes that means YOU Bernie S. on WDIV channel 4) are bringing up 2008 followed by a "I'm just sayin'" comment.  Let's talk about this year, shall we?  Let's talk about the buzz being created throughout the league and being talked about on the national circuit.  People are watching the Lions because they are GOOD this year.  It isn't some fluke, some strange twist of magnetic fields in the air.  We have good players, a great coach, and real fans who don't care about 2008.  Go LIONS!

Take THAT Pats! Detroit Lions 34 New England 10

"It's only pre season."  That is what I am hearing from Patriot fans and Tom Brady lovers.  I get it, and yes it is only pre season. 

HOWEVER...

Last night's nationally televised game from Ford Field in Detroit was much anticipated by peeps all around the league.  The Lions were 2-0 before last night, beating the Bengals and Browns, neither of which are the caliber of team as the Pats.  Well...Detroit didn't only win the game, they dominated New England. 

Matt Stafford was 12 for 14 with 200 yards and two TDs.  Tom Brady was only 12 for 22 with 145 yards and one TD, and he had an ugly pick that really gave Detroit momentum.  Lions had 400+ total offense. 

You would think the Patriots wouldn't be worried about a pre season game, but for some reason they kept Brady in for three quarters, which is practically unheard of in a pre-season game for a star quarterback.

There may have been something to prove for Lions coach Jim Schwartz too, having interned under the Bill Belichick (whom I cannot stand, btw) administration.  Belichick said Schwartz was one of his smartest interns, which was nice, but he also called him "Schwartzy".

To top it off, it was a very low penalty game, something I know the Lions have been really working on, having previously been the highest penalty team in the league.  Hits were clean, the worst was a bit of excessive celebration in the end zone.  Can you blame them?  They were whoopin' the Patriots for Gods sake.

What can I say?  We look awesome! For those who were waiting for the Patriots game to see if Detroit really has what it takes to win this year, the proof was on the field.  Ladies and gentleman, the Detroit Lions are in the building.  Get ready for a terrific season!

How About Those Lions? Det 34 Cin 3 This Chick's Reflection:

My LIONS sweatshirt was freshly laundered.  My toenails were painted the perfect hue of Honolulu Blue. Pizza was delivered. All was perfect, and it stayed perfect.  I'm talking about my Detroit Lions in their first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Could we have had a better start? (Okay, just a little better but I'll get to that in a minute)  Now I realize we were playing the Bengals, not necessarily the biggest challenge on our list, but despite that, and despite our roster of injuries, there are some pretty fantastic things coming off the turf in Allen Park.

First and foremost we've got to talk about the quarterback situation, specifically Stafford and his shoulder.  He looked great, he let go of the ball quickly, his completion ratio was awesome.  As long as the opposing team doesn't target his shoulder, which they will in regulation, I like what I'm seeing in the pocket.  Now, what is even more exciting than our healthy QB?  How about his back up? Should he end up injured (fingers crossed and knock on wood that this does not happen), do we or do we not have a reason to be psyched about the depth of that position?  We've got four quarterbacks baby, count 'em!  Stafford, Hill, Stanton and Robinson...and they all performed tremendously on Friday night.  It lets a chick sleep well at night!

Next up, the red zone.  I seem to remember a team that was often unable to convert inside the 20 yard line.  Not Friday night.  It was like watching a different team.  Series after series, the passing and the running game, moved us right down the field into the red zone.  What did my mighty LIONS do when they got there?  They SCORED, that is what they did!

I feel good about the O-Line and I think our Defense rivals that of a brick wall.  Our defensive line is what brings me to one itty bitty little issue with someone not so itty bitty.  Oh Suh, ya big tank!  Katrina Hancock of WDIV said it best on Sunday night's sports wrap up when she said, and I'm paraphrasing here...something like "I don't necessarily agree with what he did, but I do like his passion."  What did he do?  Um....attempt to decapitate a QB after the whistle was already blown? As a matter of fact, the LIONS had four fifteen-yard penalties for a total of 60 yards. Really?  In a preseason game? Passion is tremendous, but please keep it legal.

I get that we are trying to prove ourselves, and that many on the roster just want to keep their jobs, but ease up a little boys.  I love your focus, your drive, your dedication and ferocity.  These are all good, solid lion characteristics.  But penalties kill, no matter how king of the jungle you may be feeling.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one other major sparkle for Detroit, and his name is Jason Hanson.  If I had a buck for every time I or my husband said, "Thank you Jason" when he gave us three more points on the board, I'd be rich. I  was concerned after his surgery last season, and I think they brought him back in a little too early. But I'm not a doctor, so what do I know? I know my next LIONS jersey will be that of number four.

I am so in love with our team this season.  Coach Schwartz has got it going on.  The media is catching on that the Detroit Lions are worth paying attention to this year.  I know I'll be doing more than paying attention.  You'll hear my roar on game day, all the way from the 'burbs.

'Tis the Season--Finally! NFL kicks off all over the country!

Scared me....suddenly my LIONS weren't televised at kick off....Silly me, I should know that they hold off until prime time and won't air the game until 9pm.  Also new this year is the switch for pre-season from FOX to ABC. 

Kansas City and Tampa Bay also square off tonight....so much fun to see the players on the field, especially since I wasn't exactly confident we would even have a season because of the lock out. 

Aaaaaahhhhhh.....see the turf, smell the sweat, hear the crunch of the helmets. Ladies and gents, the NFL is upon us.  Enjoy!

Are You Ready For Some Football? YES!!!!!!

A huge sigh of relief is escaping the mouths of us huge NFL fans.  I mean, did we ever really think there wouldn't be a season?  Quite honestly, a few months ago I wasn't so sure.  Things started looking up last week when the NFL owners came to an agreement, then finally yesterday the players signed off on it too.

So that means my toes have been painted Honolulu Blue for my Detroit Lions, and I am more than ready to see how they are going to look after all the drama of whether or not they would be abel to get to work.  They take the practice field in Allen Park on Thursday.  The ROAR is audible and ferocious and I am thrilled to start my countdown to pre-season!