36-3.
That is what the Detroit Lions have been outscored by in the first quarters of the past four games.
But getting off to a slow start is not something new for the Lions in 2017. In fact, through their first 12 games, they are dead last in the NFL in first-quarter points allowed and 26th in the league in first-quarter points scored.
http://gty.im/884938912
Sure, Matthew Stafford has been able to work his magic and pull out some victories for the Lions, but it is very clear there is a problem and it has to be dealt with immediately if they want any prayer at making the playoffs.
Head coach Jim Caldwell has consistently shouldered the blame for the slow starts and he did the same again following Sunday’s 44-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
From DetroitLions.com:
“Yeah, wasn’t pretty,” Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said afterward of his team’s performance. “I’ll just tell you I didn’t do a very good job, and we just didn’t do a good job of starting, missed field goals, a couple drops here, miscues in scoring territory.
“Fought our way back in it in the third quarter. It was a pretty hot quarter for us. I think on defense we were stopping people. Offense we were moving the ball. Get within one score and then the bottom falls out again, same thing. I’ve just got to do a better job. It’s not good enough.”
Sure, these are professional athletes who get paid a ton of money to make plays but Caldwell insists the slow starts are on him.
“It’s all coaching,” he said. “You’ve never heard me say anything differently. I’ll tell you the exact same thing today, tomorrow. We’ve got to do better.”
One of the big questions regarding Jim Caldwell is, what must the Lions accomplish this season for him to keep his job?
Sure, the players seem to love Caldwell and there is no doubt about it that he is a great human being, but his in-game coaching ability leaves much to be desired and that’s putting it nicely. Many find it extremely hard to imagine the Lions ever getting to the next level with Caldwell calling the shots.
But everyone in the organization seems in love with Caldwell, including owner Martha Ford, and general manager Bob Quinn, who (secretly) signed Caldwell to an extension prior to the season.
http://gty.im/884938872
The players always say the right things, so it was very interesting, to say the least, to hear receiver Golden Tate speak about the Lions current situation following Sunday’s loss.
“This is something I haven’t felt for this team since I’ve been here,” wide receiver Golden Tate said after the loss. “Over the years I’ve been here we’ve done well late in the season. We had been playing with a lot of confidence and finding ways to get wins, and just don’t have that feeling this year and it’s clearly not happening for us right now.
“We’ve got to just keep working, keep grinding, but it sucks.”
Wow. Those are some pretty interesting comments by a player who generally points the finger at himself and says the right things. There is clearly an uncomfortable feeling in the Lions locker room and if Tate is feeling like something is off, there are definitely others who feel the same way.
The question is, has Jim Caldwell lost the trust of his team.
If he has, it is time for him to pack his bags.
9 men on the field on a 3RD and 7. That’s all I will say.
Comments are closed.