Last Sunday, the Detroit Lions were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to the New York Giants, ending a season filled with promise but mired by a lack of discipline and an inability to finish games in which they led entering the 4th quarter of play.
As is typical with fans on any team in a string of disappointing seasons, the blame is tossed around like cheap beer at a college bar. Some blame the coach, Jim Schwartz. Others blame Matt Stafford, the talented yet inconsistent quarterback.
Putting the blame on the coach is no surprise to me, especially when you consider how poorly coached this team was in the 4th quarter in the second half of this season. Additionally, the team had a knack for committing penalties at very inopportune times on their way to becoming the 9th most penalized team in the league. A lack of discipline on the field may have hurt the Lions more than any individual aspect of their play.
I don't pretend to know the environment inside the Lion's locker room, or what type of discipline Schwartz brings to the team, but the obvious truth is that the status quo is not working. Heading into this season, the Lions were a solid pick to win the NFC North, and their chances rose astronomically as injuries piled up for the Bears and Packers. After starting off 6-3 and in firm control of the division, the Lions fumbled away their chances of postseason play by finishing at best with an 8-8 record.
Despite the inconsistent play of former No.1 pick Matthew Stafford, which has drawn the ire of many Lions fans, I feel it is not the quarterback spot that most needs changing for the Lions. Amidst his struggles with accuracy this season, people seem to have forgotten that Stafford is just two seasons removed from a 5000 yard season, and he has surpassed 4000 yards passing in each of the past three seasons. It is not the physical skills of Stafford that should be called into question, but his decision making.
When I was a young, budding tennis star earlier in my life I would watch a lot of professional players to try and gain useful tips for my own play. Through careful observation of female tennis players, I picked up the habit (briefly) of grunting while hitting the ball. Surprisingly, this didn't help my play, and somewhat less surprisingly didn't make me into a professional female tennis player (for which I'm grateful).
This sort of novelty move is what Stafford has gotten himself into trouble with, as he tends to fall into the habit of side-arming his throws, resulting in weak, wobbly passes. The ability to repeat his 2011 campaign is still there, but the lack of overall team coaching is holding the offense, and team, down.
The change the Lions need is at the coaching position, and by acquiring talent through the draft. The team has many valuable pieces as is, but need to overcome their issues with discipline, and that starts with a more authoritive coach. Jim Schwartz, or Gym Shorts, as he has become known has overstayed his welcome in Detroit and doesn't appear to be the right man for this coaching job.
If the ownership in Detroit is serious about contending for the NFC North title, then they need to overhaul the coaching staff and make changes in the right direction. Until then, the Lions won't seriously challenge for the top spot in the North.
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