1984Echoes

Larkin and DeBrincat both have 9 points...

That's my point. I'm not worried about one game. I still see them winning the division... easily. But as we've both just said, we won't be able to compete against the best playoff teams as they have more talent/ playmakers than what we currently have. Holmes... keep workin'... !!!

You're entitled to your opinion Tater. I didn't watch a clown show. I watched the Lions get outclassed by a more dominant, more talented team.

The coaches? Wrong answer. The Ravens are just a better team. Remember 1991? We need a few more high-end players to compete at that level. More D. Maybe starters at OG instead of backups. IMO.

PS: This already feels like a 1991 V2.0 type of season. Really good year; but wiped out by the Redskins during the regular season (game 1) and in the playoffs.

I watched the first quarter and a half and then needed to head back home. They didn't look like a clown show at all. At least when I was watching. They just looked outclassed by a better, more dominant team. A more dominant defense. And a Lamar Jackson that can make something out of nothing when guys are draped all over him. Or run for daylight, and a 1st down (or TD). Just outclassed. NOT a clown show. IMO.

So, the only comment I have to make after today (is actually a set of questions): What does it take for the Lions to go from very very good, to the highest level in the NFL? What do they need to reach the level of the 49'ers/ Eagles/ Chiefs/ Dolphins (wut!!!)/ Ravens? level...? Because I think they will have a very very good, year/ record, prolly win the division, maybe even win a playoff game or two... But I don't think they'll get past the NFC Championship game, and there are some premium AFC teams that would also prolly block the Lions from winning the whole enchilada even if they made the Super Bowl. I think the Lions need to make a couple of premium moves to get players that will get them to that level. IMO. My 1st guess is: concentrate on Defense, not offense. Even though we've done nothing today against a really nasty Baltimore defense. Want list = (1st) top-level CB. Surtain or draft pick or whomever that may be. (2nd) more pass-rush, whether that's a Maxx Crosby type or a reasonable facsimile. (3) Do we need elevated coaching on D? Just asking.... And what do we need on offense? I don't see any must-have needs except rookie & 2nd year growth (Gibbs/ Jamo/ LaPorta), maybe a key RB depth player... is there a way to make our O-Line even more awesome? Does that help anything? Do we need more smashmouth running that could possibly steamroll a Ravens or 49'ers defense? Just asking... Any comments/thoughts welcomed/ appreciated...

Snoooooooooze... button. Wait! Was that Larkin hoisting the Stanley Cup? Right after Goff hoisted the Vince Lombardi?!?! Right after Harbaugh raised the (wait, college FB doesn't have a name for their championship trophy? Which is a... football? Hmmm... I'll name it: Fielding H. Yost Trophy...) Fielding H. Yost Trophy?!?! Sweeeeeeeeeet!!! Snoooooooooze button... just one more time please...

The motive is easy, even with no information whatsoever. It was a hate-murder. But I wouldn't guarantee that it wasn't just as easily a white-trash bigot using any excuse to perform out his anti-semitic hatred as it was a Palestinian sympathizer. It could be either, IMO. But hate-crime-murder it was...

Dylan Smith had a good outing tonight. 4 inn's 9 K's. 1 hit and 2 BB's... 4 errors behind him so that wasn't helpful but only 1 ER and 2 runs overall. I'm assuming he's ticketed for AA in 2024...

I don't think they constructed the 4th line this year to be only a checking line... They added offense all the way down to the bottom in order to roll 4 lines. On that basis, I'm perfectly fine with Veleno on the 3rd or 4th line, especially with the pop so far that he's displayed this year. Whatever the situation dictates... And with the belief that Veleno will be centering a line that can both score and shut down a dangerous line on the opposing team, regardless whether he's centering the 3rd or the 4th. At least that's what I'm thinking... And I like that he has apparently made that step up this year...!

Or Dre Bly...

Jobe is pitching tonight... FYI.

Define "works". 😉

If it's a run on 2nd down... you are WRONG!!!

The problem right now is: The Fascist Faction will refuse to support any moderate or anti-Trump Republican (and Cheney certainly qualifies on that second count); And the moderate faction, at least currently, will not support a Fascist candidate, at least one that they don't like. Who can be nominated that can pull in both factions? Or at least get the moderates to buckle? Because the Fascist Faction won't. If the moderate faction refuses to buckle, their only way out is to talk with the Dems. Otherwise... this still goes on.... and on.... and on.... and on....

Or Jeffries could do an immediate vote... For a Republican nominee of Jeffries choosing (whichever moderate they feel they can work with best), a "rules package" that the Dems can announce, and all vote 100% for that person... And see what happens...

20... 22... 25... Like a reverse countdown. So they finally figured that out it looks like.

That would be the NON-voting way for moderate Republicans to get Jeffries elected as Speaker. Possibly a hidden exit ramp for them...

Which puts Jordan at risk of losing to... Jeffries.

This is the key component in McCarthy's downfall, from the Dem side.

I don't think Jordan is playing games here... I think he actually WANTS to become Speaker. He can be more destructive that way. He's just miscalculated, along with the rest of his fascist faction, that they can pressure the moderate caucus into supporting them. They're playing hard ball. And losing. The score is 3-0 Moderates, I believe.

I don't think there's a strategy here. I think Jordan is using pressure campaigns to get his numbers up from the holdouts. That's his strategy if you want to call it that. The more accurate description is: Miscalculation.

PS: If 30 moderate Republicans vote for Jeffries... 1) It may give them more cover, amongst themselves, but also back in their districts if they can successfully argue that they represent the country, not Trump's Pending Fascist Dictatorship. I don't know how well that'll work... but I do know: 2) If this happens, it splits the party. 3) Maybe they limit the damage to 5 Republicans in the strongest Biden districts in order to, you know, try to limit the damage within the party? Hence, 5 guys/ (or gals) falling on their swords. Or in districts in which the Rep has already decided to retire...?

I never thought this a realistic possibility. Chance this happens = 0. However... Moderate Republicans have to be thinking to themselves, that they will NEVER get a moderate Speaker again. McCarthy was their guy. But they know the Fascist Caucus is dead set against another of theirs and will ONLY support a Fascist Speaker. So they have a decision to make: 1) Wilt for a Fascist Caucus Speaker, when it's NOT Jordan? 2) Keep pressing for a moderate Speaker; which they know will never get 100% backing from their party? 3) Pull an end-around and vote for Jeffries. Fall on their sword so to speak because they'll come under a firestorm of criticism from the right and probably lose their jobs next election? At this point, they know they'll be able to work out fair deals with the Dems on rules and such, Ukraine, Israel... maybe even a balanced budget that includes cuts in spending as well as some targeted tax increases (not cuts alone), and maybe some repairs to Social Security funding... Would they go so far as to actually vote for Jeffries? Before today: No. Today... Hmmm... Maybe. I'm thinking it IS becoming much more of a realistic possibility IF moderates look in the mirror and realize that absolute truth of their current position.