MichiganCardinal

Thank you Mr. Evans. Much appreciated.

I’m worried those 4 points will come back to bite them. When you’re gift wrapped 7 points on the road, it’s rude to turn back 4 of them.

Surprised by the conservative play calling there. I didn’t believe it was actually a punt until it left his foot.

Wasted opportunity there. They gift wrap you plus territory like that, you need 7 not 3.

Yet Goff has still not been given any substantial credit for the Rams Super Bowl run or for what has turned into a very successful career. With the graphic that Lions PR put out you would think the debate would be "is this QB on track for a HOF career", not "is this QB worthy of an extension" Even now, with Goff being at the helm of the Lions(!!) seemingly successful rebuild, it's like the national media narrative is that they're doing it despite him, or that it's only because he's got a good offensive line and running game. He went into his last game with Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond as his WR1 and WR2 and scored four touchdowns! If he manages to host and win a playoff game here this year, I don't think it's crazy to put him above Matt Stafford and say that Jared Goff is the best QB in Lions history. Look at QB Power Rankings from the preseason though and you'll find Daniel Jones ranked above him. Look at some now and you'll find Brock Purdy ahead of him. I even saw one that had CJ Stroud ahead of him.

I was thinking today about the different trajectories of the Michigan and Michigan State programs. Since MSU beat Michigan 37-33 on October 30, 2021, Michigan is 25-2 overall, 23-0 in regular season play, and 19-0 in B1G play. MSU is 10-13 overall, 9-13 in regular season play, and 5-11 in B1G play.

He hasn't seen the 4th quarter in a game yet this season, I doubt that would change against MSU if the score got out of hand.

Actually pretty crazy how much damage one bad season (with an injury) and a poor relationship with an egomaniac media doll of a head coach can do to a guy’s national reputation.

I’m not sure. If Michigan takes a 14-0 lead, I could see State just giving up. They’ve shown no heart at all under Barnett.

Alabama-Arkansas is a three-point game with 10:00 to go in the 4th. Bama has felt primed for implosion all season. A loss to 2-4 Arkansas for the first time since 2006 might just do it.

Like a good 4-1 team with a two-game lead in the division that should probably win but will survive a road loss.

Never a doubt

What mystifies me about the Browns move too is that they had a good thing going with Baker Mayfield. He wasn’t perfect but he was a competitor who brought them within a couple points of an AFC Championship Game appearance. There was just no need to be the crazy team acquiring Watson on an insane deal. NFL owners are probably happy to see him fail, hard to imagine a fully guaranteed contract like that being signed in the near future.

I really like what they did this year in signing Glasgow. Having six effective offensive linemen has really saved us this year through injury. If we can find a relatively cheap swing OT next year I wouldn’t be opposed to having seven effective starting linemen.

LaPorta told reporters yesterday that he’ll be good to go

I ducked to avoid this retort!!

something something injury prone *ducks*

I doubt they’re going out and killing each other in practice. I’ve watched mid season college practices before and when it’s offense vs defense it’s usually played “bang”, or when the contact is made the play is over. We are talking about a strained hammy and a (presumably) strained calf muscle, not bone bruises and concussions.

It’s frustrating but I also doubt we would be as good as we are if we didn’t practice.

I agree with this. But I also think we are a championship caliber team as we stand here today. I think we could beat any given team in the NFL on any given Sunday. Some could beat us on any given Sunday too obviously, but I’m not sure there is a massive amount of relative benefit to attaining the “stars” who might be available. I’d be surprised if Holmes makes a blockbuster trade before the deadline. I just don’t think one is necessary for us to win multiple(!) playoff games. That’s not to say I would be immediately opposed if he does make one, just that I think he is a good drafter and a confident drafter, and is cognizant that a lot (all of?) the core players we’ve got still haven’t been paid. With the core you’ve got here, you can build a legitimate dynasty with continued right moves in the draft. No need to throw that away for one 2020 Cleveland Browns run.

I do think Tampa’s strengths are most similar to Seattle’s strengths. They won’t beat themselves and they aren’t afraid to use the short pass game times 50. Try not to turn the ball over three times.

If the Lions can take over Arrowhead and Lambeau, Tampa may as well be the Detroit suburbs. Might be more Lions fans there than Bucs fans.

Campbell reported that he feels good about ASB returning, Branch and Gibbs are both day to day, and Mitchell is day to day, but a little behind where Branch and Gibbs are.

I think a home-and-home between Michigan and Texas probably generates more money on the whole than Michigan-Central Michigan. I think it is more strategic than just wanting more money (though of course all decisions are related to money). Ohio State last year went 11-1 and made the playoff, probably came within a field goal of winning the National Championship. If they had lost to Notre Dame on September 3rd (they won by 11), they'd have been 10-2 and Alabama (also 10-2, but from the SEC) probably would have gone in their place as the first two-loss playoff team. So why play Notre Dame, when you could play Timbuktu College, write them a check for a million or two, and be much more assured that you will finish with no more than one loss? Competition should get a little better with the expansion of the playoff, but I'm still not sure the incentive for a B1G powerhouse to schedule an SEC powerhouse (or Notre Dame) in nonconference. Why risk it? Michigan will play USC, Washington, Oregon, and Ohio State in 2024, then USC, Ohio State, and Washington again in 2025. If they go 10-2 in either year, they'll likely make the expanded playoff. Why are they playing Texas in 24 and Oklahoma in 25 and risking going 9-3 or worse? I don't see the relative benefit (outside of the money generated from a September Michigan-Texas game). The real money will come from the College Football Playoff, and that should be the goal anyway.

Similar to free agency, I doubt the Lions acquire any of the “flashy” players who might move - Chase Young, Pat Surtain, or Mike Evans. I don’t think Holmes will have interest in outbidding teams for a tool to add to what is already a well oiled machine. I think a role player or depth is a much more likely addition. Zach Ertz could be a cheap veteran addition to the offense for a playoff run behind LaPorta. Maybe a kicker if the Panthers will move on from Eddy Pineiro, the Colts from Matt Gay, or the Raiders from Daniel Carlson for cheap.