MichiganCardinal

Even then it's not worth it. The toxicity of Watson's contract cannot be understated.

As an aside, I mentioned that I voted absentee two weeks ago. It still hasn’t been marked as received, and given the ~state of affairs~ surrounding absentee ballots and nonsensical allegations of voter fraud, I thought it wise to call up my clerk’s office. I live in a *very* conservative rural area in Monroe County, the kind where local officials run unopposed as Republicans. When I called, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the clerk herself answered the phone and was the nicest public official I may have ever spoken to. She apologized for the delay and said she can see my ballot was sent but that they haven’t marked it in yet. Took my phone number and said she’d call either way by the end of the day and work with me to spoil it and send a new one if needed, or that they found it and marked it in. Despite the national narrative and push by a certain side to encourage certain people to do certain illegal things (like overthrow a certain democratic election), I think the majority of local officials remain good people who are in it for the right reasons. I was encouraged by the phone call.

As someone who more passively pays attention to these things, it sure feels like Harris has been running a mistake-free campaign since taking over the torch. The transition was seamless and she understands both her opponent and the battle field. She is going far and wide to pickup as many votes as she can. The name of the game is turnout, but that goes both ways. Yes you need record Democratic turnout, and I think they’re well on their way. But also - if you can dishearten some number of vital rural voters in MI and PA who will never vote blue, but might not vote Trump? That’s just as well. On the other side of things, Trump has probably 70,000,000 votes no matter what either he or Harris does. Shoot someone on 5th Avenue and all that. That’s an indicting systemic embarrassment on this country, but it is what it is. There’s no changing it. But it wasn’t enough in 2020, and Trump doesn’t seem particularly inclined to increase it. I honestly don’t think he cares. I’m sure he has people telling him “this is what you need to do to pickup votes”, but he’s a narcissistic old man who genuinely believes that he can’t lose. He doesn’t give a ****. I could be wrong. But I was worried in 2016, cautiously optimistic in 2020, and am currently more confident than I was in either of those two elections. I think we are trending towards a Harris victory where she wins it walking away.

If I thought Hooker was a franchise QB I would be. It’s premised on that belief.

Presumably we'd get Gardner Minshew in return. Though my mock trade didn't include that, so good thing I'm not a GM. 😆

The only other way I see it happening is if the Raiders love Hendon Hooker and think he could be the franchise QB. In 2023, the Raiders picked two selections after the Lions picked Hooker. The Raiders last pick before Hooker had been Michael Mayer at 2.35. For all we know, they had their eyes on Hooker and we stole him. It's a stretch, but if they could sell their fans on the thought that they traded away a franchise defensive edge for a franchise QB and acquired high level picks in the process, maybe that would get it done. Lions send 2025 1st, 2026 2nd, 2026 3rd, Hendon Hooker, and James Houston Raiders send 2025 4th and Maxx Crosby

Can you imagine any other GM in the NFL saying this? He’s an embarrassment. Cowboys fans must be so down right now. Should have designed a pass to Ragnow.

Watching Rodgers flounder as his career ends is honestly way more fun than if he had just retired when he tore his Achilles. I wonder what injury he’ll fake to quit on the season when the Jets are 4-8.

This would be fun, but I’m pretty sure he’s still under contract with the Rams through this season. So the Lions would have to trade for him.

I think it’s more likely the Raiders aren’t interested than the Lions. It’s hard to sell to a perpetually pissed off fanbase that you should trade the heart and soul of your team. Though if they like Hooker maybe their attitude changes? Less than 10% chance it happens but I’m all for it.

Covering JJ is no easy task but at least we won’t be asking a rookie to do it on his own.

Can you imagine how storybook that would be. The way Hutch competes, I’m sure he’s devastated. He’s got that date marked and probably fully expects to be in New Orleans playing. Though I expect him to make more than one appearance at Ford Field between now and then, hyping up the crowd.

On the topic of not being able to re-sign everyone, is there any possibility that Alim McNeill is included in a blockbuster trade package? It seems crazy to trade your arm for a (non-broken) leg, but if you trust guys like Levi, Reader, and Wingo up the middle, and if you’re not going to be able to re-sign Alim, you have to consider it. Hendon Hooker is another. I’m not someone who is infatuated with the backup QB like some are, but it’s quite possible that the Raiders see a potential starter in Hooker. Likely Gardner Minshew would come the other way, and there are worse options as a backup QB.

I’m normally the guy to poo poo big name trade talk, because it’s never been Holmes’ MO. I do think Hutchinson’s injury puts him into an unprecedented spot though for this regime. I don’t think it’s crazy to offer two 1sts and then some to the Raiders for Crosby. He’s young, phenomenal, a perfect locker room fit, and is not a stop gap. You need an edge across from Hutch next year anyway, assuming Davenport is not re-signed. Holmes is very anti-“window”, believing it’s a bad mentality to think you have only a couple years in which to win the Super Bowl. And I agree with him. So it won’t be a desperate move, but a calculated one. That said though, there is still support for making this move under that mentality. If you assume every 1st round pick works out, which is fair for Holmes, you still can’t pay them all. If in the next two years they re-sign a majority of Hutch, Jamo, Paschal, Kerby, Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, and Branch…. How do you keep doing this with high picks? I’m okay shedding two for one known commodity under contract. Lions trade 2025 1st, 2026 1st, 2025 5th, 2026 3rd, and James Houston Raiders trade Maxx Crosby and 2026 5th

This is the right mindset for the locker room to have, and judging by the locker room talk MCDC gave afterwards, it's what they will have. I'm worried though. The identity of the defense is to completely shut down the run and do enough through the air. Part of doing enough through the air includes generating something of a pass rush. Hutch was a one-man machine out there doing that. Someone will need to step up, or QBs are going to have all day back there, and any NFL QB - from Will Levis to Pat Mahomes - will find an open receiver if you give them all day.

I'm so bummed about Hutch. Should be celebrating the most fun win in a long, long time today. Instead we are mourning.

This is a huge early game. A win and you're tied for the division lead, holding the tiebreaker, in the toughest division in football. A loss and you're two back - effectively three with the tiebreaker. It's too early to call anything a must win, but it's as important as a week seven game can be. I'm worried about our ability to pressure Darnold without either week one starting edge rusher on the roster. Hopefully Glenn can get creative, because I don't think the flags on our secondary are slowing down against Justin Jefferson.

I think they might. They need a QB, and if they're not the worst team in the league that will require assets to move up. Crosby also shoved a coach today, that's a bad look.

I know they're good, but I'm surprised to see the Vikings favored. We'll see if that spread shifts, but I like the Lions mano a mano.

vs. Setting: 10/20/2024 1:00pm EST on FOX Site: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Vikings -1.5 All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 80-43-2 Last Meeting: 01/07/2024, Lions won 30-20 Minnesota Vikings (5-0) Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (3rd Season: 25-14) Projected Starting QB: Sam Darnold (7th Season: 26-35) Last Week: BYE Looking Ahead to Week #8: Thursday Night @ Los Angeles Rams (1-4) Your Detroit Lions (3-1) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 28-27-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 70-51-1) Last Week: 47-9 W @ Dallas Cowboys (3-3) Looking Ahead to Week #8: Sunday vs. Tennessee Titans (1-4) Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Broncos @ Saints (TNF), Jets @ Steelers (SNF), Ravens @ Buccaneers (8:15pm MNF), Chargers @ Cardinals (9:00pm MNF) 9:30am: Patriots @ Jaguars (in London) 1:00pm: Seahawks @ Falcons, Texans @ Packers, Titans @ Bills, Bengals @ Browns, Dolphins @ Colts, Eagles @ Giants 4:05/4:25pm: Raiders @ Rams, Panthers @ Commanders, Chiefs @ 49ers BYE: Cowboys, Bears

The one I want already got blown out. Raiders. Maxx Crosby. Make it happen, Brad. I would legitimately give two 1sts and a 3rd for him. We can manage the contract, he'll complement Hutch when he returns. Make the call.