16 years ago today, the Detroit Lions made history. Believe me, it is nothing to be proud of. It is a day that fans would rather forget. As a matter of fact, it is an entire season we’d like to forget. On December 28, 2008 the Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers to go 0-16 on the season. This made them the first team in NFL history to do so.
On the team roster that year was a young fella by the name of Dan Campbell.
One can only imagine what the members of the team felt after each game and after the season was over. Utter defeat? Shame? Embarrassment? A combination of all of those? It is hard to say. I would imagine that it is something they never will forget. I know that when I think back to certain things in my life, I get sick to my stomach remembering them. Maybe they do, too?
What I do know is that young man would return to Detroit in 2021 as the new head coach of the Lions. He knew all too well what this town longed for. He had a vision to take the Lions and turn them around. He has certainly done that. He has a way of motivating this team to go out and win. There is a whole new fight to this team and I am loving every minute of it!
In 2008, the Lions made history for going 0-16. The Lions have made history in 2024 in many other ways:
13 wins (to date) – the most in franchise history.
493 points scored this season (to date) – a franchise record
Amon-Ra St. Brown – first player in franchise history to record 100+ receptions and 10+ receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons
Jared Goff – first QB in NFL history to complete at least 5 passes to 6 different receivers in a game
Jared Goff – first player in NFL history with 275+ passing yards, 2 TD passes, and a passer rating of 135+ in 5 games within a single season
What an amazing year! I am sure that there are plenty other stats I could post, too.
Keep up the great work, team! We are rooting for you! Go Lions!
Looking back at the past seven days, it’s been busy!
Still Kickin’
We had some issues with the soccer league that we signed Andrew up for. The communication prior to the actually first day was a mess. Do we need a uniform or not? Will the coach be there or not? It was not very well organized.
The first week, there was no coach. They texted the night before saying that neither the head coach or the assistant coach would be able to be there. This led to a mess of text messages wondering what the kids were going to do. They had two teen players lead the kids through some drills. For not knowing what they were supposed to do, the teens did OK.
The following week, the coach showed up. She had some drills planned, but she was the only one there. She was obviously overwhelmed. It was hard for her to keep the kids attention. With 30 minutes left, she decided to let the kids have “free play.” That basically meant that most of the left.
Week 3, the coach texted to say that neither coach could make it again. Andrew decided to stay home that week. We were totally ok with it, too. This led to an email from a league bigwig. “We noticed that only 5 of the 12 players showed up this week. Is there any concerns that you have? Is there something wrong?”
He opened up a can of worms. I wrote him a scathing e-mail back. I told him about the communication and the things that were never explained properly. I complained that we had to buy a uniform, when we were told that Andrew’s age group was going to be given a T-shirt to play in. I complained about the coach and the fact that there was no plan whatsoever for what was happening each week. I expressed my disappointment with the league and the poor planning and communication.
I never got an email back. However, the team got a new coach. He was texting us early in the week and keeping us abreast of what was in store. It was night and day when we got there last week. This coach was GOOD. He kept the kids engaged for the whole time. They had a blast. He even encouraged siblings to come and play, too, which Ella loved!
After those first couple weeks, Andrew kept saying that he didn’t want to go to soccer. He really was hating it. The new coach was supportive, and encouraging to every kid on the team. Andrew loved being able to help him and all of a sudden, he is loving soccer. Go figure.
Sign Here
School has been the absolute best thing for Ella. She comes home with stories every day. She talks about her friends and what they did at school. She tells us who the day’s “helper” was and what everyone wore to school that day.
They have her working on writing her name. She’s getting pretty good at it. First name now and last name next week. I love seeing how hard she is working …
As I got in the car to head to work today, Sam stopped me. She handed me a rolled up piece of paper. Ella had painted a picture at school. She wanted Sam to give it to me to put up at work. I don’t have my own office. I share the tech room with the rest of the staff. A beautiful work of art like this should be shared, so I put it on the bulletin board!
90% Done
I posted recently about finally being able to stain my deck. This week I stained the posts white. It looks great. I really thought I was done, but noticed in this photo that blue under the wood. I think I am going to stain that white, too. Very happy with the way it looks.
Winning!
It’s been nice to have some winning teams in Michigan lately. Monday night, my Detroit Lions wowed folks on Monday Night Football. I love the new black uniforms.
The last time the Lions beat the Seahawks was back in 2012! They had lost the last six games they played against them and that worried some folks. There was no need to worry, as Jared Goff had a stellar (and perfect) day! It was a record day for him, completing all 18 of his passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
Before Monday, only six players in NFL history have finished a game with a 100% completion rate with at least eight attempts. Goff is the first QB to finish perfect with more than 10 attempts and first to do it with over 200 yards.
What was even cooler was that Goff caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown on an end-around pass. Goff said that the pay has been in the play book for awhile, but they never seemed to have the right time to use it.
The Detroit Tigers surprised every one over the past few weeks. Back on August 11, they Tigers were 55-63 and 10 games out of a play off spot. Their chance of making the playoffs was 0.2%!!! When they clinched a Wild Card spot, Tiger’s announcer, Jason Benetti, had the perfect thing to say:
“A city that doesn’t care about the odds has a baseball team to match.”
In the Wildcard Playoffs, they faced the 2nd hottest team in the American League – The Houston Astros. Since August 11, the Detroit Tigers are 33-13! Yesterday, they swept the Astros and will face Cleveland in the American League Divisional Series! Game 1 is Saturday!
I’ve watched a lot of tight football games. I’ve been at the edge of my seat for many of them. Can I tell you that my heart rate is still up there after last night’s Detroit Lions playoff game?!
There was a lot of talk about this game. Matt Stafford was our Quarterback for years. They traded him to the Rams and we got Jared Goff. Stafford went on to win a Superbowl.
Last night Goff and Stafford went head to head in a playoff game. The Lions had not won a playoff game in 30+ years. There was more than electricity in the air.
Stafford, who did a lot for the Lions, was boo’d when he took the field. The crowd chanted “Jared Goff” when he came out. I get it. Goff is our guy now. Stafford even admitted that he knew he was “the enemy.” Was it necessary for the crowd to boo his kids … no, but again, all they were thinking about was a win.
Two great teams. Only one winner. I will not lie when I tell you I was almost in tears. What an amazing feeling! This team has brought life long fans like me a season like we haven’t seen in way too long.
The last five minutes of the game had me so anxious! It was a 1 point game! When we got the first down and all we needed to do was take a knee three times…..I was still worried. I’ve seen too many crazy outcomes to not be worried. But, alas, a victory!!!
Next week, we have another playoff game. I may need a valium, but I will once again be rooting for my Detroit Lions!
No matter what happens, I thank Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and the rest of the team for a year that has been amazing to watch!!
Here in Michigan, we really haven’t had much to cheer about when it comes to professional football. The Detroit Lions have been the butt of many jokes. Late night hosts had a field day (pun intended) when they went 0-16 in 2008. Even Jeopardy poked fun at them once:
For years Facebook posts about their games included the tag “Same Old Lions.” It actually looked like that was the way it might be again. In October, the team’s record sat at 1-6. People were starting to bash Coach Dan Campbell because this start was actually worse than his predecessor (Matt Patricia).
WDIV Local 4’s website states:
The subsequent turnaround was stunning, culminating in Sunday night’s 20-16 takedown of the Packers on national TV and on a freezing night at Lambeau Field. The Lions won eight of their final 10 games to finish 9-8, and even though Seattle’s win over the Rams had eliminated their remaining playoff hopes, the Lions played with impressive energy and confidence.
The win doused the Packers’ playoff bid, one that the experts had all but conceded to Aaron Rodgers’ team. Campbell was asked on the field at halftime why his team seemed so passionately motivated. He barked, “We don’t want them to go.”
The Lions have gone 65 years without a championship and 31 years without a play off win. We really haven’t had a lot to cheer about – until now.
How does Dan Campbell feel about the phrase “same old Lions?” He was very clear:
“I don’t want to hear that anymore, ‘the same old Lions,'” Campbell said. “That’s what all of this is about. There are so many things, but it all comes with winning. Yeah. I wanted to be a part of building a brand new brand. I like that. I also know. You want to do that, man, you really got to get in the dance. You’ve got to get in the tournament. You’ve got to make some waves in the tournament. That’s the next step.”
Win or lose, I’ve always worn my Lions gear. I’ve always rooted for the home team in good seasons and in bad. I’m proud of the team and what t hey accomplished this year. How about a few stats –
Goff was impressive!!
VERY impressive!
Unheard of in past years!
Rookie Sacks!
This is HUGE!!! Barry Sanders was amazing and he even sent out a personal video to Jamaal after he broke his record!
“Hey Jamaal, Barry Sanders here. And I just wanted to congratulate you on an awesome year, and for breaking my record, which was the most rushing touchdowns by a Detroit Lion in a single season. Awesome job, man. You’ve been a big part of the success this year, and I know you’re just getting started. Great job.”
It’s neat to watch the coach’s post game talks. The one Sunday night after eliminating the Packers may just have give us a new “tag”:
ALL ROADS GO THROUGH DETROIT! I love that.
I am very excited to see what the team does next year and beyond! WDIV said on their website:
For the first time since 1957, it feels like the future truly is now, and dreaming about a Lions championship is no longer a shared Detroit delusion.
I truly hope so!
Thank you to the Detroit Lions for giving me and all the fans something to cheer about!!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 