Archives for August 2008

‘Even by NFL preseason standards, Thursday night’s exhibition finale between Buffalo and Detroit at far-less-than-full Ralph Wilson Stadium was a dreadful exercise in futility.’

‘If this wasn’t further proof that the NFL should do away with two preseason games and add two regular-season games, nothing is.’

‘Jauron said it was a need to evaluate young players, and not a fear of injury, that was the primary reason for having the starters take a seat. “(We) just look at our own situation, what we need to get done and what we need to see, then go from there,” the coach said. “Tonight had an impact on a lot of spots (on the roster.) We’re going to sit down and talk about the roster after we take a long look at the tape.”‘

Perfection! Lions end preseason as NFL’s lone unbeaten team (Detroit Free Press)

Game balls from the Lions’ victory (Detroit Free Press)

Safety Daniel Bullocks’ knee passes first test in a year (Detroit Free Press)

Photo gallery (Detroit Free Press)

Fourth win is perfect end to Lions’ exhibition play (Detroit News)

Bullocks ready for the season (Detroit News)

Photo gallery (Detroit News)

Lions injury-free, unbeaten as preseason ends (Booth Newspapers)

Bullocks returns for Lions: ‘You can feel his hitting’ (Booth Newspapers)

Photo gallery (Booth Newspapers)

Beware preseason sugar rush with Lions (Grand Rapids Press)

Lions finish preseason perfect (Oakland Press)

Smith ready to make an impact (Oakland Press)

Photo gallery (Canandaigua Daily Messenger)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Perfect Preseason (DetroitLions.com)

Game notes (DetroitLions.com)

Photo gallery (DetroitLions.com)

‘Hamdan finished the night 18-26 passing for 158 yards and a passer rating of 85.1, but did not finish the game after winding up on the rough end of a Lions’ sack with 9:14 left in the game. J.P. Losman finished the game for Buffalo at quarterback.’

‘Otherwise, it was a sloppy game that featured numerous dropped passes, several illegal formation penalties and even two safeties.’

‘Gibran Hamdan completed 18-of-26 passes for 158 yards, while Steve Johnson led both teams in receiving with 74 yards on eight receptions. The Bills (2-2) managed only 228 yards of total offense, failing to score a touchdown all game.’

‘”To surpass 56,000 season tickets certainly is a tremendous accomplishment and it’s one that is shared by both the team and the community,” stated Russ Brandon, Chief Operating Officer. “We continue to see benefits from our regionalization strategy and this season in particular, we saw tremendous growth from the Canadian market place.”‘

‘”If you make plays, you may not be good enough to play for the team you’re on, just because of their depth at certain positions,” said Jauron. “But if you make enough plays and you’re good enough to play in the league, people will find you.”‘

‘Evans’ ability to handle prompt throws is going to be an even more indispensable skill with a wobbly tight end group now enduring severe injury tremors. Rookie Derek Fine’s busted thumb and ensuing surgery is apparently going to relegate him to the sidelines for some time, meaning a thin tight end platoon is now threadbare; in the meantime, even the team’s most prestigious catcher will have to pitch in on outlets.’

‘”I’m going to have to wait and see,” Edwards said. “I really haven’t been told anything as of right now. I’m going to take it and see how it goes. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to get healthy. I’m very concerned about our game a week from Sunday, and that’s all I’m worried about.”‘

‘”You look at it as a huge opportunity, but you can’t be overwhelmed by it,” Dickinson said. “It’s a chance to find a home and hopefully last somewhere.”‘

‘It would seem to make sense that Edwards play at least a half in this game so that he can get some rhythm going with the offense, but Jauron appeared to be leaning toward not playing Edwards, or perhaps using him only sparingly to avoid risking further injury.’

‘”After a luke-warm reception for the pre-season game … no expanded (Bills) coverage (this year),” said Toronto Sun sports editor Dave Fuller. “(It’s) status quo, just like last year. The Argos are going to get a bigger billing (than the Bills).”‘

‘The presence of the 6-foot-5 Hardy as a red-zone weapon and the promise of more creative play calling by Schonert, who doesn’t have big shoes to fill for the departed Steve Fairchild, is reason for rampant optimism because on a paper the Bills boast some strong young talent in Edwards, Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans. “There’s a real buzz around the team,” Evans said. “We feel we have what it takes to make it to the playoffs now. Now we’ve got to go and prove it. We came through a lot last year and that gives everyone that buzz.”‘