Dec 24, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) high fives fans after the game against the San Diego Chargers at Ford Field. Detroit won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Christmas Eve Clincher

Christmas Eve is always a special day for many, but it was even more meaningful this year in Detroit. The Lions carried a 9-5 record into Ford Field for their final home game of the season. The matchup with the San Diego Chargers was a pivotal moment in the season, with the Lions being able to clinch a wildcard spot with a victory over a dangerous, under-achieving Charger team. The atmosphere was electric in Motown, with a late Saturday game falling on a national holiday. The stadium was sold out, once again, and expectations were sky high.

Many franchises have become accustomed to success. Many fan bases scoffed at the excitement throughout Detroit for simply the opportunity to advance to the post-season. What separates Detroit, and Lions fans, from those groups is their history. The Lions hadn’t sniffed the playoffs since January 8^th, 1999, when they fell to the Washington Redskins 27-13. The lack of a playoff history, combined with the fact that the franchise has only a single post-season victory since the beginning of the Super Bowl era, led to heightened levels of excitement. With a showdown at Lambeau looming in week 17, there was almost an “elimination game” type atmosphere throughout Ford Field. (more…)

Detroit Lion football history is riddled with teams in perfect position to secure a wildcard spot, only to blow it by losing in the final two weeks of the season. Just ask Bobby Ross about Christmas Eve, 2000. Paul Edinger’s 54-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the season knocked the Lions out of playoff contention. As every Lions fan who suffered through is aware, the Wayne Fontes era is also full of “almosts” and “should’ve beens”.

Undoubtedly many pessimists nationwide are expecting the same this year. And to be quite honest, who can blame them? Stigmas exist for a reason, and this team hasn’t done much since the 1950s to prove otherwise. This is a great opportunity for the 2011 Lions, the Jim Schwartz Lions, to prove what we all know to be true.

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Sports talk radio… er… the one station left that does that (for now) will become a foamy, frothy mess of callers chiming in with their “THE LIONS NEED TO GO OUT AND GET THIS GUY. GIVE UP WHATEVER IT TAKES AND PAY HIM WHATEVER HE WANTS” for hours and hours, morning to night. 

The real question is, if this scenario plays out, SHOULD WE? 

No. 

Plain and simple, No. Ladainian Tomlinson is done. It was fun while it lasted, here’s a kiss goodnight, try not to die when your carriage turns back into a pumpkin. 

You see readers, the NFL is a horrible and tragic place, much like the dish tank at restaurant. The bad ones are plentiful and the good ones don’t stick around too long. Good running backs are few and far between and they don’t last very long. 

As Lions fans, we are especially susceptible to the lust for the HB, for nearly a decade now we have lusted and yearned for a new Barry… Ladies and Gentlemen, there is no new Barry. That’s a one shot deal kids, a once in a lifetime thing. Soak it in, be glad you were a witness and move on. This shan’t happen again. 

Where is Jamal Lewis? Terrel Davis? Stephen Davis? Priest Holmes? Cadillac Williams? Kevin Jones? Even Clinton Portis… Denver made him and well… Olandis Gary anyone? 

(I goofed. I meant the guy from Denver that got Elway his ring, not the nobody waste of a draft pick from U of M)

The NFL has turned into a revolving door for the HB position, when you’re good, you get like 2 or 3 years and that’s that. /career. Coaches develop a system with a strong offensive line that creates a push and pocket protection and they look for a guy that can move it on the ground. A jersey; the name comes right off and you stitch in a new one. It’s cruel and unforgiving but in the end, you’re just a cog in the system Mr. Running Back. 

The modern running back spends his Sunday getting in what is the equivalent of 30-40 Car Accidents. Last time I was in a car accident, I was laid out something nasty for like 2 weeks. This is what these guys deal with on a daily basis in practice and on the field. 

This is why I don’t attach myself to a running back. I like Kevin Smith, but Kevin Jones had a decent rookie season too. And… Where is he? What has he done since the Lions cut him loose? Kept the pine nice and warm, that’s what. 

Perhaps LT will go somewhere else and put a nice “!” on his career with some successful seasons, and I sincerely hope this is true, but I’m writing about an expansion team here and we can’t afford to bank our future on what could be a has been.