Detroit Lions headlines: Matthew Stafford’s decline, Matt Patricia’s excuses
As another disappointing regular season for the Detroit Lions finally comes to an end, many are left wondering how it all went so wrong in 2018.
Anytime a team underachieves in the NFL and their last few games lack postseason meaning, there is always a search for answers. For the Detroit Lions, those questions are truly baffling as this was a team on the verge of playoff relevance that seemed to make all the right moves in the offseason.
That search for answers is a common thread in today’s headlines as many reflect back on what could have been for the Lions’ in 2018. Let’s dive in.
10 numbers that have defined the Lions’ season – The Detroit News
The first of these numbers discussed in the above article is quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s declining arm strength. I think one of the things fans have to start considering is despite the fact Stafford is only 30-years old, this is his tenth season in the NFL. And every player has a shelf life. It’s possible Stafford has hit his peak and we may be witnessing a slow decline in his skills already.
Read: Matt Patricia’s three-minute answer on punctuality – ESPN.com
Not sure if I buy the excuses here. The main point I believe Patricia’s trying to make is that everyone in the building understands that he’s so time-restricted they all need to be more flexible when it comes to his punctuality. And he’s more focused on getting things right than arriving somewhere on time.
Again, no one cares about this if the Lions are 10-5 instead of 5-10. But since Patricia’s presence has actually made Detroit worse in his first year, his process is being scrutinized. And for someone who appears to demand a lot from his players, his response to his own tardiness rings hollow.
Damon Harrison: New team, same old snacks – Pro Football Focus
The trade for Harrison this season was undoubtedly one of the best moves made by the Lions organization since general manager Bob Quinn took over in 2016.
Lions LB Jarrad Davis: We’re good enough to be in the playoffs – Detroit Free Press
It seems as the Lions’ players are just as confused as fans are about the outcome of 2018. Detroit has been on the edge of playoff relevance the past five seasons. Adding a top coaching candidate, a first round pick to the offensive line and a legitimate rushing attack has somehow resulted in the Lions posting their worst record since 2012.
Lions claim defensive end from Saints, place A’Shawn Robinson on IR – MLive.com
The fact we started the season talking about A’Shawn Robinson as a possible roster cut to now him being an exciting part of the defensive future in the Motor City shows just what kind of turnaround season this former second rounder had in 2018.