Anonymous GM rips Detroit Lions

[Death2CasselFans]

Unnamed GM rips Detroit Lion link

For the most part, the national media never believed the Detroit Lions were going to be able to repeat last season's success. But locally, fans, media members and the team had high expectations coming off a 10-6 campaign.

Early returns suggest the national media may have been on to something.

After four games, the Lions are 1-3 with road games in Philadelphia and Chicago on deck.

It's easy to look at a the Lions' two most recent losses and point to special teams as the culprit. In those games against the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings, the coverage units surrendered both a punt and kickoff return for touchdowns. Those breakdowns were the difference in both contests.

Still, even subtracting the woes on special teams, Detroit hardly looked dominant in any of its first four games. In a recent article by Pro Football Weekly, they talk to a "rival" general manager, who says the Lions' 2011 success was a mirage.

"The one thing that is clear - they are not as close as people have tried to make it seem. They are a one-dimensional offensive team that if the quarterback is not on, people are figuring it out. If you take (Calvin) Johnson out of the game, who else do they have that can beat you?

"They are not a team that I think is ready. If I am going there to take over the job, I am not thinking that is a quick fix."

Pro Football Weekly's use of the term rival is a bit ambiguous -- perhaps it's an NFC North general manager, or maybe just a GM from within the conference. It doesn't really matter. This is criticism coming from one of 32 men paid to evaluate talent and build an NFL roster.

Continuing, the general manager had harsh words about a handful of players on the Lions' roster, particularly Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the defensive line.

"They don't have enough good players, and the players they think are good are not that good. Suh belongs on the All-Hype team. Avril is not that good -- put on any game and you can watch him get blocked time and time again. Corey Willliams is solid, but nothing that wows you or makes you wonder how you are going to block him. The other guy (Kyle Vanden Bosch) is a try-hard guy getting up in years that does not really threaten you. For as much as people talk about that D-line and all its depth, where are all the players?

"I have listened to the media hype about Suh since he got in the league -- what has he done? Even the year he had all those garbage sacks, the guy took a million plays off and got pushed around in the run game. I have never thought he was a very good pro player. I liked him coming out and thought he had a chance. But I also never thought he was going to be the second coming that he was labeled. I am not sure who bestowed that on him, but it is kind of a joke."

The general manager also calls Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz overrated.

Players, Schwartz respond link

ALLEN PARK -- In a recent interview with Pro Football Weekly, an anonymous general manager took some shots at the Detroit Lions, calling the team, coach Jim Schwartz, general manager Martin Mayhew and the players on the defensive line overrated.

Lions center Dominic Raiola said he expects criticism from fans or media members, but not from someone in the same industry, especially anonymously.

"If they had any balls, they'd say who they were," Raiola said. "That's a coward statement to me."

Raiola said the statements fire him up, but also admitted no one in the locker room needs extra motivation after the team's 1-3 start.

"If we're not fired up right now, after what happened in the first four weeks, you're in the wrong place."

Defensive end Cliff Avril, who the general manager said is "not that good," brushed off the criticism.

"Who cares? I don't really care," Avril said. "We don't really care what anybody thinks of us right now."

When San Francisco offensive lineman Joe Staley criticized the Lions defensive line as overrated earlier this season, Schwartz shrugged off the comments, saying the 49ers won the game between the two teams, so Staley was free to say what he wanted.

Schwartz took a similar approach with the recent comments from the anonymous GM, saying his team just needs to win more games.

"I mean, hey, we're 1-3," Schwartz said. "That's the thing we are right now. We need to go win. We're judged on winning in this league, not popularity contests, or what somebody says under the cloak of anonymity."

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I wouldn't be too eager to give Suh the $14 million/season he's entitled to.

He's good, but he's not that good. Ngata? Oh hell yeah, I'd give Ngata that contract. But I don't think Suh is presently worth what he's being paid. He has the potential to get there, but I don't think he has the drive.

There's some truth to that GM's statement - Suh is overrated, IMO.

He'd be an awesome 1 gap 3-4 DE.

[Mi_chief_fan]

The funny thing is, going into the offseason, everyone knew they had 2 big problems: bad, aging o-line & bad corners. They did next to nothing to fix either. I don't understand their blind loyalty to Raiola & Backus, both seriously need upgraded.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I wouldn't be too eager to give Suh the $14 million/season he's entitled to.

He's good, but he's not that good. Ngata? Oh hell yeah, I'd give Ngata that contract. But I don't think Suh is presently worth what he's being paid. He has the potential to get there, but I don't think he has the drive.

There's some truth to that GM's statement - Suh is overrated, IMO.

Ngata has 19 sacks in 7 seasons Suh already has 16.5 and hasn't even played 3 seasons yet with one of the worst DC's in the league. As for not having the drive that's bullshit.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Ngata has 19 sacks in 7 seasons Suh already has 16.5 and hasn't even played 3 seasons yet with one of the worst DC's in the league. As for not having the drive that's bullshit.

Yeah yeah, husker fan, we know. Suh's the greatest DT ever.

Ngata does so much more than Suh does it's not even funny. Suh gets to shoot gaps and chase sacks all day, Ngata has far more gap responsibility, etc...

If Suh's truly worth $14 million, then we see how foolish it is to put that much money into the D-line these days because that Lions defense is mediocre on its best days.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah yeah, husker fan, we know. Suh's the greatest DT ever.

Ngata does so much more than Suh does it's not even funny. Suh gets to shoot gaps and chase sacks all day, Ngata has far more gap responsibility, etc...

If Suh's truly worth $14 million, then we see how foolish it is to put that much money into the D-line these days because that Lions defense is mediocre on its best days.

Here we go invoking my Husker fandom into the argument. People did this with Stanzi when I argued that he sucks. We all know how that turned out.

I never said Suh was the greatest though many said he was the best defensive linemen to come out since Reggie White. His rookie year he had 66 tackles and 10 sacks. Ngata and Suh play different roles in different defenses Ngata is also surrounded by much better talent. The defense isn't mediocre because of Suh.

And i'd love to know who the source is because if it's Pioli we all know how great he is at evaluating talent.

[Mugalug]

Originally Posted by dtchiefs4life

Kind of hilarious that this out. Especially after the Lion's were so hyped last year and that rift between KC and DET over the tampering and how KC looked like crap and DET looked awesome and were on there way to greatness. Now look? DET looks like crap. DET has one of the worst defenses I've seen. Gunther couldn't coordinate his dick into a vagina

Made me lol. Carry on.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by BigRock

Gun's whole "Suh's the best player I ever coached" thing is looking a tad questionable.

Actually, that was Vanden Bosch he said that about. Even worse.

For some reason, I hear the voice of Kendrell Bell afar off in the distance.

FAX

[-King-]

Originally Posted by dtchiefs4life

Kind of hilarious that this out. Especially after the Lion's were so hyped last year and that rift between KC and DET over the tampering and how KC looked like crap and DET looked awesome and were on there way to greatness. Now look? DET looks like crap. DET has one of the worst defenses I've seen. Gunther couldn't coordinate his dick into a vagina

Thanks for that last line. I look like a jackass laughing my ass off in public now.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Mother****erJones]

HAHA knew ud guys like that. Sorry just had to vent

[Pasta Little Brioni]

That's what they get for bringing back Gun

[Tombstone RJ]

for as much "talent" as the Lions supposedly have, they should be dominating. I know their running game is struggling because their RBs keep getting injured, however, they have more than just megatron to throw to.

Also, I think Stafford is an overrated crybaby.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

for as much "talent" as the Lions supposedly have, they should be dominating. I know their running game is struggling because their RBs keep getting injured, however, they have more than just megatron to throw to.

Also, I think Stafford is an overrated crybaby.

Yeah. Titus Young and Burleson are pretty damn good #2 and 3 WRs. Add in Schefter and Pettigrew and you have a damn good receiving Corp.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by -King-

Yeah. Titus Young and Burleson are pretty damn good #2 and 3 WRs. Add in Schefter and Pettigrew and you have a damn good receiving Corp.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sheffler sure talks a lot of crap too. They are a cocky young team with a loudmouth coach IMHO.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Like that Loudmouth with the Jets....all hype, no substance

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by chief103182

Here's hoping they can bring Bell, Surtain, and Knight back. The dream team!

I do think Kendrell Bell was mis-used. Wrong scheme etc.

Had he been in a 3-4, he would have been a force. He was a badass at PIT.