Conference hbahba::cam_sports

    Good trade for Pat Swilling, I think.  They were willing to give up
    2 #1's for him last year, now it cost them a #1 and a #4.  Hope
    they sure up their OL.
    
    Anyone know why Ball was expendable and only worth a 3rd or 4th round
    pick?
    

    Sept 5      Atlanta        		Nov  7 Tampa Bat       
    Sept 12     AT NEW ENGLAND!!!       Nov 14 BYE
    Sept 19     at New Orleans          Nov 21 @ Green Bay
    Sept 26     Phoenix                 Nov 25 Chicago  CBS
    Oct  3      @ Tampa Bay             Dec 5  Minnesota
    Oct  10 	BYE                     Dec 12 at Phoenix
    Oct  17     Seattle                     19 SF
    Oct  24     @ LA Rams                   26 at Chicago
    Oct  31     at Minnesota TNT        Jan  3 Green Bay
    

    	Walt, most of the league knew that the Lions wanted to get rid
    of Ball because of his attitude (READ he wanted to win and didn't
    give a flying fig about the team's balance sheet).
    
    				/Don

    So they penalized him and sent him to  Cleveland?
    

Is Wayne going to loosen up the screws on offense a little bit this year? Or
is going to continue his slide from coach of the year to pee-brain that 
doesn't remember how effective his offense was 2 years ago?

Are they still going to go with the revolving QB trio?

I couldn't figure out why Ball was let go for so little either...

Metz

    Got me... I think Henning is still there,so that's trouble.  They
    signed Holman, so it sounds like it's less of the Silver Stretch.

    Lions go 1-0-1 against the Super Bowl participants... 5th place
    schedule, Swilling, a healthier offensive line... keeping my fingers
    crossed...
    

What's with Peete? How serious is the injury?

daryll

Any chance for Eric Kramer to start if'n Peete can't go?

I don't know why the Lions don't deal with this situation. Who's No. 2?

TTom

    I didn't know he got hurt... I'd guess Ware could be the #2, but don't
    know for sure...
    

Peete had to leave the game. Fontes put in Ware.

Apparently, a lot of fans didn't know about the injury. ESPN showed
Fontes answering questions and he got a little heated having to explain
why he pulled Peete and what that might mean about who starts next.

Fontes said that the only reason he pulled Peete was the injury and that
if'n Peete was able, he's start next game. Other than that he wouldn't
comment on either the extent of the injury or whether Ware would start.

TTom

    2-1 so far... I'll take it... we'll see how it goes from here...
    

    how do you think they'll do on Sunday?  

    Yeah, low scoring, but I think they'll win...
    

    Is Peete gonna play?

    As far as I know...
    

    Heerd on the radio that Peete has a sprained knee and that Fontes has
    named Ware as the starter.
    
    JaKe
    

I head that too. Supposedly Peete thinks he ready to play and the injury
is not a factor. He was quoted as saying that he was upset but not really
surprised that Fontes would shuffle the quarterbacks.

Ware ain't gonna get it done. Which leaves the question of what does
Fontes do when this becomes apparent. He'd have to bring in Kramer cause
supposedly the reason for Ware starting in the first place is that Peete
is hurt.

TTom

    ...and Eric Hill will make a decent Phoenix defense even better.  He
    should see plenty action on Sunday.  should be an interesting defensive
    game...

    I'm less confident in a Lion victory with Ware at the helm..
    

    We escaped with another W... I'll take it... /'er, you didn't start
    Perriman, did you?  He scored...
    

    Fontes appears to have chosed Peete again.  We'll see how this sideshow
    winds up...
    

    Did the owner leave a message on this one too?
    
    The Lions owner called to let Ware know that he was starting,
    and left a message on the machine.  Too bad he dialed Eric Kramer's
    number (the other backup).
    
    Mike

    Yeah, I know, that sums things up pretty well on this whole thing...
    

    I didn't know the 3 stooges were the QB for the lions.... :-}
    
    
    REK

    Sigh...
    
    Oh well REK, at least the Lions almost hit .500 with the "3 stooges"
    before they went to seed...

	I heard a rumor at lunch today that Barry Sanders is out. Can anyone
confirm His injury?


	Thanks!! for the assist.
				
	           
		    
      Cadzilla2  

 

    first report I heard was 3-5 weeks, but since then I think they have
    upgraded him to maybe playing on the 19th.
    
    Jimbo

    Dan Henning was fired as Offensive coordinator?  Yippee!! Something
    about a run and shoot offense that can't score points...
    
    Peete gets put back at #3 breaking the "this is the last move of the
    year" mentality.  It's Kramer's turn now...
    

>    Dan Henning was fired as Offensive coordinator?  Yippee!! Something
>    about a run and shoot offense that can't score points...

>    Peete gets put back at #3 breaking the "this is the last move of the
>    year" mentality.  It's Kramer's turn now...

What about Ware?

I'd love to see Kramer make another run at the playoffs.

TTom

    Kramer and Peete flipflopped.  Ware's the backup.
    
    Doc's too busy gloating over the Erlers...
    

    Barry got some bad news, torn acustllcsrorjasdoqwer ligament in the knee,
    he *might* be back for the last two games...  Can't even run for
    two weeks.

    Although I like to hear we don gotta play 'em, not at the expense of
    his health...

    Chip_GSH_Bach

There goes my FFL team...

Barry Sanders and Rickey Watters...both out...

I get to start the devestating backfield of Derrick Moore and Nick Bell...

Not to mention Montana being out most of the season, Herman Moore going down
the combination of Humphries to Miller being nothing all year because of
humphries injuries....

Ugh,

 Metz

    I dont know about 9-5 for the Lions.  This week VS Phoenix will be
    a tough one.  Phoenix comeing off a win and very physched up.  They
    still want an 8-8 season and I dont know if the BarryLessLions will
    hand Phoenix ther 9th loss (And supposidly Bugel's walking papers).
    
    If they go down this week next week they should just call it in, SF
    will kill them without barry.  Now the latest reports have barry out
    for the Chicago game (AT CHICAGO).  Now Chicago is not going to the
    SuperBowl but they still have a 10th ranked Defense and will be home
    where it will be cold, windy and maybe snow.  Chicago has 2 very decent
    RB's worley is coming around and Anderson can pound.  With no barry Id
    say the Lions will be luck to finish 8-8, they finish off the season
    VS Green Bay, and from what ive read Barry may not make an apperece
    then either.  At least that last game is at home....
    
    Man with barry I think Detroit would have won last week and 3 of the
    next 4 winning the central.  Oh well I guess this proves once again
    that the RB is the most important player on a football field :-)
    
    (Just look at dallas without emmitt, pitt without barry and now det
     without there barry).
    
    								mab

�    (Just look at dallas without emmitt, 
    
    I thought you already did and decided that emmitt isn't that valuable. 
    That thoses losses were due to things other than emmitt's absence.

    Thanks to that stirring opening day OT win, the Lions win the NFC
    Central.
    

Yes, the Lions beat the Pack yesterday.  I give them credit, but actually I find it 
a commentary on how poor the division is as a whole.  The Packers made a zillion
mistakes, including (I think) four intreceptions by their stiff QB, Brett Farve.
The Lions held the best receiver in the NFC, Sterling Sharpe to something like
33 yards.

As much as I like the Packers, I think that they will be deflated after this 
loss, and expect them to fall to the Lions in the wild card game.

=Bob=

    Packs and Vikes have the #1 and 2 defenses in the NFL, don't they? 
    
    That poor division did send three teams to the playoffs, BTW...
    

And none of those teams is likely to beat a team not in their division in
the playoffs.

The Crazy Met

    We'll see... won't be favored, I'll give you that much...
    

    Same could be said of the AFC West...
    

KC with a healthy Montana has a much better chance than any of the
NFC Central teams.

The Crazy Met

    with a healthy Montana... sort of like the Lions with a healthy
    Sanders? (who is supposed to be back this week, right?)
    
    NFC East has Dallas and a team who hasn't beat a team with a .500
    record, or at least anyone else in the playoffs, right?
    
    
    

>    NFC East has Dallas and a team who hasn't beat a team with a .500
>    record, or at least anyone else in the playoffs, right?

They beat Miami....

'Saw    
    
    

    Miami didn't make the playoffs...
    

>    Miami didn't make the playoffs...

But they were over .500 -- I guess I didn't quite follow the intersections
of your logical sets there Walt....8^)
    

Walt is still in vacation mode.

The Crazy Met

	Boy, now that says it all......

>>METSNY::francus "NY Mets/NY Jets, both TRULY SUCK!!!!"


	nice job, JaKe!



	billl

NFC Central Playoff teams:

	Pack and Vikes - Good defenses, total stiffs playing QB.
	Lions          - Decent D, missing their best offensive weapon, who's
			 playing QB?

Don't look for any of these teams in the Supe.

=Bob=

    For a long time the claim was the Giants hadn't beat a .500 team.
    I guess they beay Miami.  I know the detractors had said they hadn't 
    beat a playoff team.  
    
    don't mind tcm, he's still wishing for the days of Al Woodall throwing
    to Ed Bell.  Or when George Theodore was considered a decent prospect.
    

    Kramer's playing QB.  Same offense (finally) that got them to the
    championship game against the Skins.
    
    Nope, won't get to the Super Bowl, but give them some credit. Sounds
    like the same arguments for the NBA Atlantic division the last 5 years.

Heard a stat on WFAN yesterday that said that the Lions had
more rushing and receiving yards out of the "position" that
Sanders plays since he's been injured.  I found that to be
very interesting.....

'Saw

    People key on Sanders when he's in the game.  People key on the pass
    when he's not.
    

I thought it might be something like that, but I don't see enough of 
them to know......

'Saw

Also Kramer is actually finding receivers. loosing up defenses making running
an easier propsistion for the Lions.....

mikey

Kramer and the other two stiffs are all unrestricted free agents.

Any guesses on who their top priority would be?

daryll

    When is Barry Back ??? Will Sanders be back for this weeks game vs
    GB, or is he gone for the playoffs ? Any chance he'll be back in 2
    weeks if Det gets by GB.  Detroit would have to travle to San Fran.
    No easy task regardless but would be more of a game with there #1
    offensive weapon on the field....
    
    							mab

    He's practicing today and will see...
    

    He is scrimmaging in practice...

How come it take Fontes so long to put his best QB on the field every season? 
Kramer is the only one of the bunch that can throw. When they open up the
offense they have more room for Barry and others to do the  ground game thing...

Wayne has mush for brains...

Metz

I would guess that Wayne-o plays the guys with the big contracts 
as long as he can and then, when he's "fighting like hell" for 
his job, brings in the only real QB he has to pull his chestnuts 
out of the fire.

He's no brain surgeon.

daryll

    Depends on the offense.  For the run and shoot, Kramer doesn't have
    the mobility.  Peete does.  Kramer's the better drop back passer.
    Ware's got a contract they had to eat.
    

    
    Yabbut I heard on the radion thisted AM that Barry practiced with the
    team yesterday so maybe he'll suit up and be ready to play?
    
    I remain,
    also wondering what a 6 week layoff does to his conditioning?
    Kev
    

    They gave the game away Saturday... sigh...
    

    Any word if Fontes saved his job by making the playoffs?
    
    Mike

    I think he did.  We'll see how he drafts and what moves they make.
    

    Bears signed Erik Kramer.  Lions sign Chuck Long.
    Oh joy.
    

      Fontes still can't figure out which QB to use is bad, but signing
    Long again??????
    
      Tim

    I hope they don't get Hairball...
    

    The ongoing QB controversy appears to be resolved in Detroit (or maybe
    a new one will start?).  The Lions signed free agent Scott Mitchell and
    will not be offering contracts to Peete or Ware.

    Looks like they better pickup another backup.  I can't believe that
    Chuck Long would be backing up Mitchell.
    
    Mike

    [email protected] articles by  Tue, 8 Mar 94:

--------
Subject: Scott Mitchell Is Lions QB
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 94 0:40:13 PST
 
	PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- There is no more quarterback controversy
with the Detroit Lions. Scott Mitchell has the job.
	He arrived Monday from Miami amid high expectations. How high?
Even coach Wayne Fontes couldn't help but talk about the
possibility of Mitchell helping the Lions to their first Super Bowl
berth.
	``Not to put a monkey on his back or a piano on his back,''
Fontes said, ``this guy is hopefully the missing piece of the
puzzle that one day will put the Detroit Lions in the Super Bowl.''
	Mitchell, the backup to Miami's Dan Marino for most of the past
four seasons, said he looks forward to the challenge.
	``From the time I was a little kid, I've always dreamed of being
a starting quarterback in the NFL,'' he said. ``I came here to win.
I came here to be with people who can win.''
	Mitchell signed a three-year, $11 million contract Sunday with
the Lions. He also considered offers from Minnesota, New Orleans
and the Los Angles Rams. Fontes thanked team owner William Clay
Ford for putting up the money needed to land him.
	Mitchell, 26, is big for the position at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds.
Fontes said he was impressed with Mitchell's ``escapability. He has
the ability to move, as big as he is.''
	Miami picked Mitchell in the fourth round, 93rd overall, in the
1990 NFL draft out of Utah. With Marino at the helm, Mitchell said
he was able to develop his skills gradually, rather than being
``thrown to the wolves.''
	``You can only learn so much by sitting on the bench and
watching,'' he said.
	Mitchell hadn't started an NFL game until Marino was lost to the
Dolphins last season when he tore an Achilles tendon. He started
seven games, completing 133 of 233 passes for 1,773 yards, 12
touchdowns and eight interceptions.
	Mitchell's efficiency rating of 84.2 ranked fifth in the AFC.
	Mitchell described himself as a good on-the-field strategist.
	``You can't always be conservative. Sometimes you have to take
chances. Sometimes you have to throw the big pass,'' he said. ``I'm
26 years old, I'm big, I'm strong, I can move around.
	``The thing I lack right now is experience.''
	He should get that now. Fontes said he envisions Mitchell
starting for the Lions for the next eight years.
	That would be quite a change for the Lions, who have shuffled
Erik Kramer, Rodney Peete and Andre Ware in and out of the starting
spot the past few seasons. All three were free agents at the end of
the season. Kramer signed with the Chicago Bears, and Peete and
Ware are expected to leave. That would leave only seven-year
veteran Chuck Long to back up Mitchell.
	``It's a great relief to have a starting quarterback in March,''
Fontes said. ``We're looking for a No. 3 quarterback.''

    They need another backup... Long can't be higher than a #3...
    

    According to that article, Fontes says Long is the backup and they are
    looking for a #3.

      So mitchell goes down and the lions with him.  Long has never rated
    in a #3, let alone the top 2.  Fontes needs to be canned.  As long as
    he still has QB problems, the lions won't go anywhere
    
      Tim

    Of course he says that, they only have 2 qb's signed.  You're not going
    to say the guy we signed has no chance, are you?

      No I'm not saying that.  It was speculative IF Mitchell goes down. 
    If he stays healthy this season, then the Cats will have Central title
    or playoff potential.  If he goes down, and Long is the back up, well
    the Cats may be leveraging the draft position.
    
    Even with Mitchell healthy, Of course alot depends on not-so-free
    agency, lose you better defensive players could be trouble.  That goes
    for any team though..
    
      Tim

    Word is Anthony Carter is now a Lion...

I like AC, but given his perforance the past coupla seasons, I 
have to ask....

daryll

    We'll see if he makes the team...  I look at it as a trade - Ware
    for Carter.  I'd do that...
    

Can't argue with that.

    FYI - Slasher and I will have a bet on the game sunday (gentlemanly
    of course).  He asked for 3 on Monday, and I said sure, just let me
    make sure everyone's healthy... now he wants the fans to bet on
    Detriot(tm) so that he can get more points out of it... He won't be
    the main's main and bet straight up and he wants to wait til Friday.
    If anyone has any ideas for this event, let me know...
    

The RoachyPoachyMain strikes again....

    	Walt, after that last note I think you should think about running
    for office.  I told him I would take the 3 on Monday but he wanted
    to see what happened in the Dallas game.  Well instead of the line
    going down, it now went up.  I can't help it if Walt's strategy
    backfired.
    
    				   /Don

You guys should bet straight up.

I don't know what the bet should be for, but it should be straight up....

    I'd do it straight up.  I'd do the 3.  What's it now 3.5?  Now he's
    waiting to get his extra points.  
    
    I waited Monday night to make sure no major players got hurt.  Why take
    the bet Monday when they hadn't played (regardless of the outcome) if
    I watch and see Sanders, Mitchell or Moore's hurt and they're not going
    to play.  It was 3 yesterday, it's 3.5 today.  I'm not running, I'm
    waiting...
    

    	You had your chance on Monday.  3� or forget it.
    
    				   /Don

    Fine, ok...
    

    So the bet is WHAT?  I'm giving you 3 1/2, do I have to give you the
    conditions too?
    
    

    
    	Just like last year.  Slashah making sissy bets.....
    
    	Be a main!  Straight up!
    
    Claybone

    Thanks Claybone...

    Can't send him mail and he ain't at his desk...
    

    Well, I leave it to the noters... I'm here and willing to put the
    amusement purposes only where my mouth is... Where's /Don?
    
    And before people look for me next week if they lose, I'm out all
    next week.  You guys decide what the bet should be.  If it's
    reasonable, I'll hold up to my end.  Something to be worn or done
    at the next get together?  His punishment should be worse.  Make
    him sing at the bar?  I'll wear some Boston related thing if I lose.
    Sound reasonable?
    

    sure sounds reasonable; p_name is of no use since /er never shows
    up in here any more.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    Let me know when/if I have to pay up... I'm gone to the west coast
    this week...
    

    	Tell you what Walt(e), I'll give you the Lions and 5�.
    
    				  /Don