| Curtis A. Clark. 31st August, 2005 - 6:50 pm
 Joey Harrington’s first Monday night game couldn’t have been worse. Not that he got the chance to showcase his improving talents.
Harrington was sacked 3 times in the first half and had drives stalled by an alarming amount of holding penalties. The Lions line looked like kindergartners playing red rover against seniors. They were treated like the kid that got beat up for his lunch money on more than one occasion. Not an easy thing to accomplish when you are 300 plus pounds of professional athlete. But if the Lion’s line was capable of anything on Monday it was being embarrassed.
But they were not along in their crimes.
Lion’s stud Kevin Jones, while a superbly talented runner, needs to improve his blitz pickups if the Lions hope to include longer routes in their game plan. On one play he was completed planted by Chris Claiborne on his way to a sack. Jones looked scared to initiate contact against ends and linebackers, surprising considering he is a powerful runner.
When Harrington wasn’t being hit he was running for his life. Actually showing improved elusiveness, a trait he worked on all last year. Given you don’t want the positive to be how well your quarterback emulates a chicken being chased by a wolf. But I’ll be damned if he didn’t look like the head rooster on some plays.
Harrington also only completed 50% of his passes this game. Previously he had only 1 incompletion all preseason. While many throws were hurried do to pressure, a few were just bad throws. The most apparent, a crossing route that was severely overthrown to Roy Williams. Though probably the most costly incompletion was a toss to Charles Rogers that would have lead to a 20 yard gain in their first set of downs. Unfortunately Rogers lost his footing and fell down.
Mostly though it was the line hurting the passing game. New additions Rick DeMulling (G), Marcus Pollard (TE), and Kelly Butler (T) have only been in the system for three games, but concern should be mounting. Several times this preseason defenses have gotten to Harrington during red zone attempts and 3rd downs. Harrington can’t make a play if the routes don’t develop. Stalwarts Dominic Raiola, Damian Woody, and Jeff Backus need to get a grip on this line, especially Woody a 2 time super bowl champion.
First year starter Kelly Butler is the biggest question mark. While a solid talent (6’7, 300lbs +) in college he slipped to the 6th round because of questionable emotional issues. Many teams passed due to concern whether he would ever have the head for the NFL. So far in the preseason those concerns may have been warranted. But with no veteran backup to spell him and 7th round pick Victor Rogers the only other alternative, the Lions are stuck. A lot will hinge on Butlers ability to be a serviceable tackle this year.
The absence of Cory Schlesinger at FB (broken leg, out till week 3 or 4) also contributes to the lack of blocking. Though not called on to be a pass blocker much because of his position, Schlesinger sets the tone with his prowl Bowl Caliber blocking and leadership. His example may be exactly what the line needed to realize they can do their jobs better.
So what did Harrington show in his first Monday night game? Well he was 9 of 18 for no touchdown drives or interceptions.
Now they did actually have a score. An off tackle scamper by Kevin Jones that was called back on 2 holding penalties. That’s 2 on the same play. The next play the Lions were called for another holding penalty making it 1st and goal from the 26. Luckily the rams could only take one penalty a play.
So how do you fix a line without any free agents or veterans to plug the leak? You hold them accountable. Joey Harrington needs to start yelling at his line. Fire them up and make the feel they need to prove themselves. He was seen during the game pumping up the tight ends. But he needs to be screaming in the huddle at Kevin Jones and Kelly Butler when they let him get hit. Additionally veteran line leadership needs to set the example. Damian Woody needs to lead a few film sessions with just the line to increase chemistry and cohesiveness.
The Lions problem in years past was a lack of playmakers. Now they have the talent, but the new question is the guys in the trenches that let them shine. You cannot make plays when the defense is in the backfield taking the handoff or hitting Harrington before he gets his head around.
Ironic isn’t it Lion’s fans, just when you plug a leak in the sinking ship of a franchise we love, another springs up. We got Harrington his targets, just lost the ability to protect him in the process. But as always we will stay optimistic, it was after all just one preseason game right? Not a prelude to the season.
Curtis A. Clark
Detroit Resident Sports Writer for RealGM.com
Realgm_Detroit@hotmail.com |
