Nov 13, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) go face to face during a fight in the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Lions 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Detroit Lions

Record- 10-6 ( Lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round)

Coach- Jim Schwartz 18-30 0-1 playoffs

Key Subtractions- Qb Drew Stanton,  Lb Bobby Carpenter, Cb Aaron Berry, Cb Eric Wright

Key Additions- Wr Jarett Dillard,  T Jonathan Scott, De Everette Brown, Cb Jacob Lacey

Meeting Dates- Week 6 in Chicago, Week 17 in Detroit

All-Time Record- Bears lead 94-65-5

Strength of Schedule- 20th

Fantasy Impact- Matthew Stafford rounds 1-4, Calvin Johnson Round 1, Brandon Pettigrew rd 6 (more…)

August 25, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

A major scare happened for the Detroit Lions  yesterday while playing in Oakland and no it wasn’t the Raiders fans.  Matthew Stafford watched in horror as his left hand blew up on the sideline after Dave Tollefson drove him  to the ground after an incomplete pass. While falling to the ground Tollefson helmet and Stafford’s left hand collided.  It looked very bad for Stafford with bandages and a brace being applied, but the team and the city were relieved when X-rays were negative.  Stafford was 8-10 for 68 yards before the injury, and he is not expected (like almost every other regular starter in the NFL) to play in the last pre-season game but should be ready for their opening game versus the St Louis Rams on September 9th.

Stafford wasn’t the only injury the Raiders inflicted upon the Lions.  The Raiders roughed up two cornerbacks in Bill Bentley and Chris Houston. Bentley has a shoulder injury while Houston has an ankle injury.  Running Back Kevin Smith left the game with what looked like a serious ankle injury, but his X-ray’s like Staffords were negative.  A lot of injuries but all of these players without any setbacks are expected to be on the playing field week one.

The scariest part of the game really should be that Mikel Leshoure has not established anything so far in the pre-season.  Even though he is suspended for the first two games, Leshoure is able to practice and play in the pre-season. He has dressed for the pre-season, but he has hardly played or impressed,  and when he’s been given the ball it hasn’t been very productive. Leshoure carried 5 times for 1 yard and had 1 catch for 6 yards.  The Lions have a lot of hope that he will be RB1 after his suspension, but his pre-season production diminishes that anticipation!

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they are our rival!

DA BEARS

Dec 29, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Mikel Leshoure (5) warms up before the game against the Baylor Bears at the 2010 Texas Bowl at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Leshoure, the University of Illinois standout, has not sniffed NFL action yet due to tearing his left Achilles tendon in training camp last season.  Leshoure was suppose to be the power option to go along with Javid Best in the Lions backfield.

Leshoure now gets to see two game checks go up in smoke and he received an additional fine that means this situation will cost him almost $110,000, and he won’t be eligible to make his long awaited NFL debut until September 23 at the Tennessee Titans.  He will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games.

Was this the start of the suspension express for the Lions? Will Fairley get the suspension call next from the NFL league office?  In college usually arrests mean that the team is full of talent and ready to explode for a possible National Championship, but in the NFL this many arrests means the GM is not looking for character guys just talent, and this is a dangerous path to jump off of. You are suppose to read about your players in the sports page of the paper, and not the police blotter section!!

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they are our rivals!!

DA BEARS!!!