The Lions concluded this football season on a sour note. In the final game of the season, they lost to the Green Bay Packers 34 -13. The worst part of the loss was that for half the game or so, the Packers played a lot of second and third stringers and the Lions continued to play the starters and yet we could do absolutely nothing.

Our vaunted offense continued to sputter against the Packer backups - very sad indeed. While prior to the game their was much speculation and rumor about Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz being fired or let go, there still has not been a formal announcement to that effect. I think the Lions need it though to move forward. Its obvious that the Martz show in Detroit was not a success. Personally, I feel that Kitna needs to leave town with him in order for this team to continue to build on the improvements made this year. I would be surprised, however, if Kitna is not back next year.

What bothers me the most about this season and the way it played out is that if you had asked me before the season what I thought about a season where the Lions would go 7 and 9, I would have called it a success and definite progress. However, with the 6 - 2 start, and then to close the last have at 1 - 7, it leaves a very sour taste in your mouth. I cannot call it a successful season because of that finish. There are probably more questions to be answered this off season than there was last season. Still, I am hopeful.

The Lions made a definite statement at home this year. They made Ford Field a true home field advantage. Now, we need to figure out how to play some football on the road. If we can make similar road progress as we did at home this year, we might have a season.

Some key players stepped up and made themselves known this year. Ernie Sims was stellar at linebacker. Kevin Jones and TJ Duckett showed a solid one two punch at RB when they were healthy. Calvin Johnson, though he faded like many rookies late in the season, showed some brilliance at WR. Damien Woody looked pretty good when he moved over to right tackle - too bad it was so late in the season.

Other players showed themselves to be a problem for the future. Jeff Backus gave up the most sacks in the NFL. Jon Kitna had more interceptions than touchdowns. None of our cornerbacks can cover worth a damn. Kalimba Edwards got his big salary during the offseason and disappeared - so much so you may never see him in a Lions uniform again. Shaun Rogers is in poor shape and not capable of dominating a game anymore.

This should be an interesting off season! Happy New Years!

Looks like Marinelli is already sending some messages. For the final game against the Packers, they have left Tatum Bell and Kalimba Edwards at home. Bell was expected to see some action on Sunday, but that won’t be the case. In fact, I believe that we have now seen the last of Bell in a Lions uniform. The Kalimba Edwards experiment is also over. This will be the fourth straight game he hasn’t dressed. He has been a major disappointment this season. Is future is a little less certain. Since he had a good season last year, Coach Rod may give him another chance in camp.

Many internet news services are reporting that the Lions will be firing Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz after the season finale. The reports say that he will be replaced by current receives coach Kippy Brown. Supposedly, this bit of news has been confirmed by several sources, including Chris Mortensen over at ESPN who seems pretty well tied in.

Personally, I think the time is right for Martz and the Lions to part ways. I don’t think Martz and Marinelli have gelled well. Martz has always considered himself a head coach and not an offensive coordinator. Dont worry about Martz, he will end up with another nice job next year with another team.

However, I don’t understand the hiring of Kippy Brown as the new coordinator. It seems a bit rushed. With the season over, I don’t understand why they don’t take some time and interview a few candidates. We have the whole offseason to think about it. Coach Rod must be very happy with Kippy to be moving this fast. Of course, this might have Matt Millens fingerprints all over it.

In the last game of the season, the Lions tangle with the Packers. Green Bay has very little incentive in this game and likely won’t play the starters too much. This will give the Lions a chance to climb to .500 for the season. TJ Ducket has been impressive lately and will get the start at RB with Kevin Jones injured. I look for him to make a statement for next year. Unless of course, Martz decided to go out with a bang and air out.

Kitna has been very vocal of late in his support of Martz and I am not sure how he will respond this week. He could be down and have an off day. Or he could be pissed and decide he is going to show everyone that Martz should be the man next year. I expect a mixed performance from him.

I think the game will be close. I should probably pick the Packers to win, but I am not going to. Instead, I will pick the Lions over the Packers as they should want the game more to get to .500 for the season. My pick is Detroit 32 Green Bay 24.

Go Lions!