Tinderbox: Opening Weekend!

happy birthday to me!  woooooo party

As a very special birthday present to me, the Vikings lost to the Saints last night—which means that technically, the Lions are out of the NFC North cellar for the first time since December 27th, 2007.  Even better, that puts them in a three-way tie for first!  If the Lions beat the Bears, and the Packers lose to the Eagles, that means . . . oh, my God.  I can’t even say it out loud.  Or write it.

As if yesterday’s ode to hope and fandom and all that wasn’t enough, I have to draw your attention to a Lions season preview article written by Cian O’Day, of the online sports magazine Norman Einstein’s.  Besides being fantastically written, the article captures perfectly the frustration of the past two decades, and the promise of the upcoming season.  Also, he interviews Michael David Smith, sportswriter for Fanhouse, SI.com, and a million other places.  In it, MDS outs himself as a Lions fan, which I loved.  So.  Yes.  Click.  Subscribe.

I loved that Gosder Cherilus promised that the Lions would end the road losing streak—he didn’t guarantee that it would be this weekend, precisely, but I love the attitude nonetheless.  Cherilus is one of the few Lions for whom a really good or really poor performance could completely change the outcome of the game; I dearly hope he walks the walk.

Finally, keep an eye out for me in the Mlive.com Gameday live blog!  I may not be there all four quarters, but I will be there, helping Michael Schottey fill in for Phil Zaroo, he he prepares to tie the knot (congratulations again, Phil!).  And, of course, don’t forget to check out my joy and/or depression on Sunday night’s Fireside Chat podcast!

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,gosder cherilus,michael david smith

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Mlive.com NFL Live Chat, Day two!

Come chat with me, Killer, Phil, Schottey, and everyone else over at Mlive.com . . . RIGHT NOW. 

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2010 NFL Draft: The Lions in Winter, Live from Ford Field

It took me longer than I meant to to get my draft plans figured out, but it’s now settled:  I’ll be attending the creatively-named Draft Night Event at Ford Field.  I’ll be seeing the sights and talking to people beforehand, and recording video live from the event.  I’ll be trying to upload them and link to them as the night goes on.  Hit me up on Twitter if you’re there—and if you aren’t camera shy, you might even get to be “famous”!

And by "famous", I mean you will get to be on the Internet.  Which like, you probably already are.  But you know, more on the Internet.

Also, if my laptop isn’t confiscated and the WiFi holds up, I’ll be part of the Mlive.com NFL Draft Live Blog, along with Phil, Killer, Schottey, and the rest of the gang.  I’ll be posting up the video links there, too, so if you’re following along, you won’t miss out.  Failing that, I will of course be Tweeting the everlovin’ love out of it @lionsinwinter.

The fourth round of my quasi-mock will be up before the afternoon is out, but I’m not going to do the seventh.  Besides being a massive effort, with so many selections and too many players to scout, there’s nearly zero chance that the Lions stand pat throughout the fifth and six rounds while they have four seventh-rounders burning a hole in their pocket.  I anticipate that those picks will be used as trade lubricant, and the draft board will start changing rapidly come Saturday.

I love making the pilgrimage to the stadium, there's really nothing like it.  Connecting with the fans, hearing the cheers, feeling the excitement, spotting jersey fails, and spotting jersey wins—like the old guy in an authenic Lem Barney throwback I saw last year.  Paying like $13 for a Labatt and a Kowalski, soaking in the tepid rays of the Detroit sun, even indoors . . . it’s awesome.  I can’t wait to capture the moment when they draft Ndamukong Suh on video—and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,nfl draft,ndamukong suh,live blog

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Detroit Lions Free Agency Live Blog Bonanza

I've always wanted to do this . . . it's a free agency live blog!  Tomorrow, we can gather around to talk about all the amazing, incredible players that Mahyew and Lewand have conspired to bring in.  I've never pulled one of these things off, so please be patient with me.  I'll probably throw it open at midnight, but comment moderation is going to be (extremely) sporadic until reasonable morning hours.

Again, please, patience with me, and civility towards others, will be the keys to this going smoothly.

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