Update: Not 5 minutes after I posted this, MVN sent out notice the new platform is launching later tonight! So make sure you are using WayneFontes.com to get here, and NOT THE BLOGSPOT ADDRESS. More coming as news develops.

I'm exhausted after spending the day at U of M hospital seeing doctors and getting x-rays. I'll fill everyone in on the details over the weekend when I'm feeling back up to snuff (what kind of term is "up to snuff?" My grandfather used snuff, it was, well, icky!). I will say that there will likely be very invasive spinal surgery in my future, tentatively planned for sometime after the first of the year.

Posting will be light midweek, as on Tuesday morning I'll be working on getting my other medical issue further looked into, that pesky internal bleeding. My doctor will be snaking the plumbing, so to speak.

It's pretty damn odd. I have all these medical issues going on, yet I feel fine. Go figure...

As for the move to MVN, we're in a holding pattern. They are struggling mightily in their attempt to install their new blogging platform, and need more time. At this point, it's hurry up and wait. You'll be the first to know when I get the news when TWFE is officially under the MVN umbrella.

Anyway, expect the usual babbling from yours truly Saturday and Sunday. I'm sure I'll be in intense emotional pain, thanks to the misadventures of the Wolverines and Lions. See you then!

1. First things first. I realize all Lions fans are blaming the refereeing for the loss. And yes, I do agree the refs had not a clue, and made a couple of bizarre calls which royally screwed over the Lions. The big one was the pass interference call on Leigh Bodden. It was as bogus a call I've ever seen. A phantom penalty without question. The blown call gave the Vikings a short field, allowing them to play for the game winning field goal.





The "phantom" pass interference penalty. I'm still PISSED over the blatantly bad call.


The other call was just as mystifying. I have no idea what the refs were looking at on the Calvin Johnson "fumble." I didn't know ripping the ball out of an in injured player's hands when he's down was considered a fumble! Let alone the fact Johnson was knocked out of the game on the same play thanks to an illegal helmet to helmet hit.





Sure, the refs were beyond awful to the point of blowing goats, and need to be called out. I'm sure the NFL will be hearing from the Lions tomorrow, not that it will make a whit of difference. But the loss is not all on the refs, and I bet Rod Marinelli says as much (along with "pound the rock," "it's on me" and "I already answered that") at the Monday presser. The Lions more than helped to dig their own 0-5 grave.





The offense was, for long stretches, incapable of getting positive yards. The defense played the best they have all season, but it's all relative. They still gave up 392 yards to a Vikings offense led by the immortal (only because he once knocked himself out of a game for celebrating a score by head butting a stadium wall) journeyman, Gus Ferrotte. At the very least, Ferrotte didn't run out of the back of end zone...





The Vikings aren't that good. Playing in the NFC North is the only reason they have a shot at the playoffs. So losing in the last second to such a mediocre NFL team is nothing to be proud of, even if the refs did have a hand in it. The Lions didn't deserve to win. Period.





One close loss after 4 blowout debacles is nothing to get excited about. This is still a lousy team that will lose 10 + games, and will have new coach in 2009.





Dan Orlovsky on his moronic safety: "Oh, you're just an idiot!"I would have added "dumb ass moron!"


2. Dan Orlovsky running out of the end zone for a safety was INEXCUSABLE, and turned out to be the difference on the scoreboard. High school QB's have a better sense of field awareness than Orlovsky showed on the play. Such sheer stupidity from your most important player is how you lose games.





That's important to note, because Orlovsky isn't a playmaker. He is merely a game manager, and not a very good one at that. Your QB finishing 12-21-150-1 TD will not win you many games. When you can't win on your own, then you sure as Hell better not make mistakes that gives the opposition easy points.





Personally, I'm ready for the Drew Stanton era to begin.





3. Here's the stats for Detroit's running back tandem:





Kevin Smith: 5 carries, 62 yards, 12.4 YPC.


Rudi Johnson: 17 carries, 38 yards, 2.2 YPC.





Why is Smith's status as the Lions' best running back even in question? He should be getting the majority of the carries. I've given up trying to figure out Marinelli's depth chart, save for one thing that's obvious. Being a veteran player means more to him than having actual talent.





4. It took Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry 4 games to figure out his defense needed to blitz, and blitz often, in order to pressure the QB. After committing to the blitz, the Detroit defense ended up with 5 sacks, after having 4 in 4 games. I guess that's why Barry makes the big bucks, huh?





I know the Lions can't blitz every down, or even every series, as when you live by the blitz, you die by the blitz. NFL offenses will figure it out, and gameplan accordingly. But the Lions' coaches had to do something, anything, to keep the opposition QB's from picking the d-backfield apart. Bringing linebackers, corners and safeties on blitzes to pressure the QB was the obvious solution.





Blitzing early and often worked at times against Ferrotte, but he's a brain-addled version of Jon Kitna. Even with the pressure, Ferrotte still had 257 yards passing and a TD. There were still plenty of Vikings' wide outs running untouched in open space in the Detroit defensive backfield.





I doubt an everything but the kitchen sink blitzing strategy will work well against the likes of David Gerrard, Jake Delhomme, Kerry Collins, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. All experienced QB's who have had more than fair share of success, and then some, in the NFL. Meaning the Lions will ultimately have to get QB pressure from their down linemen.





We have yet to see anyt sort of consistent pass rush from the front 4 during Marinelli's tenure as head coach. For someone who was sold to the fanbase as a miracle worker with down linemen, his not developing a dominant d-line will be Marinelli's downfall.





5. After the game, Leigh Bodden was quoted as wanting an apology from the NFL.





"I hope we get an apology, but that's not going to get us a win," Bodden said. "And that really took us away from getting the 'W' today."


Bodden wants an apology from the league, and I want $10 million and a hot blonde to materialize out of thin air, and into my lap. Neither one is going to happen.





6. I'm drained. Fucking mentally drained. The Lions just drain the emotion out of me, and not in a good way. At least my head didn't explode this week. But it's a loooong season...





One more thing...





To all the fans bitching and moaning about the Lions not getting calls from the referees; BAD TEAMS DON'T GET CALLS!

Game Information: Lions @ Vikings


Kickoff: 1 p.m. EDTStadium: Hefty/Homer/BaggiedomeTelevision: WJBK-TV FOX Ch.2Play-By-Play: Ron (Lions are the) PittsColor: Tony BoselliSideline: Charissa ThompsonLions Radio Network Flagship: 97.1 FM The Ticket (WXYT-FM)Play-By-Play: Dan MillerColor: Jim BrandstatterSidelines: Tony Ortiz2008 Records: Lions, 0-4; Vikings, 2-3


The 5 things I'm watching, GODDAMMIT!(Why only 5? Thinking about the Lions for any length of time sends my blood pressure to dangerous levels. The last thing I need is copious amounts of blood spurting out of my orifices...)


QB Bingo: Supposedly, the playing status of Jon Pickna Shitna Kitna will be a game time decision, though most observers think there's will be no "miracle" recovery from whatever is ailing his back. Thus, we shall see the first NFL start for Dan Orlovsky. From what little I've seen of Dan-O the past few seasons, my expectations are lower than the completion percentage of Michigan's QB's. In other words, I don't expect Pickna Shitna Kitna to be Wally Pipped.





I'd like to see Drew Stanton play, as would everyone who considers themselves fans of the Lions.  But knowing Marinelli is stubborn to the point of insanity, and is loathe to play inexperienced players, I doubt Stanton sees the playing field.





The schemes aren't working: The Lions' offensive coordinator has been an EPIC FAIL up to this point of the season. His no-huddle offense gambit last Sunday was, as has everything else Colletto has tried this season, an EPIC FAIL. What do I expect from the Lions offense against the Vikings? You guessed it! More EPIC FAIL.





As for Joe Barry's league worst defense, EPIC FAIL is only a starting point. The defense began the season badly, and is getting worse.





If Wayne Fontes were coaching this team, he would have replaced Colletto and Barry twice over by now. Say what you will about the Big Buck as a coach, at least he had the confidence (or the sheer sense of desperation) to cut bait on schemes that weren't working. Can't say the same about Rod Marinelli, he's going to ride Colletto and Barry right to the unemployment line.





One more thing...EPIC FAIL!





Adrian Peterson: He's going to have a monster game against the Lions lousy front 7. You can book it. 200 yards on the ground may only be the starting point...





21-0: Will the Vikings be the 5th straight team to take a 3 score lead on the Lions in the 1st half? Hell, the Lions couldn't stop immortals like Kyle Orton and Matt Ryan, so why expect anything different with the Vikings' Gus Ferrotte under center? Blowouts will be the norm, instead of the exception. The Lions are a BAD team.





The odds I'll have a conniption fit by 4PM Sunday afternoon: 2-5. It's a sure bet, folks.





See you in the live blog Sunday at 1PM! Be there for the drama, stay for the profanity, and watch the sparks (and maybe a little blood) fly!

Sorry about the short posts today, but I'm feeling a little rough...But not rough enough to keep me from coming up with a few more Rod Marinelli jokes!





Rod Marinelli walks into a building and says to the clerk, "I'd like to pound the rock!" The clerk says, "This is a library." Then Rod whispers, "Sorry, I'd like to pound the rock."





What stops then goes then stops then goes? Rod Marinelli pounding the rock at a blinking red light.





A priest, a rabbi, a doctor, and Rod Marinelli go into a bar, and the bartender asks, "What is this, a joke?"

Today, as after I woke from one of my too frequent naps, there was a note that had been slipped under my door. What did this note contain? William Clay Ford's short list of replacements for Rod Marinelli. No shit!

The names on the list, with my thoughts, follow.

Wayne Fontes: Why the Hell not? Playoffs every other year, then a high draft pick in the years the Lions miss the post season. The Big Buck was made of Teflon, a master scapegoater, players LOVED him and the media were hugely entertained by him. The fact we all pine for those days of of high drama, higher comedy and utter mediocrity says something. Not something good, but something all the same. Plus, he's available.

The bad old days...
Beefshower: In the comments to this post, Beefshower, aka Andrew of the Mickey Tettleton Memorial Overpass, threw his hat into the Lions coaching ring. Word must have reached WCF, as he's on the short list. I'll let Andrew's words speak for themselves.

"I'm throwing my hat into the ring for the coaching job. Let me run the same 8 plays from my tecmo super bowl playbook and I guarantee 50 points a game. I don't know what I'd do on defense though. Maybe I'll try to talk David Fulcher out of retirement."
Sounds like one of The Big Buck's run and shoot offenses, actually. Where's Mouse Davis these days? But I digress...

Beefshower or Steve Nash?
Not even their mothers can tell the difference...
For those of you who don't know who Fulcher is, he was only the best defender in Tecmo Super Bowl, if not all of football video gaming. Obviously, Andrew knows what he's talking about. You have to admire a man with a plan. The only question is, does Beefshower have the time, with his budding law career? Hell, we both know he'd take the running the Lions over becoming the next Matlock in a New York minute, though I'm sure Andrew looks dandy wearing a seersucker suit...

Lloyd Carr: When not hanging out with BFF Russell Crowe or plotting against Les Miles, Lllloyd doesn't have anything better to do right now. 4 loss seasons raised the hackles of Wolverine nation, but 4 loss seasons with the Lions would get Lllloyd his own statue in front of Ford Field.

This has to be a photoshop.As we all know, Lllloyd NEVER smiled.
Gary Moeller: Ditto...when he's not getting trashed in restaurants.

Then again, what's drunkenly bitching out a waitstaff when Fontes got busted with nose candy? For some reason I cannot fathom, WCF likes Moeller. It may be due to the fact Mo is one of the few head coaches in Lions' history with a winning record, a big time 4-3.

The reason behind Moeller's drunken tirade?The waiter made fun of the straight brim on his cap.
Bill Ford, Jr: As it appears the Fords are making plenty of personnel decisions from the owner's box (the drafting, then starting, of Joey Blue Skies being one of the more prominent examples), let's just cut out the middleman, and put a Ford on the sidelines. Considering Ford Motor Company is struggling to stay solvent, Junior may have plenty of time on his hands to run his father's meal ticket.

"I was this close to choking Millen out..."
Bobby Williams: Token minority interview.

The most famous quote from Williams' MSU tenure?"I don't know."
Eric Taylor, aka the coach running the Dillon Panthers on NBC's Friday Night Lights: Turns out WCF is a fan of of the show. Unfortunately, Ford believes he's watching a documentary.

Why interview a high school coach? WCF really wants to meet his HOT wife...
Matt Millen: When a Ford is paying you $5 million a season, he expects you to earn it. Also, you cannot deny WCF loves Matt Millen like a red headed stepson. I'd think Millen would be interested, as long as he could commute from Pennsylvania. Show up in the D Friday morning, fly out Sunday night, just like when he was president and GM. It'll be just like old times!

"You'll rue the day I was fired!
Uh, what's 'rue' mean?"
It's going to be a long, scary coaching search, sports fans!

I'll make my final thoughts quick, and to the point. By the way, I'm doing much better now.





Live blog links:





1st quarter: No hope, no hope at all





2nd quarter: Abandon hope all ye who enter here





3rd quarter: Fire Marinelli!





4th quarter: Seriously. Fire Marinelli





Final thoughts - part uno: I recommend a scorched earth policy





1. Today's loss to the Chicago Bears was a complete disaster. The Lions were ill-prepared, out coached and  overwhelmed in every single solitary phase of the game. Rod Marinelli's defense is amazingly bad, his offense ineffectual. Special teams, save for the specialists, Nick Harris and Jason Hanson, are a joke. The Detroit Lions are a BAD team. Though it's hard to believe, my eyes don't lie. They are getting worse. The Lions will be lucky to win 2-3 games, tops. A top 5 draft pick is a given. This franchise is at rock bottom. It's a bottom feeder. The dregs of the league. Bottom of the barrel. And we're only 4 GAMES INTO THE SEASON!





I think we all knew Matt Millen's firing wasn't going to change anything, but it did give us 2 weeks of hope. Hope that was shot all to Hell against the Bears. The destruction the moron wreaked upon the Detroit franchise came to a head today. Those were Millen's coaches, Millen's free agent signings, Millen's draft choices, all of the moves Millen made over the years, on the field.





And it was pure, unadulterated shit. Thanks for nothing, Matt.





2. I think we can safely put Rod Marinelli at the top of the "Coaches on the hot seat" list. If I were making the call, Mr. Pound The Rock would be looking for someone's defensive line to coach first thing Monday morning. It goes without saying Joe Barry would be joining his father-in-law on the unemployment line. They can take the drunk, naked, Wendy's hamburger eating line coach with them.





If you are free around 12:30 Monday afternoon, I suggest you tune into one of the sports talk radio stations here in the D. They broadcast Marinelli's weekly presser live. If the post game inquisition is any indication, as Marinelli was raked over the coals repeatedly, especially over the status of Joe Barry, Monday's presser is going to be even better...if you like extremely uncomfortable and pissy Q&A's.





The media smell blood, as Marinelli has all but admitted he has no answers. They will go in for the kill tomorrow.





3. It's beyond obvious Jon Kitna isn't the answer, and hasn't been for a very long time. His benching for "back spasms" may be the beginning of the end. Kitna hit a high point with the "miracle" concussion recovery, then coming back to win the game, against Minnesota last season. It's been all downhill, and fast, ever since. At this point of his career, 36 and showing it, Kitna should be a backup, not a starter.





As for Dan Orlovsky, he is what he is, a career backup, and I'm being generous.





Detroit has 3 options at QB. Old and busted, young and sucky, and the unknown. I'd try the unknown.





Which means the time to play Drew Statnon is near. As in next week. The Lions HAVE to find out if Stanton has the ability to be a NFL QB, if only as a favor to whomever takes over next season.





4. Roy Williams has already left town mentally. He showed up his coaches and his QB's with his constant on field histrionics, making him look, to put it bluntly, like an asshole. Making Williams look even worse was the fact he continued to bitch and moan, even though he dropped passes, and was as much to blame for the loss as anyone.





It was a total prick move on Williams' part. Personally, I would have benched the asshole diva on general principal.





The Lions HAVE to explore a trade, as Williams will not be wearing the Honolulu Blue and Silver in 2009.





5. Seriously, Marinelli has to go. He's nothing more than a punch line.





Why did Rod Marinelli cross the road? He had to go pound the rock.





When Rod Marinelli sits around the house, he pounds the rock.





Knock knock. Who's there? Rod Marinelli. Rod Marinelli who? Let me in, I have to pound the rock.





How many Detroit coaches does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Two. One to screw it in while Marinelli pounds the rock.





Like I said, a punch line.

The Lions have been not-so-loveable losers for 50 years, which means fans are going to look for any damn excuse they can find which could explain such a miserable half century.





Thus, the "Curse of Bobby Layne."





This coming week being the 50 year anniversary of the Bobby Layne trade, the "curse" has received an inordinate amount of attention recently. There's a website associated with Layne's mystical curse, the Freep ran a feature article on the heavy partying Texan mentioning the so-called hex, and even the News' Bob Wojnowski brought Layne's supposed muttering to light in a column.





There's only 2 pink elephants on the field, coach! I'm ready to go in!


We all know the story. When the best QB in Detroit history was traded to the Steelers in October 1958, for really no other reason than the team was tired of dealing with him, Layne supposedly said, though there's absolutely no record of it, the Lions wouldn't win "for 50 years."





What a load of BULLSHIT.





Layne was a great QB, but an even better drinker. The man is legend in Detroit drinking circles. He started boozing the minute the game ended, and didn't stop till the next Sunday afternoon kickoff. Meaning he was likely 10 sheets to the wind when he learned the Lions traded him to the then armpit of the NFL, Pittsburgh. So I refuse to believe Layne said the Lions would never win for 50 years. Now if legend had Layne slurring "Where's my gin?" That I could believe. 





I see 3 Hopalong Cassadys...I'll throw it to the one in the middle!


See, Layne never cursed the Lions. He was thirsty and boozing. "Lions will never win!" "Where's my gin." Honest mistake. But it's no curse.





Incompetence, delusion, idiocy and stupidity have run rampant through the Lions' franchise over the years. It doesn't mean the team was cursed, but it does tells you the Lions have been run by a series of sycophants, yes men and mental midgets, all hired by an inbred blue blood living off of grandpa's money, William Clay Ford.





Ford being a do-nothing rich SOB does not equate into the Lions being cursed. It's also letting the God damn do-nothing rich SOB off the hook for so many years of fan pain and suffering, and blaming Bobby Layne for something he never said.





Screw the curse. Just leave Layne, who did nothing but good things in Detroit (won 3 championships and kept bar owners in new Cadillacs) out of it.





It's not the "Curse of Bobby Layne." Never was, never will be. Actually, it's the "Incompetence of Wiliam Clay Ford." Blame Henry Ford's Richie Rich of a grandson all you want. Hell, even call it the "Curse of William Clay Ford" if it helps.





But don't blame the mythical mutterings of a hall of fame QB for 50 years of pure shit.

OK, I admit it isn't quite as contentious as my headline, but there is definitely some tension between the Tigers and their manager.

Jim Leyland has gone public, letting everyone within earshot know that he deserves a contract extension, while conveniently forgetting he turned down extra years not all that long ago. The Tigers think differently, and refuse to give the Marlboro Man anything more. In their eyes, Leyland's going to have to earn a new deal.

Gimme my $2 extension!
Why is Leyland so adamant in demanding a contract extension? Why has he gone to media with his complaints?

As you might have guessed, I have his 10 reasons...

10. Smokes ain't cheap, you know. Criminal, that's what it is. Should be a government investigation!

9. That moron who used to work next door, Matt Millen, was able to get an extension, and he never won a God damn thing! I take a team to the the World Series, and get...a handshake and a pat on the back. It ain't right.

8. Have you priced a carton of Marlboro Reds lately? I had to take out a payday loan to get my Reds! Seriously, it's criminal.

7. You try dealing with Pudge Rodriguez for an entire season! He's the prima donna's prima donna. The extension should be considered retroactive hazard pay.

6. Did you see the so-called "bullpen" Dombrowski gave me?! I've seen better bullpens in the California Penal League! Christ, I deserve some extra coin for pain and suffering!

5. With my current deal, when you factor in my nicotine habit, I'm actually losing money. Criminal, I tell ya.

4. Remember the contract extension you offered me after last year, and I...I..OK, I admit it, I turned it down. Well, I changed my mind. It's a girls and a managers right to change their minds. So what's 12 months between friends?

3. Think the Wall St. meltdown is a mess? Wait till you see my lame duck ass meltdown mid season! But if I extorted...uh...had an extension, maybe, just maybe, it won't happen.

2. I'm being bent over by big tobacco! I needs my fix! Give me some money!

1. I have to listen to Brandon Inge piss and moan every God damn day for 6 straight months. "I'm not a catcher! I wanna play 3rd!" If that's not worth an extra few million, nothing is. Plus smokes are damn expensive...

The Fords thought they were doing the right thing in the long long long long long long long overdue canning of the porn 'stached goon, Matt Millen. For the long-term future of the franchise, the firing was the right thing to do. But for the remainder of this season? Well, there's a reason NFL GM's aren't normally shown the door a whole 3 games into a season.

What is that reason?

It leads to coaches making cockamamie decisions like benching a promising rookie running back for an on the down side veteran on a one year deal who won't be on the team in 2009.

That's the reason.

If Rod Marinelli thinks sitting Kevin Smith for Rudi Johnson is going to give him a couple of extra wins, and thus, save his job, he's sadly mistaken. And totally delusional. With Smith's benching, Jordon Dizon's inability to get on the field, the other defensive rookies deactivated every Sunday, could this past draft look any worse? But I digress...

Despite Marinelli playing coy (or being amazingly sheltered and football possessed to the point of pop culture retardation) by claiming he didn't know what being a "lame duck" meant, his recent lineup moves tells us he knows exactly what it means, he's a "dead man coach walking." Why else would Johnson be in the lineup? Sure, he played decently against the Niners. But he's not the future.

Lame duck? Is that some sort of Chinese dish?
Same reasoning goes for Marinelli's complete refusal to even consider replacing Jon Shitna Pickna Kitna. The Lions may win a couple of more games with Kitna under center than with Drew Stanton. But what's the difference between 5-11 and 3-13, other than a draft slot? Kitna won't be the QB when this team turns the corner. (It could happen!) Hell, even the so-called intangibles Kitna supposedly brings to the team are quickly going out the window, with his quite visible petulance over the direction of the Detroit offense.

Starting Johnson and not starting Stanton are the moves of a quickly running out of time coach desperately trying to keep his job. Which is a bit of a conundrum, as Marinelli is out of a job when a new GM is hired. The idea that any GM Ford hires will have to keep Marinelli is ludicrous. Any GM worth hiring will want his own man on the sidelines, not the porn 'stached goon's retread. Actually, any GM willing to keep Marinelli as head coach as a condition of employment is a GM I don't want running the team.

Want another reason?

It leads to short-term thinking. Shorter than Gary Coleman's love child. This forward short thinking leaves the coaches and front office personnel who survived the purge little choice but to do anything and everything possible to keep their jobs, even it means the team will be worse off in the long run.

An example of this is the Lions saying they will not even entertain trading Roy Williams, even though the odds of his signing a new contract with the team is 99.9995% against. That's taking the franchise tag out of the equation, as it would be idiotic to tag Williams. Which probably means the Lions are seriously considering doing so.

I'm soooo out of here... Franchise tag me at your peril!
The Lions could quite possibly get a first day pick (or multiple picks over the 2 days) for Williams. With a roster full of more holes than the plot of a Micheal Bay movie, adding draft picks would be a much better idea than letting Williams play out his deal, then getting nothing when he walks. But if keeping Williams means the Lions win an extra game in a season that already lost, though the franchise is stinking of desperation seeping from it's every pore, they won't trade him.

Yes, firing Matt Millen was a good thing. But the timing couldn't have been worse. It's led to the Lions making me first, team last, the future is now sort of decisions that will only serve to make the job of the next GM that much harder.

In managing to get his incompetent ass fired when he did, Millen screwed over the fans one last time.

Thanks for nothing, you ass.

A little bit of housekeeping before things go back to normal at TWFE.





I had the talk with my doctor Monday, and he's found out...well, not much.





It's confirmed that I'm bleeding internally, but they still don't yet know why, where, or how. I'm anemic, as the blood loss is causing a big time iron deficiency. I'm also feeling quite run down (thanks to the iron deficiency) and I'm losing weight, about 15 pounds in the last 4+ months, which is also somewhat concerning my docs. I'm kind of happy about that, (I'm thisclose to the weight I played high school football! w00t! I'm at my fighting trim! If I was fighting, that is...) of course the caveat being as long it's in thanks to me watching what I eat (which I try to do, but not to any extremes), and not a symptom of something else. Just add it to the list of things I need to monitor.





At least I have a good idea as to why I get so God damn exhausted sometimes, and don't even feel like writing, let alone doing anything else. Now we just need to figure out the actual reasons behind it all. Should be fun.





So the next step in figuring out the internal bleeding is seeing a Gastroenterologist next week, where we'll discuss my having an (ugh) colonoscopy. At least we're now taking baby steps towards a solution.





But the fun doesn't end there. The next week, I'm headed to Ann Arbor to meet with an orthopedic surgeon at U of M. We'll see if I'm a candidate for having my spine surgically straightened with an osteotomy. I was able to find the following about the "procedure" in attempting to do my due diligence better than Matt Millen ever did...


While rare, a procedure such as an osteotomy may be an option. This involves cutting through the spinal column so that it can be realigned to a more vertical position in order to significantly improve the posture of a patient. After the bone is realigned in a more vertical position it will be allowed to heal in that new position. Typically, spinal instrumentation (such as pedicle screws) and a spinal fusion are combined with an osteotomy to stabilize the spine during healing and foster growth of new bone to fuse the spine in the new position.





The area of the spine that is operated on will vary depending on the type of deformity and symptoms, and for some patients several sections of the spine may need to be surgically corrected. For example, for severe chin-on-chest deformity, surgical correction in the area where the neck meets the upper spine is typically done.Boy, that sounds fucking pleasant. Carving up my spinal column, straightening my back, then wearing a halo and/or dealing with a hardware store in my back, for who know how long while the bone fuses together. Jesus...





But it's nowhere near being a done deal. I'll know much more about the surgery, and if this is something I may go through with, in a couple of weeks.





Anyway, my personal melodrama should be quieting down, with things returning to its normal, boring routine at Casa De Big Al . In other words, my father has left SE MI. With it confirmed that I'm doing OK for the time being, my dad and step-mom took off for Florida this morning, hoping they'll be able to find gas once he drives past the Mason-Dixon line. He wants to make Atlanta tonight, where my step-sister lives. She let him know the gas tanks in Hotlanta are as dry and barren as the Arizona desert...on a good day. My fingers are crossed they have an uneventful trip.





So that's the latest. I'll be back to writing about life's toy store, sports, shortly. One of my first priorities will be The Knee Jerks, as Eno and myself are hoping to get our little weekly chat up and running soon. As for TWFE's move to MVN, the latest from the MVN Grand Poohbah's is they are shooting for mid October. They are having issues with their new platform, delaying our plans. But it will happen.





By the way, I want to thank everyone who touched base, and were thinking good thoughts during all my medical bullshit.





Thanks for reading, and allowing me to vent a tad. We now return to your regularly scheduled programming. How about those Lions and Tigers, huh?

The Lions continue to stumble along like a drunk on a weekend bender. The latest news to come out of Allen Park is a total head scratcher...





Former Pro Bowler Shaun Alexander was one of several running backs to meet with the Lions on Tuesday. Alexander, a former Seattle Seahawks star, worked out for the coaching staff at the team's practice facility.





Former Chicago Bears runner Cedric Benson, a first-round draft pick in 2005, and free-agent Vernand Morency, who previously played for the Packers, were also in town to meet with coaches and front office personnel.


I have a one word question: WHY?





The interest in signing a running back makes absolutely NO SENSE. None whatsoever. Even so, odd as this may be, let's look at the candidates:





Benson: Almost as big a 1st round draft bust as Mike Williams. Chicago couldn't unload him fast enough. Benson's out of football for a reason...He SUCKS! (Listen! Do you hear that? It's the sound of laughter coming out of Chi-town)





Alexander: Rudi Johnson redux. Like Rudi, Alexander is a once great back who is just as washed up. Overuse and injury left has the former Seahawk a shadow of the All-Pro he once was. Alexander's out of football for a reason...He's old and busted!





Morency: Who the fuck is this? Honestly, I have no idea. After looking Morency up, his stats SCREAM "journeyman!" If the Lions need a career backup so badly, then why not bring back Artose Pinner? At least he's a journeyman who already knows the offense. Morency is out of football for a reason...His type of player is dime a dozen.





Even stranger, the article states there's word out of Texas the Lions are on the verge of signing one of those backs. Which one?





According to Austin, Texas, city council member Mike Martinez, Benson is about to sign with the Lions.


Another one word question: WHY?





Out of the 3 backs brought in, why on earth would the Lions want, of all people, BENSON? In Chicago, "BENSON" is considered a 4 letter word. Signing a running back would be bad enough. But signing Cedric Benson? That's one of the seven signs of the fast oncoming apocalypse, Detroit Lions style.





Rather than sign another skill position player, I have a couple suggestions for the Lions.





First off, cut a few of the 35 defensive linemen you kept on the roster, to give you a little more roster flexibility. Then look for help at more than one position, not just running back...which isn't in all that bad of shape! Why not look at offensive linemen? Maybe at a run stopping linebacker? How about a proven QB, say Daunte Culpepper? All of these are positions of much greater need.





But the Lions are instead working out running backs, despite drafting Kevin Smith in the 3rd round, who's shown a fair amount of potential. What does this say to him? It says the Lions think they can do better, and wasted a 3rd round pick, while Smith must be thinking he did something wrong. (Actually, the kid did do something wrong. Terribly wrong. He agreed to a contract with the Lions)





Here's the Lions' thinking in a nutshell: "We have some gaping roster holes, we could really use a linebacker and an offensive lineman. I know, let's sign another running back! That will fix EVERYTHING!"





This is Lions' logic at it's most clueless and frustrating. I gave up trying to figure out the Lions' thought processes a long time ago, as it's impossible to figure out a front office that should be considered clinically insane.

It's been quite some time since TWFE last interviewed the owner of the Detroit Lions, William Clay Ford. With the Lions in the news for all the wrong reasons, I had the rare opportunity to chat with Mr. Ford recently. What follows is the transcript of out discussion.





The Wayne Fontes Experience: Hello? Mr. Ford? HELLO?!





William Clay Ford: HACK...ZZZZZZZZZ...Must bust the union...ZZZZZZZ.





TWFE: Uh, Mr. Ford? You awake?





WCF: SNORT...ZZZZZZZ...Archduke Ferdinand must die...ZZZZZZZZ.





TWFE: Mr. Ford? Hello? You alive?





WCF: DROOL...ZZZZZZZ...The Kennedy's are socialist bastards....ZZZZZZZZZ.





TWFE: Mr. Ford, the Dow dropped 504 points today!





WCF: ZZZZZZZZZZZ...THE WHAT? THE WHO? The Dow? The HELL you say? Jeeves, crank up the Flivver! Bring me my blunderbuss! We need to kill my stockbroker, pronto!





TWFE: Uh, the stock exchange has been closed for a few hours, sir. I'm sure he's left for the day. I'd like to ask you a few questions, can you kill him tomorrow?





WCF: Closed? But I'm a FORD, GODDAMMIT! I'm part owner of one of the most powerful companies in the world!





TWFE: Sir, Ford Motor is losing cash and market share hand over fist, and might have to go to the U.S. government for a bailout.





WCF: Bullshit! We Fords would NEVER go begging to those Communists in Washington! That town's been going downhill since Roosevelt was in office!





TWFE: FDR?





WCF: Who? Of the "bend me over and call me Nancy" New Deal? Of course not, boy! That other Socialist Roosevelt, Teddy! I'll show him some rough riders...Anyway, we'll just ramp up the building of trucks and those suvvies! Stick 300 horses under the hood, and they'll FLY out of showrooms, believe you me! Who in their right mind would buy a tinker toy Jap or Kraut car? What the fuck is a Datsun? A piss ant roller skate, that's what! Who buys cars with funny ass names? I know the auto marketplace, just like I know football! I own a team, you know. JEEVES! Where's my blunderbuss?!





TWFE: Suvvies? They're called SU...Uh, sure. Whatever you say, Mr. Ford. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your football team.  There's some problems back in Detroit.





WCF: God damn straight there's some problems in Detroit! It's full of darkies and socialists! My what?





TWFE: Your football team, the Detroit Lions. I wanted to ask you about them.





WCF: Well, why didn't you say so, boy! How's my boy Russ Thomas? Russ is so damn cheap, he could squeeze blood from a bumblebee nickel. He's my kind of GM! He isn't signing any of those commies or Yippies or Black Panthers, is he? HACK.





TWFE: No, sir. Matt Millen...Uh, I mean Russ...hasn't signed any White or Black Panthers to my knowledge.





WCF: JEEVES! SCOTCH ME! He better not have, or there's Hell to pay! I'd have to talk to Rozelle, you know, set things right. How is Pete, boy?





TWFE: Dead.





WCF: Good! Never liked Rozelle's commie ideas, anyway! Revenue sharing this, and parity that! Merge with the AFL he says! It's the future, he says! Bullshit! I don't want anything to do with those pass happy sons a bitches! HORK. I tried to buy NBC, just so I could yank those football anarchists off the air! Fucking GE got 30 Rock instead. The forward pass...PFFFT! Football is meant to be played 3 yards at a time, boy. A cloud of dust, and all. Who said that?





TWFE: Woody Hayes?





WCF: You know your football almost as well as I do, boy! Ol' Woodrow's a great American, yes sir! Took no shit from nobody, especially that Bo Shemmybencher character at that Communist enclave in Ann Arbor. How is Woody?





TWFE: Dead.





WCF: What about Shemmybencher?





TWFE: Dead.





WCF: Boy, you depress me. What the Hell did you want, anyway?





TWFE: To ask you about the Lions. You know, the Detroit Lions?





WCF: What about the Lions? I own them, you know. Make me a shit ton of cash, boy. A shit ton. JEEVES! My blunderbuss and my scotch! Chop, chop! And bring me a CUBAN! SNORT.





TWFE: Cigar?





WCF: Did I SAY cigar? Damn, can't find good help these days, boy. That's why I'm glad I have my boy Russ back in Detroit! He writes the best contracts. Did I tell you to get free agency, Ron Jessie had to give me his first born, his right nut and a blow job, just because Russ put that in his contract? Brilliant!





TWFE: But what about the team today? They are 0-2, and are the worst team in the NFL.





WCF: And? Is Tiger Stadium filled up every Sunday? JEEVES! Make it a NICARAGUAN instead!





TWFE: Cigar...Nevermind. They play at Ford Fiel...Um, the last 7 years have been sellouts, Mr. Ford.





WCF: You know how much my football team is worth?





TWFE: Forbes says it's north of $800 million.





WCF: You know how much I paid for the Lions? HUUUUR.





TWFE? $4 million?





WCF: HACK! I paid that much? What was I thinking? Must have been the cheap scotch. Who knew? Anyway, that's an ROI of...of..Hell, that's a shit ton of cash, boy! JEEVES! I'm tired of talking! Get this...this..who the Hell are you, anyway?





TWFE: I'm a Detroit blogger, Mr. Ford.





WCF: A bogger? What the fuck is that?





TWFE: I write for the internet.





WCF: The inter-what? You're making this shit up! JEEVES! Get me my blunderbuss so I can get Mr.Bogger of the inter-what out of my house! HUUURK. Scotch, dammit! And a JAMAICAN!





TWFE: I'll see myself out, sir. No need to get up...or use your gun.





WCF: JEEVES! I need my...my...my...ZZZZZZ...Daddy said Hitler was right...ZZZZZ...DROOL.

I try not to put my final thoughts about any Lions game till I've had a few hours to let my emotions simmer down a tad. Otherwise I'd post in an insane rage nothing but "FUCK THE LIONS," over and over and over again, in 72 point font, till I blew up Blogger's servers.





Now that I've reached a mellow state again, I can sum up my thoughts about another FUCKING DEBACLE! I HATE THOSE GOD DAMN SON OF A BITC....Deep breaths, Al. Simmer down, blogger boy. It's only a game, it's only a game, it's only a game.





Christ, the Lions sure can harsh my mellow.





1. Jon Shitna Pickna Kitna put the FU in AWFUL today. His 4th quarter was as ugly as it gets with 3 picks, 2 returned for TD's. Overall, Kitna was only 50% on the day, ending with a QB rating of 58.6. I don't know how the NFL comes up with their convoluted beyond belief or common sense QB ratings, but bad is bad, and Kitna was B.A.D.D., BAD.





HEEEEEELP me Jebus!


He wasn't the only reason the Lions lost, but he was a BIG reason why. The Evangelist is also one of the main reasons why the Lions find themselves where they are tonight, at the bottom of the standings with fans at the end of their ropes. All due to Rod Marinelli hitching himself to Kitna's backside, Hell or high water. When it comes to Mr. I'm Going To Heaven And You're Not, Marinelli's wearing blinders. Kitna's the guy, period.





Before the start of the season I thought Kitna might have a decent year because the Lions' offensive plan was to run the ball more, and not ask Kitna to do near as much as Mike Martz's offense demanded from him. With the Lions going down 21-0 in both games, that strategy has gone right out the proverbial window. Kitna had to become the main focus of the Detroit offense, and win games with his arm. Asking Kitna to win games is like asking me to sing the praises of the the porn 'stached goon Matt Millen. It's not going to end well.





The hue and cry is going to come from the fanbase to bench the God Warrior, but I have to bring up the question those fans forget to ask. Replace Mr. It Was A Miracle with who, exactly? Dan Orlvosky is still untested after being in the NFL what seems like a decade. (Actually, it's 4 seasons) In very limited garbage time against the Packers, he didn't show much. He never has.





What about Drew Stanton? He's not healthy (HA! Stanton hasn't been injury free since elementary school), and he's not ready anyway. He's at least a year away, maybe more. The day the Lions moronically placed Stanton on the IR last season is a day they will long regret. Losing of year of football is never a good thing.





Hell, it's all moot. Changing QB's won't happen anytime soon, as it would mean the Lions would have given up on the season. Even though we may feel the season's over, I'm sure Millen and Marinelli don't. Not after 2 games. 2 ugly, embarrassing games.





One question was answered today. We know for sure who's the best QB in the NFC North. Jon Shitna Pickna Kitna = Old and busted. Aaron Rodgers = The new hotness.





2. As the losses begin to pile up (1-10 in their last 11 regular season games), you have to begin wondering about Marinelli's job status. His post-game pressers are becoming high drama, with the media pressing him for answers he doesn't have, and what answers Marinelli does give are dripping with anger and condescension.





 I'm a defensive guru! The master of the Tampa 2!  Listen to me, dammit!


The honeymoon is over. Marinelli's now catching heat from all sides. The media, the fans, and ownership (that's not a given, though it should be). Unfortunately for Marinelli, there is no one else he can scapegoat. It's all on him, He canned his defensive coordinator after year 1, and his offensive counterpart after year 2. He's had talented players considered malcontents (Dre' Bly, Shaun Rogers) traded away, and brought in several former Buccaneers to preach the Marinelli way.





The result? A team with a 10-25 overall record, in salary cap Hell, one of the oldest rosters in the NFL with a league worst defense, and a fanbase ready to revolt (again). At this rate, I can't see how Marinelli gets another season at this rate. But when William Clay Ford is involved, for all we know, he's having an extension readied as I write this...





I can't wait to hear how Marinelli spins this loss in the Monday presser. People are fed up with hearing bullshit like "pounding the rock" and "we'll go back to work" after every loss. God forbid he goes on and on about tackling "angles" and "playing high" like last week. Marinelli sounds like a position coach in so far over his head he reverts using to the only thing he really knows, defensive jargon.





3. Despite all the pain, there were a couple of bright spots for the Lions.





Gosder Cherilus finally got to play, replacing George Foster after half time, and had an uneventful 2nd half. That a GOOD thing for an offensive lineman, as you can't say the same about the other tackles. Foster gave up a pair of sacks, and Jeff Backus had a pair of extremely untimely, drive killing, holding penalties.





Why it took the coaching staff halfway through the 2nd game of the season before they realized Cherilus was their best lineman is another one of those bizarre mysteries (Why Leigh Bodden wasn't starting last week, the disappearance of Jordon Dizon, their insistence on "rotating" inferior players into the lineup rather than keep their best players on the field) that never get answered.





There's only 2 of you to try and stop me? As if!


As for Calvin Johnson, there's aren't enough superlatives to describe his vast talent. His season has been no less than excellent. 2 games, 236 yards receiving, 2 TD's. Magatron is as close as there is to an unstoppable force in the NFL. If only he had someone like...say...Aaron Rogers throwing to him.





It's not stretching the truth to say Johnson alone carried the Lions to their short lived 4th quarter lead. The first 7 minutes of the 4th quarter were essentially the Calvin Johnson Show. Johnson wasn't perfect, as shown by his dropping a pass, but he was the best player on the field...for both teams.





We may finally have our Barry Sanders replacement.In other words, Calvin Johnson is our only reason to watch the Lions, even though they blow, and blow hard.





4. The Lions' claining the Atlanta Falcons just may have been better than originally thought proved to be as lame as their performance against them. Tampa Bay soundly beat last week's one win wonders, 24-9.





The 2 Falcons who had career days against the Lions came back down to earth when facing a legitimate NFL team. No Sportscenter highlights this week...





Matt Ryan: 13-33-158-0 TD's, 2 INT, 29.6 rating.


Michael Turner: 13 carries, 43 yards, 1 catch, 6 yards.





I'd laugh if I weren't stifling back the tears...





It's official. It's confirmed. Stamp and date it. It's done. Book it. The Detroit Lions are the worst team in the NFL.





5. I'll have more tomorrow. Right now I'm fed up with everything Detroit Lions.





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After listening to the Rod Marinelli gets quite defensive and combative with the media during his Monday presser, I could have let it go as more of the same. As The World of Issac said, "The Lions Have Their Heads Up Their Butts." Indeed. He even posted the proof...





You need to take the helmet off first in order to fit inside, Kitna...


But I thought I'd delve deeper, and break down the nonsense Marinelli spewed. I was emailed the transcript, and most of what the Lions' head coach said was incomprehensible to normal humans. He also has an angle fetish.





I took out some of the more egregious Marinelli quotes, and added my thoughts





"I'll give Atlanta credit, they did a nice job. It still comes down to the issue is us. In terms of some of the tackling, missed tackles we had, some of the angles. I thought we played a little bit high overall."





Marinelli can't be serious, can he? This may be the lamest excuse I've ever, ever heard from a head coach. "Played a little bit too high?" What a crock. You know the obvious joke. "Played high on what, coach?" Considering their inability to tackle, and Marinelli being from the old school, I'm guessing quaaludes.








"A little bit tentative and it affected our alignments a little bit. But all those things are correctable. I talked to the team today, it's all correctable."





If they were so damn correctable, why weren't they "corrected" during training camp? Oh yeah, you can't correct a lack of talent, which the Lions apparently have in spades.








"(They're the) same guys I liked Saturday night before the game, and guys I want to coach and feel good about. So, we've just got to learn from it as we're watching the tape right now, and then once this is over, we move on and get ready for our next game."





I DESPISE it when anyone refers to "watching the tape," or "look at the film." How much tape do you need to look at to determine your tackling angles were too high? I have tape too (courtesy of my DVR) and watched for 5 minutes. I could tell you exactly what was wrong. It isn't the angles, or playing too "high." The film tells me your team lacks something quite vital. "Talent."





"You said all eight games were played poorly on defense? Then you're wrong; you would be wrong. (We) played well against Kansas City, played very well against Dallas, played very well against the Giants."





It's getting deep now. Let's look back at the 2007 season.





Kansas City: Meaningless win against a bad team after the season was essentially over.


Dallas: Loss


Giants: Loss





Played well, huh? Well enough to lose. Notice he didn't bring up the other legitimately poor defensive performances from last year? There were plenty to pick from:





Philly: 52 points


Wahington: 34 points


Arizona: 31 points


Green Bay: 37 points


Minnesota: 42 points


San Diego: 51 points


Green Bay, redux: 34 points





Then we have the latest debacle, with a bad Atlanta team dropping 34 on the Lions' D. How does a coach hired because of his status as a defensive guru have such a horrific defense, after having 3 years to put it together? For that matter, why does he still have a job?








"We've just got to get our pads down and come off the ball a little bit better. I thought we were in our gaps, but I thought we had a chance to really go if we could've stopped the run. I've been saying that from day one. I thought we pass-rushed pretty well, but we've got to stop the run first."





Spoken like a career position coach, not a head coach. This bullshit is all fundamentals and technique. The sort of things that shouldn't be an issue at the pro level. It absolutely shouldn't be an issue after the season starts Apparently, it is still an issue...with the players Marinelli hand picked...








"The first (touchdown) play was a slant and we had a chance to make a play and the safety gave up a big play, explosion play. When you do that, you're behind quickly. The second (touchdown) play, we came out and missed another tackle. Angles caught us, and now we're down by--."





What's with the angle fetish? Next week, will Marinelli be going on about parallelogram and isosceles triangles? This isn't geometry, it's football! Again, it's nothing but double talk and excuses.





They were tacking with obtuse angles! I need to see complementary angles, dammit!





"We were going to go right to a no-huddle the next series. Just a little faster tempo, I thought, at times, but I felt okay. I just felt that we were going to go no-huddle that next drive, because we were struggling playing them and you wanted to hopefully eliminate another possession on their part."





Uh, what? On the next possession my ass. The Lions should have been in the no-huddle for the entire 4th quarter. I was going off in my live blog with 10 minutes left in the game, after the Falcons had gone up 13 points, asking "Where's the fucking urgency?". There was none whatsoever. Because you know what happened after that possession? Nothing. Why? THE LIONS NEVER GOT THE BALL BACK!








"Our commitment to try to run the ball was there and I thought, overall we threw the ball fairly well. But we've got to play better defense, and I thought the special teams was solid."





Being committed to run the ball, and actually doing it well, are two different things. Kevin Smith was having to make moves in the backfield, as the Falcons were blowing the O-line off the ball.





Better defense? I would think so. Make it a priority! But it was a priority this past off season, and look what they ended up with. A roster full of former Bucs who weren't good enough to stay in Tampa. And don't get me going on the special teams, which Marinelli, for some ungodly reason, thinks was "solid." There's absolutely nothing solid, let alone special, about them.





"(Mike) Furrey and (Shaun) McDonald. Just seeing if he felt comfortable going out and judging the ball and catching it and fair-catching it."





This is just plain asinine. Marinelli is more concerned about the return men (Both of whom have RARELY done any returning in their NFL careers) catching the fucking ball, than making a play. The demise of Detroit's special teams during the Marinelli era has been shameful. Just plain shameful. Special teams was the one part of the game the Lions played quite well over the years. Not anymore. They were once a weapon, now they are a liability. A HUGE liability.








"You have to just keep playing one snap at a time, and we didn't do that."





No shit.








"Sometimes our (run) fits were off a little bit, I thought the tackling, I thought the angles sometimes and judgment of the angles of the back, and they (Atlanta) played well."





Nothing but typical, meaningless coach-speak bullshit. And what's with the fucking angles? Enough already!





"And there were guys at times that had chances to make plays and didn't make them. But the defense is built one: on discipline and two: when your opportunity arises to make that play, you have to make it, and we didn't do that."





Let's break this down (I don't need no stinking tape!). The defense is built on "making plays." They were unable to do so, even though there were "opportunities." The defense is also built on discipline, which the team lacks in spades when you have players saying "We didn't show up."





When you break it down, it sounds to me like the Tampa Too is in utter shambles.





"It means at times there was a lack of discipline. Initially what I said was the tackling was off a little bit. The angles because I thought the speed of the backside, we have to adjust. Lost our gaps sometimes, pursuit could be better, and I thought we got a little tentative, and some of the alignments were off."





Now there is a lack of discipline? I thought the team was built on the discipline Marinelli continually talks and talks and talks and talks about?





Angles. Adjust. Gaps. Alignments. Christ, Marinelli sounds like an auto mechanic, not a football coach.





Rupert at The Ghosts of Wayne Fontes nailed it when it comes to the bullshit Marinelli spews every Monday.





"That sounds like a cliche high school coach. Hit. Wrap. Lift. Drive. Simple as that. Let's go boys."





Ex-fucking-actly!





"Seeing personnel, making sure the right people are in the game, and it got us second or third play of the game."





Why in the Hell is making sure the right personnel are in the game still an issue? Jon Kitna was so pissed off about not getting plays called in time, and not having the right players on the field, he threw a hissy fit on the sidelines. It's obvious Marinelli does not have control of his team.








"I think that it is the players who are in there right now, and they see it, 'Here's how we clean this up, this is correctable, this is correctable.' So we have to correct it to eliminate it."





Again, shouldn't the corrections have been made in camp? When you are more concerned about fixing mistakes in the limited amount of practice time you have in during the season, instead of preparing for the next team, it's no wonder the team looks so woefully unprepared.





"Let's not put a new backpack on our back and start carrying extra weight and extra luggage around by perception."





Sorry Rod, but the Lions have 50 years worth of luggage, and to be blunt, you're adding to it. And it's not a backpack's worth. More like a steamer trunk. Several steamer trunks...








"So let's eliminate that so we can now focus on what we have to do, not what we didn't do. We know what we didn't do; now I've got to turn it for them and say, 'This is what we're going to do.' And it's no more than that, but it's hard to do."





Uh...What? Did that last paragraph make any sense at all?





"We're going to do what we need to do, but not do what we've been doing, as it's hard to do what you need to do, but we're going to do it." Or something like that. It's all Greek, or coach-speak, to me.





Sure Rod, sure. The man is the master of saying something, while actually saying nothing at all. It's "The Fog of Marinelli."





I have to think it's going to get worse before it gets better...if getting better is even possible...for Marinelli. The rumbles about his job security have already begun. Not a moment too soon, as losing to the awful Falcons should be considered a fireable offense.