Rashean Mathis is wearing jersey # 31 with the Lions.   

 

The # 27 was given to S Glover Quin back in March when he signed with the Lions as an UFA from the Texans.

 

And we all know what happened when they played against each other . . .

 

It probably will be hard to look at #27 and not think he is Rashean Mathis.

---

And we all know what happened when they played against each other . . .

 

It probably will be hard to look at #27 and not think he is Rashean Mathis.

 

The latter would be understandable if you haven't seen Rashean Mathis much in a # 31 Lions uniform.  Regardless of what Mathis accomplishes with the Lions,  he should be and will be remembered mainly his 10 season career with the Jaguars.   Like I mentioned in another thread in the last few weeks,   IMO,  Rashean Mathis is one of the 5 best Defensive players in Jaguars history.  Having said this,  I put Rashean Mathis up their with RB James Stewart as the most effective performers and contributors for the Lions that started their careers with the Jaguars.  Considering the Lions have had many former Jaguars on the roster,  especially in recent seasons,  it speaks volumes to the value of Mathis to the Lions.   Even with him coming off a difficult first half against the Bucs. 

 

 As for Glover Quin,  he's been dealing with an ankle injury but overall has been an asset to the Lions this season.   Quin has great intangibles and even with the injury hasn't missed a game. One of the significant reasons why the Texans are 2-9 is the loss of Quin in Free Agency.  They didn't effectively replace him in the short term,  as evidenced by the release of Ed Reed.

---

It will be fun to watch all those former Jaguars. How many do they have now? I know they have Montell Owens and someone else. They used to have Fernando Bryant, MSW, and D'Anthony Smith too.

 

Unfortunately, I can't root for any of them because I want the Packers to win.

---

It will be fun to watch all those former Jaguars. How many do they have now? I know they have Montell Owens and someone else. They used to have Fernando Bryant, MSW, and D'Anthony Smith too.

 

Unfortunately, I can't root for any of them because I want the Packers to win.

 

MSW was never with the Lions.  He went to the St. Louis Rams for a brief period of time and eventually ended up in the CFL.

 

D' Anthony Smith's stay with the Lions was extremely short.   He lost his roster spot when the need for a WR ( Kevin Ogletree ) was greater than the need for a 5th DT.   It will be interesting to see if the Lions sign Smith to a 2014 contract once the season is over,  giving him the opportunity to compete in Training Camp and the Pre-season.   The Lions coaching staff coached him at the 2010 Senior Bowl.

 

Montell Owens went on I.R. last week,  after he re-injured his knee in his first game ( at Chicago ) , after being on the Short Term I.R. list.   Owens is under contract for 2014 and should make a complete recovery.

 

Don Carey ( # 32 ) is the Lions # 3 Safety,  a Backup Nickel Back,  and a key member of the Special Teams Coverage Units.

 

C.J. Mosley ( # 99 ) is the Lions # 3 DT and usually gets in around 20 to 25 plays a game in the DT Rotation.

 

Austin Lane was released several hours ago after G-C Rodney Austin was promoted from the Practice Squad.  Reportedly,  Tennessee wanted to sign Rodney Austin to their 53 man roster,  hence the Lions made the proactive decision to promote him.   Austin Lane filled in as a 4th DE for 2 games when Ziggy Ansah was out with an ankle injury.  Ansah returned in the game vs. the Bucs last Sunday and had 2 sacks.  Lane was on the Game Day Inactive List.   If the Lions have a need for a DE later this season because of an injury,  Lane or someone with similar ability should be available.   Rodney Austin's upside potential is much higher at his respective positions.

---

OK maybe I meant Mike Thomas. Was he ever a Lion?

 

That sucks about former Jaguars being put on IR. Hopefully they will be OK next year.

 

So the only former Jaguars to watch are 31, 32, and 99? Pathetic.

---

OK maybe I meant Mike Thomas. Was he ever a Lion?

 

That sucks about former Jaguars being put on IR. Hopefully they will be OK next year.

 

So the only former Jaguars to watch are 31, 32, and 99? Pathetic.

 

Mike Thomas was traded in October, 2012 to the Lions for a 5th Round pick in 2014.  It turned out to be arguably Gene Smith's best trade and Martin Mayhew's worst trade.   Thomas was a flop with the Lions,  both last season and this summer.   Thomas was cut before the Lions even went down to 75 players,  despite the trade compensation that was given up for him.   Thomas was with the Cardinals after that but didn't last long.   I noticed at least one team brought him in for a workout/ tryout in recent weeks.

 

There were two other former Jaguars on the Lions roster last season that I can think of at this time:  LB Justin Durant and Special Teams Ace Kassim Osgood. Durant signed with the Cowboys as an UFA.   Osgood signed with the 49ers as an UFA.  The Lions didn't seem to make a serious attempt to re-sign either player.

 

Only 3 former Jaguars?   How many other NFL teams have 3 former Jaguars that are on their Game Day Roster each week when relatively healthy?    My guess is VERY few.

---

I said "only" three former Jaguars because the Lions seemed to be loaded with them.

 

Anyway, it will be hard to not root for guys who started their NFL careers in Jacksonville.

---

I said "only" three former Jaguars because the Lions seemed to be loaded with them.

 

Anyway, it will be hard to not root for guys who started their NFL careers in Jacksonville.

 

Two weeks ago,  there were 5 former Jaguars on the Lions 53 man roster.   That's probably why you felt there were more than 3.  The Montell Owens injury and the Austen Lane release reduced the number to 3.  Still though,  3 is a high number.

 

While I respect what you are saying about rooting for players who started their NFL careers in Jacksonville,  technically Don Carey and C.J. Mosley started their careers with other teams before coming to Jacksonville.   In the case of Carey,  he never played a game for the Browns but was drafted by them in the 6th Round in 2009.   Mosley played for the Vikings, Jets, and Browns before coming to the Jaguars.

---

So Mosley already knew some things about the Lions before they signed him because of his time with the Vikings.

 

Anyway, who do you think will win, Green Bay or Detroit?

---

So Mosley already knew some things about the Lions before they signed him because of his time with the Vikings.

 

Anyway, who do you think will win, Green Bay or Detroit?

 

Being that C.J. Mosley's only season with the Vikings was 2005,  what he knew about the Lions from that era wasn't significant in terms of the decision of the Lions and Mosley reaching a contract agreement.  The Lions were a good match for Mosley because Sammie Lee Hill signed with Tennessee as an UFA.   The Lions needed a # 3 DT,  behind Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.

 

I predicted the Lions to win the game 31-24.    With the hope and realistic expectations the Lions can protect the football much better than in the last 5 games combined.   In that time span,  in which the Lions are 2-3,   the Lions have only 1 takeaway but have 13 turnovers.  If that trend continues,  the season is all but over.  Being that the Packers are near the bottom of the NFL in takeaways and the Lions making avoiding turnovers a point of emphasis,   I think the Lions will improve in this area.   When the Lions don't turn the ball over,  more often than not,  the Offense is moving the football.    The Lions have plenty of weapons at the skill positions.   While I respect what the Packers bring to the table,  if the takeaway/ turnovers are even or in the Lions favor,  I don't think the Packers minus Aaron Rodgers will be able to match the Lions on the scoreboard.    Having said all of this,  practically nothing would surprise me in this game.  

---

Winning the turnover battle is often a key to winning games. Very rarely does the team with more turnovers win the game, even if the quarterback is Peyton Manning (as we saw Sunday night). But no way does Green Bay lose if overtime was still sudden death and I could start a long thread about that rule change. Why? Because the Vikings suck. They did not deserve what they got in Green Bay - half a win - even with Scott Tolzein starting at quarterback for the Packers.

 

One thing I am thankful for today is Matt Flynn returning to Green Bay. If Tolzein had to start again, I would fear losing in Detroit because the Lions are having a better season.

---

GO PACKERS!


 

I am wearing my green #50 (A.J. Hawk) jersey at least until the game is over. It should be a great game.

---

Lions, Cowboys, and Steelers

---

GO PACKERS!



I am wearing my green #50 (A.J. Hawk) jersey at least until the game is over. It should be a great game.

So you're a Packers, Jags, and Broncos fan?

---

What the heck?  Matt Flynn is looking like Blaine Gabbert out there.

---

What the heck? Matt Flynn is looking like Blaine Gabbert out there.

Matt Flynn ain't good...

---

Matt Flynn ain't good...

 

That O-line ain't either.

---

So you're a Packers, Jags, and Broncos fan?

 

I thought you knew that. Because they play in different divisions, that is OK.

 

What the heck?  Matt Flynn is looking like Blaine Gabbert out there.

 

Part of it is play-calling. I could not believe how many passing plays were called - especially the shotgun formation in the end zone.

 

Another part of it was how Mike McCarthy handled the center's injury. T.J. Lang should have stayed at right guard.

 

Detroit has a talented defenseive line that overwhelmed Green Bay's offensive line. That said, I agree Matt Flynn held the ball too long.

---

I am officially addicted to this board. I can't watch a Lions game without thinking about my friend D6.

 

Good thing the Steelers are much closer to the Ravens than we thought in September. Hopefully that game will have a much better halftime show.

---

That game was even worse than I expected.

 

Moving on to the Raiders and Cowboys . . .

---