14
Mar
2012
Calvin Johnson: No one man should have all that power … or money (VIDEO)
(Photo: NFLGridironGab.com)
The Detroit Lions just made Calvin Johnson the richest wide receiver in the NFL, signing him to an new eight-year contract worth up to $132 million, including $60 million guaranteed. It’s one of the biggest deals in league history, surpassing the contract Arizona gave Larry Fitzgerald last year (8-year, $120 million), and ensures fans in Detroit will have the Johnson-Stafford connection to look forward to for the foreseeable future.
In case you were wondering why the Lions were willing to break the bank for Johnson (and were curious why we chose the headline we did for this post), this Megatron highlight video should give you an idea:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
2
Jan
2012
Brad Jones body slams idiot fan running on field (VIDEO)
(Photo: FoxSports.com)
It seems we had another James Harrison moment at Lambeau Field during the Packers-Lions game on Sunday.
A 15-year-old fan ran onto the field and managed to run free for 90+ yards before turning toward the Green Bay defense, where linebacker Brad Jones finally stepped in and did security’s job for them.
Watch the fan video below, via Shutdown Corner:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
8
Dec
2011
Dominic Raiola thinks it’s time for the Lions to “grow the f@#K up” (AUDIO)
(AP Photo via MLive.com)
This season, the Detroit Lions have been working hard to change their image from perennial NFC North doormat to the new bad boys of the league. And along the way, part of this new image has included getting busted for dirty play and – as exemplified by Ndamukong Suh – committing all sorts of foolish personal fouls that ultimately hurt the team.
Well, following their week 13 loss at the hands of the Saints, in which Detroit committed 11 penalties for 107 yards, including several critical unsportsmanlike conduct calls, Lions’ veteran center Dominic Raiola had finally seen enough. Check out this profanity-laced, post-game diatribe from the Lions’ captain, in which he delivers a fairly singular message to his fellow teammates: “Grow the f@#k up!”.
Audio below (Curses are bleeped out, so its relatively SFW):
1
Dec
2011
Pure Michigan Ad Parody: Lions Fans Redux (VIDEO)
Last year, we posted this spoof of those “Pure Michigan” TV ads that have been running around the country, which examined the sheer insanity of being a Lions fan.Well, they’re back with the 2011 edition of “Pure Michigan: Detroit Lions”, which focuses on the newfound bad-boy image of this year’s club.
With Jim Schwartz (“a madman who can barely stay on the sidelines”) and Ndamukong Suh (“wanted for murder in 11 states”) leading the charge, the Lions and their fans have discovered a brand new swagger … one that just may transcend winning and losing:
To be honest, I’m not sure that highlighting murders in Detroit is going to have the desired effect of boosting tourism in the state … ya know, since they’ve had a bit of a problem with that, and all.
25
Nov
2011
The Red Devil Eyes of Kyle Vanden Bosch (PHOTO)
(Photo: SportsGrid.com)
During the national anthem prior to yesterday’s Lions-Packers game, the camera landed on Lions DL Kyle Vanden Bosch, and an entire nation shivered in terror at the sight of his blood red eyes.
Apparently, Vanden Bosch has been sporting these red contact lenses for a little while now in an effort to psych out his opponents … but the colored Nike MAXSIGHT contact lenses are also said to help reduce glare and contrast. Vanden Boasch’s use of the lenses dates back as far as 2006, when he first donned the amber-tinted versions, and he has recently said that they “help to block the sunlight” better than the more traditional visors. They usually come in either amber or green-tinted colors, so it seems that Nike created these blood red versions specially for Vanden Bosch.
We can’t really speak to whether the lenses work or not, but there’s no doubt that with his demon-like gaze and six sacks so far this season, the veteran lineman is helping to increase Detroit’s bad boy image on the defensive side of the ball … and giving nightmares to opposing offensive linemen on a weekly basis.
(Photo: TheBostonJam.com)
24
Nov
2011
Ndamukong Suh kicks Packers lineman when he’s down, not helping his rep as a dirty player (VIDEO)
(Image via ShutdownCorner)
The NFL’s newest bad boy, DT Ndamukong Suh, was clearly missing out on the Thanksgiving spirit today, getting ejected during the 3rd quarter of the Lions’ ugly 27-15 loss to the Packers for kicking OL Evan Dietrich-Smith while he was down after a play. Not exactly a good look for the Lions, who were hoping to reverse their bad fortunes in turkey day games, but ended up losing their 8th straight nationally televised holiday affair in brutal fashion.
Green Bay was leading 7-0 at the half, and had failed on a 3rd and goal attempt when frustration overcame Suh and he took it out on Dietrich-Smith in plain view of the refs. The Packers lineman had driven Suh to the ground on the play, and Suh responded by driving his helmet into the turf before standing up, and stomping on his right arm as he walked away:
VIDEO AND MORE AFTER THE JUMP
24
Nov
2011
Happy Thanksgiving From ReadAndReact!
The Lions look to feast on the undefeated Packers today in Detroit (Photo: SFGate.com)
Thanksgiving annually means 3 things: 1) awkward family gatherings 2) overeating/drinking and 3) football. Guess what we’ll be doing today?
We’ve got three games on tap for the holiday ahead – and 2 of them are actually exciting!! The surprise Lions will be looking to take down their rival Packers, who have been perfect so far, as the early highlight (even though Nickelback will still be playing at halftime), followed by Dallas-Miami coming just in time for your post-meal nap, and the 49ers-Ravens capping things off in a nighttime showdown of Harbaugh brothers.
All of us here at ReadAndReact are extremely grateful for all of our readers, and hope you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones … enjoy the games!
21
Nov
2011
Tony Scheffler didn’t get the update that the Flash Mob had been pushed back (VIDEO)
(Image via Sportsgrid.com)
During the 3rd quarter of their impressive comeback win against the Panthers, after scoring the game-tying touchdown, Lions TE Tony Scheffler turned in the most intricate endzone celebration of the weekend – if not the season – with this tribute to ubiquitous the AT&T Flash Mob commercial.
Apparently, thanks to his shoddy cell phone service, Tony didn’t get the text that the flash mob had been moved to next weekend … oops:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
5
Nov
2011
Forbes ranks the best and worst NFL owners
Johnathan Tisch, Steve Tisch and John Mara (L-R) (Photo: NYPost.com)
This week, the folks over at Forbes magazine put together their list of the best and worst owners in professional football. The rankings are based on each franchise’s change in total value and win percentage over the last five years, with each accounting for half of the overall ranking, plus a bump for post-season success. And while the results probably won’t shock anyone, it’s nonetheless interesting to keep track of which owners consistently keep their clubs at the top of the game.
The top spot goes to New York Giants co-owners, the Mara and Tisch families, who have seen a 33% growth in the team’s value since 2006 (the highest in the league). Close behind in second place is Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, who have increased their value 17% by posting the highest winning percentage of any team in the last five years. Rounding out the top five are Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts, the public stockholders of the Green Bay Packers and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
(Photo: DetroitLionsBlog.com)
At the bottom of the barrel we find William Clay Ford Sr. and the Detroit Lions. Although the team is enjoying a resurgence this season, Ford’s team has epitomized futility in professional football for the past ten years. Reaching brand new lows in 2008 with their 0-16 2008, Detroit was the only team to actually lose money last year. While the average NFL team has seen growth of 8% over the last five years, the Lions have seen their overall team value drop by 3% in that same time period.
The late Al Davis claims the second-worst spot for his mis-management of the Oakland Raiders, with Ralph Wilson Jr (Bills), Mike Brown (Bengals), Randy Lerner (Browns), joining him in the bottom five.
VIEW THE 10 BEST AND WORST OWNERS AFTER THE JUMP
3
Nov
2011
Lions fans think Nickelback sucks for Thanksgiving Day game
(Photo: cheezburger.com)
With the early success of the 6-2 Detroit Lions this season, their traditional Thanksgiving Day game (this year coming against their NFC North foe Green Bay Packers) should actually be worth watching for the first time in ages. As such, this year’s Turducken Bowl has taken on added meaning for the franchise and city of Detroit.
Detroit prides itself on being a city known for it’s rich musical history. From Motown to the MC5, Bob Seger to Kid Rock, and Madonna to the White Stripes, the Motor City has spawned some of the most important acts in modern music, earning yet another well-deserved nickname, “Rock City”. So it should come as no surprise that its citizens were none too pleased when they learned which musical performers the Lions had booked to perform at halftime of this year’s Thanksgiving Day game. Of all of the thousands of talented bands out there, including those who hail from Michigan, someone in the Lions’ front office thought it would be a good idea to book Canadian rock band Nickelback to perform.
Needless to say, this isn’t sitting well with many Lions fans, who have taken to the internet and started this petition to replace Nickelback as the halftime entertainment:
This game is nationally televised, do we really want the rest of the US to associate Detroit with Nickelback? Detroit is home to so many great musicians and they chose Nickelback?!?!?! Does anyone even like Nickelback? Is this some sort of ploy to get people to leave their seats during halftime to spend money on alcoholic beverages and concessions? This is completely unfair to those of us who purchased tickets to the game. At least the people watching at home can mute their TVs. The Lions ought to think about their fans before choosing such an awful band to play at halftime.
This is just classic. Nickelback is terrible, and the people of the mitten simply aren’t going to stand idly by while their ears are raped by this particularly crappy brand of corporate rock. We support this petition wholeheartedly.
