Lions Raiola Unapologetic to Rude Fans
December 9, 2008
By Slavica Milosevska-Senior Investigative Reporter-Football Reporters Online
The Detroit Lions have been the butt of most jokes these days. Fans may have gone too far in expressing their annoyance with the team by making personal insults. When is enough, enough? Dominic Raiola drew that line when he responded to fans' verbal abuse by making lewd hand gestures in Sunday's game where the Lions, now 0-13, lost to the Minnesota Vikings 20-16. "I'm just so frustrated. I'm tired of being a doormat. For people to just talk to us how they want to talk to us, I'm just not gonna put up with that anymore," asserted Raiola.
When asked if apologetic about the foul gesture on Monday, there was no regret. "I wish everybody out there came into the film room and watched the film, watched the effort put out there. And, yeah, everybody makes mistakes, everybody messes up - and I'm talking for everybody right now - and, yeah, they're paying customers. But we're trying to put some wins on the board and give them something to cheer about. And I don't know what to say, other than what I said yesterday." Raiola also stated, “I don't take one thing back."
The Lions may be the first team of all time to lose all 16 games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently the only team to have lost every game in a season; however, this was in 1976 when there were only 14 games. On Sunday, the Lions were in the same position as in 2001, 0-12 facing the Vikings at home, but that year they had their first victory of the season in game 13.
Raiola believes he is targeted by fans because since he has been on the team as of 2001, the Lions stats have worsened. “I’m just tired of hearing it coming at just me,” expressed Raiola. “It’s coming at me because I’ve been here for years. I’ve been through the losing. Me, Jeff and whoever else are the head of the losing.”
Raiola may be fined for his actions. According to NFL spokesman Randall Liu, the league will look into the situation. Other NFL players have been fined for similar behavior.
This year Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior was fined $7,500 for making an obscene gesture to Cleveland Brown fans when they celebrated a teammate's injury. St. Louis Rams lineman Richie Incognito made an offensive gesture to a television cameraman during practice also in 2008. San Fransisco kicker Joe Nedney was also fined $7,500 for making obscene gestures in 2007. Micheal Vick was fined for flicking off fans in 2006, and in his last season, he was fined $10,000 by the NFL then donated $10,000 for lewd gestures to the fans.
Showing posts with label Detroit Lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Detroit Lions. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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Dante Culpepper to the Lions Rescue
Culpepper to the Lions' Rescue
November 3, 2008
By Slavica Milosevska for Football Reporters Online
31-year old free-agent Dante Culpepper has agreed to sign a two year contract with the Detroit Lions after taking a physical because he felt the team was most suitable for him. Culpepper was contemplating retirement in September when he had a hard time getting signed in the NFL. It had been rumored since July of 2008 that the Lions were interested in bringing the three-time Pro Bowler aboard.
Culpepper was the Minnesota Vikings' fourth Round draft pick back in 1999 and became the starting QB in 2000. In exchange for a second round draft pick, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2006, then in 2007, he played for the Oakland Raiders under a one-year contract.
Despite the Lions' track record and losing streak (0-8), Culpepper has optimism about the team's potential and hopes to bring them their first victory this season. Since Jon Kitna was placed on injured reserve, Dan Orlovsky has been the starting quarterback.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be visiting Detroit for their November 9th game.
November 3, 2008
By Slavica Milosevska for Football Reporters Online
31-year old free-agent Dante Culpepper has agreed to sign a two year contract with the Detroit Lions after taking a physical because he felt the team was most suitable for him. Culpepper was contemplating retirement in September when he had a hard time getting signed in the NFL. It had been rumored since July of 2008 that the Lions were interested in bringing the three-time Pro Bowler aboard.
Culpepper was the Minnesota Vikings' fourth Round draft pick back in 1999 and became the starting QB in 2000. In exchange for a second round draft pick, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2006, then in 2007, he played for the Oakland Raiders under a one-year contract.
Despite the Lions' track record and losing streak (0-8), Culpepper has optimism about the team's potential and hopes to bring them their first victory this season. Since Jon Kitna was placed on injured reserve, Dan Orlovsky has been the starting quarterback.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be visiting Detroit for their November 9th game.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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Caleb Campbell selected By the Detroit Lions In NFL Draft
US Army Cadet Caleb Cambpbell has been selected by the Detroit Lions in the 7th Round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Amid Cheers by the fans of his Name and "USA USA" as he was interviewed he explained to us the new policy of the service academies allowing their "Cadet Athletes" to compete in professional sports.
Wait for Zennie's Video.....
Amid Cheers by the fans of his Name and "USA USA" as he was interviewed he explained to us the new policy of the service academies allowing their "Cadet Athletes" to compete in professional sports.
Wait for Zennie's Video.....
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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Lions Jon Kitna Gets 1st Look at Calvin Johnson
Lions QB Gets 1st Look at Calvin Johnson
By Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Jon Kitna got his first look at Calvin Johnson on Tuesday.
He was very happy with what he saw.
The Detroit Lions quarterback got to work with the draft's No. 2 pick at the first practice of a three-day minicamp.
"He's certainly going to be used to the best of his ability this year," Kitna said. "He's going to give us a lot of options."
Kitna acknowledged he couldn't get too excited after one non-contact workout, but he was impressed.
"He didn't break the huddle with the baffled look that most first-year guys have when they are trying to learn ... (offensive coordinator Mike) Martz's offense," he said. "Heck, there are guys who have been working on it for a year that still don't always know what to do, but Calvin knew where he was supposed to be. He's obviously been doing his homework."
Johnson joins a revamped receiving corps built around Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, who combined for 180 catches, 2,396 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
"Those are two men that proved what they can do last year," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "We don't need to ask what they are capable of doing, because they've done it. It is on film."
Detroit also added veterans Shaun McDonald, who played for Martz in St. Louis, and Marcus Robinson, who has 43 touchdowns in a 10-year career. They also picked up a pair of experienced running backs in Tatum Bell and former Michigan State star T.J. Duckett.
"This is exactly what you like to see as a quarterback," Kitna said. "I don't feel like I have to do everything by myself. I just have to get the ball into their hands."
The Lions also added players to the offensive line that was devastated by injuries last year. Detroit signed free agent guard Edwin Mulitalo, traded Dre' Bly to Denver for tackle George Foster and drafted Manny Ramirez out of Texas Tech.
"We've got a good blend of veterans who have shown what they can do in this league and young players on their way up," Marinelli said. "I think it is beginning to mold itself into a very good group."
On defense, the issue isn't new players as much as the health of the veterans. Last season, defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Shaun Cody both missed large chunks of the season, as did several starting linebackers. All of those players are in camp this week, facing Martz's complicated offense.
"Martz is the greatest thing in the world for our defense, but he throws everything under the sun at them," Marinelli said. "We've tried to add as much speed on defense as we have on offense, and that seems to be happening."
Several players, including running back Kevin Jones (foot), tight end Dan Campbell (elbow) and Mulitalo (elbow) are attending camp but not taking part in drills. Marinelli said that Jones, who suffered a potentially career-threatening injury late last season, appears to be recovering well. "We're being told that the process is going well, but we also understand that those are only words," he said. "We won't know much more until training camp."
Defensive tackle Cory Redding is the only player not in camp after being made the team's franchise player.
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Ok so i'm quite happy that Calvin got back up on the horse, so to speak. If he's still out of shape,.at least he studied the playbook. Plus having Furrey and Williams as teammates can only help. It can only get better in Detriot at this point.......
Bill(draftnik)
By Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Jon Kitna got his first look at Calvin Johnson on Tuesday.
He was very happy with what he saw.
The Detroit Lions quarterback got to work with the draft's No. 2 pick at the first practice of a three-day minicamp.
"He's certainly going to be used to the best of his ability this year," Kitna said. "He's going to give us a lot of options."
Kitna acknowledged he couldn't get too excited after one non-contact workout, but he was impressed.
"He didn't break the huddle with the baffled look that most first-year guys have when they are trying to learn ... (offensive coordinator Mike) Martz's offense," he said. "Heck, there are guys who have been working on it for a year that still don't always know what to do, but Calvin knew where he was supposed to be. He's obviously been doing his homework."
Johnson joins a revamped receiving corps built around Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, who combined for 180 catches, 2,396 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
"Those are two men that proved what they can do last year," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "We don't need to ask what they are capable of doing, because they've done it. It is on film."
Detroit also added veterans Shaun McDonald, who played for Martz in St. Louis, and Marcus Robinson, who has 43 touchdowns in a 10-year career. They also picked up a pair of experienced running backs in Tatum Bell and former Michigan State star T.J. Duckett.
"This is exactly what you like to see as a quarterback," Kitna said. "I don't feel like I have to do everything by myself. I just have to get the ball into their hands."
The Lions also added players to the offensive line that was devastated by injuries last year. Detroit signed free agent guard Edwin Mulitalo, traded Dre' Bly to Denver for tackle George Foster and drafted Manny Ramirez out of Texas Tech.
"We've got a good blend of veterans who have shown what they can do in this league and young players on their way up," Marinelli said. "I think it is beginning to mold itself into a very good group."
On defense, the issue isn't new players as much as the health of the veterans. Last season, defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Shaun Cody both missed large chunks of the season, as did several starting linebackers. All of those players are in camp this week, facing Martz's complicated offense.
"Martz is the greatest thing in the world for our defense, but he throws everything under the sun at them," Marinelli said. "We've tried to add as much speed on defense as we have on offense, and that seems to be happening."
Several players, including running back Kevin Jones (foot), tight end Dan Campbell (elbow) and Mulitalo (elbow) are attending camp but not taking part in drills. Marinelli said that Jones, who suffered a potentially career-threatening injury late last season, appears to be recovering well. "We're being told that the process is going well, but we also understand that those are only words," he said. "We won't know much more until training camp."
Defensive tackle Cory Redding is the only player not in camp after being made the team's franchise player.
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Ok so i'm quite happy that Calvin got back up on the horse, so to speak. If he's still out of shape,.at least he studied the playbook. Plus having Furrey and Williams as teammates can only help. It can only get better in Detriot at this point.......
Bill(draftnik)
