8502160802
DETROIT FREE PRESS
851118
Monday, November 18, 1985
METRO FINAL
1F
MITCH ALBOM
Copyright (c) 1985, Detroit Free Press
LIONS HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO ACCEPT VIKINGS' GIFTS
Gather round, Lions. Everybody grab a Coke. We're gonna give out a sack of
game balls for Sunday's efforts against Minnesota.
Get comfortable. It's a big sack.
But then, this was a big game, at least if massacre is your thing. Detroit
was to Minnesota on Sunday what a Cusinart is to a potato masher. They pureed
the visitors, 41-21, proving once again, that Dorothy knew what she was
talking about. There's no place like home.
But then, the Vikings helped out quite a bit more than they did two weeks
ago in Minnesota (when they beat Detroit, 16-13). This time, their secret game
plan must have arrived by last minute telegram: GIVE DETROIT THE BALL. STOP.
AT ALL COSTS. STOP. DON'T ASK QUESTIONS, JUST DO IT. STOP.
They obeyed. In the first quarter alone, Minnesota fumbled to Detroit
twice, threw an interception, and punted. The only delivery method they didn't
try was Federal Express.
Thanks to their generosity, this may have been the first 4 p.m. game ever
played in which you could make it home for a 5:30 supper and be certain you
weren't missing anything important.
But enough blabbing. After all, the Lions won this thing. They are still in
the playoff hunt at 6-5. Soooo, let's give out the first ball. You know who.
. . .
Give credit where it's due
That's right. Darryl Rogers. And they said this guy would be bald by the
fifth week on the job.
Come on up here, big fella. Let's see. Landry, Shula, Walsh, and now Bud
Grant. Only four of the winningest coaches in NFL history. You've beaten each
of them this season. Not bad for a guy who never before coached a team
without the word State in its name.
Take a ball, Darryl. Give us a few words. Was this the most fun you've had
in your freshman NFL year?
"Most fun? No. I don't think so. All the wins are fun. This was a vital
game. Not anymore. Now it's just over. We go on to the next vital game."
Right. A coach's work is never done.
Next up -- oh, this is sweet -- Mr. James Jones. Week after week, he
tucks his head down and barrels ahead, and I've yet to see the guy go down
with the first hit. The past few games, he has been the lone beacon in the
Lions' darkening offense. Take a bow, James. This time, you got a win to go
with your bumps and bruises and 80 yards.
"Yeah, my back's hurting even now. But this is really encouraging. This
time we didn't just move 25-30 yards and punt. We scored. Our offensive line
was doing it."
Oh yes. The offensive line. Come on up. All of you. Greco, Dorney,
Strenger. Take a few game balls. Uh, limit three to a player. OK, guys? Guys?
And, uh, of course, Mr. Quarterback, the now-beardless Eric Hipple. Nice
throwing. Three touchdown tosses in one half, a gorgeous timing pass to Mark
Nichols down the left sideline for 38 yards.
"Well, we played it like a playoff game. They're all like playoff games
now. . . . Two weeks ago, Minnesota caught us off guard. This week, we caught
them off guard, kept their defense on its heels the whole time."
Defense. Almost forgot. Two weeks ago, the Lions played the Vikings'
running attack like a mound of shaving cream, and with about as much
effectiveness. But Sunday? Only 63 yards surrendered -- their best defensive
effort yet.
There's balls here for all you guys. Eric Williams -- subbing for the
injured Doug English -- Demetrious Johnson, William Graham (two
interceptions, forced a fumble). And then there was Eddie Murray, two long
kicks, and there's, uh, sure, Eddie, just take it, and Mark Nichols' catches
that, uh, OK, Mark, and the punting. . . . I, uh, no, I didn't forget Alvin
Moore, but, wha . . . Forget it. Everybody take one.
Lions really cook at home
The rest of the balls in this bag go to the Silverdome. What is it about
that place that turns the Lions into, well, Lions? They are undefeated there
this season, 5-0. Could it be the fans? The field? The cooking?
"Whatever it is," said Jones, "we gotta get over it fast. Next week we're
on the road."
What the Lions need to do is figure out a way to take the Silverdome on the
road with them. You know. You bring the pads, we'll bring the stadium. Or
maybe just a few familiar seats.
But OK. For now, the end of Week 11 in the NFL, the Lions are playing
above .500, and they showed Sunday that they can learn from their mistakes
and beat a team that has beaten them. Good. Because Chicago and Green Bay
have invitations here next month.
Still, you can't complain. Last year at this time, the Lions were
somewhere between helpless and hopeless. But after Sunday's game, a fan was
heard to holler on his way out, "Six and five and still alive!"
Nice. Let's hope it's still rhymes next week.
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