9909200145
DETROIT FREE PRESS
990920
Monday, September 20, 1999
METRO FINAL
1D
MITCH ALBOM
Copyright (c) 1999, Detroit Free Press
SAME OLD STORY? WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE ENDING
LIKE I'VE BEEN saying for years, once the Lions dump that Sanders guy, they
can win a few football games.
Well. You got a better explanation? This is no longer the team you knew and
loathed, Lions fans. That was clear at the start of the fourth quarter Sunday,
in Game 2 of The Year of Living Barrylessly. The Lions (now known as "The
Silver and Who?") lined up for a punt near their end zone. Everything went
fine until the snapper actually snapped the ball, which subsequently flew over
John Jett's head and landed somewhere in downtown Pontiac.
How embarrassing. A safety. Two points for the other guys. And worse,
snickers, laughs and the sarcastic summation: "Typical Lions."
I mean, here they had played a pretty inspired game, and were clinging to a
lead over the mighty Green Bay Packers. And now, with one dumb Flying Wallenda
punt snap, they were about to give it all away. The Packers, no dummies, took
their free two points, marched downfield and scored a touchdown to take the
lead, 15-14.
In years past, that would have been the story. Lions lead game. Lions blow
lead. Lions lose game.
But things are different now. It's as if our football team is celebrating New
Year's in September.
Maybe the Lions are Jewish.
"In years past we would have hung our heads over that bad snap," linebacker
Stephen Boyd said when it was all over. "But this year, we pull together. The
way we overcome adversity has been great."
Great? It's been their identity. Fans might not know who's wearing the Detroit
uniforms anymore, but the Lions have won two games they were not favored to
win and are all alone atop the NFC Central.
What was that running back's name again?
Mistakes were made to be overcome
Sunday's win, at a sold-out Silverdome, was full of glory and gulps. It
featured two great Charlie Batch touchdown passes to counter two awful Charlie
Batch interceptions. It featured a terrific fourth-down defensive stand to
counter a pathetic third-down defensive collapse. It featured a wonderful kick
return to counter the snap that is still rolling down Pike Street.
"What are you proudest of," someone asked Batch, after the Lions came back to
beat the Packers, 23-15, "the things you did right today, or overcoming the
things you did wrong?"
"Overcoming the wrong," he said. "I'm teaching myself if I make a mistake,
just let it go."
It must be a group class. Also attending: cornerback Terry Fair. He could have
focused on how Green Bay's Antonio Freeman beat him for a 50-yard catch.
Instead he put it behind him, and ran a kick back 91 yards to set up the
winning touchdown.
Another student: defensive back Robert Bailey. He could have focused on two
lousy plays in the third quarter. First he got beat for a 46-yard catch. On
the next snap, he was called for interference.
Hang his head? No way. Bailey compensated by intercepting Brett Favre and
breaking up several of his most critical passes, including the Packers' last
gasp. Fourth-and-2 at the Lions' 27. Favre scrambled, fired, but Bailey leapt
in front of Freeman, swatted the ball down. That was the game.
"Do you plan to celebrate?" someone asked Bailey afterward.
"I'll celebrate at the end of the season," he said. Then he added, "If we have
a winning season."
I told you these are not your father's Lions.
Come to think of it, these are not Barry Sanders' father's Lions either.
These Lions can take a little constructive criticism
Those Lions teams were characterized by an ugly inevitability that clung like
a wet sheet. No matter what, they seemed destined to blow it. Last season, for
example, despite excellent predictions, the Lions lost four of their first
five games and were neck-high in floodwater the rest of the way.
"That's why the first few games are so important for setting a tone," said
safety Mark Carrier. "If you get on a roll, you start believing you can do
it."
Now, let's not kid ourselves. The Lions are still missing their two biggest
offensive stars of last year -- Sanders and Herman Moore. Their three-headed
rushing attack -- Ron Rivers, Cory Schlesinger and Greg Hill -- gained an
anemic 82 yards Sunday. The offensive line allowed too many sacks. The defense
still surrendered too many third downs.
We won't talk about the punt snap.
But for every bugaboo Sunday, there was a bonus. For once, the Lions viewed
their mistakes as detour, not destiny.
If you ask me, this comes largely from Batch, who seems about as easy to
rattle as Jack Palance in "City Slickers." Batch comes back from interceptions
to throw bombs. I like that. The attitude rubs off. Meanwhile, the Lions'
defense is underrated and improving. And no doubt, the us-against-the-world
mentality is a great motivator.
"How many fans do you hope you convert with this win?" someone asked Rivers.
"None," he said, grinning. "I hope people keep telling us we're no good."
Funny. When we used to say that, they hated it. But then, that was in the
previous era, when old what's-his-name was running the ball.
MITCH ALBOM can be reached at 313-223-4581 or albom@freepress.com
Listen to Mitch's radio show, "Albom in the Afternoon," 3-6 p.m. weekdays on
WJR-AM (760).
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