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Cheesehead
12/13/06 G.B. Press-Gazette:
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Insider: A closer look at Sunday's foe, the Lions
Quick facts
Game: Noon, Sunday; Lambeau Field.
Record: 2-11.
Coach: Rod Marinelli (first season).
Last week: The Lions' 30-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field was their fifth straight defeat.
Series: The Packers lead the regular-season series 81-64-7, dating to 1930. That includes games in which the Lions were known as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans from 1930 to 1933. The Packers also have won both playoff meetings.
Last meeting: In a meeting of 0-2 teams, the Packers rode a masterful performance by Brett Favre to a 31-24 victory at Ford Field on Sept. 24. Favre's passer rating of 127.1 remains his highest of the season.
Odds and ends
The Lions rank 19th in total offense (32nd in rushing and ninth in passing) and 24th in total defense (23rd in rushing and 21st in passing). … If the Lions fail to win any of their three remaining games, they will finish 2-14 for the third time. They did so in 1979 and 2001. They have the worst record in the NFL since 2001, at 23-70.
Key injuries
Running back Kevin Jones has what is believed to be a Lisfranc fracture and dislocation in his left foot and will miss the rest of the season. The top two backups, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun, also are on injured reserve. That leaves Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason, who have combined for 93 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown this season. The Lions signed running back Anthony Sherrell and guard Stephen Peterman from their practice squad on Tuesday. … Left guard Ross Verba (groin) is not expected to play. Right guard Blaine Saipaia (chest, shoulder) also may be out. … Standout defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been out with knee and shoulder injuries and won't play the rest of this season.
Player to watch: Mike Furrey
Number: 87.
Position: Receiver.
Height: 6-0.
Weight: 205.
Age: 29.
NFL experience: Fourth season.
College: Northern Iowa.
What to watch for: It's been a breakout year for a guy who signed a one-year, $500,000 contract as a free agent. Furrey played safety most of last season for the St. Louis Rams, whose secondary was depleted by injuries. When the Lions hired former Rams coach Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator, Martz convinced the Lions to look at Furrey as a receiver, where he played most of his career until last season. He leads the Lions with 74 receptions, which ranks fourth in the NFC and is tied for seventh in the NFL. He ranks ninth in the NFC with 857 receiving yards. Roy Williams leads the Lions with 1,116 receiving yards.
Last time against the Packers: Furrey had three catches for 38 yards in the Week 3 game.
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As I see it, if the Packers can't beat this bunch at Lambeau, they should quit. Harris and Woodson should shut down Williams and Furrey, they have no running game, and Shaun Rogers is out, their best defensive player.
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Insider: A closer look at Sunday's foe, the Lions
Quick facts
Game: Noon, Sunday; Lambeau Field.
Record: 2-11.
Coach: Rod Marinelli (first season).
Last week: The Lions' 30-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field was their fifth straight defeat.
Series: The Packers lead the regular-season series 81-64-7, dating to 1930. That includes games in which the Lions were known as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans from 1930 to 1933. The Packers also have won both playoff meetings.
Last meeting: In a meeting of 0-2 teams, the Packers rode a masterful performance by Brett Favre to a 31-24 victory at Ford Field on Sept. 24. Favre's passer rating of 127.1 remains his highest of the season.
Odds and ends
The Lions rank 19th in total offense (32nd in rushing and ninth in passing) and 24th in total defense (23rd in rushing and 21st in passing). … If the Lions fail to win any of their three remaining games, they will finish 2-14 for the third time. They did so in 1979 and 2001. They have the worst record in the NFL since 2001, at 23-70.
Key injuries
Running back Kevin Jones has what is believed to be a Lisfranc fracture and dislocation in his left foot and will miss the rest of the season. The top two backups, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun, also are on injured reserve. That leaves Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason, who have combined for 93 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown this season. The Lions signed running back Anthony Sherrell and guard Stephen Peterman from their practice squad on Tuesday. … Left guard Ross Verba (groin) is not expected to play. Right guard Blaine Saipaia (chest, shoulder) also may be out. … Standout defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been out with knee and shoulder injuries and won't play the rest of this season.
Player to watch: Mike Furrey
Number: 87.
Position: Receiver.
Height: 6-0.
Weight: 205.
Age: 29.
NFL experience: Fourth season.
College: Northern Iowa.
What to watch for: It's been a breakout year for a guy who signed a one-year, $500,000 contract as a free agent. Furrey played safety most of last season for the St. Louis Rams, whose secondary was depleted by injuries. When the Lions hired former Rams coach Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator, Martz convinced the Lions to look at Furrey as a receiver, where he played most of his career until last season. He leads the Lions with 74 receptions, which ranks fourth in the NFC and is tied for seventh in the NFL. He ranks ninth in the NFC with 857 receiving yards. Roy Williams leads the Lions with 1,116 receiving yards.
Last time against the Packers: Furrey had three catches for 38 yards in the Week 3 game.
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As I see it, if the Packers can't beat this bunch at Lambeau, they should quit. Harris and Woodson should shut down Williams and Furrey, they have no running game, and Shaun Rogers is out, their best defensive player.
