50 Seasons of “This”

Yes, the problem is that Zimmer got here and seemed like he would be tough on both our players and our opponents. But no one would now say he shows "no mercy".


I actually think there are some valuable young players that Zimmer's successor could build upon, but ironically, most are on the offensive side: Jefferson, O'Neill, and hopefully some of the other OL and Irv Smith. Cook is great but I never count on RBs staying healthy enough to "build".

But you're right, his defense has Hunter, Kendricks, and a bunch of guys too old (Smith, Griffen) or on contracts ending this year, so nothing left after 2021.

I just don't understand how at first Zim had the team going in a good direction. Over the years it has faded. Is it because his message is no longer reaching guys? Your team takes on the image of the HC. I thought our coach was suppose to be a tough guy? Is he really or just all talk?

Rick has warts too, but don't put that all on him. A example of team being in the image of a coach is the Lions. They suck have no talent maybe the worse talent in the league Texans might be worse. Even though they 0-5 with scrubs all over they play hard for Campbell and don't make a ton of mistakes. Remember he just got there and is picking up pieces left by train wreck Patricia. Hard nose just like he was when he played. Ravens is another example. They can have massive injuries and still find a way to be solid and never hardly a pushover. A team with a identity and a hard nose organization. That drafts guys who fit what they stand for tough and physical regardless of who is playing or hurt.

Will Campbell be able to make Detroit good maybe maybe not? X's and O's will determine that but they sure play hard I can respect that. This team especially with the Lions OL banged up their only solid group still fought. We drag along and play down to opponents and that playing down been happening for years. It is not just this game but many. Why does 90% of all games we play always have to be nail bitters? We should have been able to breath easy last week, but we can't even get 1 game where we can relax and not be on edge as nervous wrecks. We beat up on scrubs but lose most to most tough teams. But 9/10 times all are heart pounders. Powder puffs whoop somebody ass more often for real and make statements. A win is a win I get that, but we had way more talent. That was a chance to breath confidence that we can play a A game for 4 quarters and show we ready to flip the script. But what do we do try everything in the book to choke the game a way and scrap by. Gaining very little momentum and swag that we ready to go from here on out.

... and three losses are three losses.

In either case, being close means little.

It's a great question. It might be that he arrived, started putting together players he liked, and then started to strongly favor a few and his favoritism was apparent to other members of the team. Zimmer loves Smith & Hunter & Kendricks (understandably), also Barr (mysteriously), and he had others in his core a few years ago: Rhodes, Joseph, Newman, and also Bridgewater. But I don't think he has dealt with turnover and the need to accept changing players. There are so many indications that he still does not trust Cousins to carry the team with his arm.


I think that is also part of why the team doesn't ever get inspired: they know their coaches are keeping a tight grip on the reins and so they will constantly be in close games, even against teams who seem to be weaker. It's got to wear them down to know every game is going to be a nail-biter.


Yep, I have the same concern. I know, those players need to impress to get signed to a new deal somewhere in 2022, but if they think they can just blame being on a bad team, some will give up - or start freelancing to get better individual stats.

I think we'll find out. They may win Sunday in Carolina...but IMO, after the bye they will have 3 games (Dallas, at Baltimore, at San Diego) that will NOT be close at the end...