By Jeff Moss
DetroitSportsRag@GMail.com
January 1, 2014

Over the last few days the DSR has received plenty of gossip about the Detroit Lions organization, which is what usually occurs when people are fired as a result of a franchise’s late-season collapse.

None of this stuff is too salacious (the really good stuff is still being vetted by our attorneys) but it might give you some insight into the mess of a locker room that Jim Schwartz presided over.

The Origin of Stafford’s Lack of Accountability

It is no secret that quarterback Matthew Stafford was coddled by the old regime. Martin Mayhew didn’t even deny it during the Black Monday press conference and former Lions defensive tackle Lawrence Jackson told me as much in a DSR Podcast a few weeks ago.

But the lengths to which the former coaching staff went in order to insulate Stafford from any criticism is pretty shocking. And Schwartz wasn’t even Stafford’s biggest cheerleader on the staff.

That honor would go to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who had such a man crush on his QB that after the Texans loss last Thanksgiving, Linehan was literally CRYING about Stafford’s toughness during a team meeting. And you wonder why Stafford is pissed off that Schwartz and Linehan were purged? His raw ability brought tears to the eyes of his offensive coordinator.

Would you want to work with someone new if you had THAT level of connection with was the only boss you had ever known as a professional?

The book on Stafford is that he does the bare minimum to get by, he isn’t studious about film work and he thinks that he has everything figured out. But you didn’t need me to tell you that last part; you just needed to have read his response to the suggestion that he work with a QB guru during the offseason.

From what I can gather from various people inside Allen Park, the Stafford reclamation project is the crucial task facing whomever is brought in to replace Schwartz and Linehan.

It is going to be a major shock to the system for the coddled, supposedly lazy and SUPER wealthy former first overall pick in the draft. And how he responds to new coaches who don’t treat him like a Tiger Beat cover boy will probably make or break the 2014 Lions season.

For the record, I have always been a Stafford guy. I have probably been as guilty as anyone of defending him based on his talent and in comparison to the other quarterbacks who have led this team during my lifetime.

I am just relaying the information passed on to me by people in the know. Throwing mechanics may be the least of the new regime’s issues with Stafford when they take over; a lot of his issues seem to be between the ears.

If the new offensive coordinator wants to snap Stafford into reality, I would suggest showing him film of any game #9 has played without Calvin Johnson in the lineup.

Friction in the Locker Room

According to my sources, the “culture” that Mayhew wants changed was on display in a locker room that just didn’t seem to give a shit about winning and losing.

Supposedly, Calvin Johnson has the same “leadership” skills that Barry Sanders possessed, which would be fine if there were other players who could fill that void.

One of the few leaders on the Lions this past season was Reggie Bush, who tried to coerce his teammates into having the same sense of urgency that he had. Not only did some of his teammates shrug off Bush’s pleading, it led to friction between Bush and some of them.

Suh’s a Real [John Han]cock

Now, I am not saying that every player on your favorite team has to be a choirboy, but Ndamukong Suh’s douchebaggery is off the freaking charts, as best exemplified by the following story.

When Jason Hanson was calling it a career last season, he asked all of his teammates to sign a football for his collection.

It’s a fairly standard request by a retiring player. Anyway, every single player on the roster agreed to sign the ball except for Suh, who said, “Fuck that, I get paid to sign my name.”

I mean, can you imagine? A 21-year veteran wants you to autograph a keepsake and that’s the attitude you take? WHO DOES THAT??!?!!?

Suh’s teammates rightfully gave him shit for his horrid behavior and the All-Pro finally agreed to act like a civilized human being. It was too late though, as Hanson made it known that he didn’t want any favors from this dickhead.

So the ball is probably sitting on a shelf in Hanson’s home with the signatures of all of the kicker’s teammates from his last season in the NFL.

Except Ndamukong Suh.

Schwartz Wasn’t Much Better

You hear a lot of euphemisms about Schwartz being “prickly” or that he ”rubbed people the wrong way” and how his personality didn’t mesh with Mayhew’s.

Well, let’s put it this way: Schwartz makes Ndamukong Suh look like Tom Hanks by comparison. I am guessing the reason why many in the organization didn’t like Schwartz is because they are civilized people and Gym Shorts is a selfish dipshit.

Anyway, here is a story directly from a DSR contributor that illustrates the level of assholery that was seeping out of the office of the man who was in charge of the Lions locker room.

A good friend of mine went to a party at the Schwartz household. (I think their kids played sports together.)
 Anyway, this friend told me that Schwartz was the biggest dickbag he had ever met.

[He] wouldn’t talk to anybody and didn’t socialize. Basically, he spent the entire evening in his “mancave” listening to really bad Rock ‘n Roll that was excessively loud.

My buddy said it was so uncomfortable and obvious that Schwartz wanted them out of his house that everyone left the party. He never once came out to say goodbye to anyone that was leaving, despite repeated efforts by his family to get him to do so. Again, he is just a giant cock according to my friend.

A real sweetheart to be sure.

And Finally …..

If you think you are frustrated with the Detroit Lions organization, don’t worry…you aren’t alone.

Hell, even members of the Ford Family are irate at this organization. The following picture is a screen grab from the Facebook page of Calvin Ford.

Calvin is the son of Edsel Ford II. And a cousin of Bill Ford, Jr.

You can’t make this shit up. Maybe I should hire Calvin Ford to be a writer for the DSR. He certainly seems to have the proper mentality.