Garcia Rides to Rescue, Saves Day
It was no thing of beauty, but it was a win, and an important one, and a costly one as well.
First, there is no way we win that game with Harrington in the game. I must repent. I defended Joey for a long time. When we signed him, I criticized the move. But we don't win today without him. The pocket mobility, the improvisation, the pitches to receivers, the running for a TD--all the hallmarks of an experienced QB who undersands this offense and wanted to win badly today.
His numbers were very solid...22 of 34, no INTs, and 210 yards. QB rating of 81.7. And he did that with limited healthy WRs--something which would have sent us into a spasm of excuse making for Joey in the past.
The running game was OK, although, in a worrying trend, weaker in the second half. Jones had 74 yards on 21 carries, and the team averaged about 3.2 yards per carry.
In fact, the offensive numbers of this team (19 first downs, 37:17 TOP, 329 net yards, would all speak to a higher scoring offensive output than we actually got. Still, it was enough to win. Fine job by Jeff. Joey will soon play elsewhere.
The defense had a good game as well, though, admittedly, these weren't the Colts we were playing. Browns fans are already demanding that Dilfer be yanked, and he may NOW be the new worst veteran QB in the NFL. His QB rating (22) for the game, is a joke. They threw 19 passes and only got 73 yards. Ouch.
They did run fairly well, with Droughns getting an even 100 against his former team, but 31 was on one carry, so for the rest it was 18 for 67, and that's not dominationg by any stretch of the imagination. The defense did their job--the only TD was MAC product Joshua Cribbs, in fact, on a kick return. Cleveland did not covert a third down even once.
So, looking ahead, we're 3-3, and tied for the North lead, with the Bears coming to our place on Sunday. On the surface, things are looking good for us. We have three straight games against teams with losing records, so let's say we get through that at 5-4. We're clearly in playoff running at that point.
And, if Garcia did what he did with Mike Williams and Scottie Vines, imagine what we can do when Roy and CRog are back soon. Even one of the two opens options up a lot. I think you gotta see us moving the ball more.
Which is good, because we continue to rack up costly injuries. Kevin Johnson, our most grown up receiver, is out for the season. And on defense, Dre Bly, perhaps our best defensive player, broke his wrist and his season is in jeopardy. That means both our starting CBs are now down--sound familiar. Somewhere, Rod Babers' phone is ringing.
Also, Big Daddy went down, and his status will be determined tomorrow. We need him, too, though Cody has been a great find from USC. He's all over the place.
So, its a day to feel good about the team, and a day to think there might be a future after all. Its going to be a struggle....every step of the way, but the Lions will never do it any other way. If the D begins to suffer, let's hope the O can bail them out this time.
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