Thursday 9-8-11 Afternoon Lions Links

Lions Articles:

Lions feel better equipped to handle running game:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Lions-feel-better-equipped-to-handle-running-game/7ffa5e9b-a23f-4c36-a8a9-e336669a687b

Match up against Bucs will present new challenge:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Match-up-against-Buccaneers-will-present-new-challenges/9384d478-46b9-4dec-81a2-4bf53bf68688

Brandon McDonald not happy with reduced role:  http://www.detnews.com/article/20110908/SPORTS0101/109080449/1126/SPORTS0101/Lions%E2%80%99-Brandon-McDonald-not-happy-with-reduced-role

Schwartz says he'll limit Vanden Bosch's practice time to keep him fresh:  http://www.freep.com/article/20110908/SPORTS01/110908037/Lions-coach-says-he-ll-limit-Vanden-Bosch-s-practice-time-keep-him-fresh

Lions count on Maurice Morris to spark run game:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/09/08/sports/doc4e6939d4881ec934896000.txt

Lions notebook - Wright in at nickel, Stovall spills Bucs secrets, Vanden Bosch's load lightens:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/09/08/sports/doc4e693636b9097126047630.txt

Caputo - Not trying to rain on anybody's parade, I don't think the Lions will win on Sunday:  http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/2011/09/hate-to-say-it-but-i-dont-think-lions.html

Stovall, a former Buc, could be Lions secret weapon:  http://oplions.blogspot.com/2011/09/stovall-former-buc-could-be-lions.html 

Vanden Bosch back at practice:  http://oplions.blogspot.com/2011/09/vanden-bosch-back-at-practice.html

Which NFL team is the most handsome? (the Lions rank 14th):  http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/29120901/detail.html

Vanden Bosch returns to practice; Morris eager for contact:  http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/vanden-bosch-returns-to-practice%2C-morris-eager-for-contact

Suh on dirty rap - I laugh at it:  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/08/ndamukong-suh-on-dirty-rap-i-laugh-at-it/

Ex fullback Evans has lukewarm opinion of Stafford and the Lions:  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82209d3a/article/exfullback-evans-brings-bruising-style-to-nfl-network-studio

Renovated Lions defense to be tested early:  http://det.scout.com/2/1104241.html

Updating NFC North Cap situtation (The Lions have $3.3 million in cap space):  http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/30874/updating-nfc-north-cap-situations

Rating the hate-ability of each team (he has the Lions at a 3 out of ten.  LMAO at his comments on the Lions): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_rosenberg/09/07/hateability.index/1.html

NFL's most pressing questions going into week 1 (#4 is on the Lions and just how good are they):  http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFLs-most-pressing-questions-going-into-Week-1

Breaking down 10 key matchups for week 1 (One of the matchups is Suh Vs McCoy):  http://peteprisco.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6315047

Regis Philbin rallies to support Detroit Lions:  http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/regis-philbin-rallies-to-support-detroit-lions-

NFL Articles:

Importance of a good start:  http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/09/07/data-points-importance-of-a-good-start/

Agent questions why Lockley's fine is the same as Suh's:  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/08/agent-questions-why-lockleys-fine-is-same-as-suhs/

Season Predictions:

ESPN's Wojciechowski's 2011 predictions (He has the Lions finishing 2nd in the North.  He picks Stafford as the comeback player of the year - #19 and the Lions as the last team out of the playoffs - #43):  http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=6942181&sportCat=nfl

Lionsgab official predictions for 2011 (He has the Lions finishing 9-7):  http://www.lionsgab.com/2011/09/08/lionsgab-official-prediction-for-the-2011-season/

SI's 2011 predictions (5 of the 8 experts pick the Lions to be a wildcard team, 5 out of 8 pick Schwartz to win coach of the year, and 4 out of 8 pick Suh to win Defensive player of the year):  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/09/01/season.predictions/index.html?sct=nfl_t11_a2

PFW's Tom Danyluk's 2011 predictions (He has the Lions finishing 4th with a 8-8 record):  http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/09/08/tom-danyluks-2011-nfl-predictions

Foxsport's NFL experts 2011 picks (Only one picks the Lions to be a wild card team):  http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFL-expert-predictions-2011-season

Week 1 Predictions:

Mike O'Hara's week 1 picks (he has the Lions winning 27-16):  http://www.detnews.com/article/20110908/OPINION03/109080466/1126/SPORTS0101/Lions-Nate-Burleson-will-keep-an-eye-on-Packers----the-NFL-gold-standard

Breer's week 1 predictions - Lions Vs. Bucs is toughest game to call (He picks the Bucs to win 17-16):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8220ca26/article/week-1-picks-lionsbucs-toughest-game-to-call

ESPN's Week 1 picks (8 out of 10 pick the Lions to win):  http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

Prisco's week 1 picks (He has the Lions losing 27-21):  http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/prisco/picks

Peter King's week 1 pick (He has the Lions winning 24-16):  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_rosenberg/09/07/hateability.index/1.html

USA Today's Saraceno's week 1 picks (He has the Lions losing 21-17):  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/09/saracenos-scoreboard-week-1-predictions/1

PFT's week one picks (Florio picks the Lions to win 28-27, Rosenthal picks the Bucs to win 31-27):  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/08/pfts-week-one-picks-2/

Week 1 Preview:

TSN's Lions-Bucs Preview (he predicts the Lions to win 20-13):  http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/scores/live/preview.aspx?id=3486

A quick preview of the Lions-Bucs game:  http://www.freep.com/article/20110908/SPORTS01/110908057/A-quick-preview-Lions-Tampa-Bay-game-Sunday

Articles from opposing team's media:

Rejuvenated Detroit Lions aim for a big season:  http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/rejuvenated-detroit-lions-aim-for-a-big-nfl-season/1190420

Schwartz sends a message before opener:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110908/APS/1109080848

Talib eager for matchup with CJ:  http://www2.tbo.com/sports/bucs/2011/sep/08/1/bucs-cb-talib-eager-for-matchup-with-detroit-wr-jo-ar-256270/

Video:

Schwartz post practice video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Post-Practice-Video-Jim-Schwartz-9-8-11/b47883e2-bc28-4cef-9f30-3c031dca81a8

Linehan post practice video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Post-Practice-Video-Scott-Linehan-9-8-11/d729c588-d2dc-4c13-b52d-5390dae44422

Vanden Bosch locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Kyle-Vanden-Bosch-9-8-11/e9fff53d-d827-4991-8d25-ea7426bdfd4d

Durant locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Justin-Durant-9-8-11/4e505aff-f721-4ba1-a7c6-6963d7fdb2cc

PFT's NFC North preview (Florio picks the Lions to finish 2nd in the North):  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/07/pft-live-segment-4-nfc-north-preview/

NFL's Week 1 Lions Vs. Bucs Preview:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/09000d5d8220e5c4/Week-1-Lions-vs-Buccaneers-Preview

Lions-Bucs week 1 preview from CBS:  http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl_preview/7YANWW5YjSiHzsdiLXhgSxW0Qvf1bbf9/lions-vs-buccaneers-preview

Bring on the Bucs:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/09/08/jeff-riger-bring-on-the-bucs/

Countdown Daily Predictions - Lions Vs. Bucs:  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6943354