Morning Lions Links for Thursday 12-19-13

Lions Articles:

PRACTICE REPORT: Houston back at practice; four starters sit out: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Houston-back-at-practice-four-starters-sit-out/e1c758d2-92c8-4122-8592-050976f09495

Notebook: Pettigrew's injury a concern; ant problem; Slay on the mend and more:    http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Pettigrew%E2%80%99s-injury-a-concern-ant-problem-slay-on-the-mend-and-more/a68b1aa3-c817-4ccd-b51f-f1f4b92d653d

Mathis, Burleson say players deserve their fair share of criticism, too: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Mathis-Burleson-say-players-deserve-their-fair-share-of-criticism-too/17067729-b6d2-44a4-b273-fe7beea99a93

Scouting this week's opponent: New York Giants: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Scouting-this-weeks-opponent-New-York-Giants/4b56a63c-e67f-4180-86f3-c5a5fae625fb

Herman Moore Blog: Reflecting after Monday's loss: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/herman-moore/article-1/Herman-Moore-Blog-Reflecting-after-Mondays-loss/ca640354-7acc-4e19-914a-1a4965fadf14

Bold measures are needed if Lions are to reverse course:    http://www.freep.com/article/20131219/COL08/312190123/Drew-Sharp-Bold-measures-needed-Lions-reverse-course

Lions turnover margin goes in the wrong direction:    http://www.freep.com/article/20131219/SPORTS01/312190131/lions-nfl

High ratings for Lions on MNF, but national media unimpressed by team: http://www.freep.com/article/20131218/SPORTS01/312180088/detroit-lions-baltimore-ravens-jim-schwartz

Suh defends Schwartz; Delmas says Lions should be undefeated: http://www.freep.com/article/20131218/SPORTS01/312180113/detroit-lions-jim-schwartz-ndamukong-suh-louis-delmas

Lions' Slay vows to maintain 'swag' whenever he returns from knee injury: http://www.freep.com/article/20131218/SPORTS01/312180120/detroit-lions-darius-slay

Bunch of Lions starters sit out today's practice: http://www.freep.com/article/20131218/SPORTS01/312180093/detroit-lions-injuries-injury-report

Bush: Blame players for sloppy play, not coaches:    http://www.freep.com/article/20131219/SPORTS01/312190137/lions-nfl

Schwartz on the hot seat is a hop topic too:    http://www.freep.com/article/20131219/SPORTS01/312190134/Ticker-Lions-Jim-Schwartz-hot-seat-hot-topic-too

Ankle injury leaves Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew on crutches: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131218/SPORTS0101/312180086/1126/Ankle-injury-leaves-Lions-tight-end-Brandon-Pettigrew-crutches

Don't affix toe tag yet: Playoffs still a slim possibility for Lions:    http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131219/SPORTS0101/312190043/1126/Don-t-affix-toe-tag-yet-Playoffs-still-slim-possibility-Lions

Akers might handle kickoffs, too, for Lions final two games:    http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131219/SPORTS0101/312190045/1126/David-Akers-might-handle-kickoffs-too-Lions-final-two-games

Lions, Schwartz need Stafford now more than ever: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131218/SPORTS0101/312180029/1126/Lions-Schwartz-need-Stafford-now-more-than-ever

Lions say lack of discipline is on players, not Jim Schwartz: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131218/SPORTS0101/312180110/1126/Lions-say-lack-discipline-players-not-Jim-Schwartz

Brandon Pettigrew, DeAndre Levy and Calvin Johnson among 6 not practicing for Detroit Lions: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_without_brandon.html

Detroit Lions LB DeAndre Levy is battling a foot injury: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_lb_deandre_levy_3.html

Darius Slay's knee injury not related to prior torn meniscus, return unknown: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/darius_slays_knee_injury_not_r.html

Are we being too hard on Stafford for 3 interceptions vs Lions:    http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_second_look_are.html

Forgotten cornerback Jonte Green excites Detroit Lions with big second half against Ravens: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/forgotten_cornerback_jonte_gre.html

Jim Schwartz: Detroit Lions are slumping in the fourth quarter: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/jim_schwartz_detroit_lions_are.html

Detroit Lions players adamently support Jim Schwartz, want him back in 2014: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_players_adamentl.html

Players say discipline an issue, not Schwartz:    http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20131218/detroit-lions-players-say-discipline-an-issue-not-jim-schwartz

Lions notes: Bush closes in on 1000 yds; Pettigrew on crutches:    http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20131218/notes-reggie-bush-closes-in-on-1000-yards-brandon-pettigrew-on-crutches

Lions players stand behind their coach:    http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/nfl/detroit-lions/story/Lions-players-stand-behind-their-coach?blockID=973871&feedID=3867

Lions kicked in teeth again: http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/parkersconfidential/lions-kicked-in-teeth-again/-/3994064/23536576/-/qsj5h7/-/index.html

Matthew Stafford's Slump Has Led To Lions Slipping: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/12/18/matthew-staffords-slump-has-led-to-lions-slipping/

Schwartz's comments from Wednesday:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/12/18/5225602/lions-quotes-jim-schwartz-wednesday

Lions notes: Stafford isn't going to be benched: http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/12/18/5221954/lions-notes-matthew-stafford

Film Review: Stafford's sloppy footwork:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/12/18/5224326/film-review-matthew-stafford-footwork

Lions don't  move much in pro bowl votes:    http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4119/lions-dont-move-much-in-pro-bowl-votes

Lions defend coaches, but put selves here:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4128/lions-defend-coaches-but-put-selves-here

Pettigrew most concerning of Lions injuries: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4112/pettigrew-most-concerning-of-lions-injuries

Suh: Lions need an exterminator: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10159055/ndamukong-suh-detroit-lions-let-ants-house-losses

Rising/Falling: Detroit Lions Week 16: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4103/risingfalling-detroit-lions-week-16

Some numbers behind the Lions' 18-16 loss: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4106/some-numbers-behind-the-lions-18-16-loss

QOTW: Welcome to the NFL moment:    http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4130/qotw-welcome-to-the-nfl-moment

Schwartz on Megatron drops: He’s a human being: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/18/schwartz-on-megatron-drops-hes-a-human-being/

 Head scratcher: Will Lions make playoffs despite themselves?: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/for-once-lions-looking-to-take-the-chill-out-of-motown-winter-121813

Getting warm: Which head coaches are on the hot seat? (Schwartz is one of the coaches mentioned): http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/lists/2013/12/17/which-head-coaches-are-on-the-hot-seat.html#img_6

PFF's Between the Tackles (Bush is #4 in yards per attempt): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/18/between-the-tackles/

Packers celebrated Lions loss to Ravens on Monday night:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/18/packers-celebrated-lions-loss-to-ravens-on-monday-night/

Eight NFL coaches on firing line (Schwartz is one of the coaches mentioned): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/17/nfl-coaches-hot-seat-jim-schwartz-rex-ryan-mike-shanahan-greg-schiano-jason-garrett/4079689/

Detroit Lions RB goes from team security guard to active roster: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/12/detroit-lions-joique-bell-security-guard-running-back/

Nine coaches most likely to get pink slips—and what could save them (Schwartz is one of the nine coaches mentioned): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-12-18/nfl-coaches-on-hot-seat-mike-shanahan-jason-garrett-schwartz-ryan/slide/4

Matthew Stafford's slump has led to Lions slipping: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/matthew-stafford-39-slump-led-181901823--nfl.html

Good Lines, Bad Lines (the Lions o-line is discussed as one of the good ones): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/good-lines-bad-lines-172500363--nfl.html

Detroit Lions: Four Things We Learned in Week 15 Loss to Baltimore Ravens: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/detroit-lions-four-things-learned-week-15-loss-145400429--nfl.html

Lions team report:    http://sports.yahoo.com/news/team-report-detroit-lions-211200693--nfl.html

Stevens: Time to be set free, Lions' fans: http://www.ourmidland.com/sports/stevens-time-to-be-set-free-lions-fans/article_d9a8b652-837e-5d20-8239-907a0a3b7a94.html

Being a Lions fan is like listening to the same old crappy song: http://www.tctimes.com/sports/davids_dabblings/being-a-lions-fan-is-like-listening-to-the-same/article_3250660e-67f8-11e3-b48e-001a4bcf887a.html

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Quotes (12/18): Detroit Lions: http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Quotes-1218-Detroit-Lions/d1e08613-c32d-41ef-b752-1df0385a85c8

10 Things to Know about Giants-Lions: http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/10-Things-to-Know-about-Giants-Lions/b61b1e0a-bf07-4583-93e0-10add8594039

Cornerbacks reveal biggest WR matchups: http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Cornerbacks-reveal-biggest-WR-matchups/3e986b6c-8838-4af3-ba0a-3de603c43237

Giants secondary a bunch of no-names to CJ, who struggles to name DBs:    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/guys-megatron-giants-dbs-article-1.1552202

Eli in Lion of fire facing Detroit behind sad sack o-line:   http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/eli-lion-fire-facing-detroit-behind-sad-sack-o-line-article-1.1552551

Previews and Predictions:

SN's Picks (he picks the Lions to win 24-13):    http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-12-18/week-16-nfl-picks-predictions-bears-eagles-panthers-saints-tv-schedule-scores-upsets

TSN's Picks (He picks the Lions to win 31-20):    http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/writers/extrapoints/archive/extrapoints_121813.htm

2014 Draft:

McShay's Mock Draft (he has the Lions taking WR Marqise Lee with the #15 pick): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4117/with-the-15th-pick-the-lions-select

Miscellaneous:

Cowboys sign released Lions returner Michael Spurlock: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2013/12/cowboys-sign-released-lions-returner-michael-spurlock-to-help-cover-for-harris-williams-injuries.html

NFL blackout rule contested, but no light for fans yet:    http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/18/nfl-television-blackout-rule-lifted-fcc/4118993/

Videos:

Jim Schwartz on the Giants defense: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Jim-Schwartz-on-the-Giants-defense/81dc4164-3c9f-4eee-a5c2-96e014e0c693

Durham and Delmas on adversity: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Durham-and-Delmas-on-adversity-/731b66f6-874e-41bf-a9df-26de8c32a110

Reggie Bush on the offense: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Reggie-Bush-on-the-offense/858ae39f-c96c-4619-8349-beeae53ccaa3

Ndamukong Suh on being mentally prepared: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ndamukong-Suh-on-being-mentally-prepared-/078835d6-6064-4db6-a05f-5159ba7280ba

Double Coverage: Is Matthew Stafford an elite QB?: http://freep.com/videonetwork/2943178885001

How much is Schwartz to blame for Lions struggles:    http://freep.com/videonetwork/2947596731001

PFT Live: Once again, Lions all bark, no bite: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/18/pft-live-once-again-lions-all-bark-no-bite/

PFT Live: Lions talk with Dave Birkett, Coaching hot seat: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/18/pft-live-lions-talk-with-dave-birkett-coaching-hot-seat-2/

NFL Nation Buzz: Detroit Lions: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/3989/nfl-nation-buzz-detroit-lions-13

What's wrong with the Lions:     http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10151592

Should the Lions bench Stafford:     http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap2000000300648/Should-Lions-bench-Stafford