Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 12-25-13

Merry Christmas!

Lions Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Playing for pride; the elephant in the room and Christmas practice: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Playing-for-pride-the-elephant-in-the-room-and-Christmas-practice/18059382-a71f-45eb-b415-81f53e632d00

COORDINATOR CUT-UP: Linehan says Stafford's play isn't only reason Lions haven't been as good lately: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/coordinator-cut-up/article-1/COORDINATOR-CUT-UP-Linehan-says-Staffords-play-isnt-only-reason-Lions-havent-been-as-good-lately/3ca50653-b193-46eb-8bee-09b195206606

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN: 2013 hasn't been the season the Vikings expected: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OPPONENT-BREAKDOWN-2013-hasnt-been-the-season-the-Vikings-expected/05485ba3-a3f1-465b-95ae-e28f6bbd710c

TIM AND MIKE: Is there one word that best describes the season?: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Is-there-one-word-that-best-describes-the-season/34e6cbbf-1025-405c-84b6-a7e366f76d27

Lions' Schwartz, Vikings' Frazier differ on messages to team: http://www.freep.com/article/20131225/SPORTS01/312250028/Lions-Schwartz-Vikings-Frazier-differ-messages-team

14 candidates to be Lions' next coach: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20131223&Category=SPORTS01&ArtNo=312230064&Ref=PH&Profile=1048

Lions playing for pride this week -- 'nothing else really matters': http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131224/SPORTS0101/312240091/1126/sports0101/Lions-playing-pride-week-nothing-else-really-matters-

Team spirit for Christmas: Lions have no problems practicing on holiday: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131224/SPORTS0101/312240072/1126/sports0101/Team-spirit-Christmas-Lions-no-problems-practicing-holiday

Leslie Frazier talks about his hot-seat status with Vikings players: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131224/SPORTS0101/312240066/1126/sports0101/Leslie-Frazier-talks-about-his-hot-seat-status-Vikings-players

WR Nate Burleson willing to take pay cut to play for Lions in 2014: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/wr_nate_burleson_willing_to_ta.html

Detroit Lions try out four, including speedy United States rugby player Carlin Isles: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_try_out_four_inc.html

Detroit Lions to practice on Christmas, while Vikings rest: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_to_practice_on_c.html

Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson declines comment on whether he's playing with partially torn PCL: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_calvin_johnson_d_3.html

Detroit Lions second look: Team effectively uses press coverage with CB Chris Greenwood: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_second_look_team.html

Like Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions players can't say the 'F'-word: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_players_like_jim.html

While Lions' Jim Schwartz ignores his possible firing with players, Vikings' Leslie Frazier clears air: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/while_lions_jim_schwartz_ignor.html

Detroit Lions' Jim Schwartz unintentionally highlights one of his regime's biggest shortcomings: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/detroit_lions_jim_schwartz_uni.html

Why aren't the Detroit Lions a playoff team?: http://mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/12/why_arent_the_detroit_lions_a.html

Lions' highlights and lowlights of 2013: http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/nfl/detroit-lions/story/Lions-highlights-and-lowlights-of-2013?blockID=974441&feedID=3862

The Three Biggest Culprits In The Lions Collapse: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/12/24/the-three-biggest-culprits-in-the-lions-collapse-blog/

Lions notes: Will Calvin Johnson play this week?: http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/12/24/5241278/lions-notes-calvin-johnson-status

Some numbers behind the Lions' 23-20 loss: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4318/some-numbers-behind-the-lions-23-20-loss

PFF Team of Week 16 (Bell and Martin made the team. Fauria, Suh and Fairley made the team): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/23/pff-team-of-week-16-2/

PFF Race for Rookie of the Year, Week 16 (Warford is #2. Waddle is one of the five to watch): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/24/race-for-rookie-of-the-year-week-16/

PFF Pro Bowl Team 2014 (Warford, CJ and Suh made the team. Stafford was picked as a backup): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/24/pff-pro-bowl-team-2014/

PFF ‘Had a Bad Day’ Team, Week 16 (Burleson, Durham and Carey got dishonorable mention): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/23/had-a-bad-day-team-week-16/

If Lions fire Jim Schwartz, Ken Whisenhunt may replace him: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/24/if-lions-fire-jim-schwartz-ken-whisenhunt-may-replace-him/

QB Index: Year-end rankings (Stafford ranked 13): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000304038/article/quarterback-index-yearend-rankings

CBS NFL Divisional Power Rankings (NFC North ranked 6th): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24387207/nfl-division-power-rankings-nfc-tops-afc-in-seasonseries

USA Today Week 16 report card: Pats regaining Super form? (Lions grade is a F): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/24/week-16-report-card/4192249/

SOE: Mike Tanier’s all-rookie team for 2013 (Warford and Ansah made the team): http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/66159236/

Happy Holidays from Shutdown Corner … here are your NFL-related gifts for Christmas (for Lions fans it's a new coach): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/happy-holidays-shutdown-corner-nfl-related-gifts-christmas-073341029--nfl.html

Lions won't mail it in: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lions-won-39-t-mail-185058388--nfl.html

NFL 2013: After Further Thought (Week 16) (he discusses the struggles of the NFC North teams): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-2013-further-thought-week-16-202800758--nfl.html

Team Report - DETROIT LIONS: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/team-report-detroit-lions-211200693--nfl.html

Power Rankings:

Week 16: http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2013/12/2013-week-16-power-rankings.html

Previews and Predictions:

Tale Of The Tape: Detroit Lions At Minnesota Vikings (he picks the Vikings to win): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/tale-of-the-tape/tale-of-the-tape-detroit-lions-at-minnesota-vikings/

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Minnesota Vikings Facing The Detroit Lions In Mall Of America Finale: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/12/24/minnesota-vikings-facing-the-detroit-lions-in-mall-of-america-finale/

Miscellaneous:

Cowboys signing Jon Kitna, cut Michael Spurlock: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cowboys-signing-jon-kitna-cut-021700153--nfl.html

Videos:

Rob Sims on the offensive line: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Rob-Sims-on-the-offensive-line-/033cccca-a418-4881-81e4-ff8dc516e0f2

Rob Sims on Larry Warford and Joique Bell: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Rob-Sims-on-Larry-Warford-and-Joique-Bell-/a8cc60e3-00bc-46b3-9ee1-a67c0e6acc4e

Nate Burleson on looking back at the season: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Nate-Burleson-on-looking-back-at-the-season-/9feeb7e1-a5e6-40f2-9aae-0a222c5ae9c3

WIRED FOR SOUND: Quin Week 16 vs. New York: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/WIRED-FOR-SOUND-Quin-Week-16-vs-New-York/7a641ad1-a93c-4341-94c2-e99a96c05991

Secret Santa gifts for the Detroit Lions: http://freep.com/videonetwork/2969584463001

NFL Nation Buzz: Detroit Lions: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/4229/nfl-nation-buzz-detroit-lions-14