Morning Lions Links for Saturday 11-1-14

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Defense by the numbers: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/12426/lions-morning-roar-defense-by-the-numbers

Starter Pack: NFC North favorites no more: http://espn.go.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/14793/starter-pack-nfc-north-favorites-no-more

Lions midseason review: Coaching: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/12399/lions-midseason-review-coaching

Lions midseason review: Specialists: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/12396/lions-midseason-review-specialists

Midseason Surprises and Disappointments: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/10/31/nfl-surprises-disappointments-midseason/

One crucial second-half task for each NFL team (They're 4-0 when WR Golden Tate has 10-plus targets. Lions would be wise to ensure his role doesn't diminish too much when Calvin Johnson returns.): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/10/31/second-half-tasks/18247835/

Q: Every NFL team’s biggest regret at midseason ( Detroit is in a no-win contract situation with Ndamukong Suh. The star defensive tackle can either walk or force his way into a massively too large deal for a Lions team with little leverage. Either way, it’s hard to relish the current competitive run with the knowledge of a possibly painful offseason.): http://q.usatoday.com/2014/10/31/every-nfl-teams-biggest-regret-at-midseason/

Local Media:

O'HARA: Ndamukong Suh anchors Lions' top-ranked defense: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Ndamukong-Suh-anchors-Lions-top-ranked-defense/31bcd70b-26fc-4b17-9074-3d3652bd3deb

Twentyman's midseason report: Special Teams: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Twentymans-midseason-report-Special-Teams/3791254a-b642-4f9f-8cd1-b6446fbf9a00

Lions confident they'll avoid a 2nd-half implosion: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2014/10/31/lions-confident-avoid-nd-half-implosion/18255707/

Detroit Lions' Dominic Raiola: Calvin Johnson can only help run game so much: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/10/detroit_lions_dominic_raiola_c_4.html

Detroit Lions midseason report card: Front office a mixed bag after free agency homeruns, slow-starting draft class: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/10/detroit_lions_midseason_report_8.html

Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew still believes in former second-round pick Ryan Broyles: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/10/martin_mayhew_still_believes_i.html

Detroit Lions midseason awards: Golden Tate is easy choice for offensive MVP: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/10/detroit_lions_midseason_awards_2.html

Rob Parker on the Lions: http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/parkersconfidential/rob-parker-detroit-pistons-should-be-better-this-season/29454290

Audio:

Boomer Esiason Says The Lions Are Playoff Bound: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/10/31/boomer-esiason-says-the-lions-are-playoff-bound-audio/