Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 11-4-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

NFL's biggest disappointments at midseason (Lions leave no room for enthusiasm. Coming off an 11-5 playoff season, optimism bubbled in Detroit. Keeping with their long, tormented history, the Lions fell flat. Matthew Stafford has been terrible -- something Jim Caldwell was hired to fix. The offensive line is a series of swinging doors. They fired their offensive coordinator midseason and looked worse afterwards. The defense couldn't stop a Lingerie Football team. From awful offseason moves to the lack of in-game coaching adjustments, it's been a total failure in the Motor City in 2015. Unless Martha Firestone Ford sweeps out the staff, including the entire front office -- general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand -- there will be no reason for enthusiasm anytime soon in Detroit.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000572170/article/midseason-report-nfls-biggest-disappointments

NFC North Division Notebook: Midseason Awards (Biggest Disappointment (team): Lions - After making the playoffs with an 11-5 record last season, the Lions had massive expectations heading into their second year under head coach Jim Caldwell. Their 2015 campaign, however, has been a total disaster. After five straight losses to start the season, the Lions are the NFL's worst team at the midpoint with a 1-7 record. So far, their only victory has been a 37-34 overtime decision against the two-win Bears. Caldwell's days in Detroit may be numbered, as his team has shown little evidence that it's capable of winning another game this year.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfc-north-division-notebook-midseason-awards-110315

The reasons for poor o-line play:   http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/156367340/nfl-poor-offensive-line-play-reasons-zierlein

Local Media:

O'HARA: Calvin Johnson not hearing trade speculation:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Calvin-Johnson-not-hearing-trade-speculation/3308dae7-18e6-4a58-b0a5-a24cae5918ae

STATS PACK: Lions must focus on improving the run:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/STATS-PACK-Lions-must-focus-on-improving-the-run/21078b99-56f2-4083-bed1-81a025d1ddca

Report: Lions sign LB James-Michael Johnson:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/detroit-lions-james-michael-johnson/75108686/

Johnson, Stafford miss Lions' bye-week practice:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/calvin-johnson-trade-detroit-lions/75086876/

Caldwell: 'No question' Detroit media is most negative:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-media/75102758/

Lions' Calvin Johnson: I haven't asked for a trade:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-speaks/75099202/

Sharp: Caldwell slam on media deflects blame from brass:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2015/11/04/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-slam-media-deflects-blame-coaches-front-office/75136952/

Weary Lions QB Stafford: Bye helps 'clear your head':   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/04/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-bye/75133804/

Study: Lions have 2nd-drunkest fans on NFL game days:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/detroit-lions-fans-drunk/75112422/

Lions try to block out fan, media negativity:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/lions-try-block-out-fan-media-negativity/75104204/

Lions' Jim Caldwell: 'I'm still standing':   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/lions-return-practice-after-london-debacle/75091098/

Wojo: Complete overhaul is only answer for Lions:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/11/03/complete-overhaul-answer-lions/75136814/

Lions dominate Sports Illustrated’s all-overrated team:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/04/lions-dominate-sports-illustrateds-overrated-team/75137764/

Detroit Lions, entire NFL, stand pat at trade deadline:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/11/detroit_lions_entire_nfl_stand.html

Golden Tate grateful former teammate Ricardo Lockette not more seriously injured:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/11/golden_tate_grateful_former_te.html

Detroit Lions notes: Calvin Johnson didn’t want trade; Caldwell calls media room ‘dungeon of doom’:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151103/detroit-lions-notes-calvin-johnson-didnt-want-trade-caldwell-calls-media-room-dungeon-of-doom

Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate on moving forward:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151103/detroit-lions-x2014-matthew-stafford-calvin-johnson-golden-tate-on-moving-forward

Tate Promises Franchise Turnaround; Johnson 'Can't Say It Was A Waste' In Detroit:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/11/03/tate-promises-franchise-turnaround-johnson-cant-say-it-was-a-waste-in-detroit/

Notes: Do Lions have a replacement for Caldwell?:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/11/3/9662518/lions-notes-does-detroit-have-a-midseason-replacement-for-jim-caldwell

Grades:

Detroit News Lions midseason grades: Poor marks for pathetic play:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/lions--midseason-grades-poor-marks-for-pathetic-play/75116836/

Video:

National Media:

Caldwell took control of situation:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000571548

Local Media:

Caldwell on bye week adjustments:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-bye-week-adjustments/5fc86203-af96-4c8c-9c41-854915ae9b27

Stafford on the bye week:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Stafford-on-the-bye-week/6e62db3c-9ac2-448e-8bd4-ca5065492a53

Johnson on playing in Detroit:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Johnson-on-playing-in-Detroit/a3a4ad24-4cf8-4c26-9ce1-fb66251481fa

Tate on finishing the season strong:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tate-on-finishing-the-season-strong/1f7961c5-a6a6-4bb3-8261-4c3078e29984

Tori's Take: The Lions need answers:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Toris-Take-The-Lions-need-answers/e1eb4987-b413-4f05-80fe-85a3918f11c9

3 & Out with Chris Spielman: Week 8:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/3--Out-with-Chris-Spielman-Week-8/4f206035-2be0-4e1e-99ef-f05619073640

The view from inside the 'Dungeon of Doom':   http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/11/03/75096888/