Lombardi Ave » Zac Snyder

Lions vs. Packers: Here’s what they’re saying from Detroit’s sidelines

Raymond Rivard — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:00:08 +0000

Jan 1, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) breaks up the pass intended for Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (87) during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Lions 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

This week, we had the privilege to spend time with Zac Snyder, the editor at Fansided.com’s Detroit Lions site, Sidelionreport.com.

We spent some time asking and he took the time to answer our questions about this weekend’s NFC North Division matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.

Our Q&A is below. Enjoy …

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) reacts after a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Q. Calvin Johnson isn’t having a poor year by NFL standards, but he hasn’t reached the bar he has set for himself, especially when it comes to getting in the end zone. What do the Lions need to do to get him the ball for touchdowns?

A. Calvin Johnson has no stated goal for number of touchdowns in a season. He did say that he would like to have 100 receiving yards in every game he plays as that is the level he feels he needs to say he helped the team. He has hit the 100-yard mark in five of nine games this season but does have a per game average of 108.2, a hair over three yards more than he averaged last season. He’s also catching 6.7 passes per game as opposed to 6.0 per game a year ago. Calvin isn’t getting into the end zone himself but he’s often a big reason why the Lions are in position to score a touchdown, even if it ultimately goes to someone else. Not getting tackled inside the five yard line is one thing that could change that would result in more touchdowns for Calvin.

Q. With the Lions running game in the crapper, the Lions are very much like the Packers in that they have to rely on moving the ball through the air. The Packers have had success in winning games that way, the Lions not so much … what’s the difference?

A. The Lions have made a bigger effort to run the ball this year but that has sometimes been met with resistance from fans. That being said, the Lions have a 4.1 yards per carry average to rank in the middle of the NFL pack so it isn’t like they are totally inept – they just aren’t always successful and the opportunities they take to run the ball are often predictable. The good news is that the Lions have ten rushing touchdowns after totally only nine a year ago. The difference between the Lions and Packers in their passing attacks is the level of consistency. The Lions have been terribly slow starters and often can’t find their way in the passing game until it seemingly opens up in the second half as they try to pull their way out of a hole.

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) looks on prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Q. We all remember “the stomp” in last year’s Thanksgiving Day game won by the Packers. Do you think that incident will play any kind of motivational role in Sunday’s game?

A. The biggest role the incident will play is for the FOX Network. They will probably beat the dead horse to super-death and show the replay several times between the start of the pregame show to the final whistle of the game. I don’t think the Lions or Suh need any motivation behind simply wanting to beat the Packers.

Q. Aaron Rodgers is on pace again for a possible run at another MVP. Do the Lions have the answer to slowing down Rodgers and what do you think is their best tactic – stop the run first and then get after Mr. Rodgers? Or just pin the defensive linemen’s ears back and let them get the pressure on Rodgers?

A. The Lions look no further than the last time they beat the Packers at Ford Field in 2010. Rodgers averaged just 4.2 yards per attempt, threw an interception and was sacked twice before ultimately being knocked out with a concussion. The Lions have to take advantage of a beat up offensive line to put pressure on Rodgers like they did in 2010 in hopes of forcing some errors.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Q. The Lions have their backs against the wall and are in desperation mode if they feel they have any chance of making the playoffs. Are the playoffs still being mentioned or are the Lions looking more at being spoilers?

A. Talk linking the Lions and the playoffs is mostly centered around the thought that last week’s loss to the Vikings closed the door. It is technically still possible but we realize it will take running the table or losing just once more. Considering the remaining schedule, that is unlikely and fans know it.

Q. With the disappointing start to the Lions’ season, is Jim Schwartz in an danger of losing his job?

A. I’m starting to hear a few fans question the coaching staff but most of that is directed at the coordinators, particularly Scott Linehan. A more knee-jerk organization might consider it but even then I have a hard time seeing how anyone could call for Jim Schwartz’s head this early.

Q. Give us your take on this game and, of course, give us a final score.

A. The Packers are a solid team while the Lions are a box of chocolates. I have no idea what we’ll get so all I can do is predict what I feel we’re most likely to get: Packers 27, Lions 20.

SideLion’s Snyder sits down with Lombardiave for Packers vs. Lions schedule preview

Raymond Rivard — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:12:55 +0000

Aaron Rodgers will be key in the Packers attack against the Lions once again this season. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In going through the Detroit Lions‘ schedule this year, Sidelion’s Zac Snyder and I exchanged questions and answers about the Packers.

Our Q&A session was recently published on the Fansided.com’s Lions site and is offered up here for your review.

Don’t hesitate to slide on over to Snyder’s excellent site for a plethora of valuable information about the much-improved Lions – or you can take the shortcut and read the Q&A below and then go to Sidelion to see what’s new after you’re done reading.

Detroit Lions 2012 Schedule Preview: Green Bay Packers

Jul 18th, 2012 at 6:10 am by Zac Snyder

Our preview of the Detroit Lions’ 2012 schedule continues with the Green Bay Packers.

To catch up on all the lastest from Cheeseland, I was able to get together with Ray Rivard, editor at Lombardi Ave, and he was kind enough to answer my questions.

1. What is your initial reaction to the Packers’ 2012 draft?

Ray Rivard: I was somewhat astounded, but pleasantly surprised with the tactics employed by Packers’ GM Ted Thompson when he traded up to retool the defense. I was very happy that all but two of their picks were on the defensive side of the ball. Clearly, Thompson not only went with the best players available, but the best defensive players. Thompson would have been hung out to dry by the fan base had he not drafted for defense. Given that the Packers finished dead last in defense last year – that’s dead last in the entire league – obviously it was time to revamp what they had in house. So, to answer your question – I was very pleased with the Packers’ 2012 draft.

2. The NFC North looks to be strong this season, any worries that the Bears or Lions could knock off the Packers as division champs?

RR: I’m always concerned with divisional games. It doesn’t matter how up or down teams are during any given year, those games are always monumental battles. So, the bottom line is that I’m very concerned with the Bears or Lions knocking off the Packers this year. Not only that, but we all know the Vikings could be spoilers this season as they rebuild. But as for the Bears and Lions – both teams have improved themselves significantly in the draft and through free agency and will be vying for a division championship. It will come down to some epic games this year.

3. Where are the Packers most vulnerable and what will be their greatest strength this season?

RR: The Packers’ greatest vulnerability will probably be with the uncertainty of the defense. We all know what’s been done to put the pieces in place for improvements on that side of the ball. However, having the pieces is one thing – to be able to utilize those pieces and fit them into the scheme is another. One thing is for certain – the Packers’ defense can’t get any worse – they can only go up from where they were last year. That said, if we look to the offense, the running game is another vulnerability that will be interesting to watch. With Ryan Grant gone from the scene, the Packers will look toward two players coming off serious knee injuries to be their main men – James Starks and Alex Green. Second-year player Brandon Saine might surprise a lot of people, as well. He catches the ball out of the backfield very well and is big enough to run between the tackles. He will push for more playing time this season.

The team’s greatest strength is a no-brainer. When you’ve got Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback and a receiving corps that’s as deep as the well to hell, there’s no reason why this year’s edition shouldn’t play even better than last year. That’s a scary thought considering the numbers the 2011 edition of the Packers’ offense put up. With the hope that injuries don’t cause issues, this should be a fun team to watch.

4. Have the last two regular seasons changed the way Packers fans view the regular season?

RR: Not really. For the past two decades, which is the time many, many Packers fans have been alive, the expectations have always been for a winning season, if not a divisional championship. There are many fans who only remember Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers as the team’s quarterbacks. Yes, there are many of us who go back 40-50 years with the team, but most are accustomed to winning year in and year out.

5. What are your expectations for the Packers in 2012?

RR: Is the expectation that the Packers will win 15 games again this year? Yeah, that’s the expectation, but the reality is that the team will probably win 12. They will have to win that many for a division crown. If they get 13 or 14, that will be icing on the cake. I expect the team to be playoff-bound again this year, either as the division winner or a wild card. And anything short of a Super Bowl berth will be a huge disappointment. The talent is too deep and the organization too sound to stand for anything else. However, to get there is difficult, as we all know showed through last year with the loss to the Giants in the first round of the playoffs. Packers fans expect the Lombardi trophy to be coming home every year. Our expectations are the highest they’ve ever been, but we all know this is the National Football League where anything can and probably will happen.

Not to go too far out on a limb, I’m saying it will be the Packers vs. the Texans in the Super Bowl this year. Packers 27 Texans 23.

It should definitely be another fun run with the Packers.

Lombardiave sees a shootout today in Motown

Raymond Rivard — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:25:26 +0000

Packers fans are hoping to have plenty to cheer about today.

The Packers biggest game of the year is today as they take on the Detroit Lions for the highly hyped Thanksgiving Day match-up.

With the groundwork laid, Zac Snyder over at SideLion Report posed some interesting questions, which I agreed to answer.

Here’s how we are looking at today’s match-up:

So, the Lions play a pretty big game on Thursday, have you heard?
In preparation of the Lions game against the Green Bay Packers I sent a few questions over to Ray Rivard, editor of Lombardi Ave, and he was kind enough to take a few minutes to answer my curiosities regarding the Packers.

Zac Snyder: It feels odd to face a division rival for the first time this late in the season. We all know about the Packers’ perfect record but what else would you add to summarize their season so far?

Ray Rivard: It feels VERY odd to be facing the Lions for the first time this late in the season. For years, it seemed like the Packers and Lions faced off within the first couple of games. But that aside, with so much season history already laid down, this will probably be the best face-off in years.

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