2008 Detroit Lions season

Infobox NFL_season
logo =
team = Detroit Lions
year = 2008
record = 0-4, 0-2 in NFC North
division_place = 4th NFC North
coach = Rod Marinelli
stadium = Ford Field
playoffs = TBD

The 2008 Detroit Lions season is the 79th season for the team in the National Football League and 75th season in Detroit. The Lions will enter the season hoping to improve on their 7-9 record in 2007.

2008 Draft Picks

"See also: 2008 NFL Draft"

*First Round: OT Gosder Cherilus from Boston College (pick aquired from trade with Minnesota through Kansas City)

*Second Round: LB Jordon Dizon from University of Colorado

*Third Round:
**RB Kevin Smith from University of Central Florida (pick aquired from trade with Miami)
**DT Andre Fluellen from Florida State University (pick aquired from trade of Shaun Rogers for Leigh Bodden with Cleveland)
**LB Cliff Avril from Purdue University (pick aquired from trade with Dallas)

*Fifth Round:
**WR Kenneth Moore, Jr. from Wake Forest University (pick aquired from trade with Miami through Kansas City)
**FB Jerome Felton from Furman University (pick aquired from trade with New Orleans)

*Seventh Round:
**DT Landon Cohen from Ohio University
**S Caleb Campbell from Army (pick aquired from trade with New Orleans) (Due to new rules implemented this year regarding Military athletes by the U.S. Military Academy, he was later ruled ineligible to play professionally until 2010, and instead must serve in The Army until then). [ [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591502/20080724/id_0.jhtml NFL rookie Caleb Campbell Must Serve The Army Before Realizing Football Dreams] ]

2008 Pre-season

2008 Regular Season

Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=0
R2=14
R3=7
R4=0
RT=21
Home=Falcons
H1=21
H2=0
H3=10
H4=3
HT=34
* Game site: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance: 62,310
* Referee: Ron Winter
* TV announcers: (FOX): Matt Vasgersian, J.C. Pearson, & Nischelle Turner

The Lions began their 2008 season at the Georgia Dome against the Atlanta Falcons. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as QB Matt Ryan completed a 62-yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins, while RB Michael Turner got a 66-yard TD run and a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Lions would respond with rookie RB Kevin Smith getting a 3-yard TD run, while QB Jon Kitna completed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams. However, in the third quarter, Atlanta continued its dominant start with kicker Jason Elam getting 50-yard field goal, while RB Jerious Norwood got a 10-yard TD run. Detroit would reply with Kitna hooking up with TE Casey FitzSimmons on a 1-yard TD pass. However, the Falcons sealed the win in the fourth quarter with Elam nailing a 25-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Lions began their season at 0-1.

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Packers
R1=7
R2=14
R3=3
R4=24
RT=45
Home=Lions
H1=0
H2=3
H3=6
H4=16
HT=25
* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance: 60,285
* Referee: Walt Coleman
* TV announcers: (FOX): Matt Vasgersian, J.C. Pearson, & Charissa Thompson

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Falcons, the Lions played their Week 2 home opener against their NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed as Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR James Jones. In the second quarter, the Lions continued to trail as Rodgers completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Donald Driver and a 29-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson. Detroit would close out the first half with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 38-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Lions continued to hack away at Green Bay's lead with Hanson kicking a 49-yard and a 53-yard field goal. The Packers responded with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 25-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Detroit clawed away at the Pack's lead with QB Jon Kitna completing a 38-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson. The Lions closed in as Packers punter Derrick Frost's punt was high, causing it to go through the back of his end zone, giving Detroit a safety. The Lions would take the lead on Kitna's 47-yard TD pass to C. Johnson. However, Green Bay rebounded with Crosby's 39-yard field goal, RB Brandon Jackson's 19-yard TD run, CB Charles Woodson's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and safety Nick Collins' 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.

With the loss, the Lions fell to 0-2.

Week 3: at San Francisco 49ers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=0
R2=3
R3=3
R4=7
RT=13
Home=49ers
H1=7
H2=14
H3=0
H4=10
HT=31
* Game site: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Game time: 1:05 PDT / 4:05 PM EDT
* Game weather: 67°F (Sunny)
* Game attendance: 67,249
* Referee: Bill Leavy
* TV announcers: (FOX): Dick Stockton, Brian Baldinger, Brian Billick, & Laura Okmin

Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Lions flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 3 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as 49ers QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with RB Frank Gore getting a 4-yard TD run. The Lions would get on the board with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 44-yard field goal. The 49ers closed out the half with O'Sullivan completing a 24-yard TD pass to TE Delanie Walker.

In the third quarter, Detroit tried to rally as Hanson kicked a 51-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with CB Allen Rossum getting a 1-yard TD run. The Lions tried to comeback as QB Jon Kitna completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Rudi Johnson, yet the 49ers pulled away with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 25-yard field goal.

With the loss, Detroit fell to 0-3.

Week 4: Bye Week

In the bye week, team president and general manager Matt Millen,was fired after eight years of management in which the team accumulated a league-worst record of 31 wins and 84 losses. [Glazer, Jay. [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8601458/Millen-out-as-Lions-president,-GM Millen out as Lions president, GM] . Fox Sports. 24 September 2008.]

Week 5: vs Chicago Bears

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Bears
R1=3
R2=14
R3=14
R4=3
RT=34
Home=Lions
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=0
HT=7
* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance: 59,790
* Referee: Scott Green
* TV announcers: (FOX): Matt Vasgersian, Brian Baldinger, Brian Billick, & Laura Okmin

Coming off their bye week, the Lions played a Week 5 NFC North duel at home with the Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as Bears kicker Robbie Gould got a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Lions continued to trail as QB Kyle Orton completed a 9-yard TD pass to RB Matt Forté and a 12-yard TD pass to WR/KR Devin Hester. In the third quarter, Chicago continued its domination as Forté got a 1-yard TD run, along with CB Charles Tillman returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, Detroit got its only score of the game as rookie RB Kevin Smith got a 12-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bears sealed the win with Gould nailing a 45-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Lions fell to 0-4.

Week 6: at Minnesota Vikings

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Vikings
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX): Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, & Laura Okmin

Week 7: at Houston Texans

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Texans
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
* Game time: 4:05 PM EDT / 3:05 PM CDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 8: vs Washington Redskins

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Redskins
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 9: at Chicago Bears

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Bears
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 10: vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Jaguars
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (CBS):

Week 11: at Carolina Panthers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Panthers
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=

* Game site: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 12: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Buccaneers
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=

* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 13: vs Tenesee Titans (Thanksgiving Classic)

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Titans
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=

* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 12:30 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (CBS) (nationwide):

Week 14: vs Minnesota Vikings

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Vikings
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=

* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Colts
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=

* Game site: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 16: vs New Orleans Saints

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Saints
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Lions
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: None (Domed Stadium)
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Week 17: at Green Bay Packers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=
R2=
R3=
R4=
RT=
Home=Packers
H1=
H2=
H3=
H4=
HT=
* Game site: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM CDT
* Game weather:
* Game attendance:
* Referee:
* TV announcers: (FOX):

Division standings

Notable Roster Losses and Trades

* RB Kevin Jones - Released on March 13th - signed with the Chicago Bears
* DE Kalimba Edwards - Released on March 13th
* DT Shaun Rogers - On February 29, 2008, the Lions traded Shaun Rogers to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Notes and references

ee Also

*NFL Network
*NFL Sunday Ticket
*NFL local television blackout policy

ources

* [http://www.detroitlions.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=13&top=21&level=2 2008 Detroit Lions Schedule]