Lions lost to Bears long before losing the lead

The Lions still do not understand that an NFL game is scheduled to run at least 60 timed minutes. They didn't lose when the Bears scored on a first and seven after an egregiously lousy call against the Kong to take the lead. They lost long before that.

Most people would think that getting a turnover and scoring easy points would be something that goes in your team's favor.

But not with the Lions.

The Lions came out of the half with a 17-14 lead. Chicago received the kickoff. Jay Cutler was sacked and fumbled the ball. The Lions recovered the fumble at the Chicago 9 yard line.

1st and Goal at the 9! A chance to really stick it to the Bears and make it 24-14...let the blowout begin! What? That's not what happened?

Three plays later it was 4th and Goal at the 7...they managed only two yards and then punted...sorry, kicked the field goal. All the air had escaped the Lions balloon. The difference between 20-14 and and 24-14 to the Lions, in that situation, is measured by far more than just four points.

The Lions continue to be a team that is petrified of losing, but sees it as inevitable. This is not a team that plays to win. This is not a team with the mental toughness to step on the opponents throat and take victory.

No, this is a team that punts the ball away with five minutes left, losing by four points, in opposing territory. This is a 2-10 team playing not to lose by too big of a margin. This is bad coaching.

But I have a solution--and I know it sounds crazy...

Fire Nick Harris, the Lions punter.

I don't want to see the Lions ever punt again. Why have the crutch of having a punter to fall back on, if you're never going to punt again. And I mean NEVER. Go for it on fourth down--all the time.

Why do I suggest this crazy, ludicrous idea? Because somebody else is already doing it--and succeeding.

Kevin Kelley is the head football coach at Pulaski (Ark.) Academy and he stopped punting after the second week of the season in 2007. He punted twice that season and only once after that second game--and that second punt was an act of good sportsmanship.

Kelley won the state championship in 2007. He was interviewed by Gregg Williams, of TMQ fame.

“They give you four downs, not three,” Kelley told TMQ. “You should take advantage. Suppose we had punted from our own 5. The odds are the opposition will take over at about the 35, and from there the stats say they have an 80 percent chance of scoring. So even if you only have a 50 percent chance of converting the first down, isn’t that better than giving the other side an 80 percent chance of scoring? For fourth-and-short attempts, the odds of converting are a lot better than 50 percent.”

Why should the Lions continue to do what every other team in the league is good at? The Lions are obviously no good at it. The Lions need to go unconventional...

How did Wayne Fontes make the Lions relevant when he first got handed the gig? The run and shoot...oh, and a short little running back named Sanders...but remember The RUN and SHOOT!

Miami rebounded from a 1-15 season to a playoff year by introducing the wildcat. Do I think the Lions should do more wildcat? No, they need to do something really new. Forget the punt.

And I'd take it a step further...never kickoff deep. Always go for the onside. A successful onside kick is as good as a turnover.

Jason Hanson is 40+, his time is very short. The Lions need to find a kicker who specializes in the onside kick.