i just get the feeling this could have a major bearing on side and total here. anyone got anything newer than this?
Stewart might be ready to play
PONTIAC -- Even if his injured ankle isn't completely healthy, James Stewart's return can help the Lions' limping running game.
Stewart went through a second straight practice without any ill effects Tuesday and is hopeful of playing against the Green Bay Packers Thursday.
Stewart has missed the last four games with a sprained left ankle, sustained in the fourth quarter against Tennessee. Without Stewart, the Lions' running attack his disintegrated.
They have gained only 224 yards on the ground and averaged 2.6 yards per carry in the four games.
The running game ranks last in the NFL and has been so ineffective that in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Arizona, Coach Marty Mornhinweg called 31 pass plays and only one run.
A key for Stewart will be if he doesn't have a setback from Tuesday's hard practice. He gave it a full test Tuesday.
"It felt better than what I thought," Stewart said. "I'm optimistic, but I'll let them decide."
Stewart was on the way to better his performance in 2000, his first as a Lion. He rushed for 1,184 yards, a career high, and scored 11 touchdowns. In the first five games, Stewart gained 323 yards and had a 4.8-yard rushing average.
Injuries to receivers and the lack of an established running threat have caused teams to blitz quarterback Charlie Batch heavily. Batch was heartened by having Stewart practice.
"If he wasn't ready to play, I don't think he'd be out there now," Batch said.
Injuries/personnel
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on return specialist Desmond Howard's right shoulder showed a bruise from a hit on the opening kickoff Sunday. He is questionable.
If Howard plays Thursday, it will be on returns and not wide receiver, Coach Marty Mornhinweg said.
Wide receiver Bert Emanuel will not need surgery on his left knee and might return before the end of the season. Emanuel was injured Sunday, too.
... Strong safety Ron Rice was put on injured reserve. He is out for the season. Rice injured his neck Sunday.
Statistics
A category to watch Thursday is sacks, where the Packers have a wide edge on offense and defense.
In sacks per play, the Packers rank third on offense and second on defense. The Lions are 26th on offense and 17th defensively.
The Lions rank third in passing, but they remained last in rushing in the weekly rankings. They moved up from seventh in passing from the previous week.
Defensively, the Lions continue to fare poorly. They are 28th or worse in six categories and last in two - first downs and points allowed per game.
[This message has been edited by loophole (edited 11-22-2001).]
Stewart might be ready to play
PONTIAC -- Even if his injured ankle isn't completely healthy, James Stewart's return can help the Lions' limping running game.
Stewart went through a second straight practice without any ill effects Tuesday and is hopeful of playing against the Green Bay Packers Thursday.
Stewart has missed the last four games with a sprained left ankle, sustained in the fourth quarter against Tennessee. Without Stewart, the Lions' running attack his disintegrated.
They have gained only 224 yards on the ground and averaged 2.6 yards per carry in the four games.
The running game ranks last in the NFL and has been so ineffective that in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Arizona, Coach Marty Mornhinweg called 31 pass plays and only one run.
A key for Stewart will be if he doesn't have a setback from Tuesday's hard practice. He gave it a full test Tuesday.
"It felt better than what I thought," Stewart said. "I'm optimistic, but I'll let them decide."
Stewart was on the way to better his performance in 2000, his first as a Lion. He rushed for 1,184 yards, a career high, and scored 11 touchdowns. In the first five games, Stewart gained 323 yards and had a 4.8-yard rushing average.
Injuries to receivers and the lack of an established running threat have caused teams to blitz quarterback Charlie Batch heavily. Batch was heartened by having Stewart practice.
"If he wasn't ready to play, I don't think he'd be out there now," Batch said.
Injuries/personnel
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on return specialist Desmond Howard's right shoulder showed a bruise from a hit on the opening kickoff Sunday. He is questionable.
If Howard plays Thursday, it will be on returns and not wide receiver, Coach Marty Mornhinweg said.
Wide receiver Bert Emanuel will not need surgery on his left knee and might return before the end of the season. Emanuel was injured Sunday, too.
... Strong safety Ron Rice was put on injured reserve. He is out for the season. Rice injured his neck Sunday.
Statistics
A category to watch Thursday is sacks, where the Packers have a wide edge on offense and defense.
In sacks per play, the Packers rank third on offense and second on defense. The Lions are 26th on offense and 17th defensively.
The Lions rank third in passing, but they remained last in rushing in the weekly rankings. They moved up from seventh in passing from the previous week.
Defensively, the Lions continue to fare poorly. They are 28th or worse in six categories and last in two - first downs and points allowed per game.
[This message has been edited by loophole (edited 11-22-2001).]
