Breaking the Mold?

W, Detroit Lions 36, Oakland 21

Opening Day - that one time each year when EVERY fan can believe. Everyone is even (0-0) and dreams of playing in the Super Bowl and going from worst to first burns brightly in a true fan's heart. Today is such a day for myself.

I am a die-hard Detroit Lions fan and this spot is where I come to express myself. Everyone needs an outlet right? So this is mine and you're welcome to join me. Are you the type of person that likes a certain musician that none of your friends or co-workers dig? This blog is that sort of place.

If your sports history has a bit more definition and depth than saying that you can only be great if you win a championship - stop by some some Honolulu Blue and Silver love. My brother Keith and I (and now his son Jr and wife Christina) are Lion fans number one and two in the dictionary (look it up and you'll see our pictures next to 'Lion Fan') travel to left coast to every game we can find. I report back here and hope there are more of you out there.

Kicking off 2007 The first game of the season is special, but this one was a bit more so. The preseason news was quarterback Jon Kitna's 'guarantee' so I looked on intently as the Lions got it going, I had hope. Although we decided not to attend this game (we've traveled to the Coliseum in the past), we were there in spirit.

This was the first true test. As you read these entries you see sport cliches and isms dropped in (but without this disclaimer). My first is that this team needs to win on the road. The poor teams of the past decade couldn't beat my mom's knitting team at her house so a weak Oakland team (amazing that they were in the Super five short years ago) was winnable.

Spoiling the Party?
They didn't disappoint either. After dodging a bullet after an end zone interception and a missed Oakland field goal, Detroit took a 10 point halftime lead and tack an additional seven on in the third quarter. I had friends over for a kick-off/birthday jam and things got a bit tense in the third quarter when the Raiders erased this deficit and took a 21-20 lead halfway through the fourth. Was this the old Lions or will this team break the mold?

Jon Kitna (27-36 for 289 yards passing) and the Lions answered emphatically with two touchdowns wrapped around a field goal and a couple of forced turnovers to seal the victory. AWESOME!