And the 2010 "Gary Butler Award" goes to.....

[David]

.....Robert Jordan (in the category of "Outstanding Commitment To A Mediocre Player")

* Including the preseason games, he's had 23 punt returns = 167 yards (7.26 yards), 25 kick-off returns = 414 yards (16.56 yards). Longest return = 33 yards. Yet, inexplicably, he continues to be "the guy" with no one challenging him, save perhaps Yonus Davis (but we're unlikely to activate another running back).

* IMO he may be fast, but does not have the 'quick feet' required to make guys miss (see Thigpen or Owen), nor does he maintain balance upon first contact.

* Does Wally know they changed the rule this year, so you CAN scrimmage from the 35 after a field goal? In the first quarter, we had Jamie Boreham (one of the strongest legs in the CFL) kick-off. We ended up scrimmaging from the 21 instead of the 35.

* He may be one of Shivers' recruits from Oakland, but I would rather see Harris and Messam get a shot until such time that we can bring in a legitimate return threat (someone like Jason Armstead....without the legal troubles).

* This fragile team needs that 'spark' to give us good field position when the team starts to sag. I'm amazed this hasn't been addressed by the GM.

DH

[WestCoastJoe]

LOL

Well designed, humorous concept, David.

I must say, though, that you might be showing some cynicism.

When times are tough, we have to be able to laugh a bit.

Robert JOrdinary is an excellent candidate for this recognition.

IMO ... Jordan looks faster than he is. Gets caught running sideways, rundown by guys outweighing him by 70 pounds. Easily tackled by hand, no shoulder or wrap up required. No evasive moves. Does not find the holes, which are relatively plentiful in the chaos of a return.

Wally seems to have blind spots, both in favor of some unworthy players, and not seeing enough in some others (Jamall Johnson).

I wonder if he makes some of his judgments with counsel from the Guy upstairs, or a Ouija Board, or his daughter, Christie.

After four games, I am not ready to say Dominie Pittman is a worthy successor to Chris Wilson, Cam Wake or Ricky Foley either.

[DanoT]

Not sure what game film would reveal but on tv Pittman was more of a presence than Keron Williams or Brent Johnson at def. end. I suspect that Williams isn't yet 100%. Also Pittman seems to be getting better each game.

I also have a feeling that Foley will be available in September after the final NFL cuts.

[David]

I am also in Pittman's corner. A physical presence and getting better each week IMHO.

Cam Wake? Hell, no one is. But Foley wasn't much to write home about in his first season, and he's better than Chris "Overpursue" Wilson.

DH

[B.C.FAN]

Nice thread, David. I agree on Jordan. Every time a team kicks, I keep hoping the ball will go to Harris. Jordon doesn't scare anyone except Lions' fans.

[ed_lunsford]

Not sure what game film would reveal but on tv Pittman was more of a presence than Keron Williams or Brent Johnson at def. end. I suspect that Williams isn't yet 100%. Also Pittman seems to be getting better each game.

I also have a feeling that Foley will be available in September after the final NFL cuts.

I would not be certain about Foley, he can rush the passer, and play on the Specials, players such as that typically are waived, signed by another team, then maybe waived when there is an injury, and RF has 2yrs of practice squad eligibility.

Eh, really do not wish to slam on R Jordan, however when other returners make instant impacts, and he has not with all of his opportunities, chances are good Mr. Jordan is directly on the roster bubble.

I'm not too concerned with the 1-3, with the 1 coming from winless EE, as the team imho is systematiclly improving.

Compare the loss to the Riders to the loss to the Argos, completely different team on the field imho.

[JohnHenry]

Top 10 things I don't like about Jordan:

1. Runs with his eyes closed.

2. Can't find the holes.

3. Looks for a place to fall down to avoid being hit.

4. Lacks explosiveness.

5. Can't evade the first tackler often.

6. Can be tackled very easily.

7. Won't take on the tacklers, just folds his tent.

8. Likes to run to the sidelines.

9. Seems tentative, not sure what he's supposed to do.

10. Too many players with dreadlocks.

[WestCoastJoe]

That's a good list, JohnHenry.

On the other hand, there is a list with just one item on it:

Wally likes him.

[TheLionKing]

He does have reliable hands. He reminds me of Jimmy Cunningham running east and west.

[Area51]

I also have a feeling that Foley will be available in September after the final NFL cuts.

I'll go all in that Ricky will be on the active roster opening day. ST ability alone will get him a roster spot. Then consider that he's their most athletic DLineman in terms of speed & strength as well as their best option to rush from a stand up end position and you'll come to the realization that he won't be returning to the CFL.

Imagine back to this time last year - - I was the only one here losing my mind that a wash up like #99 would be splitting (stealing) reps from the soon to be top Canadian & league leader in sacks. Did #99 even get a sniff anywhere after BC finally had no choice other than releasing him? That tells you everything you need to know.

It's not as if Rocket Ismail or Gizmo Williams is losing time on the return game to an ineptitude like Jordan. The situation is completely different from last year's debacle. Last year was strictly personal until it became impossible to try and justify using #99 ahead of Ricky.

Wally the Squirrel can eat a nut and enjoy the 4-14 season ahead.

[WestCoastJoe]

Imagine back to this time last year - - I was the only one here losing my mind that a wash up like #99 would be splitting (stealing) reps from the soon to be top Canadian & league leader in sacks.

Butler showed nothing from the first 1 on 1 D Line vs O Line drills in Training Camp.

He was small, slow, weak and without skills. Pancaked constantly by a variety of O Linemen. But he was one of the recruits that Wally praised up prior to Camp.

Wally may have been following the guidance that came to him from prayer, or a Ouija Board, or perhaps his daughter, Christie.

It was the biggest personnel head shaker I have seen in Wally's time here.

Last year was strictly personal until it became impossible to try and justify using #99 ahead of Ricky.

Well it was obviously something other than a football decision that was giving Butler those reps ahead of Ricky Foley.

I suspect it might have been something similar with Jamall Johnson not getting playing time at linebacker.

And there was Wally having Lumbala try to dive into the line on short yardage. Lumbala is no CFL-calibre running back, but he was a good ST player, and he did have the approval of Christie Buono. If he returns to the Lions, I would not be surprised if he is once again Wally's choice to carry the ball on short yardage.

[Blitz]

LOL


Wally seems to have blind spots, both in favor of some unworthy players, and not seeing enough in some others (Jamall Johnson).

I wonder if he makes some of his judgments with counsel from the Guy upstairs, or a Ouija Board, or his daughter, Christie.

After four games, I am not ready to say Dominie Pittman is a worthy successor to Chris Wilson, Cam Wake or Ricky Foley either.

Wally have blind spots?? Ok...lets give this the 'ol college try.....how about Chapdelaine, Dorazio, Javy Glatt, Jamal Johnson (you mentioned), Mark Washington (when he played halfback), short yardage qb sneaks, playing Dave Dickenson in playoff games- no matter how rusty, punting the football in field goal range, playing injured quarterbacks, changing his mind about starting quarterbacks like he has attention deficit disorder, Duncan Mohoney, prevent defences, did I mention Chapdelaine??

[nelson95]

Foley is a UFA and doesn't have to come back here

[cromartie]

Back to the subject at hand, I finally had a chance to see Jordan in person (from the end zone at field level, no less) and, having watched the coverage team operate, I'm officially on board with the fact that Jordan is, indeed, Jordanary. He isn't quick, he isn't fast, he doesn't have any significant vision, and he runs like he's guessing at holes. Messam has fair vision but not great vision (and were his vision better he would have had a TD) and is still an upgrade over Jordan.

Granted, guys like Thigpen don't just walk in off the street. If they did, every team would have one. But you can find someone off the street better than Jordan at kick returning. It's time to do so.

[JohnHenry]

The Lions have a guy who is really explosive on the PR...Yonus Davis. He looks way better than Jordan in practice. Davis is compact, but powerfully-built, similar in stature to S. Logan. Andrew Harris could also be a good punt returner, with Messam on kickoffs. At 245 lbs, with a head of steam he could be hard to bring down in the open field.