Detroit, MI

Metro Detroit must look forward, not back. Maybe it’s time to let our icons go. | Opinion

Published

1 month ago

December 2, 2024

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Metro Detroit must look forward, not back. Maybe it’s time to let our icons go. | Opinion

Nancy Derringer
| Guest columnist

A friend forwarded an email a while back, the daily come-and-click pitch from the other newspaper in town, touting a front-page feature on one of the two Boblo boats, the Ste. Claire, losing its National Historic Landmark designation.

“SINK THE BOBLO BOAT,” he wrote, adding a knife emoji so I wouldn’t miss his point.

I didn’t. He’s a millennial and I’m a boomer, but we’re in agreement on this one. Sink the Boblo boat. Drive the last muscle cars off a cliff. Stop playing Motown everywhere, all the time. Tear Detroit’s eyes away from the rearview mirror, and try looking through the windshield.

Nostalgia is a poison, and we need a good detox.

Our Maurice salads are killing us

It’s a Rust Belt thing, not confined to Detroit, but I’d argue we have the worst case of nostalgia poisoning I’ve yet seen. It’s understandable, given the city’s last 70 years of history, but that doesn’t make it right. There’s honoring history, and being mired by it. Sometimes a sharp break with the past is absolutely what the doctor ordered. Our Maurice salads, literal and figurative, are killing us.

Looking back, and not forward, leads to laughable episodes like 2023’s Growing Michigan Together Council, tasked with finding strategies to reverse the state’s abysmal rate of population growth (49th in the nation) and attract more Gen Z residents. The council’s co-chairs were both septuagenarians. When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer added three youngsters in midsummer, it dropped the council’s average age to … 52.

Beyond the comedy of those numbers, imagine what it says to those few young people who might be considering settling here, to hear over and over that the good ol’ days are gone for good, that you shoulda been here when the Tigers played at Michigan and Trumbull, when you could see Jack White at the Gold Dollar for five bucks.

Like most people in Metro Detroit, I live in the suburbs, where you can find people who once lived in Detroit, moved away during the middle-class diaspora, but can’t stop complaining about it. They drive back to the old neighborhoods to scowl and disapprove and mutter, as though merely sneering will somehow shame the city into pulling up its socks and fixing itself.

Miss Havisham is a character in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Jilted at the altar, she spends the rest of her life lurking in her dark mansion in her wedding gown, the cake uneaten and moldering on its table.

She’s a tragic figure; don’t we understand that?

Sometimes ‘classic’ just means ‘old’

I’m also convinced much of the rancor aimed at boomers is due to our generation’s coining of the term “classic rock,” which kept the genre mired in yesterday, replaying Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones for decades. I like oldies as much as the next girl, but damn, when I was a teenager my parents weren’t constantly playing Benny Goodman and the Andrews Sisters in the house and car, as many of us subjected our own kids to.

Nostalgia poisoning kept Tiger Stadium standing years past when it should have been imploded to rubble. Other teams manage to move to new fields and not look back; why was Detroit so fixated on an ugly, crumbling pile that grew uglier and crumblier by the year? But-but-but, Ty Cobb! Ernie Harwell! Mark Fidrych! I used to go there with Grampy! The limb had long ago turned gangrenous, but still we resisted amputation.

I was at the North American International Auto Show the year GM announced it was resuscitating the Chevy Camaro. The concept rolled onto the Cobo floor at the end of a parade of classics from the model’s golden era in the ’60s and ’70s, while a screaming crowd swooned.

A friend, not a Detroiter and unexcited by this news, told me about the last Camaro he owned, a car that didn’t so much wear out as decompose, shedding parts at a standstill in his driveway. It was, he said, a car defeated by gravity. When the roof liner fell gently onto his head one morning, he put it up for sale.

I thought a lot about what he said, and about the gearheads who lined up to drool over the concept Camaro at the auto show, every one of them at or past AARP’s automatic-membership threshold. Three years later, the Camaro landed in showrooms, a gorgeous car, but I never saw anyone under 50 driving one, if you don’t count Shia LeBoeuf in “Transformers.”

These days, I’m interested in the future

At this point I have to stop and reassure angry readers that of course I respect history. No one’s advocating we tear down the Penobscot Building. I mourn the lovely old buildings cleared for more parking lots in the central city. If someone offered me a ride in their ‘69 Camaro, I’d say thanks, and get in. Saving Michigan Central Station? A triumph.

But I’m done with the Dream Cruise. If you insist on playing Motown, it better be deep cuts, or we’re gonna have words. Hudson’s isn’t just gone, department stores in general are on their last legs. The future arrives every day, right on schedule, and that’s what interests me these days.

And yes, it’s time to give up the Boblo dream. The park’s been closed for 30 years, and that boat isn’t worth saving. Tow it to Lake Erie, push it over Niagara Falls. Then let’s all move on.

Nancy Derringer is a mostly retired journalist living in Grosse Pointe Woods. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

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Detroit, MI

Steelers match 1999 Detroit Lions in futility

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1 hour ago

January 5, 2025

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Steelers match 1999 Detroit Lions in futility

The Pittsburgh Steelers were fortunate to clinch a playoff spot so early in the 2024 NFL season. It seemed that after that, the team went on cruise control in all the wrong ways, leading to a four-game losing streak to finish the regular season.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Brooke Pryor, the Steelers are one of only three teams to ever go into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. The last team to do it before the Steelers was the Detroit Lions in 1999.

In case you were wondering, those 1999 Lions team finished the season 8-8 and lose in the wild card round of the playoffs.

With the 19-17 loss, the Steelers are the third team in NFL history to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. The last team to enter the playoffs on such a streak were the 1999 Detroit Lions.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 5, 2025
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The Steelers now have to sit back and watch the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers play to determine who their first-round playoff opponent will be.

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Detroit, MI

Results: NFL fans believe Detroit Lions will make Super Bowl run

Published

13 hours ago

January 4, 2025

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Results: NFL fans believe Detroit Lions will make Super Bowl run

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

In this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked Lions fans just one question: Are you confident the Lions are headed in the right direction? (weekly poll)

In the original survey article, we laid out how the confidence survey had fluctuated throughout the season, mainly only dipping significantly following a loss. If you missed it, here’s a refresher:

Opening Week 1: 99%
Following a win over Week 1 Rams: 97%
Loss to Bucs: 79%
Win over Cardinals: 92%
Win over Seahawks: 99%
Bye week: 96%
Win over Cowboys: 98%
Win over Vikings: 98%
Win over Titans: 96%
Win over Packers: 99%
Win over Texans: 99%
Win over Jaguars: 99%
Win over Colts: 99%
Win over Bears: 91%
Win over Packers: 98%
Loss to Bills: 86%
Win over Bears: 98%

And now, coming off a (revenge?) win over the 49ers and bringing their win total to 14 on the season, Lions fans have spoken and there seems to be a bit of nerves moving through the fan base, as confidence has dipped to 91% — which is still solid overall.

Fortunately, the national audience remains firmly behind Detroit. SB Nation also ran a national survey asking who would cover the Lions -2.5 spread over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, set by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, and the national audience continues to side with Detroit, with 60% of national fans believing the Lions win and cover.

And in case you need a bit more Kool-Aid, 21% of the National fans polled believe the Lions will still win the Super Bowl, the second-highest percentage behind the defending Champions.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit-Minnesota ‘Game Of The Year’ Ends NFL Regular Season Sunday

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22 hours ago

January 4, 2025

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Detroit-Minnesota ‘Game Of The Year’ Ends NFL Regular Season Sunday

Quarterback Jared Goff and the Lions will meet Minnesota to determine the NFC North title Sunday … [+] night. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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The NFL saved the prime-est of its prime-time TV lineup for the final game of the regular season Sunday.

The season could hardly end on a more dramatic note, with the AFC North and NFC North champions to be determined over the final two days.

The AFC North will winner will be determined Saturday, when the division-leading Baltimore Ravens (11-5) and the second-place Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) play home games within hours of each other.

Both are assured of playoff spots, and Baltimore will win the division with a victory over Cleveland. The Steelers hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens, and they will win the division with a victory over Cincinnati and a Baltimore loss. The Steelers’ game also has wild card implications, because the Bengals would get the last AFC playoff spot with a win and losses by Denver and Miami.

All leading to the finale. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both 14-2, will end the season in what could be considered the game of the year. Only AFC No. 1 seed Kansas City (15-1) has a better record, and the rematch comes with huge stakes.

The Detroit-Minnesota winner will earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Its first game would be at home against the lowest-remaining seed, inasmuch as the NFL reseeds the field after every round.

Because of the NFL playoff format, the loser will tumble all the way to the No. 5 seed and a first-round playoff game on the road, against either the Los Angeles Rams or the NFC South winner, Tampa Bay or Atlanta. The Buccaneers (9-7) will clinch the division with a win or a tie against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday or a loss by the Falcons (8-8), who own the tie-breaker.

Let the games begin:

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are considered the top two candidates to win the 2024 MVP. (AP … [+] Photo/David J. Phillip)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Cleveland Browns (3-13) vs Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

How to watch: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, 4:30 pm ET

Key matchup: Derrick Henry vs Browns D

Early line: Ravens -19 1/2, up from -17 1/2

The Ravens are favored by as many as 20 1/2 points in some quarters — the largest point spread in the NFL since Arizona beat Houston 31-5 as a 20 1/2-point favorite in 2020. Baltimore looks to avenge a 29-24 loss in Cleveland on Oct. 27, a game that was decided when Jameis Winston threw the last of his three touchdown passes with 59 seconds remaining. It could be considered the biggest upset in the league this year.

Ravens’ MVP candidate Lamar Jackson will have one more chance to burnish his resume in his run for a second consecutive MVP award and third of his career. Jackson’s 121.6 passer rating is nearing Aaron Rodgers’ league season record of 122.5 in 2011.

If Derrick Henry reaches the end zone this week, he will earn a $500,000 bonus for his 15th … [+] touchdown of the season. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

Henry will look for his ninth 100-yard rushing game of the season, with a cherry on top. If he scores a touchdown, he will trigger a $500,000 bonus with his 15th score. Henry already has netted $1.5 million in bonus money this season.

Winston will not play because of an injury, and the line moved even more toward Baltimore when Browns announced that Bailey Zappe will start. Zappe, a former New England reserve, has not played a game this season. Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett is tied for the league lead with 14 sacks.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

How to watch: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, 8 pm

Key matchup: Joe Burrow vs Pittsburgh D

Early line: Bengals -2 1/2

Russell Wilson and the Steelers are in reach of the AFC North title. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

The Steelers will know by kickoff if they have a chance to win the NFC North title, although the chances seem infinitesimal given the likelihood of a Baltimore victory in the early game. That would free the Steelers to limit playing time for quarterback Russell Wilson and other starters inasmuch as finishing second in the division means a wild card playoff game on the road next weekend. Wilson threw for 414 yards in a 44-38 victory in Cincinnati on Dec. 1.

A Baltimore victory might make it a little easier for the Bengals, who have a puncher’s chance for the seventh and final AFC wild card berth. To advance, the Bengals must beat Pittsburgh and have both Denver and Miami lose Sunday. The Broncos are big home favorites over the Chiefs, who are expected to rest most of their big names. Miami plays at the New York Jets in he same afternoon time slot as the Kansas City-Denver game.

Burrow is having a spectacular season, one in what in many other years would earn him the MVP. He has thrown for a league-high 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns while completing 69.8 percent of his passes. Bengals coach Zac Taylor knows what he has — Burrow also leads the league in passing attempts and completions.

Burrow has thrown for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns in the last eight games, an NFL record.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Minnesota Vikings (14-2) vs Detroit (14-2)

How to watch: NBC/Peacock, 8:20 pm

Key matchup: Sam Darnold vs Jared Goff

Early line: Lions -2 1/2

Sam Darnold is having a career year for teh playoff-bound Vikings. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

This game is historic even before it starts. It is the first between teams who have at least 13 victories apiece and a combined 28 victories, a stat that is tarnished slightly by the fact that this is only the fourth season that NFL teams have played 17 games.

Both Goff and Darnold have led offenses that get up and go. The Lions lead the league with 33.3 points per game and are second to Baltimore with 410.5 yards per. They have averaged 37.5 points in their last four games, although one was a 48-42 loss to Buffalo in which their injury-depleted defense gave up a season-high 559 yards.

Despite a five-interception game, Goff ranks second in the league in passer rating, sandwiched between No. 1 Jackson and Joe Burrow. The Lions’ offensive weapons are so multiple and varied that they have absorbed the loss of halfback David Montgomery well.

Jahmyr Gibbs streaked through the 49ers’ defense the last time out. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)

Darnold is having the season of his life. The third player taken in 2018 draft by the New York Jets, Darnold stepped in when rookie starter J.J. McCarthy was injured in the preseason and has thrown for 4,153 yards, more than 1,000 more than in his best previous season.

Jake Bates’ 15-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining gave the Lions a 31-29 victory Oct. 20. Jahmyr Gibbs had 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns and Amon-Ra St. Brown had 112 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, Aaron Jones had 93 yards rushing, and he and Justin Jefferson had touchdowns.

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