Detroit, MI
NFL blaming Lions for 2-point fiasco, won’t change reporting process
If you were hoping for a full-fledged apology from the NFL for the fiasco that was the end of the Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys game, I’m going to need you to sit down for a moment. Because the NFL is going in the exact opposite direction.
Per Pro Football Talk, the NFL has no intention of changing the process of players reporting as eligible. The reasoning why? They’re essentially blaming the Lions for confusing the officials. Mike Florio has more:
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible. The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired.”
That’s right. The NFL is going full heel and blaming the Lions for the clear officiating error.
Their argument is, essentially, that by sending three offensive linemen towards the ref—in an effort to mask their intentions from the Cowboys—they set up head official Brad Allen to fail in a loud and chaotic environment. After the game, Allen was insistent that it was Dan Skipper (referred to as No. 70) who reported as eligible, not Taylor Decker (No. 68).
“On this particular play, No. 70, who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible,” Allen said per the post-game pool report. “Then he lined up at the tackle position. So, actually, he didn’t have to report at all. No. 68, who ended up going downfield and touching the pass, did not report. Therefore, he is an ineligible touching a pass that goes beyond the line, which makes it a foul. So, the issue is No. 70 did report, No. 68 did not.”
Both Skipper and Decker refute Allen’s recollection of the events. Skipper was adamant both in the moment and in the locker room that he didn’t say a single word to Allen. While Decker said he did. Video certainly does show Decker approaching and talking to Allen, while Skipper was running onto the field late and was unable to approach the official—though he had been the one commonly reporting as eligible in this game.
Every play needs to be reviewed. Decker reported, ARSB was off the line, Sewell is on, JR is off. Skipper runs in ad the ref already left. There’s no way he reported…..the ref points at him as he runs in but that’s to signal he’s coming in. pic.twitter.com/ND0iWkw8si
— Timothy Ray Brandon (@TBrandon84) December 31, 2023
As for the “deception” that the league is now blaming for the incident, Lions fullback Jason Cabinda explained on Twitter how that kind of procedure from the Lions is both commonplace and essential for the play’s success:
Gotta be one of the laziest takes I’ve seen. Anyone who really knows football and knows about plays like this knows that sending only one OL to the referee for a 2 pt conversion where the defense is stagnant and can see everything going on is like telling on yourself pre-snap. https://t.co/l0TVAmBknY
— Jason Cabinda (@jasoncabinda) January 1, 2024
Additionally, the Lions took an extra step to avoid confusing the ref by letting Allen’s crew know about the play prior to the game.
“I explained everything pre-game to a tee,” Campbell said. “I did that.”
Regardless, it’s not surprising to see the NFL failing to take ownership of a clear mistake by officials. They’ve got a shield to protect. That said, per Adam Schefter, Allen’s crew is expected to get downgraded for their performance on Saturday night and they aren’t likely to officiate in the postseason either.
In my opinion, Jason McCourty absolutely nails the whole situation here:
Detroit, MI
Murder charge filed in aftermath of altercation outside Detroit bar
Murder and two related charges have been filed against a Detroit man in the aftermath of an altercation that left one man dead and his brother seriously injured.
Michael Alan Harris, 42, of Detroit was arraigned Tuesday in 36th District Court of Detroit on charges of first-degree murder, felony firearm and resisting and obstructing a police officer, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
The charges are related to the fatal shooting of Jalen Coats Stevens, 28, of Detroit, Worthy said. Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene of an altercation early Sunday in the 15900 block of Grand River Avenue.
During the altercation, Stevens’ brother, Glenn, was stabbed over a dozen times but survived. He has been in the hospital since. Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil hosted by the Stevens family Tuesday night outside of Chita’s Nefertiti bar. The brothers were celebrating a work promotion for Jalen Saturday night before the altercation erupted.
While it was known by Tuesday night that one person was in custody, the family asked the public and police to continue working on the investigation, as the person who had stabbed Glenn had not been located.
In the meantime, Harris is scheduled for a probable cause conference Jan. 14, and a preliminary exam is set for Jan. 21.
The above video originally aired Jan. 6.
Detroit, MI
The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged
Blough is only two years into his coaching career after retiring from playing after the 2023 season. He has spent the last two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach, helping young quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as a strong franchise player for Washington. Late in the 2025 season, Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard took the Stanford head coaching job, leaving Blough to serve as the interim quarterbacks coach for the rest of the season.
While backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, Blough was often described by the coaching staff as an excellent backup and strong offensive mind.
“I love the kid, if I’m being totally honest with you,” Campbell said back in 2021. “He’s just a little football player. And when I say that, I mean that in the highest regard. Look, he’s smart. He’s extremely smart. He knows where to go with the football, I love his timing. He knows how to command the huddle, he communicates well and on top of that, he’s a hell of a dude, by the way. He just is. So, he has not disappointed. He’s doing a good job. He’s out there competing with the rest of those guys.”
As of now, this is the only known candidate for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position, but it’s still early in the process. When more candidates emerge, we’ll have a tracker so you can see all of the names in one place.
Detroit, MI
Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.
Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.
“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”
Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.
Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.
Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.
“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”
“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.
“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Science1 week agoWe Asked for Environmental Fixes in Your State. You Sent In Thousands.
-
Business1 week agoA tale of two Ralphs — Lauren and the supermarket — shows the reality of a K-shaped economy
-
Politics1 week agoCommentary: America tried something new in 2025. It’s not going well
-
Detroit, MI4 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Politics1 week agoMarjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
-
Health1 week agoRecord-breaking flu numbers reported in New York state, sparking warnings from officials