Dennis Northcutt News

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford hands the ball to running back Kevin Smith.

CLEVELAND At DETROIT OPENING LINE - Lions by 4 1/2 RECORD VS. SPREAD - Cleveland 3-6, Detroit 2-6-1 SERIES RECORD - Lions lead 13-4 LAST MEETING - Lions beat Browns 13-10, Oct.

Count me as one of the optimists that thought we would see significant improvement over last seasona s debacle in terms of wins and losses.

Phillip Buchanon said it's a move he's been practicing since his Pop Warner days with the Riverdale Wildcats.

If it wasn't 1-7, it couldn't have been far off. The Lions are coming off the NFL's first 0-16 season.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's game could use more play-action fakes. Some lingering thoughts about the Detroit Lions' 32-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Qwest Field.

Allen Park If you don't mind, Jim Schwartz will take a pass on his first midterm exam as the Lions' head coach.

Calvin Johnson 's return wasn't the only change in the receiving corps. Dennis Northcutt , who had a key drop and no catches last week against the Rams, was benched from his slot-receiver duties.

Ah, for the Lions, it's only a matter of time, always. It's only a matter of time before they find another inventive way to lose.

Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez looks at five moves the Lions made before this season and how they've worked out.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. a ' A jury convicted an ex-con Thursday of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of former Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier in 2008.

The ex-girlfriend of Detroit Lions wide receiver Dennis Northcutt has dropped a lawsuit claiming he arranged his cousin to beat her up at a Hollywood restaurant while she was pregnant.

Recycling someone elsea TMs trash is not a formula for long-term success.A If it was, the city of Detroit wouldna TMt be littered with homeless people wearing ripped jackets and teal Pistons hats.

What now? Until this, the Lions were on schedule. They were where they were supposed to be at 1-5, rebuilding after the NFL's first 0-16 season.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was active and receiver Calvin Johnson was out against the St.

Allen Park -- Calvin Johnson is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the NFL, a guy that completely changes the complexion of a game -- even if he doesn't catch a single pass.

Posted by John Paulsen Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers.

Still struggling: Coach Jim Schwartz said the Lions were lucky when a holding penalty nullified a 99-yard touchdown return by the Packers' Jordy Nelson on the opening kickoff.

The trade deadline is Tuesday, and while the Lions may not make the kind of splash they did a year ago -- dealing Roy Williams to Dallas for a haul of draft picks -- GM Martin Mayhew's definitely making and taking phone calls.

The Lions will practice for the next two days, then take the weekend off for the bye week.