Ko Simpson News

Jamie Samuelsen, the sports director for the "Deminski & Doyle" morning show on WCSX-FM , blogs for freep.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers.

The Lions' secondary has struggled all season, and the unit blew a couple of big plays against Cleveland that helped the Browns build a 21-point lead in the first quarter Sunday.

Ryan Grant News: According to NFL.com, Ryan Grant practiced in full for the second straight day Wednesday and is probable for Thursday's game against the Lions.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said an initial X-ray of quarterback Matthew Stafford's left shoulder was negative after Sunday's 38-37 victory over Cleveland.

Center Dominic Raiola and guards Manny Ramirez and Daniel Loper kept former Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers essentially off the scoresheet Sunday - no tackles, no sacks, nothing but one quarterback hurry.

Stafford set an NFL rookie passing record with 422 yards in a 38-37 victory over Cleveland and became the youngest player to throw five touchdown passes in a game.

It had been a full year since the Browns had a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass.

Will James is starting to play like Will Peterson again. That was the gist of what Gunther Cunningham was trying to tell the Lions' rejuvenated starting cornerback after the Lions' 27-10 loss at Minnesota last week.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice catches a 56-yard pass from quarterback Brett Favre over Detroit Lions safety Ko Simpson during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, November 15, 2009.

Vikings receiver Sidney RiceA outruns Lions safety Ko Simpson. Rice burned the Detroit secondary often during Minnesota's 27-10 win on Sunday.

OK, so the Lions weren't able to shut them out. After a nice drive, Seattle scored on a 3-yard run by Julius Jones.

The Rams enter the bye week with a 1-7 record so things haven't been great obviously, but with a win over the Lions on Sunday there is at least a glimmer of hope for the second half of the season.

CORRECTION: Previous versions of this story referred to Bill Ford Jr. as the grandson of Henry Ford.

The list is short and undistinguished. "I'm not going to tell you the names, but there are some names I have on my list," Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said Wednesday.

The message from Lions coaches to their struggling secondary has been simple: Do your job and eliminate mistakes.

Allen Park -- For the first time since the 2008 season opener, the Lions likely will be installed as favorites by Las Vegas oddsmakers this week as they host the winless St.

If the last few weeks is any indication, the marriage of Jim Schwartz to the Detroit area is going to be filled with intrigue and suspensea 'like being married to a Kennedy.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper left early in the third quarter -- after scrambling on a play -- with what he called a slight hamstring pull.

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, who has been slowed by a hamstring pull for a couple weeks, should see a lot of action Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson were not on the field today for the portion of Lions practice that was open to reporters, making it seem more unlikely they will play Sunday at Green Bay.