Manny Ramirez News

In each of the first eight weeks of the season, at least one Detroit Lions player has lost his job for one reason or another, usually because of ineffective performance.

The Detroit Lions are expected to continue to rotate Ernie Sims, above, and DeAndre Levy at the right outside linebacker spot, and playing time could be based on who has the hot hand.

Not only are the Lions 1-6, they're coming off back-to-back stinkers. They were dominated in a 26-0 loss at Green Bay.

Now that the Lions have made the unthinkable thinkable by going 0-16 last year, everyone is wondering who will be the second team to do it.

Cornerback Phillip Buchanon was one of the Lions' big off-season acquisitions. He signed a reported $8.5-million, two-year deal in March and was expected to beef up a depleted secondary.

Once upon a time, Jeff Backus and Jon Jansen bookended the offensive line at Michigan.

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wasn't about to tip his hand about the recovery of quarterback Matt Stafford.

Test your knowledge of current sports events of the past week: Why was Manny Ramirez already taking a shower while the Dodgers' bullpen was blowing Game 5 to the Phillies? A) Hey, it was just Manny being Zestfully clean Manny.

Since he entered the league in 2004, Korey Banks has racked up 23 interceptions in four-plus seasons -- more than any other CFL player over that period, he is proud to boast.

Raul Ibanez's first career postseason home run gave the Phillies the breathing room they needed, as the defending World Series champions held on to knock off Los Angeles, 8-6, in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.

Could Rod Marinelli give the Bears an edge today because he spent the previous three years as the Lions' coach? "No, not really," said Marinelli, the Bears' assistant head coach and defensive line coach.

Rafael Furcal, left, Manny Ramirez, center, and Ronnie Belliard look on from the dugout as the Dodgers suffer an 11-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

There were no surprises on the Lions' inactive list for today's game against Washington.

TwoCents, I have to disagree with you on this one. Stafford is getting a great amount of experience.

There weren't any real surprises on the Detroit Lions' inactive list for today's game against the Minnesota Vikings, but Manny Ramirez will get the start at left guard today in place of Daniel Loper.

DT, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS LAST WK: W vs. JAX, 14-12 Dawson did not start, but chipped in two tackles for Indianapolis as the Colts kicked off their 2009 campaign with a gutty, two-point victory over division foe, Jacksonville.

If the Detroit Lions' Stephen Peterman can't play Sunday in the season opener against New Orleans, Manny Ramirez will start at right guard.

C Dominic Raiola is a smart guy who has seen a lot in his eight years in Detroit.

Lions right guard Stephen Peterman missed practice with an undisclosed injury, punt return specialist Yamon Figurs left practice with a finger injury and kicker Jason Hanson's status for Sunday's game has not been resolved.

The Lions drafted 39 players in 2002-06 under former president Matt Millen. Only one is left on the active roster: linebacker Ernie Sims, the ninth overall pick in '06. Safety Daniel Bullocks, a 2006 second-round pick, is on injured reserve with a knee problem.