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2005 Detroit Lions season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamDetroit Lions
year2005
record5–11
division_place3rd NFC North
coachSteve Mariucci (fired on November 28, 4-7 record)
Dick Jauron (interim, 1-4 record)
off_coachTed Tollner
def_coachDick Jauron
general managerMatt Millen
ownerWilliam Clay Ford Sr.
stadiumFord Field
playoffs*Did not qualify*
uniformFile:NFCN-Throwback3-Uniform-DET.PNG
pro_bowlersDT Shaun Rogers
shortnavlinkLions seasons

Dick Jauron (interim, 1-4 record) The 2005 season was the Detroit Lions' 76th in the National Football League (NFL), their 72nd as the Detroit Lions, their fourth playing home games at Ford Field, and the third and final under head coach Steve Mariucci. The Lions failed to improve on their 6–10 record from 2004, dropping one more game than last year, and missed the postseason.

Following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions fired head coach Steve Mariucci, naming defensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach Dick Jauron as their interim coach. Mariucci compiled a 15–28 record with the Lions.

The team started 3–3 before dropping 2 of their last 10 and finishing 5–11. The team finished bottom-tier in offense and below-average in defense. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was the only Lion named to the Pro Bowl, finishing his season with 5.5 sacks, 41 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles including a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The passing game was headed by both fourth-year starter Joey Harrington and veteran Jeff Garcia, starting 11 and 5 games respectively. Harrington finished with 2,021 passing yards while throwing for 12 interceptions, matching last season's total. The receiving game was led by Roy Williams, while the run game was led by sophomore Kevin Jones.

Offseason

Coaching changes

Offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis retired after the 2004 season after a 37-year coaching career. The Lions hired Ted Tollner, former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator, to be their offensive coordinator. Fred Graves replaced Kevin Higgins as the wide receivers coach. After losing linebackers coach Richard Smith to the Miami Dolphins, the Lions elevated defensive assistant Johnny Holland to his position and hired former Washington defensive coordinator Phil Snow as defensive assistant. In July, president Matt Millen agreed to a five-year contract extension that put him in Detroit through the 2010 season.

Free agency

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle and two-time Pro-Bowler Shaun Rogers signed a six-year extension with the team. The Lions also re-signed safety Bracy Walker, defensive tackle Marcus Bell, linebackers Wali Rainer and Donté Curry, and cornerbacks Chris Cash and André Goodman. Offensively, the Lions re-signed full-time starter and center Dominic Raiola to a five-year deal. Kick returner and Pro Bowler Eddie Drummond, looking for a multi-year deal, held out for one week before signing a one-year contract. The Lions filled in needs at wide receiver with the signing of Kevin Johnson. On special teams, the Lions re-signed punter Nick Harris.

At quarterback, the Lions signed veteran and three-time Pro Bowlers Jeff Garcia, reuniting him with head coach Steve Mariucci, with whom he played for while Mariucci was coaching the San Francisco 49ers. Two weeks prior, the Cleveland Browns released Garcia after a turbulent season where he went for 1,731 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions while completing 57% of his passes. The Lions also signed safety Kenoy Kennedy, tight end Marcus Pollard, offensive linemen Rick DeMulling and Kyle Kosier, cornerback R. W. McQuarters, and running back Jamel White. The Lions cut wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim, who posted 31 receptions for 533 yards in 2004. They also cut safety Brock Marion and offensive lineman Matt Joyce.

In May, defensive end Kalimba Edwards was pulled over by a state trooper in Southfield, Michigan. After refusing to produce a driver's license, the trooper ordered Edwards out of the vehicle, to which he complied. After attempting to arrest him, Edwards resisted and was pepper sprayed. In June, Edwards pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to one year probation. Wide receiver David Kircus was arrested on June 25 for a DUI, pleading guilty on July 6 to the misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay $850 in fines and sentenced to one day time served.

In early October, the league suspended Charles Rogers for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Nearly a month and a half later, the Lions filed a grievance against Rogers, seeking $10.1 million of Rogers' $14.4 million signing bonus alleging he violated his contract. In September 2008, the Lions would win their grievance, with an arbitrator ruling Rogers must pay the Lions $8.5 million.[[File:Dan Orlovsky - Houston Texans.jpg|thumb|In the fifth round, the Lions would draft quarterback [[Dan Orlovsky]], who would start one season out his seven total seasons with the team.]]

Draft

Main article: [2005 NFL draft}}In the first round, the Lions drafted wide receiver [Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1984), [Mike Williams]] out of [USC Trojans football, [USC]]. With the Lions, he put up 449 yards and 2 touchdowns.{{Cite web](usc-with-the-lions-he-put-up-449-yards-and-2-touchdowns-ref-cite-web), [2008 season]], he would play 10 games for the Lions, posting 1,616 yards with 8 touchdowns and interceptions as he went 0–7 in his starts. He would leave the Lions after 2008 before returning in 2014, playing two games total in 2015.{{Cite web](2008-season-he-would-play-10-games-for-the-lions-posting-1-616-yards-with-8-touchdowns-and-interceptions-as-he-went-0-7-in-his-starts-he-would-leave-the-lions-after-2008-before-returning-in-2014-playing-two-games-total-in-2015-ref-cite-web)

Staff

  • Owner and chairman – William Clay Ford Sr.

  • Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr.

  • President and chief executive officer – Matt Millen

  • Executive vice president and chief operating officer – Tom Lewand

  • Senior vice president and assistant general manager – Martin Mayhew

  • Director of pro personnel – Sheldon White

  • Director of college scouting – Scott McEwen

  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Charlie Sanders

  • Head coach – Steve Mariucci

  • Interim head coach/defensive coordinator – Dick Jauron

  • Assistant to the head coach – Kevin Lartigue

  • Offensive coordinator – Ted Tollner

  • Quarterbacks – Greg Olson

  • Running backs – Tom Rathman

  • Wide receivers – Fred Graves

  • Tight ends – Andy Sugarman

  • Offensive line – Pat Morris

  • Assistant offensive line/tight ends – Sean Kugler

  • Offensive assistant – Adam Gase

  • Coaching assistant – Shawn Jefferson

  • Defensive line – Larry Brooks

  • Linebackers – Johnny Holland

  • Defensive backs – George Catavolos

  • Defensive assistant – Don Clemons

  • Defensive assistant – Phil Snow

  • Special teams coordinator – Chuck Priefer

  • Assistant special teams – Stan Kwan

  • Strength and conditioning – Jason Arapoff

  • Strength and conditioning – Malcolm Blacken

  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mondray Gee

Roster

Regular season

Overview

The Lions began their season 3–3, tied for first in the NFC North, before finishing 2–8 and ending the season 5–11, missing the playoffs. They suffered their fifth straight losing season and finished third in the North. The offense, headed first by coordinator Ted Tollner and then Greg Olson, finished bottom 6 in both points scored and yards. The passing and running game both finished 26th in yards. Fourth-year quarterback Joey Harrington led the team in passing yards with 2,021 and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, while quarterback Jeff Garcia finished with 937 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. The run game was headed by sophomore Kevin Jones, who rushed for 664 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver Roy Williams led the team in receiving with 687 yards and 8 touchdowns.

The quarterback situation in Detroit was tumultuous. In March, the Lions signed veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia in the offseason after losing Mike McMahon to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Garcia was seen as an immediate competitor for the starting quarterback role. Garcia was coming off a season where he threw for 1,731 yards and a 10–9 touchdown–interception ratio. In the final game of the preseason, Garcia, filling in for the injured Joey Harrington, suffered a broken fibula after a hit from a defensive player. After finding out he wouldn't need surgery, Garcia's return would be within six to eight weeks. The Lions named Harrington as the starter to begin the season. After returning to practice in mid-October, Mariucci benched Harrington in favor of Garcia: he led Detroit to a 13–10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. However, after just two games, Garcia was benched for Harrington after taking multiple shots in their Week 8 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. He was also sat for the Week 10 and 11 game due to issues with the same leg he broke in the preseason. On the Thanksgiving Day matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons, Harrington was benched in the first half for Garcia after throwing an interception. After Mariucci was fired, cornerback Dré Bly blamed Harrington for the firing of Mariucci, saying that he wouldn't have been fired if Garcia was the full-time starting quarterback. Harrington said of the statement: "I'm not ever going to validate what he said. I'm not going to get into a war of words with Dre'." Bly later apologized to the team. Interim head coach Dick Jauron named Garcia as the starter versus the Vikings. Garcia was benched for Harrington during the Week 15 matchup versus the Bengals, and Harrington was named the starter for the rest of the season.

In June, wide receiver Charles Rogers was cleared for contact after breaking his collarbone in each of the last two seasons. During the first game of the season, veteran kicker Jason Hanson injured his hamstring, leading the Lions to activate kicker Remy Hamilton. Cornerback Fernando Bryant went down in Week 2 with a separated right shoulder, ending his season. The Lions also lost Rogers to a four-game suspension in early October due to a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. They lost another wide receiver when, during the Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Roy Williams went down with a leg injury. Cornerback Dré Bly was out for three to four weeks due to a wrist injury suffered during Week 7. The Lions also lost running back Kevin Jones with a shoulder injury that sat him out of the Week 9 game. In the last four weeks of the season, the Lions put three linebackers on injured reserve: Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey, and Earl Holmes. They also lost safety Terrence Holt to the injured reserve due to an elbow injury.

Schedule

Detroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"WeekDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"DateDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"OpponentDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"ResultDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"RecordDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"VenueDetroit Lionsyear=2004border=2}}"Attendance1234567891011121314151617
September 11**[Green Bay Packers](2005-green-bay-packers-season)****W** 17–31–0Ford Field61,877
September 18at **[Chicago Bears](2005-chicago-bears-season)****L** 6–381–1Soldier Field62,019
*Bye*
October 2at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](2005-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)**L** 13–171–2Raymond James Stadium64,994
October 9[Baltimore Ravens](2005-baltimore-ravens-season)**W** 35–172–2Ford Field61,201
October 16[Carolina Panthers](2005-carolina-panthers-season)**L** 20–212–3Ford Field61,083
October 23at [Cleveland Browns](2005-cleveland-browns-season)**W** 13–103–3Cleveland Browns Stadium72,923
October 30**[Chicago Bears](2005-chicago-bears-season)****L** 13–19 (OT)3–4Ford Field61,814
November 6at **[Minnesota Vikings](2005-minnesota-vikings-season)****L** 14–273–5Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,813
November 13[Arizona Cardinals](2005-arizona-cardinals-season)**W** 29–214–5Ford Field61,091
November 20at [Dallas Cowboys](2005-dallas-cowboys-season)**L** 7–204–6Texas Stadium62,670
November 24[Atlanta Falcons](2005-atlanta-falcons-season)**L** 7–274–7Ford Field62,390
December 4**[Minnesota Vikings](2005-minnesota-vikings-season)****L** 16–214–8Ford Field61,375
December 11at **[Green Bay Packers](2005-green-bay-packers-season)****L** 13–16 (OT)4–9Lambeau Field70,019
December 18[Cincinnati Bengals](2005-cincinnati-bengals-season)**L** 17–414–10Ford Field61,749
December 24at [New Orleans Saints](2005-new-orleans-saints-season)**W** 13–125–10Alamodome63,747
January 1at [Pittsburgh Steelers](2005-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**L** 21–355–11Heinz Field63,794

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers

First quarter

  • DET – Marcus Pollard 9-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:56. ''Lions 7–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:54.''''' Second quarter
  • GB – Ryan Longwell 50-yard field goal, 2:59. ''Lions 7–3. '''Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 4:51.''''' Third quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 21-yard field goal, 8:34. ''Lions 10–3. '''Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 4:44.''''' Fourth quarter
  • DET – Mike Williams 3-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:13. ''Lions 17–3. '''Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:22.''''' Top passers
  • GB – Brett Favre – 27/44, 201 yards, 2 INT
  • DET – Joey Harrington – 15/28, 167 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
  • GB – Ahman Green – 12 rushes, 58 yards
  • DET – Kevin Jones – 25 rushes, 87 yards Top receivers
  • GB – Donald Driver – 4 receptions, 48 yards
  • DET – Marcus Pollard – 5 receptions, 58 yards, TD In their opening game of the season, the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers. Both teams punted to begin their opening possessions. The Lions took their second drive 68 yards capped off by a Joey Harrington touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard to take the early 7–0 lead. The Packers responded with a 14-play drive that got them down to Detroit's 4-yard line. After lining up in field goal formation, the Packers ran a fake field goal that failed, ending in a fumble recovery for Detroit. The Lions would turn the ball over on downs in Packer territory. The Packers took their next drive 11 plays and 37 yards capped off by a Ryan Longwell 50-yard field goal. Three punts would end the first half with the Lions up 7–3.

The Packers fumbled their opening possession of the half, which the Lions capitalized on with a Jason Hanson 21-yard field goal. After eight straight punts brought the game into the fourth quarter, Brett Favre threw an interception to Kenoy Kennedy. After a Harrington pass to Charles Rogers went for 31, Harrington found Mike Williams for a 3-yard touchdown pass. The Packers brought their next drive past the two-minute warning where, with 0:30 left, Favre would throw an interception to Terrence Holt, sealing the 17–3 victory for the Lions and their third consecutive season-opener win.

Week 2: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

  • CHI – Thomas Jones 3-yard run (Doug Brien kick good), 10:10. ''Chicago 7–0 '''Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:39.'''''
  • DET – Roy Williams 51-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Remy Hamilton kick failed), 9:54. ''Chicago 7–6 '''Drive: 1 play, 51 yards, 0:16.'''''
  • CHI – Doug Brien 48-yard field goal, 6:04. ''Chicago 10–6 '''Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 3:50.''''' Second quarter
  • CHI – Bobby Wade 73-yard punt return (Doug Brien kick good), 11:34. Chicago 17–6.
  • CHI – Muhsin Muhammad 28-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Doug Brien kick good), 1:14. ''Chicago 24–6 '''Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:25.'''''
  • CHI – Mike Brown 41-yard interception return (Doug Brien kick good), 0:57. Chicago 31–6. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays Fourth quarter
  • CHI – Thomas Jones 16-yard rush (Doug Brien kick good), 12:13. ''Chicago 38–6 '''Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:39.''''' Top passers
  • DET – Joey Harrington – 19/37, 196 yards, TD, 5 INT
  • CHI – Kyle Orton – 14/21, 150 yards, TD Top receivers
  • DET – Muhsin Muhammad – 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD
  • CHI – Roy Williams – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD Top rushers
  • DET – Kevin Jones – 8 rushes, 22 yards
  • CHI – Thomas Jones – 20 rushes, 139 yards, TD In Week 2, the Lions went on the road to face the Chicago Bears. The Lions turned the ball over on the first possession with a Joey Harrington interception. The Bears capitalized with a Thomas Jones rushing touchdown. The Lions immediately answered on their first play from scrimmage with a Harrington 51-yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams. However, with kicker Jason Hanson out due to an injury, back-up kicker Remy Hamilton tried the extra point and missed, leaving the score at 6–7. The Bears turned their next possession into points with a Doug Brien 48-yard field goal. The Lions went three-and-out on their next possession, setting up a Brien 48-yard field goal for the Bears. However, it was missed wide left and kept the score at 6–10 going into the second quarter. After trading punts, the Lions had another three-and-out and punted the ball. Return man Bobby Wade took the ball at Chicago's 27 before running it back 73 yards for the score. The Lions look poised to respond, getting down to Chicago's 12 on the back of three third down conversions. However, on third and 3, Harrington was intercepted by Nathan Vasher. The Bears tacked onto their score with a 28-yard Kyle Orton touchdown pass. On the first play from scrimmage on their next drive, Harrington threw his third interception, this time for a pick-six, which put the score at 31–6 heading into halftime.

Three punts started the game before the Lions turned it over on downs. Heading into the fourth, the Bears tried a 36-yard field goal but missed it wide right. After another Harrington interception put the Bears at the Lions' 38, they scored on a Jones 16-yard run. Harrington threw his fifth interception of the day, and both teams benched their starters as the Lions fell 6–38.

Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

  • TAM – Matt Bryant 43-yard field goal, 7:59. ''Tampa Bay 3–0 '''Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 3:46.''''' Second quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 44-yard field goal, 11:30. ''Tied 3–3 '''Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 2:14.'''''
  • DET – Kevin Jones 8-yard run (Jason Hanson kick good), 4:58. ''Detroit 10–3 '''Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:48.'''''
  • TAM – Michael Pittman 41-yard pass from Brian Griese (Matt Bryant kick good), 1:12. ''Tied 10–10 '''Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 3:46.''''' Third quarter
  • TAM – Joey Galloway 80-yard pass from Brian Griese (Matt Bryant kick good), 14:05. ''Tampa Bay 17–10 '''Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:55.''''' Fourth quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 7:29. ''Tampa Bay 17–13 '''Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 3:37.''''' Top passers
  • DET – Joey Harrington – 15/27, 137 yards
  • TAM – Brian Griese – 22/39, 302 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Top receivers
  • DET – Roy Williams – 3 receptions, 54 yards
  • TAM – Joey Galloway – 7 receptions, 166 yards, TD Top rushers
  • DET – Kevin Jones – 12 rushes, 38 yards, TD
  • TAM – Michael Pittman – 5 rushes, 30 yards

Standings

Division

Conference

References

References

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  15. "Garcia signs with Lions, reunites with Mariucci". ESPN.com.
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  25. Kowalski, Tom. (2008-10-09). "Charles Rogers must repay Lions $8.5 million".
  26. "Mike Williams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  27. "Clayton: History of drafting WRs not kind to Lions". ESPN.com.
  28. "Shaun Cody Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  29. "Stanley Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  30. "Dan Orlovsky Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College".
  31. "2005 Detroit Lions Draftees".
  32. "2005 Detroit Lions Media Guide".
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  37. "NFL.com - Green Bay at Detroit Game Recap".
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  40. "NFL.com - Atlanta at Detroit Game Recap".
  41. "Garcia to start for Lions as CB Bly apologizes". ESPN.com.
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  54. (September 11, 2005). "2004 Week 1 Gamebook, Packers at Lions".
  55. "NFL.com - Green Bay at Detroit Game Recap".
  56. (September 18, 2005). "2004 Week 2 Gamebook, Lions at Bears".
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