SHIT2GRIT

The first edition of GRITBITS, where we talk about the moments from each week of the 2023 Detroit Lions season that will live on in our memories. From the high-flying shootout versus the Los Angeles Chargers, we'll remember: wide receiver Jameson Williams’s block that sprang running back David Montgomery for a 75-yard touchdown; backup tight end Brock Wright going vertical for a perfect over-the-top TD pass from quarterback Jared Goff; the Lions going for it—yet again—on 4th and 2 with 1:47 left and the game tied; and Dan Campbell coming into his own as a tactician. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

David and Marshall discuss the satisfaction we felt during the bye week, with the Detroit Lions parked among the NFL's elite (01:50). We also recall the manufactured "John Denver controversy" during the 1984 Detroit Tigers season (06:46), and use a perplexing quote from Lions general manager Brad Holmes to invent our own controversy: the Lions never met with underachieving wide receiver Jameson Williams before they drafted him (13:04). Ultimately, we decide the Lions are simply so good that the Williams dilemma just doesn't matter (18:32). Before the episode's over, though, we do notice one more piece of curious evidence… (21:36) | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

David and Marshall discuss Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, a No. 12 overall draft pick with just five career catches through Week 7—along with five drops. We wonder: what's it like for Pro Bowl Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, a fourth-round draft pick who fuels himself by memorizing all the WRs drafted before him, to be teammates with Williams (03:13)? Is Lions coach Dan Campbell frustrated with Williams (10:44)? Does Lions general manager Brad Holmes think drafting Williams was a mistake (13:07)? Are we fans of Williams (15:33)? Does Lions quarterback Jared Goff think twice before he throws to Williams (18:48)? Along the way, we reminisce about legendary former QB Joe Montana, the master of playing loose (30:03), and glean insight from recalling pickup football in the street as kids (34:32). We consider the idea of finding your fuel (36:26), and disclose what Marshall says to the TV after another Williams drop (41:06) | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

After suffering through the Lions' pulverizing by the Baltimore Ravens, David and Marshall continue our conversation about fathers and sons in pro sports (01:37), and Marshall attempts to see the upcoming trade deadline through Lions general manager Brad Holmes's eyes (12:55). We wrap up by discussing our perspectives on the beatdown in Baltimore (20:55). Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Basking in the afterglow of the Lions' victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, David and Marshall discuss family connections in pro sports (01:02), and hypothesize that these Lions might not get hit with those all-too-familiar 'bad calls' from the refs anymore (09:41). Post-game, we consider whether our theory passed the eye test (27:22). Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Marshall and David, with help from Jason (jasonwindell.com), unravel the curious tale of why Jawaan Taylor, the right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, repeatedly got away with illegal formations and false starts in the Lions' Week 1 victory | "I just want you to say 'you were right, David'" (00:55) | "It starts with David Blaine" (03:21) | "Do you remember a guy named Jawaan Taylor?" (07:27) | "I think maybe someone should be investigated" (13:31) | "Has he Kimbo Sliced himself?" (19:41) | "Listen to this: this is from 2021" (21:31) | "He's known for that" (25:19) | "Who polices the officials?" (28:35) | "Let's just look right now" (29:38) | "They're not willing to say 'It was me'" (35:15) | "They're f***ed" (37:08) | "I've watched Jawaan Taylor his entire career" (38:31) | "Let's talk about the referees in the NFL for a minute" (40:01) | "You're gonna have to fix this" (42:36) | "What signals are you getting?" (46:09) | "You were right" (48:46) | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Renewed by the Lions getting most of their guys back healthy—not to mention two wins in 11 days—David and Marshall record a new episode. Topics: our parallel as Lions fans to the movie Face/Off (01:08); our complicated reactions to Lions safety Brian Branch laying what used to be called a 'great hit' on Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (04:30); talking out loud at a movie theater (07:06); Will Smith going from punching an alien in Independence Day to slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars (09:11); our PTSD reactions to Lions injuries and to the opposition making comebacks (11:08); how David would coach Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (16:52); is the reinstatement of Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams the NFL admitting its negligence in explaining gambling rules to its players? (20:36); the mathematics of having 'losses to give' (25:23); Lions running back David Montgomery ending the debate about whether the Lions should have kept former RB Jamaal Williams (29:09); did the Carolina Panthers plan the icy field last season? (30:45) | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Devastated by the rash of Lions injuries in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Marshall contemplates walking away from the Lions and the podcast. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

The * episode: the gang examines the asterisk in sports. THE HUDDLE (01:37) | THE KICKOFF (02:40): Basking in the afterglow of the Lions' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs | BLINK (07:06): Why the refs have it in for the Lions | COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (09:32): Apologies to former Lions running back Jamaal Williams; Prince’s contribution to his “New Girl' episode; David gets his for asking a girl to dance; Heather and her unicorn backpack vs. a bully; Marshall gets closure on a karate kick into a high school locker | WHERE’S THE MACGUFFIN? (35:28): *Are there sports situations which deserve an asterisk? | WISDOM FROM WESTLEY (1:02:57) | Riverside.fm SPOT (1:03:18): Use our promo code “LIONS” to save 15% | SIGNALS (1:03:48) Medical intuitive and psychic Jason Windell (jasonwindell.com) makes his prediction for the Lions' Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)”

THE CALL (00:35): Listen as we watch the Lions' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs | THE HUDDLE (07:04): Marshall's still worried about the other shoe dropping—even after the game's over | THE KICKOFF (08:43): On the maddening notion of an asterisk victory | COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (10:41): Another overflowing tub; competitiveness between family, friends and teammates | SOUTH AMERICA (28:00): The time Sinead O'Connor met Prince | Riverside.fm SPOT (38:34) | LAST ROAR (39:04): David has a Riverside promo code for you; what Prince meant by parking your car sideways; the unique confidence of Lions head coach Dan Campbell | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"