97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti Sounds Alarm on Detroit Lions
As the Detroit Lions gear up for their Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field this Sunday, Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket has voiced significant concerns about the team’s prospects. On Wednesday’s broadcast, Valenti laid out a series of football-related reasons about why the Lions will lose to the Rams, going beyond the typical “Same Old Lions” narrative.
What did Mike Valenti Say?
Valenti pointed to the team’s lack of playoff experience, potential challenges in handling the pressure of a prime-time home game, and the vulnerabilities of the Lions’ defense against skilled quarterbacks. Furthermore, Valenti highlighted the potential absence of key players like tight end Sam LaPorta as a critical factor that could hamper the Lions’ offensive effectiveness. (H/T to SI.com for quotes)
“I don’t want to do what I’m about to do, but honesty is the name of the game on this show,” Valenti said. “I have to be honest. Rico, I’m sounding the alarms. This is when the bombs started flying over London, and the sirens are going. I am sounding the alarm. I think we’re losing to the Rams. I can’t believe I just uttered that.
“Now that we turn our attention to the weekend, none of this has to do with “S.O.L,” none of it. It all has to do with what’s right in front of us. I can lay out some reasons why I feel this way, and one of the biggest ones is if Sam LaPorta doesn’t play. A huge hit to this team. But, the other factors are all football related. None of it is fear or PTSD or using this team’s past, no. I will give you football reasons (for) why I am terrified of the game this weekend.”
“You want the football reasons? I’ll give them to you. One, this team has next-to-no playoff experience. None,” Valenti exclaimed. “And, not only is it a playoff game, but it’s at home and it’s in primetime. The bright lights. You know who agrees with that take? T.J. Lang. It’s a thing. It matters. You take the field for the first time in the playoffs, and you’re at home and it’s gonna be raucous. There’s a big propensity that the team could come out very tight.
“Two, can’t lose the image of that smooshed, little-face Nick Mullens throwing for 800 yards in two weeks. This defense, against good quarterbacks, gets shredded, true or false? Do you have a great pass rush? Don’t do the alternative facts thing.”
“Then, I go to the other side of the coin, and I go, if Sam LaPorta is not here and we still don’t know Jamo’s status. I look at this and I go, ‘What is my plan all of a sudden now, if I don’t have (LaPorta)?’ And look, a lot of this is my respect for LaPorta. I think he’s one of the three best tight ends in the sport. I’m taking away almost 100 catches and 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. And, who’s my backup tight end? No one knows,” Valenti expressed. “These are all football reasons. That’s before we get to, if you’re so sweet, why are you just a three-point favorite?
“Look, Amon-Ra’s a superstar. But, Sam LaPorta is the guy that Jared Goff really leans on. Really. And you don’t have any replacement at all. In fact, you’re going into this game where you may not see a tight end targeted a single time. Brock Wright is banged up, no one knows who (James) Mitchell even is. Like, guys, I’m sounding the alarm, and I want to have a real conversation, as we essentially kick off the week.”
TL;DR (too long didn’t read)
- Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket predicts a loss for the Detroit Lions against the Rams.
- Concerns include lack of playoff experience and defensive vulnerabilities.
- The potential absence of Sam LaPorta and lack of tight end depth are significant worries.
The Bottom Line – A Reality Check for Playoff Hopes
Mike Valenti’s candid assessment serves as a reality check for the Detroit Lions and their fans as they approach the playoff battle with the Rams. His detailed analysis, grounded in football logistics rather than past disappointments, sheds light on legitimate concerns for the Lions. While optimism abounds in Detroit, Valenti’s perspective reminds us that playoff football is an entirely different ball game, where experience, depth, and tactical nous are as critical as team spirit and momentum. As the Lions face their moment of truth, these factors will undoubtedly play a decisive role in their pursuit of postseason glory.