| 2005 Detroit Lions season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | William Clay Ford Sr. |
| General manager | Matt Millen |
| Head coach | Steve Mariucci(fired on November 28, 4-7 record) Dick Jauron(interim, 1-4 record) |
| Offensive coordinator | Ted Tollner |
| Defensive coordinator | Dick Jauron |
| Home stadium | Ford Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–11 |
| Division place | 3rdNFC North |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | DTShaun Rogers |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The2005 season was theDetroit Lions' 76th in theNational Football League (NFL), their 72nd as the Detroit Lions, their fourth playing home games atFord Field, and the third and final underhead coachSteve Mariucci. The Lions failed to improve on their 6–10 record from2004, dropping one more game than last year, and missed the postseason.
Following aThanksgiving Day loss to theAtlanta Falcons, the Lions fired head coachSteve Mariucci, naming defensive coordinator and formerChicago Bears head coachDick 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 tackleShaun Rogers was the only Lion named to the2006 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 starterJoey Harrington and veteranJeff 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 byRoy Williams, while the run game was led by sophomoreKevin Jones.
Offensive coordinatorSherman Lewis retired after the 2004 season after a 37-year coaching career.[1] The Lions hiredTed Tollner, formerSan Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator, to be their offensive coordinator.Fred Graves replacedKevin Higgins as the wide receivers coach.[2] After losing linebackers coachRichard Smith to theMiami Dolphins, the Lions elevated defensive assistantJohnny Holland to his position and hired formerWashington defensive coordinatorPhil Snow as defensive assistant.[3] In July, presidentMatt Millen agreed to a five-year contract extension that put him in Detroit through the 2010 season.[4]
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle and two-time Pro-BowlerShaun Rogers signed a six-year extension with the team.[5] The Lions also re-signed safetyBracy Walker,[6] defensive tackleMarcus Bell,[7] linebackersWali Rainer andDonté Curry,[8] and cornerbacksChris Cash[9] andAndré Goodman.[10] Offensively, the Lions re-signed full-time starter and centerDominic Raiola to a five-year deal.[11] Kick returner and Pro BowlerEddie Drummond, looking for a multi-year deal, held out for one week before signing a one-year contract.[12] The Lions filled in needs at wide receiver with the signing ofKevin Johnson.[13] On special teams, the Lions re-signed punterNick Harris.[14]
At quarterback, the Lions signed veteran and three-time Pro BowlersJeff Garcia, reuniting him with head coachSteve Mariucci, with whom he played for while Mariucci was coaching theSan Francisco 49ers. Two weeks prior, theCleveland 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.[15] The Lions also signed safetyKenoy Kennedy, tight endMarcus Pollard,[16] offensive linemenRick DeMulling[17] andKyle Kosier,[18] cornerbackR. W. McQuarters,[19] and running backJamel White.[20] The Lions cut wide receiverAz-Zahir Hakim, who posted 31 receptions for 533 yards in 2004. They also cut safetyBrock Marion[21] and offensive linemanMatt Joyce.[18]
In May, defensive endKalimba Edwards was pulled over by a state trooper inSouthfield, 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.[22] Wide receiverDavid 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.[23]
In early October, the league suspendedCharles 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.[24] In September 2008, the Lions would win their grievance, with an arbitrator ruling Rogers must pay the Lions $8.5 million.[25]
In the first round, the Lions drafted wide receiverMike Williams out ofUSC. With the Lions, he put up 449 yards and 2 touchdowns.[26] Williams was seen as another bust in a three-year stretch of the Lions drafting wide receivers in the first round and lasted just two seasons with the team.[27] Second-round selection,Shaun Cody, played four seasons with the Lions, catching one interception, posting 1.5 sacks, and getting 92 tackles.[28] Third-round pickStanley Wilson Jr. played 32 games for the Lions, posting 89 tackles and 8 passes defended.[29] Fifth-round selection,Dan Orlovsky, would sit on the bench for a few seasons in Detroit. In the2008 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.[30] Both sixth-round picks,Bill Swancutt andJohnathan Goddard, lasted one season in the league.[31]
| 2005 Detroit Lions draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Mike Williams | Wide receiver | USC | |
| 2 | 37 | Shaun Cody | Defensive tackle | USC | |
| 3 | 72 | Stanley Wilson | Cornerback | Stanford | |
| 5 | 145 | Dan Orlovsky | Quarterback | Connecticut | fromArizona viaNew England |
| 6 | 184 | Bill Swancutt | Defensive end | Oregon State | |
| 6 | 206 | Johnathan Goddard | Linebacker | Marshall | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least onePro Bowl during career | |||||
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL)
| Linebackers(LB) Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST) | Reserve lists
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The Lions began their season 3–3, tied for first in theNFC 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 coordinatorTed Tollner and thenGreg Olson, finished bottom 6 in both points scored and yards. The passing and running game both finished 26th in yards. Fourth-year quarterbackJoey Harrington led the team in passing yards with 2,021 and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, while quarterbackJeff Garcia finished with 937 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. The run game was headed by sophomoreKevin Jones, who rushed for 664 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiverRoy 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 quarterbackJeff Garcia in the offseason after losingMike McMahon to thePhiladelphia Eagles in free agency. Garcia was seen as an immediate competitor for the starting quarterback role.[33] 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.[34] 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.[35] After returning to practice in mid-October, Mariucci benched Harrington in favor of Garcia: he led Detroit to a 13–10 victory over theCleveland Browns.[36][37] However, after just two games, Garcia was benched for Harrington after taking multiple shots in theirWeek 8 matchup versus the Chicago Bears.[38] He was also sat for the Week 10 and 11 game due to issues with the same leg he broke in the preseason.[39] On theThanksgiving Day matchupversus the Atlanta Falcons, Harrington was benched in the first half for Garcia after throwing an interception.[40] After Mariucci was fired, cornerbackDré 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'."[41] Bly later apologized to the team.[42] Interim head coachDick Jauron named Garcia as the starter versus the Vikings.[42] Garcia was benched for Harrington duringthe Week 15 matchup versus the Bengals, and Harrington was named the starter for the rest of the season.[43]
In June, wide receiverCharles Rogers was cleared for contact after breaking his collarbone in each of the last two seasons.[44] During the first game of the season, veteran kickerJason Hanson injured his hamstring, leading the Lions to activate kickerRemy Hamilton.[45] CornerbackFernando Bryant went down in Week 2 with a separated right shoulder, ending his season.[46] The Lions also lost Rogers to a four-game suspension in early October due to a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.[47] They lost another wide receiver when, during theWeek 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens,Roy Williams went down with a leg injury.[48] CornerbackDré Bly was out for three to four weeks due to a wrist injury suffered during Week 7.[49] The Lions also lost running backKevin Jones with a shoulder injury that sat him out of the Week 9 game.[50] In the last four weeks of the season, the Lions put three linebackers on injured reserve:Teddy Lehman,[51]Boss Bailey, andEarl Holmes.[52] They also lost safetyTerrence Holt to the injured reserve due to an elbow injury.[53]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 11 | Green Bay Packers | W 17–3 | 1–0 | Ford Field | 61,877 |
| 2 | September 18 | atChicago Bears | L 6–38 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | 62,019 |
| 3 | Bye | |||||
| 4 | October 2 | atTampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–17 | 1–2 | Raymond James Stadium | 64,994 |
| 5 | October 9 | Baltimore Ravens | W 35–17 | 2–2 | Ford Field | 61,201 |
| 6 | October 16 | Carolina Panthers | L 20–21 | 2–3 | Ford Field | 61,083 |
| 7 | October 23 | atCleveland Browns | W 13–10 | 3–3 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | 72,923 |
| 8 | October 30 | Chicago Bears | L 13–19(OT) | 3–4 | Ford Field | 61,814 |
| 9 | November 6 | atMinnesota Vikings | L 14–27 | 3–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,813 |
| 10 | November 13 | Arizona Cardinals | W 29–21 | 4–5 | Ford Field | 61,091 |
| 11 | November 20 | atDallas Cowboys | L 7–20 | 4–6 | Texas Stadium | 62,670 |
| 12 | November 24 | Atlanta Falcons | L 7–27 | 4–7 | Ford Field | 62,390 |
| 13 | December 4 | Minnesota Vikings | L 16–21 | 4–8 | Ford Field | 61,375 |
| 14 | December 11 | atGreen Bay Packers | L 13–16(OT) | 4–9 | Lambeau Field | 70,019 |
| 15 | December 18 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 17–41 | 4–10 | Ford Field | 61,749 |
| 16 | December 24 | atNew Orleans Saints | W 13–12 | 5–10 | Alamodome | 63,747 |
| 17 | January 1 | atPittsburgh Steelers | L 21–35 | 5–11 | Heinz Field | 63,794 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lions | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
atFord Field,Detroit, Michigan
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In their opening game of the season, the Lions hosted theGreen Bay Packers. Both teams punted to begin their opening possessions. The Lions took their second drive 68 yards capped off by aJoey Harrington touchdown pass toMarcus 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 aRyan Longwell 50-yard field goal. Three punts would end the first half with the Lions up 7–3.[54]
The Packers fumbled their opening possession of the half, which the Lions capitalized on with aJason Hanson 21-yard field goal. After eight straight punts brought the game into the fourth quarter,Brett Favre threw an interception toKenoy Kennedy. After a Harrington pass toCharles Rogers went for 31, Harrington foundMike 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 toTerrence Holt, sealing the 17–3 victory for the Lions and their third consecutive season-opener win.[54][55]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bears | 10 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 38 |
atSoldier Field,Chicago, Illinois
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
atRaymond James Stadium,Tampa, Florida
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| NFC North | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (2)Chicago Bears | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 260 | 202 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–1 | 8–4 | 306 | 344 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 254 | 345 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 298 | 344 | W1 |
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .430 | .404 | L1 |
| 2[a] | Chicago Bears | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .457 | .398 | L1 |
| 3[a][b][c] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .449 | .426 | W2 |
| 4[a][c] | New York Giants | East | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .492 | .432 | W1 |
| Wild cards | |||||||||||
| 5[a][b] | Carolina Panthers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .449 | .409 | W1 |
| 6 | Washington Redskins | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .539 | .500 | W5 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 7[d] | Minnesota Vikings | North | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .484 | .382 | W1 |
| 8[d] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .523 | .465 | L1 |
| 9 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .492 | .344 | L3 |
| 10[e] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 0–6 | 3–9 | .531 | .385 | L2 |
| 11[e] | St. Louis Rams | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .484 | .365 | W1 |
| 12[f] | Detroit Lions | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .504 | .300 | L1 |
| 13[f] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .508 | .300 | L1 |
| 14[g] | Green Bay Packers | North | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .531 | .453 | W1 |
| 15[g] | San Francisco 49ers | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .539 | .391 | W2 |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints | South | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 1–5 | 1–11 | .523 | .417 | L5 |
| Tiebreakers[h] | |||||||||||
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Media related to2005 Detroit Lions season at Wikimedia Commons
