Hey NFL, why don't you just admit that nobody knows how or when or maybe even why to call a holding penalty?  It's a farce.  The only logical thing to do is either drop it as a penalty or admit that the NFL and the referees have a free hand in determining who they want to win any game played.

Seriously, the refs cannot EVER call it consistently.

In the playoffs this year the the lack of holding calls has been prominent, especially in a league that has mostly forsaken the run game for the passing game.  If teams are passing upwards of 50 times a game, where are all the holding calls?  How are we watching legitimately fair games played by the rules if the refs are cherry-picking when they call "Holding?"  It begs the question, "Are these games on the level?"

Over the last 20-30 years the league has consistently done everything in it's power to increase scoring and the excitement of the passing game...so why don't they just go that extra step, quit the charade and just strike "Holding" from the rule books?  They're not calling it anyway, and they're certainly not calling it fairly...so why allow there to be any lingering doubt over the legitimacy of the game?

Striking holding will allow for much more fervent and effective protection of the million dollar QB assets that the league has also blitzkrieg'ed rule after rule to protect.  Furthermore, it'll allow for more time in the pocket, allowing for more completed passes, and more scoring...the Holy Grail for TV ratings and a large percentage of fans.

The way it is called now is not fair, if you're not going to be fair, be not fair to everybody...that's somehow...kind of...fair? 

Frankly, throwing out holding will penalize teams that have been built on defense, which will further the road down offense only football...which is really what the league seems to want.  Maybe someday soon the league will get rid of defense all together and...then get rid of the offensive lineman, because obviously you won't need them anymore...just quarterbacks and receivers...but they can get rid of receivers too if they just put targets out on the field...then it'll just be quarterbacks...and the scoring will go crazy and...yeah...you're right, that's stupid...but then so is only calling a very debilitating penalty when the refs feel like it.

Seriously, this seems like it has been an especially grueling training camp so far...or at least if would have been if anybody had been healthy enough to participate in it.

Maybe that's an exaggeration, but...

Mikel Leshoure gone for the season with a torn achilles tendon injury.

Titus Young, out with a hamstring injury, the first day.

Nick Fairly, out with a broken foot the first week.

Calvin Johnson, out with a bruised shoulder after the first game.

Jahvid Best, out with a concussion after the second game.

Jeff Backus, out with a chest injury before training camp even starts.

Gosder Cherilus has been playing while trying to recoup from microfracture surgery on one of his knees.

The list goes on and on and on...and yet people are still on the Lions bandwagon heading into this season.  You have to wonder if there isn't something in the water down there at Allen Park.  Is there something funny going on with this new "field turf" stuff? 

Sometimes being a lions fan is a lot like watching ER....I'd say Grey's Anatomy...but we don't have cheerleaders.

Some of it most likely has to do with the lock out and players not being able to work out with their normal trainers and top notch facilities.  Some it probably also has a little to do with players not having anyone looking over their shoulders for an 100+ days during the labor strife.

Most of it is, most likely, just Lions luck.  And Lions luck is a most powerful thing...it is a power of pure evil meant to fill you with hope and then rip out your soul.

Last year the Green Bay Packers were annihilated with injuries and their depth showed through and they won it all.  The reason so many people are still professing great things for the Leos is that they have built a fair amount of depth in the last few seasons...so there's hope...but is it real or just the "Lions" variety.

Here's hoping that all of these "injuries" are more precautions than ailments and here's hoping, more than ever, that the Lions follow suit in everything else the Packers did last season.

It doesn't mean squat.  

Seriously, anyone who tells you preseason games matters is probably trying to sell you a ticket he got stuck with.

There are some things to watch for of course, but nothing to really get all that excited about.

Here are 5 things to keep an eye on during the first quarter...

1. At the end of the first quarter...is Matthew Stafford still able to stand?  Is his arm in any kind of protective sleeve?  If not, the Lions have already won the game.

2.  How does the new secondary play together.  I've heard lots of rumors that Amari Spievey may beat out the free agent S Eric Coleman the Lions signed this offseason...if he does, that's really good.  How are Chris Houston and Erik Wright playing together, because that's going to be the starting tandem for most of the season.

But, if they are playing awesome....remember they're only playing against rookie QB Andy Dalton in his first ever game action...don't get too excited (see top of this article).

3. Has Suh gotten suspended for unnecessary roughness yet?  I'm sorry, but I have a really firm belief this is going to happen this year.  I love the intensity that he plays with...but at the end of last season, the refs were looking for him. 

4.  How are the running backs doing?  And not Jahvid Best (although make sure he's not hurt either).  But the other guys, Mike Bell, Jerome Harrison and Ian Johnson...do any of them run hard enough to be a goal line back?  Don't look at how they run through open holes...how do they run when there is no hole, because that's what it's going to be like in short yardage and goal line.

5. Who's playing offensive tackle for the Lions?  Seriously, who?  I want to know.  Backus is out.  Cherilus is out.  Jason Fox is out....who's playing tackle on either side?  Which brings me back to the number one thing to watch...Is Stafford still able to stand?

Enjoy the games guys...but don't get too excited.