SHIT2GRIT

Part 2 of 2. The day after the Detroit Lions clinched their first-ever NFC North title, Marshall talks about feeling relief, but not celebration, regarding the team's accomplishment. David and Marshall also finish our conversation about Lionel Richie's "Hello" video (18:27), referencing the Netflix movie May/December starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. We wrap up with Ma...

Part 1 of 2. A day before the Detroit Lions clinched their first NFC North title ever, David and Marshall explore why we don't feel as confident about the Lions as we believe we ought to. Along the way, we're surprised by our discomfort when we happen to bring up Lionel Richie's 1984 music video "Hello" (15:26). Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Op...

Just before the Detroit Lions demolished the red-hot Denver Broncos, all but assuring they'll win the NFC North for the first time ever, David and Marshall asked ourselves: after five straight questionable performances, do we believe in this Lions team or not? We find our answers to be a fascinating window into the psyche of futile fandom, an uncomfortable illustration of how the gut punches o...

A tale of two uneasy Detroit Lions games: David and Marshall discuss the sinking feeling we had during both the Lions' victory over the New Orleans Saints, and their loss to the Chicago Bears. Is our uneasiness merely a remnant of past Lions pain? Or is this team, like so many Lions teams of our memories, destined to greet the playoffs with a whimper instead of a roar? Theme music: Mr. Jukes and B...

David and Marshall wonder who's the emotional leader of this Detroit Lions team, as we recall the 1980 "Another One Bites the Dust" Lions season of our childhoods, and worry about how un-ready these Lions look for the playoffs. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 3 of 3. For us, Amazon Prime's Bye Bye Barry was like Al Capone's vault—or as David puts it in this episode, "a nothing burger." Quite simply, Bye Bye Barry failed to provide the new information it so dramatically promised us. We're left with one glaring question: why in the heck did they make this movie? | A NOTE TO OUR LISTENERS: This episode was briefly titled "It was just hard for me to g...

David and Marshall are surprised to discover we actually have a few things we'll remember from this forgettable Thanksgiving rematch with the Green Bay Packers. We recall: Jameson Williams being in the huddle snap after snap in crunch time; Kalif Raymond always quietly making plays no matter the game situation; Jared Goff struggling while under constant pressure—the well-known formula for rattling...

David, Heather and Marshall discuss the moments we'll remember from the Lions' coolheaded, composed comeback victory over the Chicago Bears. We recall: watching the Bears snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in signature same-old-Lions style; Hutchinson's strip-fumble-shove play that caused a safety; Jameson Williams starting to put things together; Jared Goff "at least doing laundry"—a phrase t...

Part 2 of 3. In anticipation of "Bye Bye Barry," the Amazon Prime documentary that will finally explain why legendary Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders abruptly and mysteriously walked away from football, David and Marshall have been speculating as to what reason Barry will give. In this episode, we find additional information that makes us wonder just how troubled Barry's father William mi...

Part 1 of 3. "Bye Bye Barry," the Amazon Prime documentary about why legendary Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders walked away from football, premieres on November 20. In it, Sanders finally reveals the reason he abruptly and mysteriously left the game, at the height of his skill and within a season of becoming the NFL's all-time rushing yards leader. David and Marshall try to predict what Ba...

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-t...

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 Wi...

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...

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,...

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 (Ope...

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) | "...

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...

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...

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 t...

We record our final episode of the offseason. THE HUDDLE (01:07): Low on sleep, David, Marshall and Heather get present | THE KICKOFF (02:10): Why you're still the third friend | COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (02:58): Marshall and Monopoly; could you get physically competitive with someone you love? | EXACT PERFECT ANALYZE (12:52): Should we un-bleep what former Lions head coach Matt Patricia said to form...

David returns from band camp. Heather joins for "Completion Percentage." | THE KICKOFF (01:40): David introduces us to 'Wi-Fi guy' | COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (04:07): Should "Coach" have fixed the cough? And the honeymoon hotel horror continues | WISDOM FROM WESTLEY (22:06) | Riverside.fm SPOT (22:25): Save 15% with promo code “lions” | WHERE'S THE MACGUFFIN? (22:55): Coaching methods, pt. 2 | INTENT...

David’s at band camp, but Marshall manages to make an episode with him, without him. Heather joins. COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (04:45): For the last time, David is not a night stalker | SOUTH AMERICA (05:51): Unexpectedly terrifying rollercoasters; the absent-minded commute home; Hans Gruber trivia | WHERE’S THE MACGUFFIN? (12:54): Coaching methods, pt. 1 | SIGNALS (19:11) A conversation with our psych...

Marshall and David forget to record the segment themes. Heather joins for the final 15:00. COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (01:59): David comes up with an objectively funny anecdote | SOUTH AMERICA (12:47): The truth about David stealing Marshall’s stories | The WOWNESS (14:59) of seeing behind the scenes as a TV show is made | WHERE'S THE MACGUFFIN? (23:48): The pros and cons of being competitive | INTENTI...

Heather joins Marshall and David for a conversation about humor that results in an unforgettable laugh. COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (01:20): Dad jokes | EXACT PERFECT ANALYZE (08:36): To bleep or not to bleep; the mulligatawny story; checking your mailbox as an excuse to admire your house | WOWNESS (25:55): "I am the most humble person in the world" and the concept of objective funniness | In...