Report: Lions Avoid Possible Conflict With Sheeran Concert
Any possible problems with an Ed Sheeran concert scheduled for Ford Field on the opening weekend of the NFL season seem to have been avoided. The New York Post reports the Lions will be opening their season at home, on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets. The official release of the NFL schedule will happen tonight at 8pm, with a two hour special on ESPN (to discuss the schedule?)
The Sheeran concert is set for Saturday night, Sept. 8th. That would be a quick turnaround if there were a football game set for 1pm the next day. With the game set for Monday night, everyone can focus on the Sheeran concert and then the Detroit debut on new Lions coach Matt Patricia.
Having the Jets as the opening opponent may be a break for the Lions, too, as Patricia coached against the Jets two games every season, as the Jets and Patriots were in the same division.
The only question remaining is who will be calling the game on Monday Night Football. Play by play announcer Sean McDonough has ask off the assignment, and color man Jon Gruden as left for a lucrative deal to coach the Oakland/soon to be Las Vegas Raiders. Reports this week indicate future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre did poorly auditioning, and has removed his name for consideration for the analyst's spot. Peyton Manning has also declined the job. One possible name under consideration is Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who retired after a decade in Cleveland.
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