Week 9 is over and done with. Now it's time for us to look back at the first half of the Detroit Lions season. That's just what we're going to do. All this week we're going to be doing a series of mid-season articles. We'll be talking about both the good and the bad of this year so far. Here's what we've done so far:

• Lions mid-season rookie report cards
• Lions mid-season MVP's
• Lion's mid-season grades for offense, defense and special teams

Next up we're going to be talking about the biggest disappointments for the Lions so far this year. Don't worry, it's not a lot. Just three things. We'll follow this up with the three biggest surprises of the year later this week. All good stuff. Let's do the bad stuff first though.  

Jameson Williams

It’s just not been great. Williams was able to come back early since the league changed it’s gambling policy. He’s been back for three games and he’s put up six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. He’s also put up a drop or two a game. He’s also only played 113 snaps. I just don’t know what to think about the kid anymore. I certainly don’t have the exuberance I once had for him.

There's still nine games left this season. Maybe we'll see things really start to click going forward. It's not a good sign that the Lions traded for Donovan Peoples-Jones. A receiver that could take up some serious targets at the trade deadline.  

Kalif Raymond’s usage

Look, I get it, there’s only so many targets to go around. But Raymond has been very reliable for the Lions in the last three years and he almost always makes something happen out there. That’s why it’s strange that he’s been mostly invisible out there. He’s only been targeted 23 times this year. Again, trading for Donovan Peoples-Jones could affect his usage even more.

Health

Injuries are a part of the game and they’re largely unavoidable for every team. The Lions have just been hit with them in a big way in the first two years of this regime. The hope was that maybe they could keep guys healthy this year. 

That's not happened. They've lost two of their biggest free agents for the season, James Houston is out until likely December, and they've gone through seven different offensive line formations this year. They haven't had their normal starting group out there since Week 1. 

The good thing is that the Lions are a good team and good teams are able to overcome injuries. The other good thing is that the Lions are on a bye and they could be coming back and the closest they've been to full strength since Week 1. 

C.J. Gardner-Johnson shows love to Dan Campbell on an old Madden game

Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral in Week 2 against the Seahawks. It's a lengthy injury and has given Gardner-Johnson a lot of free time outside of the time he's been training to get back.  This has allowed him to focus on his rap career and do something that a lot people […]