Ironically I was born in 1957, the end of the last great era in Detroit
football. The Detroit Lions are going through the best team restructuring in my
48 years. They have completely rebuilt their coaching staff. Their new head
coach (Marinelli) a no-nonsense individual, who quickly put together an
impressive coaching staff and is now doing same with the players.
The
Lions arguably have the best Offensive and Defensive coordinators (Martz and
Henderson, respectively) on the market. They have an outstanding offensive line
coach (Beightol).
The
list goes on.
Remember we are welcoming back Wilbert Montgomery (formerly a Lions running
back). He's a first rate coach who spent most of his time with the Rams working
with Marshal Faulk, and Stephen Jackson. Add in Kippy Brown as our wide
receivers coach from Houston. This man gets no small amount of respect around
the NFL.
By the way, Matt Millen, "Thank-you very much!" Millen has given us Marinelli,
Martz, and company. If you think you can go out and find a better coaching
staff, you have delusions of grandeur.
Now the Lions are focusing on a rebuild of the offense. They have put a
franchise tag on Backus, who is a little pricey, but he is the #2 tackle (on
Scout.com) available. The have also signed offensive tackle Rex Tucker (#19 on
the chart). They have signed Dan Campbell, (#3 tight end available). They have
signed Kitna and McCown, the #5 and #6 quarterbacks available. The Lions have
even picked up a seeming utility quarterback in Shaun King - but I guarantee he
is making Orlovsky work his gluteus
maximus off to make the team. Otherwise,
Orlovsky is cut and King becomes the number 3 QB. They have also signed Corey
Bradford (#14 on the wide receiver chart). They have re-signed Drummond,
primarily a kick returner and they signed running back Arlen Harris, a short
yardage specialist and kick returner. They have also re-signed Shawn Bryson (#12
on the running back chart).
Impressively, they have accomplished all of these signings with sound budget
considerations. They haven't been giving away the vault nor choked off future
salary cap limitations, nor choked off future draft picks. In fact, the way the
are releasing Joey Harrington is certain to get at least a 6 or 7th round draft
pick , if not higher.
They
still have a hole or two to fill on offense, and this will certainly happen.
These guys know what they want and are steadily getting there. Another great
thing they have done is acquire veteran players. The Lions are not mortgaging
their future on a rookie draft pick. They are betting on experienced pros who
today will bring a professional attitude and a professional work ethic to the
team.
The Lions defense has been considered a capable group, so the rebuild there is
not as pressing. They've re-signed Kalimba Edwards. They looked at Paris Lenon
(Linebacker) and James Reed (Defensive tackle). They need help at the CB spot,
but is anybody really sad to see McQuarters leave. How many times did we see
McQuarters chase a receiver down the sidelines as his assignment scored yet
another touchdown.
I know it is hard for Lion's fans to develop a positive attitude. Rebuilding
since 1957 has been our motto, a deserved one. Unfortunately it is now just
cynicism. If, indeed, the Lions were simply sitting around, rubbing their hands
saying, "Wait till next year.", a dose of cynicism would be warranted. Instead,
Millen and Marinelli are putting together a heckuva team. The Detroit Lions
v.06, should be the most entertaining Lions to watch since the Barry Sanders
years, and might be the best Lions team in decades.
You don't want to drink the kool-aid or taste the cornbread, fine. Keep moaning
that there ain't nothing to eat, but if you look, the refrigerator and pantry
are filling up.
