Detroit Lions Weblog

Even More Ted Tollner

I recently e-mailed Pro Sports Weekly’s John Czarnecki about the impact of the Ted Tollner hiring. I asked him about the likelihood of Tollner’s presence helping to turn around the Lion offense, even with San Francisco’s pitiful offensive performance under his direction last season. I also asked him what Tollner’s philosophy towards utilizing the running game might be. Finally, I mused on the Lions receivers 91 dropped passes over the last two seasons. Here is his e-mail response:

“Ted is a good, solid coach…his USC background says he knows about the running game. The bottom line is that Mooch doesn’t have any confidence in Harrington. So how does Tollner make that work? But, technically, he will help Harrington and any receiver with fundamentals. A good hire in that area. But Mooch still makes all the decisions.”

Everyone should purchase USA Today Pro Sports Weekly’s newspaper at their local newstands. Mr. Czarnecki consistently provides some of the best football analysis out there.

Another Take on the Tollner situation is an article from the always engaging Doug Warren:

A Ho-Hum Hire

I am not sure that Tollner will turn out to be such a bad hire. He has some young weapons to utilize. The cupboard isn’t as bare as it has been at some of his other NFL stops. That being said, 91 dropped passes in the last two seasons and counting, a QB controversy, injuries and Steve Mariucci potentially wielding iron-fisted control over any potential innovation to the offensive scheme all could lead to Tollner’s tenure becoming unremarkable or worse, disappointing.