Detroit Lions Weblog

USA Today Sports Weekly “Buzz Column” 02/09/05

I emailed John Czarnecki recently in regards to the Sports Weekly Buzz column that mentioned that Matt Millen indicated that the Lions would have no interest in Drew Brees. As a precursor to an upcoming entry I am working on, I asked Czarnecki what the qualitative difference is between the Patriots and the Lions. What has made the Patriots among greatest teams in NFL history and at the same time, what is it about the Lions that they continue to languish. Here is his response:

” Matt doesn’t want to spend a No.1 pick on Brees, believing Mariucci has enough to work with (with) Harrington….Matt is placing a lot of blame on the coaching staff to fix the offense….He is interested in a cheap backup….for instance, he told me that they dropped 56 passes this past season (previous reports had credited the Lions with 40 dropped passes this year, DLB)….

“I like Matt. I’ve known him since his playing days. The biggest difference between the two franchises is that (Bill) Belichick picked (Scott, Patriots GM) Pioli as his top lieutenant and Matt picked Mooch. Pioli knows Belichick and what he wants; they are totally on the same page. Mooch disagrees with Matt on some personnel matters–say quarterback–and this could be a major problem. Maybe Mooch isn’t as good as we thought he is. This is what Matt is waiting to see….if he is or isn’t. To give up on Harrington would admit a colossal mistake (larger than eventually admitting that Mooch was a colossal mistake?-DLB) and it is extremely difficult to start all over again at that position(QB). The ownership is in place in both places….they are willing to spend and have the money (to spend-DLB). Matt is determined to win. We will see.”

In regards to Czarnecki’s comments, He seems to believe that Millen has the ability to make the right decision here. I also believe that with his extensive knowledge of the sport, he may have been able to see from the onset what we are now only beginning to come to realize, that Steve Mariucci is not a top NFL coach. I hope that this organization will continue to improve even with or without the presence of Mariucci or Millen. They have to continue to aspire to be a franchise of the caliber of the New England Patriots.

Again, it goes without saying, you can find worse ways to spend $1.50 than purchasing Sports Weekly each week. You won’t regret the news and incites they will constantly provide you with.