Detroit Lions Weblog

Kitna Takes the Helm, Draft Picks signed (3rd-7th), LB’s

Rod Marinelli’s decision to name Jon Kitna as the Lion’s starting QB on the first day of training camp was no surprise. Yet, Marinelli’s decision to proclaim his starter was a shrewd decision on his part. There was little question who was likely lead this team, but by eliminating the mystery it puts the onus upon Jon Kitna to assert his strong leadership role that he must now assume. He will establish a model to follow and is the only QB on the current roster with the acumen to be thrust into the role of directing the challenging, voluminous offensive scheme of Coordinator Mike Martz. In my eyes, Kitna could solidify this wayward organization along the lines of Steve DeBerg, Earl Morrall, or how Brad Johnson has impacted the teams he played for in recent seasons.

The Lions inked all of their draft picks from their third through seventh rounds of the 2005 draft. As glad as I am that they have signed RB/KR Brian Calhoun, OG/OT Jonathan Scott, OG Fred Matua, DB Dee McCann, and LB Anthony Cannon it is essential that Tom Lewand gets expected starters LB Ernie Sims and FS Daniel Bullocks into camp and ready to contribute. The signing of Sims in particular looms large, because of injuries to LB’s Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey.

The Lions have to be particularly concerned about the injury histories of MLB Teddy Lehman and SLB Boss Bailey. With all of their athletic potential, both of them have been continuosly injured and unable to get onto the field. I really have to wonder how much they can continue to depend on either one of them to be productive. The prospects of having players like Paris Lenon, “Dirty” Davis, Alex Lewis and Donte Curry as starters is a cause for genuine concern. All of these players can contribute, but the Lions need to have their most talented players ready to play. There may be no more important playing group than the Lb’s as the Lions transition into the Tampa Cover-2 zone defense. The expectations that will be placed on them in this defense will be much greater.

Training Camp Begins!!!

The Lions training camp, like so many other NFL teams around the league, begins today. This promises to be one of the most challenging and heated training camps in the recent history of the organization. Rod Marinelli, new Lion’s head coach, has stated that most of the camp under his direction will take place in football pads, as opposed to previous camps where players were not expected to wear full gear. It also appears that he and his assistant coaches, Mike Martz and Donnie Henderson, intend on ratcheting up the intensity of drills and intra-personnel competition. The staff is determined to change the losing culture that has permeated this team in recent seasons. You can rest assured, the team will no longer have “easter egg hunts” (Mariucci’s term for tossing bottles of Gatorade all over the practice the field) during water breaks for the players.

Obviously, with the imminent raised level of expectations for the team, one has to wonder how the players who return from previous seasons will perceive these changes and how they will respond to them? Will they take to the new direction of the team and be inspired by it? Will they resist the new direction of the coaching staff as they battle for their jobs? So much has been made of how tough camp will be, will the implementation of the team’s new offensive and defensive system’s go smoothly as expectations are geared up?

Their will be many intriguing roster battles that will play out during camp that should positively impact the team. First off, the offensive line will be among the most contentious and deepest battles for roster spots in recent team history. There are 20 O-Linemen in camp and with three starting positions cemented (assuming there are no serious injuries), that leaves two more starting positions and several back-up spots among all of these players. It is an intriguing mix of veterans (Rex Tucker, Ross Verba, Barry Stokes) and youngsters (Kelly Butler, Johnathan Scott, Fred Matua, and Panamanian Frank Davis) who will wage battle for these positions.

Also worthy of interest, the running back roster battle after returning starter Kevin Jones will also be very heated. Will the Lions keep a fullback? Will the versatile Shawn Bryson be asked to and be capable of serving a dual role as occasional FB and 3rd down back? Who will remain on the roster between Arlen Harris and Artose Pinner? Will Brian Calhoun make enough of an immediate impact that neither will matter?

The team’s personnel situation at Wide Receiver also should be noted. With Roy Williams expected to be poised for a breakout season, will the compliment of disappointing players like Charles Rogers and Mike Williams step up and meet some of their past expectations? Will journeymen like Mike Furrey, Corey Bradford, and Scottie Vines render them non-factors? What hilarity will ensue if Mike Williams shows up at camp weighing 235+ Lbs., again? Of all of the team’s personnel positions, this one has the potential for being the most volatile and attention-grabbing.

Finally, with the defensive system change (Tampa Style Cover-2 Zone), will the team’s returnees be able to adjust and flourish with their new coverage responsibilities? Dre Bly, a past standout, is not exactly the prototype big, physical cover-2 corner. Disappointing Fernando Bryant returns again, hopefully he can remain healthy enough to be a contributor. Will young players like Keith Smith and Stanley Wilson, Jr. become a stronger component of the playing group? Are Kenoy Kennedy’s coverage abilities going to be strong enough to play a deeper cover-2 safety, as opposed to his former role (better suited?) of walking up closer to the line of scrimmage and loading up the box and providing punishing run support. Can Daniel Bullocks immediately contribute at the other safety spot?

This will be one of the more closely observed and hopefully productive camps in the team’s history. Not every player will be enthralled with the team’s new direction. I feel strongly that among those players who buy into the new coaches system and coaching styles, may finally lay that the foundation that could conceivably alter the interminable rebuilding project that has been the last 10 years of Lion’s football

The Elmer Gantry of NFL Coaches Finds Work and Garcia Sounds Off

It was recently announced that the NFL network has hired recently deposed Lions Head Coach Steve Mariucci as a studio analyst. Mariucci, who was an abject failure as Lion’s head coach (and who I’ve coined the Elmer Gantry (Sinclair Lewis book) of NFL coaches), has been out of work a relatively short time and is probably better suited for his new role than he was as a coach. It is interesting that with Lion’s training camp starting tomorrow, that Mariucci has drawn a lot of media attention by his recent hiring. I am sure he will gladly collect the Ford’s money as he gets familiar with his new job and scouts out the next organization which he can dupe into acquiring his services.

Also I recently read comments from former Lion’s QB savior, Jeff Garcia, that were frankly, a little disturbing. Garcia said ” With the Eagles having been to the Super Bowl two years ago and having been to the NFC championship game year in and year out for four years, this is an organization and a coaching staff that knows how to do it. After the last two experiences (Browns and Lions), I’ve been through, I really didn’t want to battle through negativity.” It is nice that Garcia has found a new home for his act. As dysfunctional as the Lions have been throughout their history, have they had even ONE team as dysfunctional as last year’s Eagles were? Who is Garcia trying to kid, here?

Personally, I believe that Garcia offered very little in terms of the traits of veteran leadership and strong QB play that the Lions signed him for last season. Furthermore, with all of his experience, he did very little to push Joey Harrington competition-wise in any way. Garcia could have potentially aided the development of the equally disappointing Harrington but instead chose to make it known he was here to start and not hold a clipboard. Garcia can take all the potshots he wants, but if he had lived up to even a fraction of his former billing he may have been able to help the Lions win a few more games last season.

What is that Smell that is Bubbling Up?

The recent “Killer” Kowalski report that Mike Williams had accrued $400,000 in fines during his inaugural season as a Lion carries a distinct odor–and it doesn’t smell like lilacs, either. Frankly, I would rather be spared the future disappointment that will continue to accompany WR’s Charles Rogers and Mike Williams. Cut bait now, or shortly after the July 27th start date for the Allen Park training camp.

Admittedly, I was very excited about the selection of Williams. He has great hands and poses a matchup problem for nickel & dime backs any other defender who would draw the responsibility of covering him in the slot or the red zone. If Williams can’t realize his golden opportunity as a Lion, Scottie Vines is a very hard worker who has a willfully strong desire to succeed much like his analogous Tiger’s counterpart, Marcus Thames.

If Vines is not the answer, why not consider getting involved in the Ashley Lelie sweepstakes. Lelie, somewhat of disappointment himself, could still be an immediate, if limited, contributor under the right circumstances. The Lions front office can no longer afford to suffer fools like Williams. In my eyes, making an example of an underachiever (especially a high-profile one!) could only imprint a strong message upon the rest of that player’s teammates about how things will operate under the new coaching regime and show that there has been an increase of the standard for what is expected out of members of this organization. As much as I hate to see 1st round draft picks flame-out (The Lion’s have had no shortage of them), the time for patience and understanding is gone.

Jon Kitna’s Faith and Throwback Persona is Refreshing

A recent Detroit Free Press Article (7/16) by Nicholas Cotsonika highlighting the intrepid path cut by Jon Kitna in his journey to find his faith and secure a spot as an elite NFL QB. Kitna, who looks to my eyes like a throwback to the mid-60’s with his closely-cropped hair (ala Earl Morrall) and firmly-set jaw, has seen a lot of ups and downs in his life on and off the field, as detailed in Cotsonika’s excellent article.

Kitna, who is reserved in his demeanor much like the recently jettisoned Joey Harrington, exudes a confidence and mental toughness that has been sorely lacking at what has been unquestionably the organization’s historically weakest position. Kitna has proven in his past performance that he can be a dependable to very good NFL QB with the right personnel to support him. I am excited to read that Kitna has some ties in Detroit that made his decision to join the team a little easier. I feel strongly that with Kitna’s experience and attitude, to go along with Offensive Coordinator’s Mike Martz’s go-for-the-jugular aggressive vertical passing attack, Lion fans will quickly adopt Kitna as one of their very own.

With the Lion’s checkered history at the Qb position it would be very refreshing if a player with Kitna’s character and standing could flourish in the NFL backwater that has been the Lion’s organization.

Lions Hedge Their Bets By Extending Backus

Last week the Lions re-signed dependable veteran LOT Jeff Backus for 6 years. Backus, who has never missed a game and has started all 80 games he has played with the team, would have been a very valuable commodity on the open market had the Lions neglected to re-sign him. Backus likely will never be an all-pro, but if the Lions had lost him in free agency they would have had a gaping hole at a roster position that has been among the least of their concerns in recent seasons.

Many analysts have questioned the Lions paying Backus for his somewhat less than dominant performance for the team. In free agency, it has become increasingly difficult to acquire starting caliber offensive linemen. Until the Lions have a viable in-house option, it would have made little sense to allow Backus to slip from out of their grasp.

One assurance that comes with Backus’s new contract is that he will arrive in Allen Park July 27th happy and ready to perform as dependably as we have grown accustomed to in recent seasons. As fans, we can’t reasonably expect a lot more at this point as the Lions try to overcome their interminable rebuilding program.