Last year, high praises came from, then-newcomer defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, about Kalimba Edwards, promising the organisation that they could change him into a productive defensive end. Nobody here in Detroit, neither the members of the organisation or the press, knew what Henderson saw in him that they had so blindly missed, but no matter, they believe in his opinion. So, under new coaches recommendations, Mr. Millen, last year, agreed to re-sign his 2002 second-round draft choice. Unfortunately for the organisation, Kalimba Edwards was also, at that time, highly regarded by the Cleveland Browns new coach, Romeo Crennel, who thought that he would be a perfect fit in the new 4-3 defensive system that he was trying to establish. Crennel compared Edwards to Willie McGinest. It was practically a done deal with Cleveland, until the Lions, afraid of losing such a “highly-touted” player, offered a long-term commitment to Edwards, signing him to a ridiculous five year contract. The Browns drafted Kamerion Wimbley, and eventually signed Willie McGinest.

As soon as the season was over, Head Coach Rod Marinelli didn’t lose any time replacing Donnie Henderson by his son-in-law, Joe Barry. Now Barry, like Henderson, wanted “his” defensive end: Dewayne White. So again the Detroit Lions organisation, wanting to please their coaches, signed the “highly-touted” defensive end from Tampa Bay. Although it is Barry’s responsibility to make sure that White will produce as promised, it is Marinelli’s to prove that the decision that was made under his regime was a wise one. Marinelli was quoted lately saying that he would personnally see (being a defensive line coach for so long) that Edwards would become an efficient pass-rusher.

You can be sure that no defensive end will be taken in the first day of the draft for the first few years of Marinelli’s reign. Altough Gaines Adams his regarded as a very good prospect, he has similarities to Edwards coming out of college, but smaller!

It is rather well known that the Lions would rather move down the draft and get more pics. Marinelli has revamped already half of the team, and is not yet done. He believes that he needs to change the losing attitude of this team, and to do so, needs to change most of the veterans that, hence, have grown accustomed to losing.

I know also exactly where the Lions want to put emphasis in this year’s draft, but that is another story in itself.

Hope this information can be of use.

Sincerely yours,
The Executive.