I like Marinelli, and would feel more comfortable with him, had the Lions not had a 1-7 end of season slide. It is strongly indicative of their being trouble in paradise. I think that the Lions players believe that they will outlast Marinelli’s stay in Detroit, and aren’t fully committed to him and the sweeping changes he has attempted to make.

In regards to Campbell, he is exactly the type of high ceiling player Millen has traditionally drafted. He is also is the type of player who has been regarded as a bit of an underachiever, much like some of Millen’s other choices.

Thank you for your feedback, I always appreciate a well formulated opinion concerning our beloved Kitties.

That being said, I am still convinced that the Coletto move was a good one. I believe the players that execute the plays are the key to success, not the plays themselves. I believe that the content is more important than the container. They will use Martz’s terminology, so probably some of his plays, but the main thing here will be to make sure that the plays they do use will be executed perfectly. Like Marinelli was saying all year, the players will play faster ’cause they will know, without any doubt, where they are suppose to be, what they are suppose to do. It will become instinctive. Let the players relax and focus on the real task at hand: run fast and hit hard.

Martz took great pride in the fact that the opposition never knew what was coming, or what to expect. He elaborated tons of complicated plays in order to confuse the defense. Unfortunately, he didn’t only confuse the defense…

Keep it simple. So what if the opposition knows what is coming. Play better. Play harder and more inspired football and it won’t matter if it is predictable.

Steve, c’mon, be positive. Jump on the bandwagon.
I put my trust in Marinelli, entirely. And if it doesn’t work, well it will have been fun anyways.

By the way, who would you like the Lions to pick in first round. I would like either RT Jeff Otah or DE Calais Campbell. I dont know much about them but they’re pretty big for they’re respective position.

Whether Martz could have been successful, and whether his scheme was detrimental, are moot at this point. I find it interesting that you disagree with my assertions about the hiring of Colletto. The very system that didn’t work with Martz, will be retained, even if it’s only in terminology, vocabulary, etc. rather than the same exact style.

I still disagree, I think that if you are going to use Martz’s system, then retain him. Otherwise, find another O.C. with an established track record, unlike Colletto, and make it abundantly clear what Marinelli expects upon his hiring.

I don’t think that stability or continuity, is good considering the Lions 1-7 slide down the stretch, either. In regards to a balanced offense, if the defense allows 70% of passes to be completed, and exhibits it’s same deficiencies, the balanced offense will never surface.

American Football is a mature sport. Throughout the aging and maturing process of any sport, and it’s highest-level playing field, imbalances of every sort have always occur. It is a normal process, an evolution process.

In hockey, for instance, the offense dominated the defence in the 80’s. Wayne Gretzky scored over 90 goals and 200 points in one season. There were many 50 goals scorers. Then in the 90’s, defence took over. The New Jersey Devils we’re very successfull applying “the Trap”. Soon enough, all the teams we’re preaching the same defense-oriented philosophy. Eventually, the league adjusted and asked there referees to eliminate clutching and grabbing. Now the sport is a little more balanced. Smart coaches took advantage of the “opportunities”.

American Football is a relatively young sport compared to European Football (soccer), but the league’s maturing process is much more advanced then the NHL’s. The balance has long been established in all aspect of the game. The league doesn’t give many “opportunities”.

In order for any team to be succesfull, at this level, it must be effective on offense and defense. The defense must be as good against the run than against the pass. The offense must be just as solid running the ball than throwing it. In any other way, the opponent will take full advantage of a team’s weakness. It’s inevitable. This league is just way to competitive.

Martz’s philosophy is not only detrimental to a his team’s offense, but also the it’s defense. You cannot have such glaring imbalances in your offense.

I agree that Martz’s departure was good news for the Lions, yet I disagree with you last point about the hire of the offensive coordinator. Keeping stability was much more important than bringing in a “big name”.

Actually the most important thing is to make sure that more balance will be applied to the offense.

I look forward to your always pertinent comment Steve.

Thanks for reading.