Detroit Lions Weblog

Kitna Not Out?, Jim Schwartz, Stop It You Silly Guy (Blushing)

I hate to gush about Jim Schwartz, but I am going to! The guy has a certain swagger and approach to things that is difficult to not like:

“You can go play blackjack in Vegas and play at the $5 tables for a couple hours and make decisions and lose $100 and have some fun” Schwartz said at the combine.

“You can go play at the $5,000 and $10,000 tables, you’re making bad decisions, and you’re walking home. You’re not flying home. So I think you’ve got to add that into the equation. Not only is it an opportunity to get a great player, but you also need to make sure.” (regarding the Lions 1st overall pick)

The Lions have a track record of their coaches and front office collectively “walking home” from Vegas, with a tattered suitcase in hand, and no dignity remaining. It’s too bad, that in the Lions case, what happens in “Vegas” often does not stay in “Vegas”, but dogs them for years to come.

That’s what makes Schwartz seem so different, up to this point. He seemingly realizes what is at stake and shapes his opinions accordingly. He gives the impression of being grounded.

Hopefully, due diligence will assist the Lions in their sorting out process. Most Lions fans biggest fear is the meddling of the Ford’s, which will lead to the Lions making the wrong decision at the “$10,000 table”, again.

As premature as it may be, I feel like Schwartz’s smarts, combined with his scouting experience, and membership in a successful franchise in Tennessee, will all color the Lions decision-making, too.

Maybe Schwartz’s grounded-ness will offset any malingering concerns about putting asses in the padded Ford Field seats, which have been conspicuously empty for the last season or two.

The Jon Kitna-era in Detroit may not be over, yet. The Lions are content to let the off-season play out and let their quarterback situation be resolved as time goes on, if Jim Schwartz’s recent comments are true.

“What are the odds Kitna will return?”
Schwartz: “I really can’t handicap it yet,” “Let’s let free agency sort of play a little bit and stuff like that.”

Schwartz also stated that Kitna is expected to be a part of the team’s off-season programs and says that “I’d like to keep as many options open as we could.”

This could be a ploy to attempt to generate trade value for Kitna, or additional security in case Daunte Culpepper returns to the team looking like the “Michelin Tire” man.

Either way, it resonates to me as sound thinking. Sound thinking is commodity that has been sorely lacking for at least ten seasons in Allen Park now.