Your daily Detroit Lions coach search update..

[BigTen]

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

 

Killer W*** Notes: A coaching decision could come tomorrow

On Sports Radio 1130 Detroit Tom Kowalski says with Mr. Ford and Bill Ford Jr.'s involvement, the process is coming to a close. He believes a decision will be made possibly tomorrow. Tom also says it's an absolute dead heat, from what he's hearing.

 

 

 

Sean says people don't seem to be anti-Haslett, they're just not pro-Haslett. Can Killer make people excited? Tom says no. He understands why people aren't excited about it, and why people are more fired up about Marinelli. They don't know him. He could be the guy that comes from nowhere to lead the Lions to glory. Killer thinks that's tremendously flawed thinking, but it's understandable. People are getting jacked up by Mike McCarthy or Sean Payton? There's no one out there!

 

Kowalski says this is an absolute dead heat between Marinelli and Haslett. This is NOT a done deal. They'll be meeting with the Fords, which means this is coming to a close. Bill Ford doesn't come in for chit-chats. They bring him in to close the deal.

 

Marinelli was in last night, and Haslett should be in tonight. Knowing Millen, anything is possible regarding delays, but it should happen soon. Tom believes Haslett has an edge because of his experience, but that's just his opinion.

 

Which players won't be back? Kowalski does not know, and neither do the Lions. A lot will be up to to the new head coach. It depends on if it's Backus, Rogers, Harrington. They have 17 unrestricted free agents. If the coach doesn't want any one of those guys, they'll be gone.

 

Sean wonders if Fernando Bryant will be out since he's been a bust? Killer says because the Lions are headed into an uncapped year in 2007, the rules are different. If they ratify a new CBA soon, it'll be completely different. So you may be able to keep guys who have heavy payrolls in an uncapped year. They've got a little leeway this year.

 

Baligian says Mel Kiper Jr. has the Lions picking Jay Cutler, the Vanderbilt QB, at No. 9. That's not going to happen is it? Tom doesn't believe that. The Lions want Orlovsky at No. 3, and two veterans ahead of him. One of those vets could be Joey Harrington. Tom expects the Lions to pick the best player available, not for need (Oh no, what is it is a WR?) . If that happens to be a QB, they'll take him.

 

Caller asks why not Al Saunders? He's a genius with running the ball, and that's exactly what the Lions need. Kowalski says it looks like Saunders isn't going to get any job, even the job that Dick Vermeil was pumping him up for. To be his replacement. He has everything going for him, but ask yourself why no one else is hiring him?

 

Caller wants more information about Marinelli. Kowalski repeats what he's said before. He came into Tampa with Monte Kiffin. A lot of people want him as defensive coordinator, but the Bucs wouldn't let him out of his deal. You have to wonder if he'll run the same defense as Monte Kiffin, as well as Kiffin. Does he have the ability to lead on both sides of the ball? (listen again)

 

Caller wants to know if it's important to get a coach to win right away, or find someone who will build this team? Millen expects the new coach to win immediately. He better come in and win right now. They have to make the playoffs, and he expects nothing less.

 

 

Same caller says he doesn't want the Lions to take another QB in the first, as Kiper suggested. Killer said it'll depend on who they get as a free agent. Jeff Garcia thought he was going to get a legitimate shot to start, but he got here and didn't get a legitimate shot. Millen loves Harrington. Maybe a free agent won't come here because of Millen's man-love for Harrington.

 

Caller wants to know what happened with Russ Grimm? He thinks Haslett's willingness to stick with Brooks so long is a huge knock. Tom says they love Grimm, but they're not sure if he's ready for what the Lions need right now. They believe Haslett or Marinelli are the two best candidates to do what they need. The fact that they are not waiting for him should tell you what you need to know.

 

Kowalski says the press conference announcing the new coach should happen sooner rather than later. They could change their mind after the second round of interviews, but Tom doesn't believe that'll happen. He says it's a big decision, and it will happen soon.

 

osted

[Azazello1313]

if millen hires haslett..

 

it's like they're trying to accumulate all the biggest morans in the NFL in once place. tice could be their OC maybe