Playing GM and Rating the Lions’ Roster
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 01.29.2009/3:22PM
Contact Mike O’Hara at
There should be no shock waves – and no hard feelings on either side – in the Lions’ decision to part ways with Mike Furrey.
It is a sign of the times – with a new administration, coaching staff and philosophy – and a sign of what is to come as the Lions move forward.
Other cuts are coming, and not all will be received as well as Furrey took the news when he said he was informed by GM Martin Mayhew that he will not be brought back.
There are likely to be some surprises, and some players will be blinds-side when told that their services are no longer wanted in Detroit.
Here are some observations on Mayhew’s management style, the two new coordinators, and areas in the roster that I think will be reshaped in the coming weeks:
Mayhew: He didn’t sit on his hands when he and Tom Lewand were promoted to their interim jobs after Matt Millen was fired on Sept. 24. Mayhew acted like a GM, not a caretaker waiting to see what the next head coach might want.
He went right to work – trading Roy Williams, signing some low-level free agents for spot roles. For example, signing back Aveion Cason to return kickoffs helped in that area.
And by telling Furrey that he won’t be back, Mayhew showed that he will act decisively.
He won’t be a “yes man” for head coach Jim Schwartz. And he won me a “no man.” He’ll be a “yes” and “no” man – doing what’s right to build the roster.
My take all along has been that Mayhew was the right choice for this job, and nothing has happened to diminsh that opinion.
Furrey: He was the bargain of the decade in 2006 when he led the NFC with 98 receptions while playing on a one-year contract for $500,000.
He didn’t play up to that level after signing a three-year, $9.25-million deal, but on balance, the Lions got their money’s worth.
I don’t think Furrey was going to catch 98 passes again – or even 68 – with Calvin Johnson dominating on the other side.
Scott Linehan/Gunther Cunningham: Talking to both men at their respective press conferences this week, I was struck by two things: neither one wanted to define exactly how they will design the offense (Linehan) and defense (Cunningham). They want to evaluate their players, first.
And neither one has a name for his unit. That means no Wet Toast Offense, or Silver Stretch, or Tampa Two or Bend Don’t Break.
A coach once said long ago that that quickest way to get fired is to give your offense or defense a name. Just call it the offense or defense.
Having said all that, the Tampa Two is find defense, with the right players. The West Coast Offense is fine, with the right players. But neither works without good players.
The roster:
By my evaluation, there are 15-18 players on the roster who are solid to return. That doesn’t mean that the other 35 or so automatically should be cut, but there is a small core of bona fide keepers – and not all of them are starters.
Three of them are specialists – kicker Jason Hanson, punter Nick Harris and long-snapper Don Muhlbach. There’s a comfort level for any coach to have three specialists who can perform at a high level.
This is my position-by-position analysis:
Quarterback: You have to love the way Schwartz has not underplayed the importance of the position. He calls it “the trump card.” And Linehan said the quarterback is “the face of the franchise” from the moment he walks in the building.
The Lions will draft a quarterback – either first overall, or somewhere in the first three rounds.
No matter what you think of the holdovers, you have to have someone with experience. Drew Stanton will get a long look from the new staff. Either Daunte Culpepper or Jon Kitna should come back to provide a veteran leader in training camp. Dan Orlovsky is not likely to return, and Drew Henson has no future in football.
Keepers (2): My two are Stanton and a choice between Culpepper or Kitna, and I’d take Kitna.
Running back/fullback: Kevin Smith is a pro runner. He was intense and durable and got better as the season went on. Moran Norris, a late signing by Mayhew, was a fine pickup at fullback. Rookie Jerome Felton showed promise at fullback and could be a combination tailback/fullback.
Keepers (3): Smith, Norris, Felton:
Wide receivers: Calvin Johnson is so good it’s not worth discussing. The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald deserves every accolade he is getting, but I wouldn’t trade Johnson for him – unless the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce threw in the promise that we’d have their weather from December through April. After that, there are role players – and none of them stand out.
Keepers (3): Johnson, and any two of a group that includes John Standeford, Keary Colbert, Chris Hannon, Travis Taylor – and whoever is signed or drafted.
One mistake won’t be made this year. They won’t keep only four receivers, then try to run a four-receiver offense. What a horrific personel error that was.
Offensive line: The most maligned group, but one that showed promise as the season went on. Sacks declined, and the running game improved. Give Jim Colletto some credit for both.
Keepers (3): Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, Gosder Cherilus. Others will be back – such as Manny Ramirez and Damion Cook – but they’re pretty much interchangeable parts.
Tight ends: Michael Gaines, the starter, was a bust. The role players were more valuable.
Keepers (2): John Owens and Casey FitzSimmons fill their roles. There is a major need for an every-down starter.
Defensive line: The biggest need is for a dominator – a player with Shaun Rogers’ ability and Cory Redding’s attitude. Aside from that, there are steady veterans and young players with promise.
Keepers (5): Dewayne White, Jared DeVries, Cliff Avril, Andre Fluellen and Redding are solid returnees. Ikaika Alama—Francis should get another look, but has to be on the spot to produce something in his third season.
Linebackers: A case could be made for a clean sweep, but this unit didn’t get much help up front.
Keepers (2): Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon will have spots. Jordon Dizon is more suited for a 3-4 scheme, and it’s too early to give up on a second-year, second-round draft pick, but he didn’t show much.
Secondary: No position is more wide open.
Keepers (unknown): After safety Daniel Bullocks, it’s a reach to say anybody has a job. Was Leigh Bodden that bad? Probably. He acted good and played bad. Can Gerald Alexander return from an off year and a neck injury? Maybe? Was Kalvin Pearson forced to play too much? It looked that way. Can Keith Smith be a nickel cover man? Great question – and there are many more like it, without any answers.
Summary: Some of the players I list as keepers exceed my projection of 15-18 core players, but that’s because many of them are interchangeable.
It’s safe to say that more than half the 53-player roster can be turned over. That’s indicative of what produced the 0-16 record. It wasn’t all because of bad coaching.
Comments [2] |
Count Colletto Out in Schwartz’s Staff Shakeup
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 01.28.2009/1:09PM
ALLEN PARK – Lions Coach Jim Schwartz is building his staff, with the introduction to the media this week of coordinators Gunther Cunningham (defense) and Scott Linehan (offense) and filling other spots.
At least two position coaches from last year’s offensive staff are expected back – Sam Gash (running backs) and Shawn Jefferson (receivers). Both are considered strong, young coaches with bright futures who helped develop players.
Not expected to return in any capacity is Jim Colletto after two seasons with the Lions. Sources with knowledge of the Lions’ situation say Colletto is considering retiring, unless the right job comes along.
The right job will not be in Detroit. Colletto coached the offensive line in 2007 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2008.
He was demoted almost immediately after the season, and Schwartz reportedly is looking to hire an offensive-line coach.
That leaves no room on the staff for Colletto. Colletto, 64, has solid credentials as an offensive-line coach, and the unit improved steadily – particularly in the running game – last year.
Comments [1] |
