Schwartz, Mayhew, Lewand Connect with Fans
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 01.27.2009/8:35AM
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The Lions’ new hierarchy scored points in their first meeting with fans.
Coach Jim Schwartz, General Manager Martin Mayhew and President Tom Lewand got a favorable response in a “town-hall” style session with season-ticket holders at Ford Field Monday evening.
They answered questions from about 400 fans who turned out, despite the chilly temperatures.
According those present, Schwartz was particularly effective in connecting with the fans.
Schwartz responded to a question about the possibility of the Lions being replaced as a permanent host for the traditional Thanksgiving Day game.
Schwartz alluded to the advantage the Lions have of playing the game at home, adding they were going to “build a barbed-wire fence” around the game to keep it in Detroit.
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Kitna Won’t Rule out Remaining a Lion
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 01.25.2009/10:17AM
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Jon Kitna feels like he has some good years left on his career, and he would just as soon spend them in Detroit.
Kitna is plotting his future in much the way he has played quarterback for 13 NFL seasons—looking at his options and trying to connect with the best one.
Kitna has one year left on the four-year contract he signed when he came to the Lions as a free agent in 2006. His 2008 season ended early, when he was put on injured reserve with a back injury after the fourth game.
At the time, Kitna was adamant that the injury was not serious enough to end his season.
With a massive overhaul of the Lions’ management team since the end of the season, Kitna isn’t sure where – or if – he fits in the team’s plans for 2009, but he hasn’t closed the door on returning to the Lions.
“I feel like I have three, maybe four good years left,” Kitna said the other day. “Wherever it is, here or somewhere else, I’d like to sign a three- or four-year deal and finish my career there – in whatever organization that is.
“You never know exactly what’s happening. My kids like it here. My family likes it here. It all depends on what they decide. That’s not up to me.
“I signed a four-year deal (in 2006). I’m a man of my word.”
Kitna has kept his house in Metro Detroit. He will be travelling this week, but not to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII. The championship game is for winners – the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Lions qualified for a place in history as the only team to go 0-16.
Kitna started 36 straight games, from opening day of 2006 until he went on injured reserve when the Lions’ record was 0-4.
It was evident from the opening game at Atlanta that Kitna and Jim Colletto, the offensive coordinator in 2008, had a contentious relationship. The disharmony likely played a role in the decision to put Kitna on injured reserve.
After Kitna went down, four quarterbacks got playing time – Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson. Orlovsky and Culpepper shared the starting duties for the last 12 games.
The quarterback position is one of many on the roster that is due for a shakeup under General Manager Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz, the new head coach.
Whether the Lions draft a quarterback or sign a veteran free agent – or do both – there will be a scramble for roster spots.
Schwartz has hired Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator. Colletto was demoted to offensive-line coach soon after the season ended.
Schwartz said last week that old alliances should mean nothing. That means Culpepper cannot count on having an inside track just because he had his three best seasons in Minnesota when Linehan was offensive coordinator. But it also can mean that all of the quarterbacks have a clean slate.
Kitna said he spoke to Mayhew after the season and was told no decisions have been made.
One benefit for Kitna going on injured reserve is that he got an early start on his offensive recovery program from the rigors of playing quarterback.
“I’ve had three months to heal up,” Kitna said. “I feel great.”
Obviously, he would have rather kept playing and kept his job.
Kitna turns 38 in September. He has played 128 games with 113 starts since making the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad as an undrafted rookie in 1996.
His experience has taught him that moving is not always the best career option.
“I’m one of the guys who still wants to say that they were part of turning things around here,” he said. “It’s always easier to stay where you’re at. That’s one of the things I’ve learned.
“Unless they make a different decision, I’ll come back and do my best. Players don’t get to control that. You can talk about it, but it’s not my choice. You just deal with it as it comes.”
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