National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Chicago Bears hired former Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as their defensive line coach/assistant head coach today. On the surface, this seems like a demotion. But it might actually be a promotion when you consider the organization coach Marinelli left. He has experience in this role. Coach Marinelli led the Tampa Bay Bucs defensive line from 1996-2005 and helped transform Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice into Pro Bowlers. So he had become accustomed to winning. Until he accepted the Detroit job, that is. In Chicago, he’ll enjoy working with Tommie Harris and Adewale …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Detroit Lions Owner and Chairman William Clay Ford announced today:

The promotion of Tom Lewand to Team President
The promotion of Martin Mayhew to General Manager
Rod Marinelli has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach

The following assistant coaches will not be retained: Joe Barry (Defensive Coordinator), Mike Barry (Assistant Offensive Line) and Jimmy Lake (Secondary). The contract of Joe Cullen (Defensive Line) will not be renewed. The team also announced that Jim Colletto has been re-assigned to offensive line coach. Additionally, Dave Boller (Assistant Director of Pro Personnel) will not be retained.
Unlike most farewell firing …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Following a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers today, the Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16. I can’t even imagine how difficult a season it was for the players and coaches. After today’s game, quarterback Dan Orlovsky said:
“I don’t ever want to be a part of this again. We haven’t won since — November of ‘07 — maybe? I don’t even know the last time we won a game.”
It was December 23 of last season, actually. But the fact remains, there are so many problems in Detroit, it’s …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
It’s people like Detroit News columnist Rob Parker that gives sportswriters a bad name. After yesterday’s 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli was hounded by Parker, culminating in Parker asking coach Marinelli if he wishes his daughter had married a defensive coordinator better than Joe Barry. Coach rightfully didn’t respond. Later, Parker tried to apologize for his ignorance by saying he was “lightening the moment in a tense situation” (yeah, that’s what you were doing), but coach Marinelli was having none of it — apparently because he and …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As expected, quarterback Daunte Culpepper passed his physical and signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but here’s what Daunte wrote about it in an email:
“I have agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions and after taking a physical, I plan on signing a 2-year contract today. As a result of doing some research on different places to play, the Detroit Lions seemed to be the best fit for me. I am encouraged by the commitment of ownership, the vision of management and the great potential …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Today was the last official day for the media to be working at the NFL Scouting Combine. Only one head coach made an appearance today — Detroit Lions leader Rod Marinelli. And Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian also stopped by. The final group of players to speak with the media were defensive backs. And LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey took his turn at the presser podium, making up for a missed opportunity yesterday because he was involved in a battery of tests at the hospital. I think he also wanted to clear the …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It’s bad enough that the Detroit Lions have lost four straight games. Now they’ve lost their top receiver for possibly the rest of the season. Wide receiver Roy Williams (63 catches for 836 yards and five TDs) has a sprained knee and Lions head coach Rod Marinelli says the injury is similar to the one sustained by CB Stanley Wilson in the Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay. Stanley was put on injured reserve. The Lions are hoping the same fate does not await Roy Williams. Luckily, the Lions have a lot of …read more

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith talks with the media.
(photo David Kindervater)
It was another beautiful day here in Indianapolis. Cold, for sure. But not a cloud in the sky. I spent most of my day inside as the action picked up considerably from yesterday with more than 15 head coaches speaking with the media and an endless stream of QBs, WRs and RBs.
I arrived early and set up shop in Media Work Room 105 here at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. This is one of several “overflow” rooms for the media, but I prefer it because …read more