FOOTBALL POST
Nov. 28th, 2005 09:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
desertvixenALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Steve Mariucci came to the Detroit Lions with a winning NFL record, a penchant for offense and raised expectations. He leaves as just another in a long list of coaching failures. After two-plus seasons and a 15-28 record, Mariucci was fired Monday after he was unable to turn around a franchise with one playoff victory since 1957.
OMGWTF? I know we have problems, but I DO NOT think that firing Mooch is the answer.
"We started off this season with high expectations," team president Matt Millen said. "We have underachieved as a football team."
Millen hired both Mariucci and his predecessor, Marty Mornhinweg, and drafted or signed most of the current players.
Since Millen took over in 2001, Detroit is an NFL-worst 20-55.
So, reading these two facts above, why is it STEVE MARIUCCI'S fault? No, he has not done the miracle job I think we all were hoping for as Detroit Lions fans, but I was having hopes.
Despite the results, the former NFL linebacker and TV analyst was given a five-year extension before this season.
That does not give me a warm and fuzzy.
Millen said he accepts accountability for Detroit's record during his four-plus seasons, but said a coaching change was necessary.
Millen also fired offensive line coach Pat Morris and tight ends coach Andy Sugarman, and demoted Ted Tollner from offensive coordinator to tightends coach. Greg Olson will call plays as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, starting Sunday at home against Minnesota.
After Detroit lost 27-7 to Atlanta on Thanksgiving to fall to 4-7, reports swirled that the team was considering firing Mariucci. When Mariucci was not dismissed during the weekend, some thought his job was safe for the final five games of the regular season.
"I was angry after that game," Millen said. "It was disturbing to watch and I didn't want to make a decision based on anger. We wanted to take our time, go through it logically, and think everything through."
The Lions have lost four of five games since a solid start put them atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The team has collapsed on and off the field with players failing to produce and some bickering with one another and questioning the coaches' game plans.
Offensive tackle Jeff Backus said players were not notified of the firing until a previously scheduled team meeting was held Monday night.
"Something had to give, I guess," Backus told The Associated Press. "It's not my job to judge whether Mariucci did a good job or bad job, but we're in a bottom-line business and our bottom line hasn't been very good."
Mariucci was cut some slack in the past because the team he inherited was crafted by Millen, but expectations were high heading into his third season.
So, wait a second. Let me make sure I have this clear. He got slack because the team was crafted by MILLEN, but MILLEN gets to fire him?
Detroit's quarterback situation also hurt Mariucci's chances for success.
Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, has failed to be consistent throughout his career. The Lions signed 35-year-old Jeff Garcia to push or replace Harrington, but he has been nagged by injuries and an inability to throw deep passes.
The Lions' porous offensive line has added to their passing- and running-game woes while a decent defense has been hampered by being on the field too long, and by injuries.
Let's just say this was not make my day news.
Millen = on CRACK.
DV
OMGWTF? I know we have problems, but I DO NOT think that firing Mooch is the answer.
"We started off this season with high expectations," team president Matt Millen said. "We have underachieved as a football team."
Millen hired both Mariucci and his predecessor, Marty Mornhinweg, and drafted or signed most of the current players.
Since Millen took over in 2001, Detroit is an NFL-worst 20-55.
So, reading these two facts above, why is it STEVE MARIUCCI'S fault? No, he has not done the miracle job I think we all were hoping for as Detroit Lions fans, but I was having hopes.
Despite the results, the former NFL linebacker and TV analyst was given a five-year extension before this season.
That does not give me a warm and fuzzy.
Millen said he accepts accountability for Detroit's record during his four-plus seasons, but said a coaching change was necessary.
Millen also fired offensive line coach Pat Morris and tight ends coach Andy Sugarman, and demoted Ted Tollner from offensive coordinator to tightends coach. Greg Olson will call plays as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, starting Sunday at home against Minnesota.
After Detroit lost 27-7 to Atlanta on Thanksgiving to fall to 4-7, reports swirled that the team was considering firing Mariucci. When Mariucci was not dismissed during the weekend, some thought his job was safe for the final five games of the regular season.
"I was angry after that game," Millen said. "It was disturbing to watch and I didn't want to make a decision based on anger. We wanted to take our time, go through it logically, and think everything through."
The Lions have lost four of five games since a solid start put them atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The team has collapsed on and off the field with players failing to produce and some bickering with one another and questioning the coaches' game plans.
Offensive tackle Jeff Backus said players were not notified of the firing until a previously scheduled team meeting was held Monday night.
"Something had to give, I guess," Backus told The Associated Press. "It's not my job to judge whether Mariucci did a good job or bad job, but we're in a bottom-line business and our bottom line hasn't been very good."
Mariucci was cut some slack in the past because the team he inherited was crafted by Millen, but expectations were high heading into his third season.
So, wait a second. Let me make sure I have this clear. He got slack because the team was crafted by MILLEN, but MILLEN gets to fire him?
Detroit's quarterback situation also hurt Mariucci's chances for success.
Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, has failed to be consistent throughout his career. The Lions signed 35-year-old Jeff Garcia to push or replace Harrington, but he has been nagged by injuries and an inability to throw deep passes.
The Lions' porous offensive line has added to their passing- and running-game woes while a decent defense has been hampered by being on the field too long, and by injuries.
Let's just say this was not make my day news.
Millen = on CRACK.
DV
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-28 06:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 05:59 pm (UTC)You joked during the game? :)
I went into my kitchen and cooked to avoid it, Joey Harrington jersey, Lions earrings, and all.
I maintain that using Joey early on in his first year just set us up for this whole thing.
DV