FROM KITNA TO REDDING: How Lions' off-season ruined their regular season

[A2Leo]

...this is why I was really excited about the 07 draft?

FROM KITNA TO REDDING: How Lions' off-season ruined their regular season
December 11, 2007

BY MICHAEL ROSENBERG

FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

The big story of the Lions' off-season was Jon Kitna's guarantee. Depending on which interview you heard, Kitna either said the Lions should win 10 games, would win 10 games or would win more than 10.

The exact words did not seem terribly important. When Noah built the ark, did the passengers ask where they were going? (EDITOR'S NOTE: Of course not -- they were animals.) What mattered was that the Lions' quarterback believed in his team, and he wanted the whole world to know it.

Kitna's guarantee led to plenty of conversations like this:

LIONS FAN NO. 1: "Was he drunk?"

LIONS FAN NO. 2: "That's not funny. Kitna used to have a drinking problem."

LIONS FAN NO. 1 (blushing): "Oh ... sorry."

When the Lions started 6-2, Kitna seemed prescient. Now they are 6-7, which means they can win 10 only if they sweep the last three games -- which would mean winning in San Diego and Green Bay -- then win a playoff game, and ... hahaha, OK, I'll stop now.

So the 10-win thing just went kaput. And if you want to know why, just look at everything else the Lions did in the off-season. Almost nothing has worked out.

1. They slapped a "franchise player" tag on Cory Redding. In 13 games, Redding has zero sacks. If Redding is a franchise player, what does that say about the franchise?

2. The NFL held its annual draft, and once again, the league invited Matt Millen to provide the entertainment.

Millen used the second overall pick on receiver Calvin Johnson. I loved this pick. Most analysts loved this pick. And Johnson might justify it next year. But it's fair to say that two players Millen passed on -- left tackle Joe Thomas and running back Adrian Peterson -- have helped their teams much more this season.

As I write this, scientists are studying the rest of Millen's draft to figure out how anything could burst into flames so quickly. Millen's second pick, quarterback Drew Stanton, has been on injured reserve all year. His third pick, defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, has barely played.

Only one player from the entire draft, second-round safety Gerald Alexander, has made an impact commensurate with his draft position. And Alexander has played mostly out of necessity.

3. They babied Big Baby. I don't remember all the details of coach Rod Marinelli's Save Shaun campaign, but I think the idea was that he would let Shaun Rogers do whatever he wanted.

I might be wrong on the details. But Marinelli let Rogers work at his own pace, with the idea that the supremely talented defensive tackle would have no excuses if he didn't perform.

Did it work? Rogers's conditioning is still poor. Lately, his most consistent move has been the Huff and Puff. In his last five games, Rogers has just five tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries.

Marinelli pointed out Monday that Rogers has knee problems. That kind of thing tends to happen to overweight men who ram into other large men. Is Marinelli saying Rogers' poor conditioning is not his fault?

"I didn't say it wasn't his fault," Marinelli said.

4. They signed free-agent defensive end Dewayne White.

White has been a pretty good player and a team guy. This worked out fine.

5. They traded their best cornerback, Dre' Bly, for tackle George Foster, running back Tatum Bell and a 2007 fifth-round pick.

Foster has lost his starting job. If Bell had not asked for a trade, most fans would not even remember he was on the team. And the fifth-round pick, Johnny Baldwin, is long gone. Total wipeout.

6. The Lions traded former top-10 pick Mike Williams and backup quarterback Josh McCown for a fourth-round pick, which they used on cornerback A.J. Davis. The Lions liked Davis so much, they cut him twice -- first from the team, and then from the practice squad. Another total wipeout.

Jon Kitna was wrong. But the Lions' problem is not the quarterback's belief in his team. The problem is the team.

[DC125]

I think in the end, Calvin was the "best" pick... however, it was going to be the most helpful in the long run. I think, Calvin + whatever OT we can get in the first round this year is better than Joe Thomas + whatever other player we would get this year in the first.... Problem is, it does jack **** for us this year

I don't know, this years FA class is MUCH better than last years... However after the franchise tags are handed out, it may be different. Two guys that WON'T be franchised again Lance Briggs and Asante Samuel are both pro bowlers who play positions of need, Briggs of course would be the MLB for us... Who knows though, I wish the Lions would play like they did Sunday everyweek. At least we know they would get sick of losing if they always played hard as much as we are sick of watching them

[Tex McBadass]

Originally Posted by DChard125

I think in the end, Calvin was the "best" pick... however, it was going to be the most helpful in the long run. I think, Calvin + whatever OT we can get in the first round this year is better than Joe Thomas + whatever other player we would get this year in the first.... Problem is, it does jack **** for us this year

I don't know, this years FA class is MUCH better than last years... However after the franchise tags are handed out, it may be different. Two guys that WON'T be franchised again Lance Briggs and Asante Samuel are both pro bowlers who play positions of need, Briggs of course would be the MLB for us... Who knows though, I wish the Lions would play like they did Sunday everyweek. At least we know they would get sick of losing if they always played hard as much as we are sick of watching them

It's sounding more and more like Briggs will be a Bear for more than just this year, so that might not be an option, but you're right about the talent level of this years FA crop. I think Peterson would've been more helpful to the organization than Calvin Johnson. Peterson's problem in Minnesota is he doesn't have a capable QB to take the pressure off, and I feel Kitna could do just that. Calvin Johnson is a beast, but thank god we didn't give you guys Demarcus Ware for him.

[A2Leo]

It's sounding more and more like Briggs will be a Bear for more than just this year, so that might not be an option, but you're right about the talent level of this years FA crop. I think Peterson would've been more helpful to the organization than Calvin Johnson. Peterson's problem in Minnesota is he doesn't have a capable QB to take the pressure off, and I feel Kitna could do just that. Calvin Johnson is a beast, but thank god we didn't give you guys Demarcus Ware for him.

Hey Tex!

If I had my druthers, then Millen would have found a way to trade down, but not out of the top 10, and scooped up Patrick Willis. IMHO, Millen was just too greedy and inflexible, I really believe he could have traded and gotten decent value (might have taken a few hits for it, but your damned if you do and damned if you don't anyway). Now, whether he could have actually done anything with any of the additional picks is way up in the air, but there you go. AP in a Martz system would have suffered just like KJ, imho. Who knows you may be right, but I really like Willis and feel he could have become the face of the franchise at the Mike LB position. Also would have preferred JT but in a trade down scenario I just don't see that happening...

Edited

Oh and at the moment (in the off season really), I would really like to hear that the Lions are exploring the possibility of trading for Vilma. All dependent on his medical reports. There is obvious risk there, but I would be willing to give up a 3rd and take that risk. Hell, if they get a good vibe off his agent and doctors, I would go with a 2nd. Lewis at Sam, Vilma at Mike and Simms at Wil could be quite the LB crew. Little under sized, but they would be fast, and hard hitting...

[DC125]

Yeah... I agree we NEED to try and go after Vilma. I actually forgot about him, its just hard for me to believe the Jets would seriously consider trading him. That would be a great lineup, I think that Bailey was playing a little better, but yeah Lewis is a harder worker IMO. I am also up in the air about Rogers, I know he was gassed against Dallas... but thats the first time I've ever seen him that tired. Anyone think he may have had the flu like Bailey, but was trying to tough it out? I'm not so sure he is all of a sudden out of shape somehow... wasn't it just 3 weeks ago Kowalski was writting about how Rogers hasn't missed a practice??? Now all of a sudden, we lose a few games and Rogers is getting traded and Roy and KJ want out. I don't buy it, lets just wait and see... What we do in the off season with FA will tell me how serious Millen is about turning this thing around.

[A2Leo]

I don't buy it, lets just wait and see... What we do in the off season with FA will tell me how serious Millen is about turning this thing around.

He's had 6 goin' on 7 years, how much time is he gonna get

...but yeah, I know what you mean.

[DC125]

well now A2.... don't go cutting off my balls just yet


Obviously the baffoon isn't going anywhere... but has he really had a coaching staff that has gotten things rolling enough to even know what they WANT, and also what they NEED..... Marinelli at the very least has showed what he needs and that he is a good evaluator of talent, at least draft wise. I think he has brought in quality "under the radar" types, but Millen has been unable to land a big time FA. Marinelli knows what he needs, and what players will fit in this scheme... its high time to land a difference maker in FA, instead of a 2nd string whatever


<----------- Have never gone 0-13

[A2Leo]

Marinelli at the very least has showed what he needs and that he is a good evaluator of talent, at least draft wise.

That very definitely remains to be seen. I like the Simms grab, but the rest is in the air. Probably the most absolutely annoying thing about the last draft was/is the fact that the Lions have lots of needs...and I mean LOTS! Since Millen took over they have had zero luck in the later rounds. They don't seem to understand how to "develop" talent and cut more players than Sanders had TDs (okay, perhaps a smidge of overstatement there ). My point being, why are u burning draft picks when you need every stinkin single one of them? They needed to use them all, not to burn them to get supposed "quality players". Now, I could be way off base here and the staff may be spot on. The rest of the analyst world seemed to like their draft, and if all of the players turn into quality starters, fantastic! If IAF goes great gonzo in the backfield, Alexander is the next Dawkins and Stanton is the next Montana, then fantastic. BUT, and that is a great big BUTT! They have not managed to develop anyone. We are seeing signs, Peterman is now starting at RG, Johnathon Scott looks promising (but can't stay on the field), Alexander has been doing a serviceable job (no way to know if Bullocks would be any better), and Dewayne White looks good starting at DE. Of course I could list the failures but we don't have a week to read the almanac that would make. So, before I bore u to tears...they gots to show me something before I jump on that wagon.

[Unknown]

I think too many Jets fans are jumping the gun on expecting Vilma out of town. He's going to be a FA after this season but it's not like he can't be tagged. I don't expect us to take a 3rd for one of the top 5 MLBs in the game. I'd still like to see us try him at the Mike inside linebacker spot. Donnie Edwards is a small guy too and the 3-4 worked for him. At the end of the day though as long as he's able to have a good career I'd probably eventually get over it if we had to deal him, not for anything less than a 2nd though.

[A2Leo]

Not that I have any say in the matter. But, assuming everything medical checks out, and the agent thing is not going to be a nightmare, I could see a 2nd. Whether you get a 2nd for him is another story. Especially after the way he struggled in 06 and the season ending injury in 07.

If the Jets deal him, imho, a 2nd-3rd is good value.

[Unknown]

People kind of over analyze his 06 season. He had to learn a new defensive scheme that doesn't really allow him to do what he's best at yet still led the team in tackles and had a pretty good year. When you don't have a true nose tackle you're not going to fly around the field like you did in past seasons so that considered he did well given the circumstances. His trade value is made or broken with that knee that much I agree with. If it's not that much of an issue dealing him for anything less than a mid 2nd would be very disappointing.

[A2Leo]

When you don't have a true nose tackle you're not going to fly around the field like you did in past seasons so that considered he did well given the circumstances.

Okay how bout this then...

Shaun Rogers for Vilma? SRog has a large contract that will have to be looked at so the Lions may have to pony up a 3rd or 4th to make this work (hell the Lions may have to just cut him, so the Jets might take a more vulture-like approach). Also, SRog has not played NT in a 3-4 to my knowledge, so this would be a new system for him. IMHO, he has everything he would need to succeed in that position, size, athleticism and flat out physical domination when he wants to play. Also, due to his scrape with dietary supplements, one more drug issue and he's suspended for a year...

[Unknown]

Shaun Rogers was my favorite NFL DT a few years ago but his weight issues and lack of work ethic wouldn't go over too well with Mangini. He'd probably be in the doghouse from day one and stay there.

[A2Leo]

agreed