Interesting read on Lions lockerroom troubles

[Riddlen 1]

ALLEN PARK -- As it turns out, Joey Harrington might not be the only veteran Lions player who is shown the door.

Harrington, the former starting Detroit Lions quarterback, will be released or traded largely because of his inability to be a valued leader and because of his failure to adapt to a cohesive team-wide chemistry.

The problems in the Lions' locker room, however, go way beyond Harrington's issues. That locker room is full of petty jealousies, insecurities and immature football players. The sense of "team" is almost nonexistent. Players move around in little cliques, with most of their focus on themselves rather than any team-inspired goal.

How bad is it? Last season, some players -- on both offense and defense -- were extremely resentful of each other because of where they were in the pecking order of pre-game introductions. Players were sniping at each other because there were jealousies over who was more deserving of getting those final, supposedly more prestigious introductions.

There have also been conflicts between players involving contract situations, coaching favoritism, social status and personal clashes.

According to several sources, new head coach Rod Marinelli has gone through an exhaustive investigation of the locker room situation, talking to everybody in the building and even some outside. Marinelli now has a grip on what he's getting into in terms of hot spots in the locker room and the many brush fires that could be sparked.

While many are expecting a player revolt when Marinelli begins his physically demanding training camp practices, it appears more likely that some players will be weeded out because of their reluctance to buy into the team-first mentality.

There is going to be a lot of whining and complaining about the aches and pains -- and tedium -- of Marinelli's grueling workouts, but the head coach is prepared for that. He'll have no problem dealing with that because it comes with the territory. Marinelli will simply continue to grind until the players realize that his way is the best way to get better individually and as a team.

Marinelli is always saying the best way to build morale is by improving a player's skill level. Once they get that confidence, not just in themselves but in the program as well, then a team can begin to come together. So, Marinelli is willing to put up with some kicking and screaming as he attempts to lift this team out of its self-induced slumber.

What Marinelli won't tolerate, however, is selfishness, laziness or indifference. If a player is willing to work, Marinelli will be as patient as possible in trying to teach, train and coach him -- regardless of skill level. However, if a player wants to get by only on his resume or press clippings, he's going to get booted off the team -- regardless of skill level, draft status or financial commitment.

Marinelli was going to give Harrington a chance, but as soon as the quarterback showed he didn't want to play along, Marinelli couldn't broom him fast enough.

The Lions have a couple of other high draft picks -- wide receivers Charles Rogers and Mike Williams -- who have been disappointments for a variety of reasons. They'll get a clean slate with Marinelli but not a lot of wiggle room. Those two can take a small measure of comfort in knowing those rules apply to everyone with equal force.

There won't be any "bus-ticket-out-of-town" speeches or "my-way-or-the-highway" declarations. Marinelli isn't going to threaten anybody, he's simply going to give an equal and opposite reaction to whatever actions are taken by the players.

The Lions are in their current mess because the previous coaching regimes allowed the immaturity and pettiness to get out of hand. Many of Detroit's young players have never experienced a locker room that's any different; they've grown used to the constant squabbling and bitterness over trivial matters.

That's not going to happen under Marinelli. Oh, there will still be some jealousies and conflicts because that's human nature, but they won't be able to manifest themselves into a team-wide malaise. Marinelli isn't interested in any rebuilding program because he plans to put a winning team on the field as soon as possible. If that means tearing it down a little before he builds it up, so be it.

It's going to be an interesting training camp.

[Voltaire 5,537]

Who wrote this Marinelli's agent?

 

Look, I like the Marinelli hiring a lot. I like all the coaching hires this year a lot.

 

They need a pitbull type guy to knock heads. I'm not sure guys like that are the best Xs and Os guys, but he has Xs and Os guys as coordinators. It's the approach that needed to be done.

[jocstrap 8]

Good post - I grew up watching Barry Sanders play at OSU and kinda have a thing for the Lions. Hopefully these guys can pull it together. Only time will tell. Good read though

[Mack 1 6]

It really doesn't matter if child-like immaturity, petty jealousy, or coaching favoritism pervades the Lions locker room; the bottom line is they lack the necessary number of talented football players to win games, plain and simple.

 

Enough with the psychoanalyzing; this team and orgranization stink and it will be perhaps another generation before they consistently turn this laughable franchise around.

[Riddlen 1]

Who wrote this Marinelli's agent?

 

Look, I like the Marinelli hiring a lot. I like all the coaching hires this year a lot.

 

They need a pitbull type guy to knock heads. I'm not sure guys like that are the best Xs and Os guys, but he has Xs and Os guys as coordinators. It's the approach that needed to be done.

prolly one of the beat writers

 

maybe tom kowalksi

[pollardposse 0]

Another generation before they turn things around? Doubtful. It would simply take the firing of Matt Millen to start the true rebuilding process.

If you analyze the team, they aren't that far off from competing in their division. They have an average offensive line. That's at least better than what some teams have.....

They are 4 deep at the WR position.

At RB, they are average to slightly above. This is the all important year for K. Jones.

D-line, they are above average. Not much, but still above average.

Linebackers....... Hmmm.... If they could stay healthy, they would be a little below average. Just think, they could have nabbed a true linebacker instead of Mike Williams last year in round one.

Defensive backfield, average. Bly is an excellent cover corner.

 

If they can get a QB that buys into the Martz philosophy, they will be doing alright. His offensive genius is unmatched. Look at the "average" QB's he has made look great in his system; Warner, Bulger, Frerotte, and Green. Which one of those guys was a first round pick? Second? Third? You get the idea.

 

I think they will be better than last year, but still not good enough to beat a real team. 8-8 would be a success for this franchise right now. If the ball bounces their way, maybe even 9-7. The rest of that division is weak. The Bears are decent, but can the Packers do anything? No. The Vikes? We'll see.

 

When you look at the players on the team, the fact that their "star" players are all under 30, and that the new coaches will bring a breath of fresh air, this team could surprise people.

[dcOne 2]

I thought this post was going to be about them not having any hot water.