Lions repotedly fire Mornhinweg; Mariucci likely successor

[WiredTiger]

Word out of Detroit.....

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6153432


A good move in my opinion if this is a true story. The Lions are definitely up to something because they've called a press conference.

[KCBOOMER]

Good move by Detroit but a bad move on Mariucci's part. Mooch might ask Millen to sing a few choruses of "Stand By Your Man".

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
Good move by Detroit but a bad move on Mariucci's part. Mooch might ask Millen to sing a few choruses of "Stand By Your Man". I think Mooch may get more power in Detroit. The Lions have fired quite a few executives in the past week and Mooch is in line to have not only coaching power but to have a significant say in drafting, trading and signing players.

[SmedIndy]

If a Lions coach is fired, does it still make a sound?

Is Millen next?

[Skip]

Wow. I thought they'd already committed to the M&M boys for at least another year. Of course, if you can get Mooch its hard to pass up. (And, he's still another 'M').

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
If a Lions coach is fired, does it still make a sound?

Is Millen next?
A whimper at best.

I think Millen probably bought himself another year or two with this move.

[JamesI]

What did Marriucci do to deserve this fate?

[Skip]

Last I saw on ESPN, Mooch's camp says he hasn't been contacted and nothing is imminent. Maybe this is as simple as Matt outing Marty in order to save his own job, and hoping Mooch doesnt want to take a year off?

[gyb13]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1499696.html

it's prob Mariucci's if he wants it...but first they'll go through the whole "let's keep Cochran pleased by interviewing minorities" circus

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by JamesI
What did Marriucci do to deserve this fate?
He grew up in Michigan! I don't think the allure would be as strong if he didn't have strong ties in the state.

[pathogan]

...is alleged to be a coaches league, though I still think that a great coach euals great players. mariucci will get the moon from Detroit,and is 4 years might be able to do something.Too bad, great great football town,those fans deserve better

[Craig S.]

Another example of great timing from the Lions' brass. They couldn't have done this at season's end, giving the new guy more time to prepare before the draft?

Mooch is a great choice, if only because of his ability to work with young quarterbacks. Remember, Brett Favre credits Mariucci with helping him develop, and the same thing has happened in San Fransisco with Jeff Garcia. Hopefully for Lions' fans, Joey Harrington will follow that same path.

It's somewhat annoying to see the merry-go-round of coaches continuing, but there is an upside. The average salary is around $3 million, which is phenomonal when compared to the players' average. The downside, of course, is that the recycling of veteran, non-winning coaches will also continue.

[WiredTiger]

It looks like the Mariucci signing is a done deal. I think the Lions have a news conference scheduled for today.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1503579.html

[Skip]

Mooch is an idiot if he does this. IDIOT!

[JamesI]

Originally posted by Skip
Mooch is an idiot if he does this. IDIOT!

Why would he do this? Going from the Niners to the Lions?

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by JamesI
Why would he do this? Going from the Niners to the Lions? There are 25 Million reasons to do this.

[gyb13]

well, he couldn't go back to the niners, first of all.
secondly, there aren't that many head coach positions still available....so why not go somewhere you are wanted, to which have a geographical connection, and where you might have a little more power/input?

[JamesI]

Originally posted by WiredTiger
There are 25 Million reasons to do this.

Is that what they're paying him?

[pwdennis]

This story is getting interesting. Seems Jesse Jackson is manufaturing himself another "photo op" with the Lions hiring Mariucci instead of a minority candidate. Stay tuned for more

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by JamesI
Is that what they're paying him?
5 years/$25 Million

[Craig S.]

I don't see this as a bad move at all for Mariucci. At this point, the Lions really can't sink any lower, and they have some good young guys to build around. They also have a high choice in the upcoming draft that will likely land them a skilled player to work with Joey Harrington.

They'll still have some financial limitations this upcoming season, because the contracts of Charlie Batch and Herman Moore will count against the 2003 cap. After that, however, they should have some money freed up to add a veteran or two into the mix of developing players.

To me, Mooch is playing it smart. The situation in Detroit is bound to get better, and Mariucci will be given a great deal of credit for any improvement.