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More Lions coaching candidates

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The Lions are expected to interview Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz today as they continue their coaching search. They interviewed Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday. The Titans and Giants have first-round byes. Teams can interview assistants on teams with first-round byes this week, under NFL rules. Schwartz and Spagnuolo have drawn interest from other teams, and Spagnuolo, at least, seems like a long shot to land in Detroit. The Lions' odds might have been better had they hired Tom Heckert as general manager. Heckert, a Michigan native who does not have final say over personnel as the Eagles' GM, worked with Spagnuolo in Philadelphia. Teams can interview assistants on teams with first-round games next week and assistants out of the playoffs at any time. They cannot offer an assistant a job until his season ends. Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey reportedly are Lions' coaching candidates whose teams play this weekend. Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray and Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett are reported candidates whose teams are out of the playoffs. There were conflicting reports last night as to whether Garrett had withdrawn his name from consideration for the Lions job.

Detroit Free Press

Dan Orlovsky, AP Dan Orlovsky, AP
January 3, 2009  08:03 AM ET

Here we go again. Same old same old. Hire someone that is either unproven or proven there worthlessness. Lions will come up with some idiot that will bow to the great William Clay Ford, and deliver yet another dismal 2-4 years of Detroit Lions Football. Why does EVERYONE see the faults except WCF ? Don't get it. It's like a bad dream here in Michigan. There really is something wrong with Willie.

January 3, 2009  08:28 AM ET

Ford should hire some of the workers he's laid-off.

January 3, 2009  09:06 AM ET

It's obvious the Lions are just a write-off to William Clay Ford. If you look at the team web page, it's all about the charitable contributions and player appearances for local organizations to promote public relations rather than commiting to building a winning organization. As many years as I've followed the Lions, I am now thoroughly embarrassed and believe Ford should either sell or fold the team out of respect to Lions fans who deserve so much better than what we get year after year.

January 3, 2009  09:06 AM ET

Anyone who watched the Sugar Bowl last night should realize that the Lions first pick HAS to be LT Andre Smith....

January 3, 2009  09:48 AM ET

Should be but they will draft Johnson the Quarterback and give us another Alex Smith Repeat instead. Gotta love thos Lions

January 3, 2009  10:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

It's obvious the Lions are just a write-off to William Clay Ford. If you look at the team web page, it's all about the charitable contributions and player appearances for local organizations to promote public relations rather than commiting to building a winning organization. As many years as I've followed the Lions, I am now thoroughly embarrassed and believe Ford should either sell or fold the team out of respect to Lions fans who deserve so much better than what we get year after year.

Reminds me of the movie "Major League" where the owner does everything to make sure he team loses. However, different outcome in Detroit.

January 3, 2009  10:20 AM ET

Take Rex Ryan. Someone should have given him a chance years ago.

January 3, 2009  10:22 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Reminds me of the movie "Major League" where the owner does everything to make sure he team loses. However, different outcome in Detroit.

Detroit is better at it.

January 3, 2009  10:46 AM ET

I think the Lions should hire Homer Simpson and bring back Matt Millen. Now that would be a duo to get them in the win column

January 3, 2009  11:33 AM ET

who would want the lions job?

January 3, 2009  11:35 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

who would want the lions job?

Wade Phillips?

January 3, 2009  11:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

who would want the lions job?

Norv Turner?

January 3, 2009  11:53 AM ET

"More Lions coaching candidates"

Didn't know anybody was interested!

January 3, 2009  12:25 PM ET

Couldn't sleep last night and ended up watching a repeat of Leno when he had Ron Howard as a guest. Anyway, in his monologue he said that even PETA was calling to have the Lions put down. LOL

January 3, 2009  12:27 PM ET

Ford must sell the Lions to an owner that cares. The only thing stopping this transaction is the Lions faithful who must BOYCOTT the home games -- and resist the urge to have hope year after year. Invest your hope in the Red Wings and Pistons, they deserve it, they pay dividends. Once the new Lions ownership is in place, THEN buy tickets!! Otherwise the cycle will continue.

January 3, 2009  12:30 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Couldn't sleep last night and ended up watching a repeat of Leno when he had Ron Howard as a guest. Anyway, in his monologue he said that even PETA was calling to have the Lions put down. LOL

Funny.

January 3, 2009  01:14 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Ford must sell the Lions to an owner that cares. The only thing stopping this transaction is the Lions faithful who must BOYCOTT the home games -- and resist the urge to have hope year after year. Invest your hope in the Red Wings and Pistons, they deserve it, they pay dividends. Once the new Lions ownership is in place, THEN buy tickets!! Otherwise the cycle will continue.

Here's what I found out when I googled the Detroit Lions:

"From 1958 to 1981 the Lions reached the post season just once, in 1970. In 1980 the Lions enjoyed their first winning season in eight years.

The team's division title in 1983 was its first in 26 years. In 1991 Detroit won 12 games and played in its first NFC Championship Game.

Detroit made the playoffs in 1993, 1994, and in 1995 but were one and done each year.
Super Bowl Appearances: 0."

I'm not sure the ownership is to blame for all the troubles.

January 3, 2009  02:04 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Take Rex Ryan. Someone should have given him a chance years ago.

Is that a Buddy by product?

January 3, 2009  02:30 PM ET

I have 100% confidence that Ford will screw this up.

 
January 3, 2009  02:32 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Here's what I found out when I googled the Detroit Lions:"From 1958 to 1981 the Lions reached the post season just once, in 1970. In 1980 the Lions enjoyed their first winning season in eight years.The team's division title in 1983 was its first in 26 years. In 1991 Detroit won 12 games and played in its first NFC Championship Game.Detroit made the playoffs in 1993, 1994, and in 1995 but were one and done each year.Super Bowl Appearances: 0."I'm not sure the ownership is to blame for all the troubles.

Whenever I get depresses about the Saints, I think about the Lions and feel a little better. Then I realize that the Saints history isnt much better and I get depressed again.

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