2005 Record: 5-11
CJ'S Team Rank: 24
THE CHARLES JAY LINE
To win Super Bowl: 75-1
To win NFC North: 9-1
Total Wins: Over 5.5 -170, Under 5.5 +160
Most NFL fans are probably mistaking the identity of the Detroit Lions' new head coach. The high profile guy who has come over is, in fact, the offensive coordinator - Mike Martz, who made it to the Super Bowl as head coach of the St. Louis Rams after molding the offense that won a title for Dick Vermeil's squad. But who is Rod Marinelli? We'll find out sure enough in the 2006 season.
Marinelli, who built his credentials as defensive line coach in Tampa Bay, will be happy to step aside and let Martz work his perceived magic with the offense, which has vastly underachieved the last few seasons under Steve Mariucci. The Lions invested high draft choices in wide receivers Charlie Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams the last three years, and had a #2 pick in the draft at the helm in Joey Harrington. Now, Harrington is off to Miami, and Jon Kitna, who had a Pro Bowl-caliber season with the Bengals before giving way to Carson Palmer, gets another chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Kevin Jones (664 yards, 3.6 ypc) has the potential to be a big-time back, and Martz will be counting heavily on that. But his biggest challenge will be to unlock the promise of Rogers and Mike Williams. They will be complemented by Marcus Pollard at tight end. And Kitna should get time to throw from the offensive line, which is better than average and can get the job done. If Kitna falters, the Lions will turn to Josh McCown, who came over from Arizona.
The defense is middle-of-the-road. Surely there are standouts. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is a Pro Bowler, and the linebackers have speed and quickness. It is hoped that rookies Ernie Sims, a linebacker from Florida State, and Daniel Bullocks, a safety from Nebraska, will contribute right away. They were the first two picks Detroit made in the draft.
Marinelli will bring a more regimented approach than the Lions have been used to. He's also assembled an accomplished staff of assistants. This is a potentially explosive team on offense, but "potential" is a word we've heard a lot in Detroit in recent years. Perhaps the presence of Marinelli and Martz can make the difference. It may have to for General Manager Matt Millen to hold on to his job.
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