Analog
Lifer
DETROIT-- This can't go on, not like this, not any longer. The Lions are lost, listless and leaderless, and something must change, quickly.
Apparently, something will. Coach Steve Mariucci's job is in sudden jeopardy, and there are strong indications within the organization he could be fired soon, as early as today.
The Lions plummeted from dismal to dire in a 27-7 loss Thursday to Atlanta, an embarrassment that was their worst crime yet, defiling Detroit's Thanksgiving tradition. Afterward, there was a sense of resignation among the players and quivering emotion in Mariucci's voice and eyes. Mariucci is 15-28 in two-plus seasons here, and in an unusually stark postgame news conference, he said he took full responsibility for the team's struggles.
Judging by the effort on the field, some players are quitting on their coach, which is pathetic. It's also why this can't go on.
Mariucci's job should be in immediate peril. So should the job of team president Matt Millen, who could install defensive coordinator Dick Jauron as interim coach. If owner William Clay Ford Sr. really cares about winning, he should summon Millen and Mariucci to his home today and demand explanations.
There was nothing on this day, nothing much of this season, nothing for most of the Millen-Mariucci reign. The Lions, who once harbored playoff hopes, are 4-7 and getting worse by the week. The fans are fed up, booing constantly as they watched one carve job, before heading home to their own.
No longer is this a private misery, our own dirty little secret. Sadly, graphically, the rest of the country knows now too.
"To be embarrassed like this on national TV, something obviously, definitely is wrong," offensive guard Damien Woody said. "To play the way we did, I don't think it's something you just fix overnight. I wouldn't be surprised if something happened. That's just the nature of the business. When you don't produce, things happen."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051125/OPINION03/511250390
Apparently, something will. Coach Steve Mariucci's job is in sudden jeopardy, and there are strong indications within the organization he could be fired soon, as early as today.
The Lions plummeted from dismal to dire in a 27-7 loss Thursday to Atlanta, an embarrassment that was their worst crime yet, defiling Detroit's Thanksgiving tradition. Afterward, there was a sense of resignation among the players and quivering emotion in Mariucci's voice and eyes. Mariucci is 15-28 in two-plus seasons here, and in an unusually stark postgame news conference, he said he took full responsibility for the team's struggles.
Judging by the effort on the field, some players are quitting on their coach, which is pathetic. It's also why this can't go on.
Mariucci's job should be in immediate peril. So should the job of team president Matt Millen, who could install defensive coordinator Dick Jauron as interim coach. If owner William Clay Ford Sr. really cares about winning, he should summon Millen and Mariucci to his home today and demand explanations.
There was nothing on this day, nothing much of this season, nothing for most of the Millen-Mariucci reign. The Lions, who once harbored playoff hopes, are 4-7 and getting worse by the week. The fans are fed up, booing constantly as they watched one carve job, before heading home to their own.
No longer is this a private misery, our own dirty little secret. Sadly, graphically, the rest of the country knows now too.
"To be embarrassed like this on national TV, something obviously, definitely is wrong," offensive guard Damien Woody said. "To play the way we did, I don't think it's something you just fix overnight. I wouldn't be surprised if something happened. That's just the nature of the business. When you don't produce, things happen."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051125/OPINION03/511250390
