Maybe the Lions should name wide receiver Mike Furrey the team's new offensive coordinator. He may not have Mike Martz's I.Q. -- or Mensa membership card -- but he seems to understand why the Lions offense fell flat on its face this season. When talking about offensive line coach Jim Colletto getting promoted to OC, Furrey offered this:
"I just hope we are all on the same page because that's what we need. I'm sure we're going to run the ball because that is what everyone is talking about – we didn't run the ball enough."Of course, that was obvious to everybody but Martz, which raises another question: is Matt Millen the only NFL general manager who could unearth an offensive coordinator featuring a pass-only game plan for 17 straight weeks?
I suppose you could make the case that the 16-0 New England Patriots made out okay by primarily throwing the ball, but it's worth remembering two things: first, the Patriots have Tom Brady. Jon Kitna's a nice, God-fearing quarterback, but he's not Tom Brady.
Second, New England's offensive line did a swell job of keeping Brady upright. Kitna was sacked 51 times this season (worst in the league ... shocking, I know) and 63 times in 2006. I'd say if there's any team that could've used a strong running game, it was the Lions.
And to be fair to Millen, it's not like the team didn't stock the position. Kevin Jones was a first-round pick in 2004, and last off-season, the Lions added T.J. Duckett via free agency, and Tatum Bell via trade. And after 17 weeks, the Lions had 1,288 rushing yards. Total. That's good for sixth on the rushing leaders list behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Brian Westbrook, Willie Parker and Jamal Lewis. I think that pretty much says it all.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-05-2008 @ 3:44PM
tonyb said...
You can say all you want about Mike Martz but you can't make silk out of a cow's ear, as they say. Jon Kitna was sacked numerous times. Yes in his case he should have handed the ball off more. In other words, Tom Brady has so much protection when he throws, he could eat a sandwich while he's waiting for someone to open up. Same thing for Kurt Warner when we won the Super Bowl with Mike Martz as the Ram's OC.
If Mike Martz wants to come back to St. Louis I personally would love to have him as our OC.
Unfortunately that wont happen becasue Martz burned a lot of bridges during his tenure at St. Louis
I firmly believe some coaches such as Martz and evern Rams coach Scott Linehan are not meant to be be head coaches. They should stick to what they are best at in their respective field. They dont have the explosive personality such as Bill Cower, Bill Parcells or Jimmy JOhnson.
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1-05-2008 @ 4:37PM
Steve said...
So Tony..what's it like to have a winner in your lifetime. I've watched these a-holes fumble along since I was 11. I am now 55. They don't even learn from their mistakes. They repeat them. (See definition for insanity) I have come to the heart-breaking realization that in my life time there will be no Lions Super Bowl.
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1-06-2008 @ 12:21PM
md said...
I hear ya steve. I have not missed a game in 16 years, and i don't think they will ever win. Go tigers, pistons, wings
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1-06-2008 @ 9:20PM
Steve said...
Remember earlier in the season when Furrey said the fans in Detroit should get behind the team or kiss their a**. He can kiss mine.
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1-07-2008 @ 7:22PM
milton thuroughgood III said...
Thanks Mike Furrey, now can you go back to being an average special teams player?
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1-08-2008 @ 8:28PM
Steve said...
I hope Martz comes back and burns the Millen Moron's to a crisp. From this day forward, I will only watch that bag-o-sh*t team to see them lose. I will root for any team that is playing them.
I hate the Lions.
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