Posted on 12/05/2006 12:48:31 PM PST by mainepatsfan
Despite losses, Lions to stick with Kitna as QB
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The losses keep mounting and so do the interceptions, but Detroit Lions first-year coach Rod Marinelli isn't going to alter the way he has approached the rebuilding of a team that has now suffered six straight seasons of double-digit defeats, and isn't going to change his quarterback, either.
In the wake of Sunday's loss at New England, which dropped the Lions to 2-10, Marinelli said Jon Kitna will remain his starter for the rest of this season.
And beyond.
"I see Jon as our starter for next year," Marinelli said. "He's going to come in and finish this, because he brings everything that we want. He's a heck of a quarterback."
It's not known if that vote of confidence from Marinelli means the Lions will not consider Brady Quinn of Notre Dame in the 2007 draft. Quinn is regarded near-universally as the top quarterback in the 2007 lottery, perhaps the No. 1 prospect overall, and the Lions, who are tied with the Oakland Raiders for worst record in the NFL, could have the first selection.
Marinelli has been unwavering, though, in his support of Kitna all season. And it is not surprising for him to suggest that the 11-year veteran will be unchallenged for the starting job in 2007, even though some of Kitna's numbers, particularly his interceptions, have become alarming.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
maybe it can't be fixed - under Dan Snyder.
I don't take any particular relish in the Redskins struggles, even if they're a division rival.
Snyder is a hammer head who KNOWs that he KNOWs the game, and no amount of futility will convince him otherwise. It's HIS team, after all, he bought it, and he's a fan.
The continued short term/quick fix policy he has of signing Free Agents and getting robbed trading draft picks is a long term assurance of losing seasons.
I feel bad for those who've been long time fans of that team, to see it fall into such a shambles under a megalomaniac owner.
Owl_Eagle
If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.
They weren't 10--that was the Cardinals. Maybe the Lions were #9.
Yeah, the Lions were 9. I was surprised they did not go with Leinert, but in hindsight Culter may have been the guy.
We'll see. Leinart looks pretty sharp again after a couple of slump games, and VY is starting to take off in a big way. He seems to force a lot of throws into tight coverage but you can't argue with the results. Cutler will be fine, but it's a lot to expect from him to save a sinking playoff ship just starting off in the league.
He was getting pressure up the gut from what I could tell.
He was and he should have thrown the ball into the stands instead of up for grabs.
This last draft may turn out to be a great one as far as QB's go. Time will tell.
Exactly. He panicked.
I'm not sure they will, even at 2-10.
Think the Raiders will get him?
Wouldn't you?
One way or another, yes, Quinn will be a Raider. And Brohm will be a Lion, and will actually wind up the better for it, as Lewand and Millen have to be fired EVENTUALLY.
At some point maybe the league will have to step in and fire Millen just to save the franchise. /s
Or they can just hand ownership of the franchise over to the Bidwills. Arizona has quite the turnover rate.
D
At the very least the Lions do make draft day interesting.
Interesting like a train wreck, yes. But even Detroit will land a good player this year. Heck, everyone will. This is a great draft class.
Probably.
But my job isn't to keep cool in the face of an oncoming blitz. That's what he gets paid for.
If he's going to lob it up for grabs just because the defense applies a little pressure, he won't last long in this league.
I wonder how long before Kitna starts getting scapegoated for the Lions' woes, the same way (and for the same reasons) that Joey Harrington was?
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