Monday Notes: Lions Interested in Savage, Harris for Front Office Job?

by Sean Yuille on Jan 12, 2009 1:20 AM EST in Notes Comment 6 comments

Although it seems like the Lions' main focus is on hiring a new head coach, they are also actively searching for another person to join the front office. Two people they have reportedly been in contact with are former Browns general manager Phil Savage and former Jaguars vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris. Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist is also apparently on the Lions' radar.
The Lions interviewed Vikings defense coordinator Leslie Frazier on Friday. Frazier is the sixth person to interview for the job.
Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray, who is a candidate for the Lions job, is one of three people being sued by Bills cornerback Terrence McGee. Gray was allegedly a conspirator in a situation that resulted in McGee losing over $1 million. I stress the word allegedly, as these are just accusations, but a trial is scheduled to begin in May.
Contrary to other reports, Lions linebacker Jordon Dizon will not potentially face a bench warrant for failing to document the 24 hours of community service he completed as part of his sentence for a drunk driving conviction.
When the Lions interviewed Todd Bowles, they apparently were very interested in the Dolphins' turn-around from 1-15 to division champs. Bowles is Miami's assistant head coach and secondary coach, so you can bet the Lions were trying to gather as much info about turning things around as possible.
Rod Marinelli wasn't the only former Lions coach to get a new job recently. Former Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who is Marinelli's son-in-law, was hired by the Seahawks to be the team's linebackers coach.
Gil Mains, who was a Lions defensive lineman from 1953-1961, recently passed away.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco nearly ran out of the back of his own end zone during Saturday's game against the Titans, and afterward he said this: "I think my foot wrapped around and came back inbounds. I almost pulled a Dan Orlovsky." Flacco is, of course, referring to Orlovsky's safety against the Vikings that happened when Orlovsky ran right out of his own end zone.
I am very glad that Matt Millen is gone for many reasons, but perhaps one of the biggest is that we won't have to listen to wide receiver jokes anymore. I mention this because Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree both entered the NFL Draft last week, and if Millen were still here, I guarantee there would be plenty of jokes about how the Lions will use their first-round picks on them.
One player that isn't entering the NFL Draft is Florida's Tim Tebow. He will return for his senior season, and it will be interesting to see how he changes as a player now that former Michigan and Lions quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler is with Florida. I expect Tebow to work on his passing mechanics in order to increase his stock for the 2010 NFL Draft, so that will be worth keeping an eye on next season.
I was interviewed by MLive's "It's Just Sports" blog last week.

0 recs | Comment 6 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Great interview, Sean!

Keep up the good work!

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Jan 12, 2009 8:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear Tebow is staying

by cridg1zt on Jan 12, 2009 8:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sorry, why would the Lions want Savage? Because he did such a great job with the Browns?

by ahtrap on Jan 12, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Savage didn’t do so bad for the Browns. Maybe he can make that Shaun Rogers/Leigh Bodden trade again.

by wumanchu01 on Jan 12, 2009 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking as a Browns fan, Savage definitely increased the talent level on the Browns. There’s really no debate on that subject. The reason for his firing was, apparently, that he was a difficult personality. He is said to have handicapped Crennel in some ways because they weren’t on the same page, which is unsurprising since Crennel was not Savage’s choice. He was involved in and won the power struggle with then-incumbent president John Collins a few years ago. He refused to cede any control over the organization, which was apparently very limiting to the future coach search (since few coaches want their coordinators and assistants chosen for them).

If he comes on in a clearly defines role, Savage can be a creative and talented personnel guy for you.

by danvail on Jan 14, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The reason the Lions are looking at Savage, Lundquist (who has done some EXCELLENT work breaking down games for PFT), et al., is because no team wants to let them interview current personnel people right as draft preparations hit their stride. I believe Killer did a little piece on this a week or so ago, saying the Lions might not hire the the ‘third guy’ until after the draft because of this.

http://thelionsinwinter.blogspot.com

by ty@thelionsinwinter on Jan 12, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs