Thursday Notes: Lions Look at Linehan, Chudzinski for OC Job

by Sean Yuille on Jan 22, 2009 2:48 AM EST in Notes Comment 5 comments

Former Broncos wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch was hired by the University of Minnesota as their offensive coordinator. The Lions interviewed Fisch on Monday, but he opted to go take a college job just like former Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. The Lions were also interested in him, but he decided to take a job with USC.
According to Adam Schefter, the Lions are now expected to interview former Rams head coach Scott Linehan and former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. If Brian Schottenheimer decides to leave the Jets, the Lions will likely try to set up an interview with him as well.
The Lions sent out an updated press release yesterday afternoon saying that Gunther Cunningham was hired to be the defensive coordinator and an assistant head coach.
Dave Birkett posted some worthwhile quotes from Gunther Cunningham's teleconference on Wednesday, and the quote that stuck out the most to me was this:

"I've gone through three years of playing zone defenses because I was loyal to Herm Edwards, that's what he wanted. People here in town knew that I was different than that. My idea is to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, always has been, always will be."
I'm hoping the fact that Cunningham and Edwards weren't on the same page is why the Chiefs' defense struggled the last few years. Hopefully Cunningham and Jim Schwartz are already on the same page in order to make sure there are no conflicts with regards to the scheme.
One of the reasons Schwartz hired Cunningham is because of his intensity and aggressive attitude.
One-time Chiefs and Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon thinks highly of Cunningham.
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock isn't sure there is a top-10 quarterback in the draft this year. I definitely don't think any QB is worth the #1 pick this year, and I don't disagree with Mayock saying none of them are top-10 caliber, either.
Rod Marinelli apologized to something called the Association for Women in Sports Media for saying "goodbye, ladies" to Detroit reporters earlier this week. Apparently this association "expressed concern" over the comment, which is just flat out ridiculous. I'm not going to get into a debate about political correctness, but pick your freaking battles. If they are actually offended by Marinelli calling a group of reporters "ladies," then they have some sensitivity issues they need to worry about, not what coach said to a few reporters.

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Comments

LOL about that last paragraph

Some people are just unbelievable…

I thought Linehan came from the defensive side of the field? I guess I was wrong… Good to know Schwartz does not mind considering experienced people under him.

by Schuxu on Jan 22, 2009 4:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

So far Schwartz is making good decisions.

of course, he hasn’t made many yet but he is on the right track. I bet Schottenheimer stays with the NY Jets and we end up with Linehan.

I has a blog

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

by Jettero2112 on Jan 22, 2009 7:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Those two have a bit of history and I’d like to see how that impacts our QB situation. Linehan was Culpepper’s OC during Culpepper’s three best years, 2002-04. I’m not sure how close these two are but his hire could have a huge impact on the QB position.

by cridg1zt on Jan 22, 2009 8:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thats interesting

by Schuxu on Jan 22, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Linehan and Womens group!!

first of all I would like to see us hire linehan for OC. I think that he could be good and I like that he was OC for Culpepper when he had his best years. That whole thing with Marinelli and the WOmens group is stupid. they are trying to tell us that it doesnt happen all the time. Im sure Marinelli isnt the first person to make a remark about women. I also agree with the fact that there are no top ten QBs in this years draft. I hope we dont take one 1st pick.

by hate2lovelions on Jan 22, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs