Wednesday Notes: No Media Availability for OTAs Until Thursday

by Sean Yuille on May 20, 2009 12:06 PM EDT in Notes Comment 21 comments

The Lions held their first OTA with both rookies and veterans on Tuesday. Problem is there is no media access until Thursday, so it'll be tough to find out how things are going until then. In the meantime, the Lions' official site has photos and a write-up of the OTA, though it doesn't really share too much worthwhile info.
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was talking about Jim Schwartz on the radio last week and mentioned that his former defensive coordinator did a great job putting together a coaching staff. After mentioning Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham, Fisher also threw Scotty O'Brien's name out there. O'Brien is a special teams coach, but for the Patriots, not the Lions. Stan Kwan ended up getting retained as the Lions' special teams coach, but maybe that wasn't the original plan based on what Fisher said. It could have just been an honest slip up by Fisher, but I still am wondering why Kwan was retained. He's done an awful job with special teams and should have been fired long before this year.
The NFL and Comcast agreed to a 10-year deal that will put NFL Network on Comcast's Digital Classic tier, which has about 10 million subscribers, by August 1. The deal will also bring NFL content to Comcast's On Demand section. (Comcast also finally agreed to a deal with ESPNU and ESPN360.com.)
Reggie Rogers, a former Lion, pleaded guilty to a pair of DUI charges from last fall.
NFL owners probably aren't going to vote on extending the season this week.
As expected, New Orleans will host the 2013 Super Bowl.

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I don't get Kwan either.

If it was the total lack of talent, I could understand keeping him, personnel issues aren’t his fault.

Also, just a possibility, maybe Kwan has some good ideas about how to excel in kickoffs now that the wedge isn’t allowed.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 20, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right on the first point.

The depth of talent on this team has been a joke the past several years. Especially in the last year or so, we’ve barely had legitimate NFL starters to choose from. Of course the special teamers are going to suck. I think that had more to do with the lack of solid special teams play than Kwan’s coaching did. I think it makes sense to give him another year with a somewhat better talent pool and a different regime before booting him, and it would seem that Schwartz agrees.

by AZ Yooper on May 20, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

James L originally posted this link, but I want to point something out.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8104d93c&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Read it for your self’s first, but this is a good idea…

Go halfway down to the paragraph that starts with “Don’t be surprised if some clubs try taking advantage of a loophole”

That seems like the obvious answer. What else could you do without the wedge?

by BIGWalt2990 on May 20, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are going to be so many penalties for guys being to close to each other this year

by Nate D. on May 20, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The article mentions Chicago

using Hester as their return guy because his running style is better suited for the non-wedge. I hope they do. He will last 6-10 games before he is leveled by some 250 lbs linebacker running at full steam hitting him during a juke.

by ATL Lion on May 20, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This rule is ridiculous

I understand safety concerns, but it is a game based on controlled, high-speed violence. The problem I have with the rule is the way it will be policed. Unless they are going to add refs for kickoffs this call will probably be the hardest one to accurately make on the field. 22 players running around like chickens with their heads cut off and they are supposed to determine if two players wearing the same uniform are within 2yds of eachother on the same plane…?! They hardly get the holding, blocking in the back, and tripping calls right as it is on kickoffs…no way does this go well!

by Mushy on May 21, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kwan...

at best has been mediocre, but I’ll be giving him a chance with a new coaching staff around him and new front office and new players. If he sucks this year, I’m sure Mayhew/Schwartz will replace him. We even focused on special teams in the draft, so if we don’t get a couple of 40+ yard returns and pin the opponent inside the 10 sometimes, then he is a hack and should put the super soakers back on the shelf as well as his career.

by lions_sucker on May 20, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate that this game keeps rolling around in my head

But when we played Dallas in 2007 one of hte things that stick out (other than our refusal to cover Witten over the middle) was how little confidence there was in our special teams. We kept doing pooch kicks out of bounds giving up great field position because we were frightened of not being able to over the return.

I thought Kwan should have resigned after that game.

by ATL Lion on May 20, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the memories

I got 3 words for ya. Paris Lenon-FUMBLE!

by dylan415 on May 20, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gahh!!!!

My brain is seared from the memories!

by ATL Lion on May 20, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't bring that up.

I was absolutely broken after that game. Especially since I was actually watching it on telly.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on May 20, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know its early

But I am anxious to see what the coaches have to say about how the rookies are progressing…..I am especially curious to know if Delmas is doing ok at learning the playbook. That has been said to be the toughest transition for rookies, and I hope he is up to the task. I want to see him starting in week 1 if he is the player everyone thinks he is.

by KDawg on May 20, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sean,

Any news on Hood’s visit?

by James L on May 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I found this. I’m just speculating, but it could throw another team into the mix for Rod Hood. The 49’ers might get desperate enough to out bid everyone. But like I said, it’s just me speculating.

by James L on May 20, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Living in SF

there is no talk of Hood on the sports shows. Word is they are happy with their depth. But you never know.

by JCruize on May 20, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Reggie Rogers

Anyone who questions why NFL teams now investigate the hell out of top draft picks and shy away from guys with ‘character issues’ only has to look at this guy for the reason why. Lions took him seventh in 1987. They could of had Bruce Armstrong T -NE, Rod Woodson DB – Pitt, Jerome Brown DT – Phila. among others.

by NorthLeft12 on May 20, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There are always exceptions to the rule

by KDawg on May 20, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe...

kwan has just had bad players? The coach can only do so much.

by madpoopz on May 20, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

For the most part our starters were the equivalent to backups and our backups were equivalent to other teams scout teams. Special teams players are “generally” in those backup roles. So essentially our backups were just not as good as other teams. Other teams just had a lot more talent then we did and we had poor team depth. With that being said I really think we will have a good improvement this year.

by qbdoyle1 on May 20, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Different take on Kwan

I’ll honestly give him the benefit of the doubt at this point. At the very least, he didn’t fall in to the nepotism ring or the “let’s get wasted and run thru the Wendy’s drivethru naked” ring. Besides that, the talent level on this team for the last couple of seasons was SO deprived that what should have been special teams players were starters on offense and defense. The return game was a joke with Cason back there, and the only standouts were of course the two kickers. I’m not saying Kwan is a wonderful special teams coach, but he should have some players to work with this year (enter Zach Follett) so I’ll reserve judgement until the season starts.

Awesome news about Comcast and the NFL Network too! Finally the $160/mo for cable and internet will start to pay off!!!

by Mushy on May 21, 2009 8:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs