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Its OK.
I'm taking the screenname "Glenn" even though you haven't been officially banned yet.
Its OK.
I'm taking the screenname "Glenn" even though you haven't been officially banned yet.
Originally Posted by WH Press Sec. Tony Snow
YES!
Find a new slant.
I'm starting to believe that Mike Martz is a scientologist. The dude is mad crazy.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document...ment_id=444421Marinelli Pleased With Progress
Players Put Forth a Solid Effort Over the Team's Three-Day Mini-Camp
If attitude is everything, then the Detroit Lions may be on the verge of success.
The team’s three-day voluntary mini-camp concluded late Thursday morning and the wear and tear of hard, full-out workouts on the players were apparent.
So was the buzz in the air.
Among other things, head coach Rod Marinelli seems to have been brought in to light a fire under these Lions players, and thus far it looks as though he has succeeded.
His strategy?
Getting back to the basics with fundamentals and details.
“We have a tremendous amount of fundamentals,” said Marinelli. “We have 40 minutes of fundamental work everyday and we’re at four practices. It’s fundamentals from stepping to angles to tackling to hand placement – all the details it takes to play this game.
“What you try to do is give these men as many tools when the season comes and when they get in the game, they can use fundamentals. Those are the tools of your trade. That’s what you try to do.”
Marinelli is going back to square one with these professional athletes and he doesn’t think that approach is insulting to talent in the slightest. He feels it is a necessity in order to get to the top and then stay there.
“You would think, at this level that you shouldn’t have to coach tackling,” he said. “No, you do. The people that don’t [practice it] don’t tackle well. You watch games and say ‘man that’s sloppy tackling.’ Well you have to work on tackling and angles. It’s your fundamentals.
“It’s like if you are playing golf, you work on your golf swing even if you played 20 years right? You still have to go work on it. It’s the same thing in football. You have to work on your angles for tackling, your footwork on run-blocking and the details of a route. That’s the basis of this whole thing.”
After three days of working with his new group of players, Marinelli is pleased with the effort put forth. His group of veterans – two-year players on up – have showed a willingness to work hard so playing on Sunday won’t be so tough.
“The biggest thing that I like is progress,” said Marinelli. “It’s about how we’re doing things, the tempo that we’re trying to create, and the willingness to keep doing it day-in and day-out – not just one practice, but from that practice to the next practice, then there’s progress starting to be made. That’s the part I like, their willingness to do it. That’s good.”
While the Lions held a solid three-day camp, it still won’t be the same as playing outside in the heat at the end of July and throughout August. Therefore, the shortness of the camp and the timing during the offseason didn’t quite give the coaches solid evaluations of the players.
“When you really evaluate, you want to see who can retain information, who can play everyday, the endurance of a person, the mental toughness everyday,” said Marinelli. “It’s not the hitting sometimes, it’s the mental toughness that’s going on, perform everyday, every drill, every snap, give a man information, how he retains it, and then how he can perform it on the field.”
Despite the fact that this mini-camp isn’t the same as training camp and wasn’t really a means for evaluation, Marinelli and his coaching staff were able to use these three days as a way to help the players get better on a basic level.
“Right now, you’re using these camps as tools to teach,” he said. “The key, I think, is to find what you want to teach – the tempo and the fundamentals and then start to master the execution of the offense, defense and special teams. To understand the intricacies of each system and know exactly how you may fit in the run game, how you spill, precision on routes, timing of routes and also show exactly where we are at conditioning-wise.
“How we want to have a certain pace everyday on how fast we run our routes or hustle or pursuit. It shows you the conditioning that this team is going to need and the pace that we want to play at.”
If Marinelli’s mini-camp was any indication of the pace he wants his team to play in 2006, fans can be rest assured they’ll find a hustling team on the playing field come September.
“Our pace is so fast right now – the tempo and the pace,” he said. “So what it does, it helps the men see the type of pace that you have to have. Conditioning to me is now a 10- or 11-month-a-year process. Conditioning, hardening your body, for what we want to do is a long process, and that’s what we are trying to show them.”
Receiving Praise
After the Lions final practice late Thursday morning, head coach Rod Marinelli was once again asked about fourth-year wide receiver Charles Rogers and his progress. Marinelli was happy with the work he got out of Rogers, complimenting him on his willingness to go hard.
“[I have seen] Hard work – coming out and doing everything we’re asking him to do,” said Marinelli. “I mean [he’s] working hard and he’s got talent. And the offense, the system, is very demanding. And the coaches over there are very demanding. It’s precision – the willingness and learning it and doing it over and over.”
Marinelli also made it clear that he is more worried about the present time than the past. Despite the fact that Rogers had a somewhat bumpy year last season, Marinelli wants to talk about the here and now and what he is willing to do today.
“I don’t talk about so much last year, I just talk about our expectations now,” Marinelli said. “I think right now, we’re here and we want to go there. So here’s where we are starting and here’s the expectations I have for us, and here’s how I believe we can get there – laying out a road map. Now we just have to follow the map. The maps aren’t always easy to follow; there are some hills and bumps and creeks in there. We just have to level our way through it.”
Quarterback Jon Kitna also talked about Rogers after the team’s final mini-camp practice on Thursday.
“Charles is going to be just fine for us,” he said. “He’s got the things that not everybody has: size, speed, long arms. He’s going to be fine. Like I said, we’re all just trying to work into this thing together. The receiving group as a whole is going to be very dynamic.”
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...604130311/1126Schlesinger left to wonder about role
Fullback has excelled as a lead blocker, but he might not be a fit with system Martz will run.
For 11 seasons, Cory Schlesinger has had a well-defined role in the Lions' offense as a 247-pound, ground-clearing fullback.
After two days of minicamp, Schlesinger is wondering if he will have a role for a 12th season in the new scheme under offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
Schlesinger has done his research on the type of players Martz used to block in the running game for the last seven years in St. Louis. Some were bigger. Some were smaller. Some weren't even fullbacks.
For now, Schlesinger is more than a little puzzled about his future with the Lions. In fact, he isn't sure if he has one. It is too early to make any final judgments, but the indications are that the classic fullback could be phased out.
"That's what I'm wondering right now," Schlesinger said between practices Wednesday. "I'm wondering where I fit in with this offense, this staff. So, really I don't want to say anything until I get my facts straight.
"I'm not talking much."
Schlesinger spoke for two minutes before departing the locker room. He didn't want to cause any disruption. That doesn't mean he isn't concerned about his status.
"I'll give you news later on," Schlesinger said. "We'll find out."
Coach Rod Marinelli pursued Martz doggedly as one of his most important additions to his staff because of the success Martz had in St. Louis, first as offensive coordinator and later as head coach.
Marinelli has said he likes the versatility Martz has in his offense, in the balance between the running and passing games and how he adjusts in both phases.
That is evident in the different players Martz uses. The first five games of 2005 -- which also were Martz's last five as coach -- were typical of how he uses players as specialized parts of the offense.
Madison Hedgecock, a 266-pound rookie, started one game at fullback. In another, Brandon Manumaleuna, a 288-pound tight end, was listed as the starting fullback. In another, Blaine Saipaia, a 310-pound offensive lineman, lined up as a starting tight end in a one-back formation.
On the 1999 Rams team that won the Super Bowl, Robert Holcombe, a 220-pound rookie, was the primary fullback.
"He's had a lot larger guys than me," Schlesinger said. "He's had, in the late 1990's, a smaller guy. He's had them all. Where's he going with it now? What does he want?"
Schlesinger, who turns 34 in June, made the Lions' roster in 1996 as a sixth-round draft pick from Nebraska.
He became a full-time starter at fullback in 1999 and has been one of the most respected lead blockers in the league. His style has made him a fan favorite, and he has been a stand-up pro in the locker room.
Schlesinger missed one game his first nine seasons. He missed three because of a hamstring injury in 2004 and five last season because of a broken fibula suffered in the first exhibition game.
Detroit's offense under Martz will look nothing like the West Coast offense used the last five years. It's an entirely different style, with more passes downfield. In two days of workouts, the practice tempo has been noticeably faster and more intense.
The personnel groups are sure to be affected. The Lions carried two tight ends last season. This year, they'll probably have three. Dan Campbell, a blocking specialist, has been added to incumbents Marcus Pollard and Casey FitzSimmons.
The roles of the running backs and fullbacks will change. Kevin Jones is in line for more carries at tailback, and Shawn Bryson's role at fullback likely will expand to take advantage of his speed and receiving ability.
Injuries/personnel
Linebacker Teddy Lehman is still recovering from surgery on his right arch and cannot take part in drills. Lehman had the operation in late November.
"I don't know when I'm expected to start playing, start running -- anything," Lehman said.
… Only six linebackers are in camp. Boss Bailey is absent.
"All I know is, he's got to take care of some personal business," defensive coordinator Donny Henderson said.
Drill work
Henderson makes players repeat drills if they aren't done right. That includes Pro Bowlers such as Dre Bly and Shaun Rogers .
"Those veterans are going to cheat the drill," Henderson said. "It's harder for the older guys, let's be honest. They've been through a couple different systems. There's a new pace. You've got to give a little bit. We're not going to give on the fundamentals and the techniques and sprint to the ball."
http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/i...770.xml&coll=1Henderson gets his point across with repeated drill
In the first clash of wills between player and coach under the new coaching regime, there was no winner. No one really expected one.
Detroit Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and new defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson figuratively butted heads on Wednesday during a drill at the start of the second day of the team's voluntary minicamp.
It might be the simplest maneuver the defensive unit will run all year. It's called the pursuit drill and all the defense does is line up at the 40-yard line in their regular defense, take a few quick steps forward on the snap of the ball and then they turn and run full speed to the corner of the end zone.
The first time the Lions ran it, every player reached the corner of the end zone except Rogers. The second-team unit, which was on the sideline, started to come onto the field to take their turn. Henderson waved them off and called the first-team unit back. They ran it again.
This time, Rogers, pulled up at the 7-yard line and the second team didn't budge. Henderson, staring at Rogers the entire time, called the first unit back again and they ran it again. On the third attempt, Rogers stopped at the 5-yard line. Henderson had seen enough and waved the second unit onto the field. They ran it once and the drill was over.
"All that is is a pursuit drill," said Henderson, an aggressive coach with a feisty attitude. "We're just turning and running full speed through the coach, which is past the (end zone) line. And you're probably better off going two yards into the end zone and you won't get called back. If you pull up, you've got to come back (and do it again)."
When asked about the Rogers incident, in which he called the team back twice, Henderson said, "Did I? Did I do that? Oh, man, that's OK.
"He had to come back, right? That's all right."
Rogers has never been known has a high-intensity practice player and Henderson appears to have pushed him as far as he felt he could. Henderson got his message across.
"Donnie told us in the meeting that he's trying to figure us out and we're trying to figure him out. I think that's where we're at right now," Lions linebacker Donte Curry said of Henderson. "Outside of football, he's pretty cool. Football-wise, he's going to tell you what he wants and if you can't get it done, then he'll get somebody else. He's that type of guy."
Talking about the repeated pursuit drill, Curry said, "Like I said, he tells you what wants. If you get it right the first time, you're done. If we don't do it right the first time, then we go again. That's what happened -- it didn't get done right and we bring it back. You bring it back until it gets done right."
Rogers refused to comment after the workout, which is not unusual for him. Rogers might not want to address the media, but he'll have to address the situation again before long.
"Obviously, I'd like him to go faster," Henderson said. "My thing is, once he steps between the lines, that's what matters. I've got to get him to play a little harder. We talked. It's like anything else: When it's new to you, you've got to figure out what you're comfortable with and, at some point, we'll get comfortable, everybody will be on the same page and he'll buy in or he won't buy in.
"Like I told him, he holds the key. At some point, he'll say to himself, `You know what? It's OK.' "
Henderson, meanwhile, will keep trying to find the right balance in getting his point across.
"I'm still going to push 'em. I'm going to push 'em and they'll let me know. As long as they don't eye-ball me, we'll be OK," Henderson said. "There's a comfort zone for everyone and I've got to get people out of their comfort zone and push them to the next level."
Lions running hard
In yesterday's Oakland Press, Don Muhlbach limped out of his first minicamp practice and said he was fine, he just never ran that much. I talked with Dre Bly after practice and he, too, was winded. And this is just minicamp.
April 12, Oakland Press: Such was life the first day the Lions worked out as a team under new head coach Rod Marinelli and staff. Long snapper Don Muhlbach, hobbling in the locker room, was asked if he had been injured. "No," he said, limping off, "I just never ran that much - ever."
And the only thing that will be any different today is that everybody gets to wake up and do it twice instead of just once. Thursday's single practice will close what already appears to be an exhausting preview of how Marinelli plans to prepare his team for the 2006 season.
Oakland Press: Henderson ruffles opposing teams, too
All major news outlets have the same Donnie Henderson story today, but Steve Pate of the Oakland Press brings up a moment last year that ticked off the Giants, whom the Jets practiced with. Apparently Henderson's defense was extremely aggressive with the Giants, who complained.
April 13, Oakland Press: A second-round pick in 2002, McGraw was a safety for the Jets and was not traded to the Lions until a few weeks after that scrimmage.
"The way Donnie runs things is very high speed, very high tempo," McGraw said. "So the Giants were a little surprised at the tempo at which we were practicing, and the contact. It was kind of funny."
Not to the Giants, who, under Tom Coughlin, are not a soft bunch. Neither is Shaun Rogers, but Henderson does not lose himself in reputations.
"Depth charts don't mean anything to him," McGraw said. "Everybody is accountable and on the same playing field. He's not trying to be your best friend, and sometimes he can get on your nerves. But in the end, he makes you a better player, and that's what you respect.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/i...860.xml&coll=1Shaun Rogers shows different attitude 24 hours later in same drill
Progress can be measured in small steps or long strides and, sometimes, in the span of five yards.
One day after not showing much intensity during practice and failing to run out a pursuit drill three straight times, Detroit Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers answered the bell on Thursday, the final practice of the three-day voluntary minicamp.
Not only did Rogers have much more pep in his step, but on the pursuit drill, he not only crossed the finish line, but outran some of his teammates to do it.
On Wednesday, Rogers pulled up short of the end zone during the drill and the defense was forced to run the drill again. When Rogers came up short again, they were required to run it once more. On the third time, after Rogers pulled up at the 5-yard line, defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson didn't push the issue.
It was a different story on Thursday.
"The whole group was even faster. That was exciting," said Lions head coach Rod Marinelli. "We had to show him, we had to show him the standard we want to play at.
"It's awesome because this is hard. It's hard to get a guy going hard on every snap."
The Lions wrapped up the three-day camp in the same fashion it started: largely uneventful. That's because the coaching staff spent so much time -- 40 minutes during every practice -- working on the small details and fundamentals of each position.
It can become boring and mundane for the players, but the coaches have a different view.
"Yeah, I know (it's boring), but I really think it's awesome," Marinelli said. "If you talk to Beck (offensive line coach Larry Beightol) or you talk to (offensive coordinator) Mike Martz, they'll tell you it's the best part of the whole day. They'll ask if they can get 42 minutes and I say, `No, it's 40.'
"The biggest part of the fundamentals is understanding how it fits into the system. We'll be working faster and cleaner."
Lions president Matt Millen hired Marinelli because of his leadership ability and also his unwavering belief that hard work and solid fundamentals are the key to winning football games.
"It's just details, it's the stuff we've talked about all off-season. It's all fundamental stuff, guys staying low, paying attention to their footwork, how they break, how they get in and out of their cut, it's all the little fundamentals that make football. You can see the difference in two days," Millen said. "You become what you repeatedly do."
The off-season workouts will continue for the players next week and Marinelli said the coaching staff will continue to preach those boring ol' fundamentals.
"Once you get the fundamentals, you've got to stay on them every week. Like tackling, you've got to stay on them because it's hard," Marinelli said. "Tedious repetition. I think you've got to be creative as teachers and show them how they can become a better player by relying on the fundamentals. Both the defensive and offensive systems are player-friendly and when they see themselves getting better, now it's fun."
Millen is still trying to persuade Dan Wilkinson to return to the team, but it's beginning to look more and more like the veteran defensive tackle is leaning toward retirement. ... Outside linebacker Boss Bailey wasn't at the minicamp because he's recovering from foot surgery. A club official described it as a minor procedure and the team expects Bailey to make a rapid recovery.
Lions | F. Bryant takes part in all drills
Fri, 14 Apr 2006 05:58:26 -0700
Mike O'Hara, of the Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions CB Fernando Bryant (shoulder) took part in all minicamp drills. His 2005 season ended in the second game because of a dislocated left shoulder. "It's back to step one," Bryant said. "It's a new evaluation process. Everybody has reputations. You come in and try to show them what you're made of."Lions | B. Bailey actually had surgery
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:58:54 -0700
Tom Kowalski, of mlive.com, reports Detroit Lions LB Boss Bailey (foot) wasn't at the team's minicamp because he's recovering from foot surgery. A team official described it as a minor procedure and the team expects Bailey to make a rapid recovery.Lions | Marinelli expects to add at linebacker, offensive line and secondary
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:10:29 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said the team plans to add players at linebacker, offensive line and in the secondary. "We're just short in numbers right now. That's fine; this is an early minicamp. Now we have a chance to upgrade ourselves with the draft and constantly look at good players on the street."
Cool, that's exactly what I think they need, in that order of importance. I'm glad that "wide receiver" isn't listed there again.Lions | Marinelli expects to add at linebacker, offensive line and secondary
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:10:29 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said the team plans to add players at linebacker, offensive line and in the secondary. "We're just short in numbers right now. That's fine; this is an early minicamp. Now we have a chance to upgrade ourselves with the draft and constantly look at good players on the street."
Find a new slant.
Updates from the Lion's Organized Team Activities (OTAs)
Lions | M. Williams sheds some weight
Thu, 18 May 2006 06:20:52 -0700
Mike O'Hara, of the Detroit News, reports Detroit Lions WR Mike Williams already is about 10 pounds less than his rookie playing weight of 234 pounds. Williams said he has changed his eating habits and been more concerned with conditioning. He feels better at a lower weight. "Heck yeah, definitely," Williams said. "You cut better. You're more fluid."
Lions | Marinelli discusses M. Williams and C. Rogers
Wed, 17 May 2006 15:51:58 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli was asked about his impression of Lions WRs Mike Williams and Charles Rogers and he replied: "Good - even just their day-to-day work. They're here sprinting down the field and trying to get to the spot they're supposed to get to. The biggest thing here is, again, its how much information you can give these men; how many tools can you give them so when they get to camp they have some tools in their toolbox to go to work. And that's what you're constantly giving them: information, the details of your position and the tempo we want to play at each and every day. And then start building habits of consistency and hope we can be able to take that into camp with us."
Lions | Marinelli says Lehman is riding the bike
Wed, 17 May 2006 15:50:47 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said LB Teddy Lehman (foot) is present at the team's organized team activities, but that he is on the sideline riding the bike.
Lions | Marinelli says Bailey is riding the bike; team figuring out his role
Wed, 17 May 2006 15:47:31 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said LB Boss Bailey (knee) is present at the team's organized team activities, but that he is on the sideline riding the bike. When asked if Bailey would be the middle linebacker Marinelli replied: "We'd like to look at him still at the middle and the 'will,' looking at both spots. You just don't want to lock guys in yet. Let's see how they work and do some of those things but, I mean, he could be a guy we could look at as the 'mike' backer position."
Lions | Marinelli excited about team's OTAs performance
Wed, 17 May 2006 15:42:11 -0700
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said he his excited with the progress the team has made during their organized team activities. "I've been really excited about it. We've had really, two good practices. What I'm seeing is the pace and the tempo is outstanding. It's not good enough yet, it's not what I want. But it's the pace, the work; I've been very encouraged so far," said Marinelli. He said he does not plan to do anything different, despite the fact the players earlier filed a grievance. He said it will be business as usual for the team.
Lions | Pollard soaking up coaching experience
Tue, 16 May 2006 20:30:52 -0700
Chrissie Zavicar, of DetroitLions.com, reports Detroit Lions TE Marcus Pollard, who has been the tight end coach for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe this summer, has a new appreciation for the amount of time required of an NFL coach, "These guys don't leave. They sleep here." Pollard said that would be too hard on him and has no plans to coach in the NFL when his playing career is over, "High school is what I'm looking for." Pollard also said he found relating the information to each individual player to be a challenge, "There were times I thought, what am I going to have to do to get this guy to figure out what I'm trying to teach him?" Overall, Pollard said his experience has been a good one and thinks it will make him into better player next year.
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