Posted by Lisa on January 14, 2009, 10:25 am, in reply to "McDaniels to the Broncos..."
But the personnel position probably isn't going to be able to be filled until after this draft. I know, that is disheartening.
Teams have been working for a full year on their college scouting for the '09 draft and pro scouting. And they aren't going to just let somebody walk into the Lions organization with all the information and money they have invested. Of course, that is assuming that the Lions are going to be looking at assistants who will look at being head of personnel as a step up. If they go for somebody who is out of work right now, then there may be a reason they are out of work
So, I'm willing to be patient.
Mayhew is overseeing a lot of the personnel stuff at this point, which isn't so different from what he was doing last year. I am warming up to Mayhew a little bit. He's widely considered a bright football mind, and what he has said so far fits with what I think they need to address.
Millen, from recent accounts, totally blew off all recommendations from his staff. The current Lion administration has directed all blame for the lousy drafting to Millen. But we will see in this draft what Mayhew is made of. I hope he's as smart as people think he is. I know that he's already put in time visiting schools to see draftable players in person and talk to their coaches, etc, more than Millen did in all his time in Detroit.
Anyway, I'm not totally buying in, but I'll give it a chance to work with Mayhew as the football boss. The way that they are structuring this organization falls in line with what most teams have done with structure. So, they really aren't behind the eight ball in that regard. Wow, huh?
They seem to have a long range plan now, and know the direction that they want to go in. (Based on what Todd Bowles said to the media. http://www.detroitlions.com/lions_blog.cfm?section_id=146&top=1&level=2&) That in itself is a huge advance for the Lions, with a history of changing schemes and strategies based on which way the wind is blowing. If Mayhew and Lewand did that, they cannot be all bad.
Regarding the teams competing with the Lions for hires:
Cleveland went after head coach first, before hiring a GM which seems very backwards to me. They hired Mangini and they've hired DC and OC, though they need to round out the position coaches. Like the Lions, they may not be able to get a personnel upgrade until after the '09 draft.
Denver hired Josh McDaniels and didn't hire a GM first, either. Mike Shanahan was the GM/coach. McDaniels is not taking over that part of the job, and I don't know (nor really care) what the Broncos are doing with their personnel department. Based on their moves the last couple year, they need to revamp how their pro scouts do business. Their drafts have been okay, but not spectacular with a few too many gambles (which can be laid at Shanahan's door). They have to round out their coaching staff, too.
KC has Scott Pioli at GM, official today. So that means Herm Edwards (who I dislike as a HC intensely) will become available after Pioli hires a HC. His reputed favorites are Kirk Ferentz and Jim Schwartz...which could put a crimp in the Lions HC search.
I think the Lions, Jets and KC have a leg up on St. Louis or Oakland in the HC search. But the Rams have said they want to hire a HC by the Super Bowl (Feb 1).
I like Schwartz the best, but as I said KC may have a better opportunity at him with Pioli as GM. I could also see Steve Spagnuolo going to the Jets. He wouldn't have to look for a new house and is used to the media there. I know the Lions interviewed him, but I don't see him as a Detroit kind of guy...he would only go to the Lions as a last resort, and Mayhew has probably eliminated him based on that alone.
Ron Rivera and Rex Ryan would be next on my list for Detroit HCs, after Schwartz. Todd Bowles isn't far behind on my list, though. I know Bowles interviewed for the 2nd time...but that doesn't mean Rivera and Ryan are eliminated because they are upper echelon coaches, IMO. Bowles does fit what Mayhew has said he's looking for: hungry, passionate, young, wants to grow with the Lions and not use Detroit as a stepping stone (hah) or a last resort.
Then you have Leslie Frazier who I think is due to be a HC. He's been successful as a DC, but he's considered a 2nd tier guy and may end up with St. Louis. They are looking for somebody who would see the temporary Rams HC opening as an opportunity to be a HC and might come cheap.
One other thing, I think Jason Garrett is interviewing because he knows he's no longer the coach elect in Dallas. (He's an arrogant son of a gun, I don't want anywhere near the Lions.) Shanahan has made no indication about what he will do next year. But I wouldn't be surprised if Wade Phillips is out and Shanny takes over at some point...maybe after the draft.
Jerry Gray, Mike Mularkey, John Harbaugh (doubt it), Reheem Morris, Jeff Jagodzinski, Brian Schottenheimer, Bill Calahan, Ron Meeks, Kevin Gilbride, Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett, Winston Moss, Ray Sherman, along with Russ Grimm are other names rumored as prospective HCs for clubs. Herm Edwards should probably be added to that list.
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