Something I thought was interesting.
A playoff loss could become Lions' gain
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • January 10, 2009
Read Comments(53)Recommend(2)Print this page E-mail this article Share this article: Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
Reddit
Newsvine
Buzz up!
This weekend's playoff games could affect the Lions' coaching search.
Four candidates are defensive coordinators on teams still playing. Jim Schwartz's Tennessee Titans face Rex Ryan's Baltimore Ravens today; Steve Spagnuolo's N.Y. Giants face the Philadelphia Eagles, and Ron Rivera's San Diego Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The Lions cannot offer an assistant the job until his season ends, under NFL rules. If they want someone who goes to a conference championship game or the Super Bowl, they will have to wait.
That is risky. The Lions risk not landing him, because other teams might want him, too. They risk not putting together an ideal staff under him, because potential assistants might be snapped up.
If the Lions don't want to wait for someone, they could make a move next week. If they don't make a move next week, that could indicate they are waiting for someone.
The Lions have interviewed Schwartz and Spagnuolo. They have not interviewed Ryan or Rivera. If the Ravens win today, Ryan could interview tonight or Sunday. Rivera has said he will not consider other jobs until the Chargers' season ends.
Teams can conduct second interviews with assistant coaches on Super Bowl teams the week after the conference championship games.
Candidates on teams out of the playoffs include Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who was to interview Friday in Detroit, as well Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, Miami Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Washington Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray.
The Lions also have shown interest in Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, though he is finalizing a contract extension at his school.
EXECUTIVE DECISION: The Lions have contacted former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage to gauge his interest in joining the front office, according to nationalfootballpost.com. Contact NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA at 313-222-8831 or [Email]ncotsonika@freepress.com.[/Email] Check out his Lions blog at
Freep.com