Mariucci can see 'hunger' in Lions
Coach is optimistic after mini-camp that this team believes it 'really can be good.'
By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- For the first time as Lions coach, Steve Mariucci doesn't feel as if he has walked away from a massive construction project at the end of spring mini-camp.
There is a look and feel to the team that were absent in Mariucci's first two seasons.
"There's a certain hunger or eagerness with this bunch," Mariucci said Sunday. "Not only do they want to be good. That's always the case. I think they think they really can be good.
"We've got some playmakers. We're growing up in certain spots. Everybody is playing, and the camaraderie is good. I don't see any selfish guys. Everybody's keeping the team in mind.
"I think there's a certain optimism in the hallway right now."
The Lions have inched upward in the won-lost column the last three years. From an NFL-worst 2-14 in 2001, they've gone to 3-13, 5-11 and 6-10 in succeeding seasons.
Another jump of one or two victories in 2005 won't be satisfactory to the Lions. They're aiming to win enough games to finish first in the NFC North -- whatever it takes.
"We expect to be in there at the end of the season," quarterback Joey Harrington said. "Our goal is to win the division, which puts us in the playoffs. You reevaluate from there. That's step one, to get in.
"That goal has never changed from the time coach Mariucci has been here. I don't think it's really fair to say our expectations are higher because our expectations have never been low.
"But on the same hand, we have a lot of new guys and a lot of new faces. I hope we pick up on it pretty quickly."
In five practices from Friday through Sunday, there was a high level of performance for this time of year. It was evident the skill level and experience are higher.
"Our talent pool is bigger," Harrington said. "That's the best way to put it. We have more talent out there than I've seen in my last three years of being here.
"It's exciting for me to look out there and see those guys, knowing if we get things on the same page, we can have some fun."
Substantial additions have been made on offense and defense since the end of last season. Much of the attention has focused on the offense with rookie receiver Mike Williams and four free agents -- wide receiver Kevin Johnson, tight end Marcus Pollard, and linemen Rick DeMulling and Kyle Kozier.
But there are other factors and issues that will influence the Lions' performance. Some are obvious, others less evident but no less important. They include the following:
• Defensive continuity: Coordinator Dick Jauron and line coach Larry Brooks are back for a second straight year.
In the previous five years, the Lions had four defensive coordinators and five line coaches. Only coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer lasted two straight years (2002-03) in the same position.
"For a number of years, the inside joke was for the defensive line coach not to unpack his bags when he got here," defensive end James Hall said.
"And kind of the same thing for the coordinator. We were going through a D-line coach every year.
"The way Jauron and Brooks carry themselves, and the way they treat us, you can't get any better than that."
• Offensive coordinator: Ted Tollner has brought a sense of command to the position.
He has been given play-calling duties, which his predecessors -- Maurice Carthon and Sherman Lewis -- did not have.
Mariucci called plays the last two seasons, except for late last season, when he turned over the job to quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.
In practice, Tollner was an active, hands-on manager. His experience in offenses other than the West Coast should expand the passing game.
"He took control of things, which was great to see," Harrington said.
"He took control of the offense from the first time we sat in that meeting room. I think people respect the way he's running the show right now.
"There is some expansion, but it's tough for me to go into without giving away confidential information."
• Quarterback depth: Nothing happened in mini-camp to show that Harrington will lose his starting job to Jeff Garcia.
Harrington's arm was strong, and he was on target.
For the last four seasons, the Lions had Ty Detmer and Rick Mirer, who were locked into the No. 3 spot, and Mike McMahon, whose chief claim to fame was winning the mini-camp beep (wind sprint) test.
Garcia provides a competent alternative should a change be made for any reason.
"Our quarterback situation is as good as it's been in a long time here," Mariucci said.
• Health: No players were held out of drills, which is a change from other seasons. Some were limited.
Wide receiver Charles Rogers, recovering from a twice-broken right collarbone, saw his practice time increase steadily from Friday through Sunday.
Linebacker Boss Bailey practiced once a day while coming back from surgery on his right knee.
But the general health is better, and there don't appear to be any players who will be held out when training camp opens July 28.
Charles Rogers update
Rogers will continue to wear a red jersey, making him off limits, until he gets more confident that his collarbone has healed, Mariucci said.
"I think it's a gradual thing for him coming back, being more confident he can hold up," Mariucci said.
Best beeper
Rookie quarterback Todd Mortensen, a free agent from San Diego, won the beep-test conditioning drill Sunday with 130 repetitions.
The test, used by Mariucci for several years to test physical conditioning, makes players run 20-yard increments at increasing speeds for as long as they can.
Safety Terrence Holt set the record with 135 in 2003, his rookie season.
Coach is optimistic after mini-camp that this team believes it 'really can be good.'
By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- For the first time as Lions coach, Steve Mariucci doesn't feel as if he has walked away from a massive construction project at the end of spring mini-camp.
There is a look and feel to the team that were absent in Mariucci's first two seasons.
"There's a certain hunger or eagerness with this bunch," Mariucci said Sunday. "Not only do they want to be good. That's always the case. I think they think they really can be good.
"We've got some playmakers. We're growing up in certain spots. Everybody is playing, and the camaraderie is good. I don't see any selfish guys. Everybody's keeping the team in mind.
"I think there's a certain optimism in the hallway right now."
The Lions have inched upward in the won-lost column the last three years. From an NFL-worst 2-14 in 2001, they've gone to 3-13, 5-11 and 6-10 in succeeding seasons.
Another jump of one or two victories in 2005 won't be satisfactory to the Lions. They're aiming to win enough games to finish first in the NFC North -- whatever it takes.
"We expect to be in there at the end of the season," quarterback Joey Harrington said. "Our goal is to win the division, which puts us in the playoffs. You reevaluate from there. That's step one, to get in.
"That goal has never changed from the time coach Mariucci has been here. I don't think it's really fair to say our expectations are higher because our expectations have never been low.
"But on the same hand, we have a lot of new guys and a lot of new faces. I hope we pick up on it pretty quickly."
In five practices from Friday through Sunday, there was a high level of performance for this time of year. It was evident the skill level and experience are higher.
"Our talent pool is bigger," Harrington said. "That's the best way to put it. We have more talent out there than I've seen in my last three years of being here.
"It's exciting for me to look out there and see those guys, knowing if we get things on the same page, we can have some fun."
Substantial additions have been made on offense and defense since the end of last season. Much of the attention has focused on the offense with rookie receiver Mike Williams and four free agents -- wide receiver Kevin Johnson, tight end Marcus Pollard, and linemen Rick DeMulling and Kyle Kozier.
But there are other factors and issues that will influence the Lions' performance. Some are obvious, others less evident but no less important. They include the following:
• Defensive continuity: Coordinator Dick Jauron and line coach Larry Brooks are back for a second straight year.
In the previous five years, the Lions had four defensive coordinators and five line coaches. Only coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer lasted two straight years (2002-03) in the same position.
"For a number of years, the inside joke was for the defensive line coach not to unpack his bags when he got here," defensive end James Hall said.
"And kind of the same thing for the coordinator. We were going through a D-line coach every year.
"The way Jauron and Brooks carry themselves, and the way they treat us, you can't get any better than that."
• Offensive coordinator: Ted Tollner has brought a sense of command to the position.
He has been given play-calling duties, which his predecessors -- Maurice Carthon and Sherman Lewis -- did not have.
Mariucci called plays the last two seasons, except for late last season, when he turned over the job to quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.
In practice, Tollner was an active, hands-on manager. His experience in offenses other than the West Coast should expand the passing game.
"He took control of things, which was great to see," Harrington said.
"He took control of the offense from the first time we sat in that meeting room. I think people respect the way he's running the show right now.
"There is some expansion, but it's tough for me to go into without giving away confidential information."
• Quarterback depth: Nothing happened in mini-camp to show that Harrington will lose his starting job to Jeff Garcia.
Harrington's arm was strong, and he was on target.
For the last four seasons, the Lions had Ty Detmer and Rick Mirer, who were locked into the No. 3 spot, and Mike McMahon, whose chief claim to fame was winning the mini-camp beep (wind sprint) test.
Garcia provides a competent alternative should a change be made for any reason.
"Our quarterback situation is as good as it's been in a long time here," Mariucci said.
• Health: No players were held out of drills, which is a change from other seasons. Some were limited.
Wide receiver Charles Rogers, recovering from a twice-broken right collarbone, saw his practice time increase steadily from Friday through Sunday.
Linebacker Boss Bailey practiced once a day while coming back from surgery on his right knee.
But the general health is better, and there don't appear to be any players who will be held out when training camp opens July 28.
Charles Rogers update
Rogers will continue to wear a red jersey, making him off limits, until he gets more confident that his collarbone has healed, Mariucci said.
"I think it's a gradual thing for him coming back, being more confident he can hold up," Mariucci said.
Best beeper
Rookie quarterback Todd Mortensen, a free agent from San Diego, won the beep-test conditioning drill Sunday with 130 repetitions.
The test, used by Mariucci for several years to test physical conditioning, makes players run 20-yard increments at increasing speeds for as long as they can.
Safety Terrence Holt set the record with 135 in 2003, his rookie season.
