Coaching Vacancy

Steve Mariucci may have been fired less than a week ago, but like every Lions fan, I am looking forward to next season. Because that’s all we have. So here is my crazy attempt at finding my favorite NFL team a new leader.

Dick Jauron: He’s the interim head coach now, but there’s no way he is offered the position full time.
Urban Meyer: He’s definitely been getting calls from NFL teams for a year or two, but his offensive system is definitely designed for college. Plus, let’s see what he can do with Florida for a few more years.
Bob Stoops: He knows defense really well, but I think the Lions need someone with a good offensive scheme. Plus there’s no way they steal him from Oklahoma.
Jim Mora: He seemed to run the Colts Offense well, right? He’s still an analyst, which means he will still listen to an offer if it is good enough. Plus, we will have another chance to hear that now famous “PLAYoffs?!?!”
Pete Carroll: He’s said in the past he’s happy staying at USC, but would there be anything left to prove if they win the championship again?

I'm confident none of those people will be selected. Since there is no rush at this point to fill the spot, the Lions should take some time and develop a strategy, interview a lot of coaches, and ultimately select a coach with an offensive scheme that would play to our offensive players' talents (geez... what an idea!!). They need to bring discipline to this team and bring in a good offensive line coach. But part of the Lions' short term strategy needs to be losing. They have a lot of ground to make up in the 2006 Draft sweepstakes. Here's there competition in the race to get Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush (c'mon... he's not coming back to college):

Houston: With Dominack Davis and David Carr, they really don’t need a QB or a RB. What they need is an offensive line and something called a defense. I think they'll keep losing (as evident by their complete turnaround vs. the Rams) but they'll trade down a few spots in the draft
San Francisco: They could probably use a RB, and Reggie Bush could stay in state. But wouldn’t that make their selection of Frank Gore a waste?
NY Jets: Curtis Martin is aging and Chad Pennington is too injury prone. Leinart or Bush would have a great opportunity to learn a little here before taking over.
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers is the heir apparent to Brett Farve, but Bush could understudy Ahman Green for a little while.
New Orleans: They have a QB and a RB. What they need is a home. And a defense to compete in the D-Happy NFC South.
Baltimore: Taking Leinart means they’re giving up on Kyle Boller. But QB seems to be their weakness.

...which leads us to
Detroit: I wish they had a chance at Leinart, but they need to stop winning. With games on the horizon against Green Bay and New Orleans, they can improve their chances with an L. Just think: Leinart passing to Mike Williams once again. But we all know they’ll take the best available WR.

Before I wrap this up, I wanted to say it is absolutely ridiculous Dre Bly didn't get fined by the Lions. By complaining about Joey, he did the same thing that T.O. did. He hasn't been as problematic as Owens has in the past, but he should have at least been handed a fine by the team to send the message that complaining to the media is unacceptable.