Al Toby
Lions' Kitna is DA MAN
Jul 27, 2006
No quarterback controversy.
Huh?
Lions coach Rod Marinelli didn't waste time naming the starting quarterback. On Thursday, he handed the reins to Jon Kitna. (Darn, we were looking forward to listening to talk radio callers seriously stump for Dan Orlovsky to lead the way out of the tunnel for Week 1.)
You can find out why Marinelli reached his decision by reading Nicholas J. Cotsonika's story on the Lions in Friday's editions.
We pose these questions to you, the long-suffering Lions faithful: Do you see Kitna leading the Lions to the promised land of 8-8 ... or better? Is Marinelli's swift decision a sign of better leadership than the previous regimes?
Comment by John | 07/28/06 at 9:08 AM
Kitna is the best option, he has good, solid experience as a starter and can lead the offense. He will not be the savior however, he is a step in the right direction. The team will perform better and attract a better QB, you watch! Detroit, the Lions are not that far away, we are the Bengals of a few years ago.
Comment by Wolfger | 07/28/06 at 9:50 AM
Is this a sign of better leadership? No. Not to say that the leadership isn't better... I think it is! This early decision isn't a sign of that, though. It's just a sign of decisiveness. A knowledge that indecisiveness could be traumatic to a team that currently has no identity whatsoever. It's a good thing. Only time will tell if the decision was a good one, but I think for now that the players and fans must have faith in the new leadership, and accept any and all decisions handed down as being the best possible decisions.
Comment by Glenn | 07/28/06 at 10:14 AM
Jon Kitna is a good quarterback but to delare him number one without having the other canidates fight for the position? I will let you decide. I think that Kitna is to short, does not move well outside the pocket. These things will keep Kitna from holding on to the number one spot for long.
Comment by John | 07/28/06 at 10:58 AM
It's a starting point, every level of football places someone in the starting spot to begin camp. Then it progresses from there, someone may emerge as the favorite, maybe not, that's how it works.
Comment by Dave S. | 07/28/06 at 11:16 AM
Detroit always has the ability to pick up that mediocre QB in the offseason, and their careers usually come to a screeching halt here in the D. Good luck on exceeding .500 with Kitna at the reins. I hope he can prove me wrong, but only time will tell. If I see any more 3 and outs like I did all last year, I will destroy my television. Maybe Kitna won't stare at the oncoming defenders like a deer in headlights, then fall, and curl up in the fetal position. If he can move the ball on 1st down, or Jones, give us a chance on 2nd, then maybe we can avoid those 3 and out situations for a change. Who knows?
Comment by kingxam | 07/28/06 at 12:55 PM
If you're looking for better leadership why doesn't Ford get rid of Millen. That would be a step towards better leadership. McCown will be the starter by the bye. He's younger, more exciting and lot more mobile and with nonexistant offensive line and the running game by committee, with at best an average running back leading them, the lye downs are going to need a mobile QB or one that can throw when he's being sacked. If the lions are going to score Hanson better get back to kicking 50 yarders and Eddie Drumond better have another kick return season like a couple years ago.
Comment by Mikey | 07/28/06 at 2:04 PM
Kitna clearly has the edge in maturity and experience and was properly named the 'starting' QB going into camp. Is he the man? Well, if you listen to Mike Martz's comments regarding J. Kitna, you have to be encouraged by the new OC's observations about Kitna's game. He mentions that J. Kitna learns fast and has a keen eye for picking up on new offenses quickly. Also, he mentions that he is a lot like J. Warner and we all know what Warner did under Martz's watch. Should be an intriguing season if Marinelli's guidance all falls into place.
Comment by Enigma Girl | 07/28/06 at 3:51 PM
I'm from Detroit but living in Cincinnati - check out what Kitna didn't do for the Bengals and then tell me he's the Lions "solution"
Comment by Marcus | 07/28/06 at 8:57 PM
Ya know, we don't even need a good QB to win the superbowl. We need a superior defense, and an average offense. Look at how many average QBs play in superbowls, ie Tom Brady. I love that we have a veteran QB who is just good and not great. We need a leader. Having a superstar QB is not the only way to win.
As Lion Fans, the only part of the season we can really enjoy is training camp, and perhaps the first 3 weeks of the regualr season.
The good news is that I don't think the Lions can get any worse on offense than last year. Blue skies ahead.
Comment by chris | 08/02/06 at 4:55 PM
what difference does it make in august?
i want to see results in december and january.
this team has the odd ability to pull the wool over EVERYONE'S eyes before the season starts, before the inevitable october collapse.
good luck john!
Comment by pat | 08/02/06 at 6:17 PM
lets make this real, the lions are a very lazy football team. yes they have talent, they also have there share of high paid slackers, if players are reading this, you know who you are. we are going in the right direction with the new coaching staff. i am in favor of porduce or hit the road attitude of the new coaching staff. every player can make a difference in a win or loss so my suggestion is play every down as if its the last. but who am i just a lonly detroit li90n fan for the past 40 years, and i now live in atlanta ga go lions, please give me hope, if not a winner at least a contender. thanks guys
Comment by DET QB SUCKS 4 EVER | 08/03/06 at 10:39 AM
JOEY...JOEY....JOEY
Comment by I should coach the Lons | 08/03/06 at 10:45 AM
All this talk about QB's makes me sick. We should be focused on Defense and our running game. Blocking & Tackling
We don't need a superstar QB. How many rings does Payton have? Dan Marino? Donavan McNabb?
Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson are superbowl winning QB's.
We need someone who is just good enough not to give games away.
Comment by Judge Smails | 08/03/06 at 2:42 PM
Wouldn't it be "THE MAN"?
I wonder at interviews if he axes him a question. [rolls eyes]
Comment by TONY da Tiger | 08/05/06 at 4:39 PM
I still wonder what that bonehead Dick Jauron was thinking last season when he could have letOrlovsky play the last four games to see what we had as far as the future, the only GM that could be dummer than Millen must be Marv Levy who hired a Millen reject UNFRICKEN REAL!!!
Comment by Greg Carey | 08/18/06 at 3:17 AM
Hey john, The Bengals of a few years ago stunk too! Face it dude the Lions suck, plain and simple. we don't need any more fresh massiah's in the coaching ranks or at Q.B. or anywhere else, someone needs to convince Bill jr. to sell the team to someone who won't view it as simply one more rich man's toy to play with. Success starts at the top, and filters its way down. All you need to do is look at the hiring of Matt (I'll take ten more wide recievers) Millen to realize that Mr. Ford has no clue, besides during most of the regular season he's in Florida on vacation. (rooting for the Dolphins no doubt)We could bring in the reincarnation of Bobby Layne, and sadly the Lions will still find a way to snach defeat from the jaws of victory.
Comment by chuckie in fla. | 08/28/06 at 8:57 AM
fellow sufferers, I am a die hard detroit fan,now residing in south florida.and at any gathering of sports fans,(i.e. bars, homes or anywhere there is a televised game featuring a detroit team )I represent tha,D!!! I,m usually down front rooting for "our side". Loudly.(I am banned from most places because of a little incident concerning our beloved pistons but my lawyer assures me I'll only get probation)Heres my gripe, Bill j.r., get rid of Matt Millen and find a g.m who knows how to win football games.
Comment by James W | 08/28/06 at 10:41 AM
I have now suffered through two and one half Lions games this pre season and seen each and every down Kitna has played so far. He is the best of an extremely medeocre lot. There will be several thousand at Ford Field on Thanksgiving who deep down inside will know their anger toward Joey Harrington was just their frustration with the Lions over the long term. These fans will realize that Miami has two quarterbacks that are far better than anything we now have to chose from, but they will never admit it.
Comment by JTL | 09/16/06 at 10:36 AM
Maybe Kitna is DA MAN? But the Lions sure aren't DA TEAM! Not yet anyway..., "seem too me like nothing internally has changed: Their still finding a way too lose rather then win late in the game!" And their likely gonna be lunch-meat tomorrow playing the Bear..., Who would have thought the Bear or any team for the matter could SHUT OUT Brett Farve? Beat him okay fine, but him getting blown out isn't normal!I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but at this moment I would have too say..., Lions are going too get dragged over 20 miles of dirt road tomorrow.
Comment by John | 09/26/06 at 4:00 PM
Kitna is a good man, he just doesn't have the talent to get the job done. Why the Lions didn't go after Brees is beyond me. Oh I forgot, he was a proven winner and would have cost more. Thanks Mr. Ford,
By the way, Marinelli is also unproven. Maybe he should look at the "tapes" of the defence he looks after and resign because he isn't getting the coaching job done either.
The whole Lion experience is a joke.
Comment by jan hull | 10/08/06 at 6:24 PM
1. Ford needs to sell the Lions to someone who
gives a s--- !
2. New owner must clean house and hire a proven
GM ($$$$$).
3. Lions must hire best coach available or make
him available with offer of mucho $$$$$$$.
4. New GM and coach must find a QB that can win
($$$$$$ if necessary)
5. Lions must have a quality running back
(continue to lose every game this year and
perhaps get lucky in the draft. Keep in
mind the years wasted with Harrington)
Comment by Bill | 10/12/06 at 4:48 PM
I think the lions are at least aiming in the right direction now.. we finally have a quarterback and a couple of recievers.. all we need now are a couple of brick walls for the line.. give them a year or two.. I think the lions are slowly showing some positives in a few areas they've been terrible at.
Comment by Tony O'Rourke | 11/04/06 at 3:14 PM
The problem isn't Millen. He is a SYMPTOM. The problem is Ford. However, Millen must have something on Ford for him to hang onto the nutjob this long!
Comment by marty | 11/23/06 at 8:09 AM
Why is it that Mike Williams sits? Get him on the field! Make him prove the coaches wrong! Everyone knows the lions are throwing to Roy...just like Herman Moore in his day! At least they had Johhny Morton and others to throw to! And the running game..Why is it other teams can find backs from obscure schools taht put up great numbers and we can't?? I blame our scouting system..not Millen! And by the way where were we when all of the other starters at Q>B> were drafted! They didn't all go in the first round i.e Tom Brady! He proves you need brains and the ability to lead not just and arm and great stats!! I'm 50 think the kitty cats will ever make it to the big game let alone build on a dynasty??
Comment by lionfan 1960 | 12/07/06 at 6:59 AM
Kitna as your number 1 thats a scary thought.He is consider a stop gap QB at best.Just look at his career What makes him any differnt then Joey
If this was Joey the media and fans would be running him out of town.A good decision maker When?? he's average 2 turner overs the last 11 gms between picks and fumbles.AND he's the qb of the future No wonder the Lions future is bleek at best AND THE REBUILD CYCLE FOR THIS franchise for 42 yrs keeps going and going an going just like that little rabbit
Comment by Scott | 12/10/06 at 3:46 PM
How can you watch todays game and tell me that Kitna doesn't suck? He has 2 picks and 1 fumble. We should have stuck with Joey. The kittens are going to lose at least 2 of the next 3 games (Chicago and Dallas) and finish the season worse this year than the previous years under Joey. The Lions continue to make personnel mistakes i.e. cutting Artose. Maybe we need to hire a coach who's last name doesn't start with an M...Morningweg, Mariucci, Marinelli, Martz and GM Millen. Does any one see a pattern here? I'd rather have Wayne Fontz back as head coach!
Comment by bobhuge | 12/29/06 at 4:16 PM
Take a look at the stats listed. Draw your own conclusions. Figures never lie, and liars always figure.
Kitna is not as bad as he's made out to be. He is ranked as:
3rd in attempts per game and 3rd in overall attempts
3rd in overall completions but 11th in completions % among starters
4th in overall passing yards
12th in passing TDs (tied with Favre and Big Ben, ahead of Romo and Joey!)
15th in rating among starters
11th in yards per carry for starters and 9th in rushing yards among starters
2nd in interceptions and 1st in sacks
Offensively Detroit is:
6th in passing yards per game
5th in interceptions
2nd in sacks given up and 3rd in yards sacked
28th in total offensive plays and 31st in Time of Possesion
24th in total Yards per game and 16th in yards per play
32nd in 3rd down conversion
3rd in penaltys and 4th in penalty yards
Defensively Detroit is:
28th in total plays (on the field alot)
26th in yards given up
24th in preventing 3rd down conversions
32nd in preventnig 4th down - have stopped one yet.
28th in penalties and in yards penalized
31st in time on the field
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