Dr. Davis’ diagnosis on Detroit ‘D’: The coaching staff

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, July 09, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

Detroit Lions
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Donning the virtual doctor’s jacket once more is the all-star team of RealFootball365.com football surgeons (also known as this writer). Under microscope and probe is the near-cadaverous Detroit Lions defense, a sick animal weakened to the point of 27.75 points allowed per game last season. As each failed or failing system comes under examination, less hope for the patient’s current existence remains. With less experience, fewer name players, a depleted roster and a weak game plan, how can the Lions survive?

In today’s report, a quasi-medical assessment of the Lions’ defensive coaching staff. No, it ain’t pretty.

Problem: We like to believe that in football, it all starts on the sidelines. We also believe that no true substitute exists for experience at the coaching position and that winners are crafted in the crucible of hard work, not born. So why the full-fledged call for the head of offensive coordinator Mike Martz after the team scored 346 points, most since 1997, last season? Because the defense got busy in surrendering 444 points, because Matt Millen’s in charge of this team, and because that’s how logic is twisted in Detroit Lions Land.

Symptoms: Evident and apparent. Include D-coordinator Joe Barry (head coach Rod Marinelli’s son-in-law, spent the first part of this decade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers); line coach Joe Cullen; LBs coach Phil Snow; secondary coach Jimmy Lake, another Buccaneer castoff who previously coaches alongside Barry; Clayton Lopez, who was apparently leapfrogged in the food chain by Lake but got new business cards reading “Assistant Secondary” instead of “Defensive Backs Coach”; and Don Clemons.

Clemons’ situation is odd enough to get an entire paragraph in itself; now entering his 24th season with the Lions and listed as “Defensive Quality Control,” Clemons had heretofore never held a position higher. He’s worked with CBs, LBs and specifically with OLBs from 1992-1994. He was even listed as “Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach” in 1997. Maybe it’s me, but something would appear to be wrong when the grand old man of the front office is a hanger-on. Seriously, is there some secret film comedy-like clause in someone’s will that ensures Clemons’ perpetual employment with the Lions?

Treatment: Is the hiring of Lake really enough? Nah, didn’t think so.

Diagnosis: Firstly, nepotism is an ugly disease in most walks of life and, barring a miracle turnaround by this defense, must be addressed immediately. (Yes, we’re talking about you, Mr. Barry.) Barry is hardly alone in certain short-term termination, however, as both offensive and defensive staffs will surely see a drastic makeover (again) within the next five years or until Millen gets the pink slip, whichever comes first. The sole keeper here may be Snow, a potential head coach should his ambitions lead to such a direction. As for Clemons ... keep him around; he’s not hurting anyone.

Next time: The classic “intangibles.”
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's ...
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