Lions too soft for Marinelli's style?

gotta qualify this by saying it's from ProFootballTalk.com:

LIONS GET THEIR LOINS SLAPPED

The Associated Press reports that the Detroit Lions have lost two days of so-called "Organized Team Activities" (i.e., football practice in the spring without pads) as settlement of a complaint that was filed with the NFLPA.

In a joint statement, NFL executive vice president for labor relations Harold Henderson, and NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw said the Lions broke rules pertaining to the scheduling of offseason activities.

Although the AP report contains no additional details, respected Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski writes that a "couple of" players complained about the sessions because they were "too physical."

Per Kowalski, "the players were upset at the high intensity and aggressiveness demanded in the team drills and believed the coaching staff was going over the line." Kowalski also says that "the team drills were very physical even to the point where, on at least one occasion, an offensive lineman and defensive line lineman got into a scuffle over the heavy contact."

Article XXXVI, Section 4 of the CBA prohibits "'live' blocking, tackling, pass rushing, [and] bump-and-run."

The reality, however, is that most teams' offseason workouts and minicamps feature "live" line play. We've heard in the past that the linemen generally would prefer to be in pads for the offseason drills due to all of the hitting.

So what we think happened here is that the guys who were more accustomed to the player-friendly (i.e., we suck but at least everyone likes me) approach of Steve Mariucci didn't react well to new coach Rod Marinelli's "hut-two-three-four" style.

Were the minicamp practices any more physical than before? Probably not. But was the new coaching staff a little deeper into the players' rear ends? Probably so.

Although the CBA also prohibits the imposition of discipline on any of the players who finked on Frank Barone's long lost son, we'll bet some of Charles Barkley's walking-around money that Marinelli will find out who squealed -- and that they won't be Lions come September.

[pmcd95]

Originally Posted by BucINT20

gotta qualify this by saying it's from ProFootballTalk.com:

Best source for football news around. Thanks for the update.

[RastaMon]

unions

[Clayton80future]

If you get paid in one game more than what most people get in one annual salary, then you better be able to take the physicality of the NFL.

This reminds me of Tom Coughlin's off-season workouts when he first got hired in 2004 by the Giants. All Marinelli is trying to do is get them ready to turn around.

[fatmosh]

Yeah, seems like one team whines about this every year. I can't imagine being the one who complained and then getting caught. Talk about being in the coaches doghouse...

[Cold Buc Fan]

Originally Posted by RastaMon

unions

Yeah they take your dues athen anonymously report to anyone who will listen that you are an unhappy employee.

[Psykes]

If your unhappy about contact than maybe football isn't for you. There's always balet, synchronized swimming and figure skating. Make your pick and toughen up.

I'm sitting in a room right now in Michigan with about a dozen Lions' fans and they're all ticked off about the players complaining. I'd repeat some of the names being used to describe them but I'd be banned. These fans up here are hungry for a good team. It kinda reminds me of us back 10-12 years ago.

[tb_buccaneers]

No wonder they have sucked for so long... Bunch of sissys

Originally Posted by tb_buccaneers

No wonder they have sucked for so long... Bunch of sissys

Too bad those "couple of players" will remain anonymous. I'd cut 'em. Screw the contract guarentees.

[bucnsebring]

if only it were that easy to cut a player and not worry about cap ramafications

[Clayton80future]

Originally Posted by Blaze-Toledo

Too bad those "couple of players" will remain anonymous. I'd cut 'em. Screw the contract guarentees.

I am really hoping you guys pull it together. All things aside that the Bucs as well are in the NFC, the Lions could potentially be very exciting even if the meet thier expetations a little more than half way. Consistance at the WR position will be key. I think the defense will Mo-town will be very strong in 2006 and in the future with Marinelli as the coach. . .

[Clayton80future]

Originally Posted by bucnsebring

if only it were that easy to cut a player and not worry about cap ramafications

It depends who it is. It might be someone like a Artose Pinner, who doesn't make a lot of dough. It could be a Charles Rogers or a Dre Bly, who could hurt the salary cap for next year tremendously. . .

[Tuzz]

How many ex-Buc players are on the team? I doubt if it was one of them.

[Clayton80future]

Originally Posted by Tuzz

How many ex-Buc players are on the team? I doubt if it was one of them.

I doubt it either since Damien Gregory, Tyoka Jackson, and the another former TB D-Lineman have been through Marinelli's workouts daily at one point. . .

To the Detroit Lions Players:

If you can't take the heat, get out of the Kitchen.

Originally Posted by pmcd95

Best source for football news around. Thanks for the update.

As much as I can't stand profootballtalk.com they were actually close on this story. Here's the KFFL blurb:

Lions | Motive for grievance still not clear
Fri, 5 May 2006 21:16:54 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mlive.com, reports the motive is still unclear of why some Detroit Lions players filed a grievance against the team. The results of the grievance, as noted earlier, was the Lions had two workout days taken away from their offseason program Friday, May 5, because they violated the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement's workout rules. According to sources close to the situation, the complaints came from a few players during their April 11-13 voluntary minicamp at the team's workout facility. Sources said the players were complaining about many aspects of the workouts and no one is sure exactly what the main beef was. Team spokesman Bill Keenist said the club had "no comment." The official statement on the incident read: "NFL Executive Vice President Harold Henderson and Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw have determined that the Lions violated rules pertaining to the scheduling of off-season activities. A spokesman for the players union, who said he didn't know the specific reason for the grievance, said the terminology of "scheduling" could mean either highly physical practices or improper usage of a player's time.

[I'm an 0-26 Survivor]

Originally Posted by PirateAttack

To the Detroit Lions Players:

If you can't take the heat, get out of the Kitchen.

Spare "The Rod", spoil the, er, kitty cat.
Like someone mentioned before, no wonder they were losers.

[dbartdog]

Originally Posted by Clayton80future

If you get paid in one game more than what most people get in one annual salary, then you better be able to take the physicality of the NFL.

This reminds me of Tom Coughlin's off-season workouts when he first got hired in 2004 by the Giants. All Marinelli is trying to do is get them ready to turn around.

LOL...LOFL.

[Cadillac_Ranch]

Originally Posted by tb_buccaneers

No wonder they have sucked for so long... Bunch of sissys

You can almost picture it; "Coach, no fair- these guys tackle too hard!"

I'm sure the coaches are well aware of who made the complaints, or at least have a good idea. They're are not stupid and will weed out the weak. That's the whole point of it anyway. So they lost a couple of OTA's. Who cares? It's going to take some bold moves such as this to turn things around in D-town. This is where you find out who your leaders are on the field. My guess is that it was a WR or OL who made the complaint.

[vikefan]

I don't have the link, but read that Martz was ****ed about how a practice went and called the offense back on the field after practice was over.

Apparently against union rules for mini-camp.

[Psykes]

Originally Posted by Clayton80future

Consistance at the WR position will be key. I

I think consistency at QB is more important. They have a potentially strong running game, and the talent at WR, they just need to keep the air game consistent. The defense is leaky too, but Rod will fix that all up.

I dunno... I just don't see them making a tremendous leap just yet. Veteran QB, but we've still got a bunch of whiny WR's and a running back that is, at best, mediocre.

'sigh... at least the Tigers stopped sucking this year.

[JasonOfthetower]

Wow, this is the least shocking news of the week, that and the Browns shipping Dilfer to the 49ers for a bag of footballs and a jockstrap to be named later.

The Lions players thinks Coach Rod is too tough? He's a big ole meanie?

Maybe thats why you SUCKED for the last six years under the likes of Marty MorAMIOvermyhead and Steve MayIsuckuptomyplayersuicci.

Rod knows how to win...and he's trying to turn you pansies into winners. Rather than ratting him out to the Feds, you should be doing everything he tells you to do.

Marinelli will find the snitches and they will be sleeping with the fishes before training camp, CBA clause be damned.

Can't wait to hear Millen comment on the situation, should be another one of his classic quotes...

Well, either Millen told Marinelli to keep his yap shut about it, or Marinelli is afraid if he actually says how he really feels, he'll open a portal to the underworld and release a pack of slavering, three-headed dogs that will consume mankind.

'cause he sure isn't talking.

http://www.detroitlions.com/document...=444950#060506

[Clayton80future]

Originally Posted by Psykes

I think consistency at QB is more important. They have a potentially strong running game, and the talent at WR, they just need to keep the air game consistent. The defense is leaky too, but Rod will fix that all up.

Jon Kitna will probably be an effecient QB this year for the Lions. But Roy and Mike Williams have to start catching passes. Charles Rogers has to stay out of trouble off-the-field and on it and then start catching some passes as well.

It's pathetic that Scotty Vines, an undrafted rookie, outplayed those three phenominal talents down the stretch of the season. . .

[I'm an 0-26 Survivor]

Originally Posted by Blaze-Toledo

Well, either Millen told Marinelli to keep his yap shut about it, or Marinelli is afraid if he actually says how he really feels, he'll open a portal to the underworld and release a pack of slavering, three-headed dogs that will consume mankind.

'cause he sure isn't talking.

http://www.detroitlions.com/document...=444950#060506

Blaze, I have to feel for you, man.

You have a team that on paper has a lot of promise. Too bad most appear to be a bunch of pansies.

[mpmalloy]

Originally Posted by Blaze-Toledo

Too bad those "couple of players" will remain anonymous. I'd cut 'em. Screw the contract guarentees.

You guys are really lucky to get Rod.
He's isolating the 'weak links' in your team as we speak.
They'll be sent down the road leaving only the real tough guys.
You won't recognize your team next year...They'll be good.
Rod will make you proud.