[CBFF] NBR: Kitna - Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Phil DeNomme]

Of course he's not.  He was passing for 4000 yards with him as the OC.  

But this also coming from the guy that said the Lions would win 10+ games.

-----Original Message-----
From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com
[mailto:cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Tom Shannon
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 8:14 AM
To: post at chicagobearsfanforum.com
Subject: [CBFF] NBR: Kitna - Sent Using Google Toolbar

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Lions quarterback Kitna not pleased with Martz firing


 Jan. 3, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports





 DETROIT -- Quarterback Jon Kitna says he's unhappy over the firing of
Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz, but says he has faith coach
Rod Marinelli did what he thought was in the team's best interest.

 The Lions announced Thursday they were promoting Jim Colletto to
offensive coordinator in Martz's place.

 "I wish it would have been different, but at the end of the day,
these are decisions coaches and management need to make, and as
players, we need to just do our job," Kitna told the Associated Press
on Thursday night. "I'm not sure what to expect because I've been
immersed in coach Martz's system, so I'm not sure what Colletto's
philosophies are.

 "I'm just going to do the best I can to help make it work."

 Kitna was outspoken late in the season in Martz's defense as
speculation grew that he'd be fired. The Lions opened the season 6-2,
then lost six in a row before finishing at 7-9.

 Colletto was Detroit's offensive line coach in 2007.

 "Jim is an excellent football coach," Marinelli said Thursday in a
statement. "He knows what it takes to win in this league and I am
confident that he will do a tremendous job leading our offense.

 "His appointment also allows us to maintain continuity in our
offense, which is important to our players."

 "I'm looking forward to playing in his offense," offensive tackle
Jeff Backus wrote Thursday in a text message to the AP.

 Marinelli also promoted Kippy Brown to assistant head coach and
passing game coordinator and Shawn Jefferson to wide receivers coach.
Fred Reed, a defensive assistant the past two years, will not return
next season.

 Martz, who had one year left on his contract worth a reported $2
million, led Detroit's offense the past two seasons.

 He was unable to replicate the success he had during the "Greatest
Show on Turf" years as head coach in St. Louis, and as offensive
coordinator in 2000, when the Rams won the Super Bowl.

 Colletto has 41 years of coaching experience, including eight seasons
as an NFL offensive line coach and as a head coach at Purdue and at
Cal-State Fullerton.

 "The running backs worked together with him closely in 9-on-7
drills," said Lions running back T.J. Duckett, a free agent who wants
to return. "You could tell he's real in-tune with all the schemes,
both running and passing."

 Brown is entering his third season in Detroit and 16th in the NFL,
including stints with Houston, Green Bay, Miami, Tampa Bay and the New
York Jets.

 Jefferson, a former standout receiver in the league, has been an
assistant in Detroit the past three seasons. AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2006-2007, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved



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registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc.

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