Head Coach Rod Marinelli can sure make stirring comments, even if the book is still out about whether or not he is the right man for the Lions head coaching job, or not. In a recent "Monday Morning QB" column, Peter King (SI.com) was able to extract some impassioned comments from Marinelli. When asked who would win the Super Bowl, considering the strong ties that Marinelli has with both Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy and Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith, Marinelli proclaimed, "the winner will be the sport of football, the game of football wins."
Marinelli further states that "Every young man playing football, any coach coaching football in the United States at any level...they should all watch this game and see the class of these two coaches and class of these two teams. This is going to be one of the great days for football, and I love football so much I hope every kid who plays this sport watches the game, just to see how great a game it is when it's done right. Obviously, Marinelli's comments come from a football "true believer" who feels so strongly for the game that it could easily be misunderstood by those who don't understand Marinelli and where he is coming from.
Hopefully, this passion can translate into future success for Marinelli. His track record is impeccable and it is no surprise that he would express so much support for two figures who have been so instrumental in helping him construct his vision of what represents quality football. That being said, Marinelli has to begin to sell his own players on this love and belief for the game of football. In spite of the Lions lack of success in '06, it was apparent that Marinelli did not lose his team. Marinelli does have a tough road ahead, though. There will be numerous personnel changes made this offseason, along with another difficult, physical and arduous training camp. If these rudiments for success do not begin to yield positive fruits, Marinelli may eventually lose his troops. If there is anything that may test his profound faith in the game of football, the next six months may hold the elements in store to do so.
