Lions Practice Gets Physical, Jon Kitna is All Like "Grrr"

If you could count on anything in Detroit, it's that Jon Kitna's got an opinion. And he's going to tell you what it is. Any subject. Could be the patriarchal construct of Wiccan societies. Doesn't matter. Kitna's got something to say. So you better believe you're getting an earful if he thinks you're taking liberties with his receivers.

In the last morning of scheduled full-team two-a-day practices, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna watched as linebacker Buster Davis kept crushing his receivers.

Then, in a 10-yard, goal line passing drill, Davis slammed tight end John Owens, sending Kitna over the top.

The usually restrained Kitna ran across the line and started yelling: "Keep hitting him Buster. What's wrong with you?"

Kitna, who did all of this in front of his son, was restrained by defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who pointed out to Kitna that the hitting was fine because everyone was wearing pads (not to mention the fact that it's, you know, football).

This happens all the time in NFL training camps. Tempers rise. And when you're competing for a job, as Davis is, you're more likely to err on the side of making an impression. I'm sure the situation was reconciled later, with Kitna inviting Davis to his house for a prayer meeting. So nothing to worry about; Lions fans should just be happy to see some sort of fire from their team.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-13-2008 @ 6:22PM

tdk said...

Good little article, but you're gonna wanna avoid saying things like the "...prayer meeting at his house.". If not you'll go a long way to alienating a lot of people who'd otherwise would enjoy and appreciate your effort.

Christians might be entertaining to you, but people take their faith seriously and don't fail to take notice at even masked attempts at levity at their expense.

Seriously.

Besides- at least Kitna isn't getting arrested, doing drugs and generally humiliating his peers with his actions.

8-13-2008 @ 8:13PM

Tom Mantzouranis said...

tdk,

I understand why some may be offended by that joke, but I don't begrudge Kitna (or anyone) for their religion. Having faith, no matter what variety, is a great thing, and Kitna by all accounts is a good person. Which is all that matters.

I simply come from the school that believes that we would all be better served laughing at each other and ourselves. I am more willing to take shots at myself than anyone else.

Apologies to anyone offended, just know that it was born not out of prejudice but a desire to get a cheap chuckle. A cheap chuckle is usually the best I can ever hope for.

Thanks for reading.

8-13-2008 @ 9:36PM

Justin said...

Don't worry about it Tom.

Some of us have at least a mild sense of humor not constrained by the forces of make-believe. If there is anything to be laughed at, it is certainly Kitna's over the top antics. That is until Tebow comes in and fills his shoes as the leagues newest direct voice to God.

8-14-2008 @ 5:12PM

Steve said...

We should go easy on old John. He's been with the Tabby cats so long that he didn't recognize hitting and it seemed strange and scary to him

8-15-2008 @ 1:51PM

schmidtfan said...

You gotta love the amount of chatter and pop on the practice field. This is truly becoming Marinelli's Team. This sort of thing is just the kind of intensity the Lions have struggled with in the past.

GO LIONS