Marinelli: We can be elite

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on October 2nd, 2007 filed in News, Opinions

It is common knowledge that Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has talked about the team being good.  But apparently he has gone a step further; perhaps fueled by a 3-1 start out of the gate, Marinelli dared to use the word “elite” for the first time this season.  Usually when you think of the Lions, “elite” does not usually come to mind.  Especially since the Lions have went 24-72 over the past six seasons and has won a grand total of 1 playoff game since 1957.  So what gives?

Marinelli initially mentioned to Nicholas Cotsonikas of the Detroit Free Press about the team’s mental toughness, then said, “Now, if we can start cleaning up some of the other stuff, we’re going to be an elite team.  We will be an elite team here.  We’ve just got to clean up just some of the other issues, and once we get those cleaned up, then we’re going to be really, really humming.”

Apparently Marinelli will not get an argument from starting quarterback Jon Kitna (he of “We will win at least 10 games” fame).  Kitna added, “Listen, we’re trying to peak at the right time.  Have we played our best yet?  No.  We haven’t played our best yet.  But we’re 3-1 without playing our best.  We’re going to continue to get better each week.  We’re gaining confidence, and we’re learning how to win.  We were a team that was 3-13 last year.”

The Lions have already matched last season’s win total - because they have finished games much better.  And as opposed to previous seasons when after 4 games, the Lions for all intents and pruposes packed it up and went home, Marinelli, instead of having the team look at the big picture, has them looking at the season from a “one day at a time” perspective.  Even though it is Week 5 coming up, the Lions will have to continue doing what has made them successful so far and not look too far ahead.