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Team: Detroit Lions
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Lions hired former Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn as a defensive assistant.
Washburn was run out of Philadelphia in the middle of the season as his famed "Wide 9" scheme burned to the ground. Now he lands somewhere it's already embraced. The Lions have the horses to get to the quarterback with just their front four, but registered only 34 sacks in a wildly disappointing 2012. Washburn's arrival can only help current defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Jan 22 - 8:18 AM
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter

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Date:
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Sunday Countdown that the Ford Family is concerned enough with the current "culture" of the Lions to at least consider firing head coach Jim Schwartz.

The Lions took a huge step back in 2012, and many observers are attributing it to a loss of control at the top. Immediately after Mortensen's on-air report, one NFL executive texted to ESPN's Adam Schefter the following: "Just heard Mort on Jim Schwartz. I believe he is right. The Fords can not be happy." The Lions endured a seemingly endless string of offseason arrests, only to fall flat on their faces once the games began. There have also been rumors of "tension" between Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew, the latter of whom is fully expected to be safe. If it came down to it, Schwartz would lose that power struggle.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 11:28:00 AM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

The Detroit Free Press confirms that Lions head coach Jim Schwartz will not be fired after the season.

Knowledgeable people around the league have never mentioned Schwartz among the possible head coaches getting the boot, but some Lions fans have called for his head. Schwartz and the Lions agreed to a multi-year extension through the 2015 season just last offseason. After leading Detroit to a 10-6 record and their first playoff appearance in 12 seasons in 2011, Schwartz has followed that up with a 4-11 performance in 2012 that was kicked off with a slew of offseason player arrests. Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew really need to get the back end of the defense fixed, while getting some guys, like Jahvid Best, back from injury will certainly help.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 08:21:00 AM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions signed head coach Jim Schwartz to a multi-year contract extension.

Detroit's recent string of arrests has cast a dark light on one of the most impressive rebuilding projects the NFL has seen in quite some time. Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew have been at the controls, turning a team that went 0-16 in 2008 into a playoff club in 2011. The Lions' won-loss record has improved in four straight seasons, and they've put together one of the league's most explosive passing offenses to go with a ferocious front seven on defense. If they get the secondary fixed and keep the offensive backfield healthy, the Lions will have many more postseason trips in their future.
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 04:40:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

The Lions intend to extend coach Jim Schwartz's contract this offseason.

Schwartz has only one season left on his four-year deal, and the Lions won't let him enter 2012 as a lame duck. "We plan to try working on that in the next couple of weeks or so," GM Martin Mayhew said. The Lions went 2-14 in Schwartz's first season, but they are 14-6 in their last 20 regular season games.
Source: MLive.com
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 01:27:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions GM Martin Mayhew revealed Thursday that all three coordinators have received contract extensions.

Offensive boss Scott Linehan has emerged as one of the most aggressive play-callers in the league, but it was fair to question DC Gunther Cunningham's future after his unit was gutted by the Packers and Saints in back-to-back losses to end the season. Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will also be back in 2012. Mayhew will now turn his attention toward extending coach Jim Schwartz.
Source: Fox Sports Detroit
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 03:49:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

An unidentified Detroit Lions' player has been accused of inappropriate conduct by a 22-year-old woman, according to multiple reports.

Charges have not been filed. Det. Jamie Grabowski of Plymouth, Mich -- where the incident allegedly took place -- was quoted as saying, "It's not a rape charge or anything like that.'' The unidentified player has already been interviewed and denied any wrongdoing, but his identity could be disclosed if charges are filed. The investigation should be over by the end of the week, at which point we'll be able to give an update.
Source: MLive.com
Sun, Jan 9, 2011 02:03:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

The Detroit Free Press confirms FoxSports.com's report that the Chiefs have filed tampering charges against the Lions, adding that the complaint centers around former Kansas City S Jarrad Page.

The details aren't clear, but it appears that Lions defensive boss Gunther Cunningham is accused of recruiting Page to Detroit early last offseason before the onset of free agency. "[The Chiefs] keep wanting to dump players," Cunningham said at the time. "I would like to be there to catch a lot of them, because I know a couple of those guys."
Related: Chiefs, Jarrad Page
Source: Detroit Free Press
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 07:51:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

FoxSports.com reports the Chiefs have filed tampering charges with the league office against the Lions for undisclosed reasons.

It's believed that Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, formerly with the Chiefs in the same position, is at the heart of the complaint. Cunningham has talked about "being there to catch" free agent players let go from the Chiefs. Specifically, restricted agent safety Jerrod Page was oft connected with Detroit. The Lions face fines and/or lost draft picks if found guilty.
Related: Chiefs
Source: FoxSports.com
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 04:27:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Former Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik will be the Lions' next secondary coach.

Denver has experienced a good amount of coaching turnover, but that was expected under Josh McDaniels. Slowik's defense ranked 29th last year and Denver ownership wanted him out even when Mike Shanahan was around.
Related: Broncos
Source: Rocky Mountain News
Thu, Jan 22, 2009 08:42:00 AM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions hired Gunther Cunningham to be their next defensive coordinator.

Jim Schwartz will run the defense, but Cunningham adds a veteran presence. He won't be wooing many good free agents from his last stop, Kansas City, however. Cunningham's main focus will likely be the Lions' linebackers.
Related: Chiefs
Source: MLive.com
Wed, Jan 21, 2009 09:00:00 AM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

The Chiefs denied the Lions permission to interview defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham about taking the same job in Detroit.

The Lions are still hoping KC will eventually release Cunningham from his contract. That should happen when coach Herm Edwards is fired.
Related: Chiefs
Source: MLive.com
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 04:49:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions coach Jim Schwartz has reportedly asked for and received permission to interview Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham for the same position in Detroit.

The two defensive minds worked together in Tennessee from 2001 to 2003. With Cunningham's job possibly up in the air in Kansas City, it would make sense for him to re-join Schwartz as the Lions defensive coordinator.
Related: Chiefs
Source: NFL.com
Fri, Jan 16, 2009 06:28:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions named former Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as their new head coach and signed him to a four-year contract.

They picked him over Ron Rivera and Todd Bowles. Schwartz, 42, makes sense for a Detroit franchise short on talent as an open-minded thinker who will keep the club's 4-3 defense intact. Ernie Sims will likely play the Keith Bulluck role, although the Lions don't have anything close to Albert Haynesworth. Schwartz used statistics to analyze offenses in Tennessee, earning him a reputation as Billy Beane of the NFL. Schwartz also has ties with the Bill Belichick tree and should find a good offensive coordinator.
Related: Browns, Titans, Ernie Sims
Source: NFL.com
Thu, Jan 15, 2009 03:43:00 PM
Lions Defense - TM - Lions

Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski believes that the team could announce its new head coach by as soon as Thursday afternoon.

Kowalski says something is likely "brewing" because the club has been quiet since Wednesday. Leading candidates are Jim Schwartz and Todd Bowles.
Source: MLive.com
Thu, Jan 15, 2009 01:38:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Matthew Stafford
2Shaun Hill
3Kellen Moore
4Alex Carder
RB1Reggie Bush
2Mikel Leshoure
3Joique Bell
4Theo Riddick
5Steven Miller
GLB1Mikel Leshoure
2Reggie Bush
3RB1Reggie Bush
2Joique Bell
FB1Shaun Chapas
WR11Calvin Johnson
2Ryan Broyles
3Mike Thomas
4Brian Robiskie
5Chastin West
WR21Nate Burleson
2Corey Fuller
3Kris Durham
4Lance Long
5Devin Thomas
WR31Ryan Broyles
TE1Brandon Pettigrew
2Tony Scheffler
3Michael Williams
4Dominique Curry
5Nathan Overbay
K1David Akers
2Havard Rugland