I thought the way the Lions held a news conference for head coaching candidate Jim Schwartz Monday was unfair to Schwartz.
It seemed as if team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew were putting him to the test to see how he does with the media in the news conference setting that has become such a firestorm in recent years.
In theory, it would seem like a smart thing to do - a test under fire. Problem is, it's far too public an exam given that Schwartz isn't the head coach yet.
I didn't think there was anything wrong with his, "It's probably time to replace Bobby Layne" line. Especially when it is taken in context. But if he does get the job, it's something people will never forget. It will be mentioned before the draft. And after the draft. It will be mentioned a lot when a Lions' quarterback struggles. It could become to Schwartz what Marty Mornhinweg's "The bar is high" was to him, and Rod Marinelli's "We're going to pound the rock" line was to him.
That alone far outweighs whatever benefit the Lions got during their hiring process.

Random Thoughts

- When the Lions name a head coach, the key isn’t necessarily going to be just the coach himself. It’s going to be the staff of assistant coaches he puts together.
In retrospect, wasn’t that Rod Marinelli’s great downfall? Mike Martz may be one of the most decorated offensive coordinators in the history of the NFL, but Marinelli had trouble overcoming his presence his first two years. He also didn’t pick a defensive coordinator in Donnie Henderson that fit his scheme. Obviously, his son-in-law Joe Barry wasn’t the answer, either. Nor Jim Colletto on the offensive side of the ball when Martz departed.
The problems ran deeper than the coordinators. The Lions staff from top-to-bottom was lacking. The Lions had similar issues with Marty Mornhinweg’s staff. That’s why it is important when the Lions hire a coach it is not just based on what he knows, but who he knows, and who he is able to get on staff.
It will make or break the next Lions head coach.

- Do we know more about the Pistons after they split their four-game trip West? Not really. But we will know more after they play six games in eight days, while working Richard Hamilton back into the lineup.

- Those waiting for Michigan’s basketball team to fold, might be waiting a long time. The Wolverines look like an NCAA tournament bound team to me. Laval Lucas-Perry has definitely made U-M much more formidable. He can shoot and is a smart player. Averaging 26 minutes of playing time and 12 points per game is more than could have been expected. What a boost to an what had been an already emerging squad.