Another Press Conference Hangover

I have to stop listening to Steve Mariucci's Monday press conferences. They annoy me to no end. Actually, it's the coach that annoys me. Even when the Lions prevail on Sunday, I'm usually angry by midday on Monday. Not only can Mariucci not answer a question, but he comes across as clueless as where to find the answers.

My first warning sign came last year when the media asked Mooch why Kevin Jones wasn't getting the football more. Mariucci basically said they had to find ways to get him the ball more. Um, coach? Isn't play calling part of your responsibility? Wouldn't the reason Jones isn't seeing the ball more be entirely your fault? What made matters worse is that each week when the question about Jones' carries arose, Mooch always offered the same stock reply. "We need to find ways to get him the ball more". As if the situation were out of his hands. I've been annoyed since.

Couple my pre-disposition to be annoyed at the coach with a horrible record and you have a frustrated fan that is only more perplexed after each Monday meeting with the media. Today, Mooch gave me two more things that forces your head to tilt like a dog's pondering what is going on.

First, Mariucci said that if Jeff Garcia is healthy enough he starts Sunday. That and when pushed on Joey Harrington's improved play yesterday, all Mooch could muster was "I'll give him that". You'll give him that? That's darn supportive, coach. Does anyone wonder why the rest of the lockeroom has turned on the kid? The coach can barely contain his love for Garcia even when Harrington is pulling his head off the chopping block for another week.

Nobody confuses Harrington with anyone from the Manning clan, but the guy just carved up Arizona and actually threw touchdown passes. As a bonus, he threw TDs to guys wearing the same jersey. Yes, I understand Arizona is crap. So is Cleveland and the incredible Garcia led the Lions to 13 points against the Browns. Not exactly a scoring binge. If I'm not mistaken, the only TD pass Garcia completed in '05 he threw to a Bears defensive back. Yet, nothing Harrington does is good enough for this soon-to-be ex-Lions coach.

As if his continued backhanded praise of Harrington weren't enough, Mooch got quizzed again about Jones' less than impressive fourteen carries. Well, it seems our football coach likes Shawn Bryson and Artose Pinner. If you like them so much, have them date your daughter, coach. In the meantime, please let Jones run a minimum of twenty times a game.

I'm sorry, but Jones is a Pro Bowl talent. Bryson and Pinner are not nor will they ever be. That doesn't mean they can't help a football team. That doesn't mean either couldn't get 100 yards rushing in a game. What it does mean is that nearly everyone with decent vision believes Jones is potentially special.

Bryson in six NFL seasons has gained 1,986 yards rushing. Jones had 1,133 last season. Six years vs. one year. See any difference? Apparently, the coach that witnessed all 1,133 yards doesn't. Even with the ridiculously small amount of touches Jones is getting in 2005, he has more yards rushing through eight contests this year than Pinner does in three years in Detroit.

Now, I realize these stats are slanted to make my point, but that's what I am here to do. Make a point about how mind-boggling it is that Jones isn't being used like an elite back. Jones, who, oh by the way, was getting all the carries last season when Pinner and Bryson were still on the roster, deserves to get the ball more. Having Bryson and Pinner take carries away from Jones is like pinch hitting for your best hitter because you want everyone on the team to play.

That reminds me. What is all this silliness Mariucci spouts off about in regards to a guy playing "X" number of snaps? It goes something like this "Mr. Third String cornerback, who has been inactive all year, had to fill in today and played 34 snaps. He's a tough kid." Thirty-four snaps? Is this Pee Wee ball or the pros? Doesn't matter if the guy ended up like burnt toast, he got to play today! Hooray!

On top of that, he's a tough kid? You've slapped Harrington around for years in public, the guy took it, shows up every week, never bad mouths you, gets killed by the fans and run over by opposing defensive players each week (because your O-line is horrible) and the third string CB is tough for playing 34 snaps? What a load.

Is it any wonder I have to turn off the radio long before the press conference concludes? This sort of nonsense goes on each week. The media did pound Mariucci pretty good the last two weeks, but he just seem confused why he is being questioned. That only annoys me more. I really do need to stop listening.