Gunther re-signed.

[Monster]

along with Linehan.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said today the team has re-signed all three of its coordinators to new contracts.

Gunther Cunningham (defense), Scott Linehan (offense) and Danny Crossman (special teams) will all return to the sideline next season.

The extensions actually occurred months ago during the regular season but were confirmed by Mayhew today.

Mayhew also expects to start working on an extension with head coach Jim Schwartz, who is entering the final year of his deal.

?We plan to start to work on that in the next couple weeks or so,? Mayhew said of the Schwartz deal.

He also said the team is now working on extensions with its assistant coaches.

?We hope to have all those guys back,? he said.

 

[brewer228]

Wow talk about a disappointment when I opened up this thread.

 

[Monster]

Wow talk about a disappointment when I opened up this thread.

my bad. i forgot the -. you must have thought i meant he stepped down. So sorry to get your hopes up.

 

[brewer228]

Monster [/color]]

Wow talk about a disappointment when I opened up this thread.

my bad. i forgot the -. you must have thought i meant he stepped down. So sorry to get your hopes up.

No problem, yea thats what I thought. I was shocked, but excited.

 

[lions2011]

they"ve been preaching continuity now for 3 years actually they've been forcing down the throats of fans and media....

what did you guys expect ?

 

[dtroitlionsfan951]

they"ve been preaching continuity now for 3 years actually they've been forcing down the throats of fans and media....

what did you guys expect ?

right lol...if anything i think you'd just see schwartz be more involved with the defense rather than firing gun.

 

[murktastic]

id like to see us play press a few times a game and have our blitzing rate be about 30% of plays just to be less predictable

 

[lp4ever41]

id like to see us play press a few times a game and have our blitzing rate be about 30% of plays just to be less predictable

We would need better corners and more athleticism at linebacker to do that.

 

[mhughes0021]

All three Lions coordinators will return
January, 12, 2012
Jan 1212:51PM ETEmailPrintComments93By Kevin SeifertIn discussing a mailbag question Wednesday, we saw no indication that the Detroit Lions were planning any changes to their defensive coaching staff after a late-season slide. Thursday, general manager Martin Mayhew confirmed that defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham had signed a new contract to return in 2012.

The same goes for offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. So there you go: all three will be back.

Cunningham's future wasn't an unreasonable discussion point, but coach Jim Schwartz had never suggested anything but support for his friend and longtime colleague.

Mayhew spoke Thursday to a group of Detroit-area writers, acknowledging that the Lions have some difficult offseason work ahead of them. He said he will approach receiver Calvin Johnson about a contract extension, presumably to lower a projected $22 million cap number, but said a deal this offseason isn't "something that absolutely has to be done." As we discussed Monday, if the Lions don't extend Johnson, he would be eligible for a crushing franchise tag figure of about $26.4 million in 2013.

Mayhew also said he hopes to re-sign defensive end Cliff Avril and left tackle Jeff Backus, both of whom are eligible to become unrestricted free agents. Mayhew wouldn't commit to using the franchise tag on Avril if the sides can't come to an agreement before the free agent market opens in March.

Here are reports from Dave Birkett of the Detroit

 

[lions2011]

id like to see us play press a few times a game and have our blitzing rate be about 30% of plays just to be less predictable

Gunther actually prefers press....he just didnt have the talent to do it a whole lot....

the defense is Schwartz philosophy not Cunninghams....he wants the DLINE to apply the pressure , play coverage and hope for mistakes by QBs who the DLINE force to get the ball out quick.

 

[Mitchrapp]

As it said, it was worked out months ago. So its not like he got an extension after that bad two weeks to close the season. Not surprised.

 

[elrod817]

id like to see us play press a few times a game and have our blitzing rate be about 30% of plays just to be less predictable

Gunther actually prefers press....he just didnt have the talent to do it a whole lot....

the defense is Schwartz philosophy not Cunninghams....he wants the DLINE to apply the pressure , play coverage and hope for mistakes by QBs who the DLINE force to get the ball out quick.

This.

Gun takes a little more heat for the d than he should, it's partially on Schwartz's shoulders too. Let's upgrade the secondary and pass judgment then...

 

[grandy]

Eh, I'm indifferent to the move.

But I do realize he doesn't have a whole lot of talent to work with back there, it's not really his fault guys miss tackles, take bad angles, get burned, etc.

I always believe talent and technique make a much larger difference than a coordinator ever could.

 

[evolutionkb]

Yup, if guys don't have a head for the pro game(angles, blown coverages)then it won't matter who coaches em.

 

[coel73]

So, since Gunther is staying, I fully expect for them to look for new starting corners. That bullshit near the end of the season can't possibly fly for the next one.

 

[zyxt9]

Part of the CB issue is depth. They can't seem to stay healthy and then scrubs come in to replace them. I'd be okay with keeping Wright and Smith as #3 and 4, but definitely need a new #1 or 2 with Houston filling the other role. Based on the cap and signings yet to take place (CJ, Avril, Tulloch, etc) I fully expect them to go after a new #2 because they cannot afford a #1 better than Houston. Might actually be better/cheaper to get a solid guy in the draft now that the rookie cap exists, just not sure if there is a solid CB who will be available when Lions pick.

 

[fedexgooch78]

Part of the CB issue is depth. They can't seem to stay healthy and then scrubs come in to replace them. I'd be okay with keeping Wright and Smith as #3 and 4, but definitely need a new #1 or 2 with Houston filling the other role. Based on the cap and signings yet to take place (CJ, Avril, Tulloch, etc) I fully expect them to go after a new #2 because they cannot afford a #1 better than Houston. Might actually be better/cheaper to get a solid guy in the draft now that the rookie cap exists, just not sure if there is a solid CB who will be available when Lions pick.

you don't need to go chase after a guy in FA. Draft that guy. Marty likes to move around the board. I bet it irks him that the CB play has sucked that he moves to get his guy this year.

 

[Monster]

So, since Gunther is staying, I fully expect for them to look for new starting corners. That bullshit near the end of the season can't possibly fly for the next one.

a draft with alfonzo dennard and bacarri rambo (if he comes out) would be a huge step. Follow that up with a flood of OL.

 

[motown1958]

We all know what the defense needs and honestly they were very good early in season but health played a big factor in the end of the season.