Gunther Returning?

[grandy]

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/1/1/5262822/gunther-cunningham-contract-lions

Earlier this week, when the Detroit Lions fired head coach Jim Schwartz, they also parted ways with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and wide receivers coach Tim Lappano. There was also talk that defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham and other assistants were let go by the Lions, but that didn't turn out to be accurate. All of the Lions' other coaches remain under contract for the time being.

In Cunningham's case, he's under contract through the 2014 season, according to MLive. This doesn't mean that he will for sure be back next season, though. Martin Mayhew made it clear on Monday that the new head coach will have the final say on his staff. Theoretically, the new head coach could come in and clean house and bring in all new guys. He could also let a few people go but retain others, which seems to be the most likely scenario.

What's interesting, as noted by MLive, is that Cunningham was actually retained as defensive coordinator by a new head coach back when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs. Herm Edwards was hired by the Chiefs and subsequently decided to keep Cunningham around as part of his new coaching staff. The Lions' new head coach will at the very least have to hire an offensive coordinator, but it's possible he could elect to simply retain Cunningham as the defensive coordinator.

Letting Cunningham go or bringing him back will ultimately depend on who the head coach deems to be the best candidate for the defensive coordinator job. If he's already got someone in mind for the position, chances are Cunningham's days in Detroit will be over. However, if the new head coach's plans aren't set in stone, perhaps we could get to see what Cunningham's defense looks like without Schwartz influencing it.

The Lions were quite good against the run this past season, but they struggled against the pass, and they could have done a better job in the sacks department. It's never really been clear how much of this defense was Cunningham's and how much of it was Schwartz's, but at least it did show some improvement in 2013. It remains to be seen if that will be enough to buy Cunningham another year and a spot on the new head coach's staff, but perhaps this isn't the end of the road for him in Detroit.


---------------------------------------------------------

Just speculation for now since Gunther is still under contract. While I wouldn't exactly be thrilled about this, I am curious to know how much influence Schwartz had in the defense.

 

[mhughes0021]

If your basing firings on results....then head coach and o cord should go before Gunther. The defense had its flaws but kept us in more game when the offense decided to stay at home the entire first half most the time. Gunther will be gone when we get a new HC.

 

[Mitchrapp]

The new coach will probably want there own guys unless they're raw and inexperience so they stick with Gunther. But I can't imagine he stays.

 

[LKP]

If your basing firings on results....then head coach and o cord should go before Gunther. The defense had its flaws but kept us in more game when the offense decided to stay at home the entire first half most the time. Gunther will be gone when we get a new HC.

Keeping Gunther is basically keeping Schwartz. The defensive penalties only 22 turnovers forced, not making that one extra play in the 4th quarter, the off coverage by the CBs and big plays allowed along with the good (good 3rd down %, run D for alot of the year, consistent pressure (but less sacks).

We'll see if getting rid of Linehan gets rid of 33 turnovers and 34 turnovers allowed. Stafford and Bush may just be very talented that produce but also turnover prone players.

 

[LKP]

Also, is everyone convinced that a new offensive mind will get rid of 5 (count em five, cinco) years of Staffords habits?

 

[Mitchrapp]

Also, is everyone convinced that a new offensive mind will get rid of 5 (count em five, cinco) years of Staffords habits?

What habits, I thought he was awesome?

 

[LKP]

What habits, I thought he was awesome?

I didn't say strictly bad habits. He has good and bad habits and produces.

But I'll bite, who fixes him. Name names and how.

 

[LKP]

I think we need to be careful what we wish for with Linehan gone. Sometimes Mike Martz turns into Jim Colleto.


I like Whisenhunt though. Caldwell and Cable would be steps down.

 

[mhughes0021]

I think we need to be careful what we wish for with Linehan gone. Sometimes Mike Martz turns into Jim Colleto.


I like Whisenhunt though. Caldwell and Cable would be steps down.

If we don't get whisenhunt im banking on a total shitshow from Stafford next year. If this is how he played in a cushy, stable offense hes now ibeein in for 5 years.....I don't want to know what hes like in a new offense. If we want to be over.500 next year.....I hope we get whisenhunt.

 

[LKP]

If we don't get whisenhunt im banking on a total shitshow from Stafford next year. If this is how he played in a cushy, stable offense hes now ibeein in for 5 years.....I don't want to know what hes like in a new offense. If we want to be over.500 next year.....I hope we get whisenhunt.

Linehan gets alot of shit but he's a good OC when you compare him to other OCs around the league. Lions offense moved the ball and put up points when not turning it over.

We'll find out if Stafford is turnover prone or if it was just poor coaching regarding turnovers. If it was poor coaching, then Linehan moves down a notch in the OC comparisons. If he's turnover prone AND we take a step back moving the ball and scoring points without Linehan, that is big time trouble.

 

[zyxt9]

The problem that I think exists in firing Linehan is that we often felt the play calling was too conservative at the wrong time. Unfortunately, there are very few coaches and OCs who are willing to put the hammer down and demolish the opponent. Far more likely We will see the exact same issue, get a small lead and the OC becomes conservative instead of going for the jugular by putting up more TDs. Today'smindset maybe is due to not wanting to appear to run up the score, but I don't believe going from a 2 TD lead to 3 is running up the score no matter how much time is left. We've seen teams score two TDs in final two minutes to tie or win, so why would u change the successful gameplan into a losing one with even 1 minute left. Go get first downs? No! Score another TD and don't worry about getting first downs to run out the clock, just score points instead!

But I don't believe there is a coach or OC around who will do that.