In lieu of being able to find the "Jon Kitna 10-win-thermometer" from the Detroit News archives, I submit this sillier photo of the Lions QB during Halloween. Don't ask me to explain the costume. But please explain how he can masquerade as a starter in the NFL. Oh that's right... the team he works for! (Photo courtesy personal.umich.edu)
Ah, another day, week, month, year... whatever you want to call it... in the Detroit soap opera "As The Lions Turn."
The favorite whipping post among Lions fans these days is QB Jon Kitna. He was the one, after all, who predicted ten wins from this Lions squad. Even when they crushed Denver to run their record to 6-2, I made personal bets that this ten victory bar would never be reached.
I'm in collect mode right now (too bad it's not with real money).
The NFL's worst-kept secret was made public this week with the firing of Offensive Line coach Mike Martz. Replacing him is a guy who supposedly will mesh with coach Rod Marinelli's desire to have a more balanced offensive attack.
Hmm... what will that do to Kitna's status? Make him return to the backup role that he is destined for?
Read this quote, and you tell me that Kitna's thoughts are not about the team's potential for 2008 at all... rather a look at self and personal stats:
"If they go in that direction with Mike (Martz, being fired), I'll be bummed out. That's my guy. I love that guy. That being said, you have to move on."
I wish my father could tell me the last decent Lions QB they've had. I'm going to go on a limb and say Gary Danielson. Early 80s to say the least!
Come on. If you run the ball ten times versus throwing the damn thing 40 times or more, don't you think opposing defenses will pounce? If we had a Tom Brady or, hell, even a Vince Young or a Brady Quinn for God's sake, at least it would justify passing more than rushing. But when the Lions QB roster has three backups on it, the coaches should know that the passing game will break down as much as the rushing game. Trouble is, they never found out because at times, they never TRIED the rushing game.
Now we'll get to see that balanced attack, supposedly. And Kitna will paste on a smiling face (since as you can see up above, he likes dressing up) to cover up the mopey face he's wearing and communicating right now.
The least Kitna could do, in my humble opinion, is just go all the way and say he wants out of Detroit. The ones who held the door open for Joey Harrington and then smacked him in the rear with it will only be too happy to reprise their roles.
