Football Lions coach says Cunningham will help team get an advantage

Coogs · 08-28-2009, 07:41 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1410073.html

Lions coach says Cunningham will help team get an advantage
Star News Services

Amy Sancetta
ALLEN PARK, Mich. | The Detroit Lions, who didn’t win a game last year, will have the element of surprise going for them this season.

Detroit coach Jim Schwartz has four words for why opponents have reason to fear the Lions this season: Gunther Cunningham/Scott Linehan.

Schwartz said Thursday that the Lions’ new coordinators have created an advantage because opponents can’t be sure what schemes they’re going to use this season.

Schwartz insisted defensive coordinator Cunningham and offensive coordinator Linehan, both of whom have been NFL head coaches, will continue to use basic formations in the final two preseason games in part to keep the New Orleans Saints guessing.

“I don’t see a big rush to ruin that dynamic,” Schwartz said Thursday.

The Lions open the regular season at New Orleans, where they will try to win their first game since Dec. 23, 2007.

Schwartz predicts Detroit’s early opponents will have a hard time planning to counter what Cunningham and Linehan will do because both have had success with different systems and various teams.

“When you look at Scott Linehan, do you go back and look at the Rams last year? Do you look at Minnesota? Do you look at Miami? What is it?” Schwartz asked. “When you look at our defense, do you go to Tennessee last year? Do you go to Kansas City last year? Do you go back farther to Tennessee when Gunther and I were together?

“All those things work to our advantage — the fact that there’s not 100 percent certainty of what they’re going to see on the field.”

One thing is certain: Cunningham, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator for eight seasons, including 2004-08, and head coach during 1999-2000, will let his emotions be seen and heard.

Cunningham said he “exploded” at a meeting earlier this week when he planned to simply review the film from last week’s preseason loss at Cleveland with his unit. But he got upset by a lot of missed tackles and some lackluster effort.

“They’re not going to play here if they can’t tackle,” Cunningham said. “Our coaching staff’s not going to tolerate it.”

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Lying prick!

08-28-2009, 07:41 AM	Topic Starter
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $-2055651	Lions coach says Cunningham will help team get an advantage http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1410073.html Lions coach says Cunningham will help team get an advantage Star News Services Amy Sancetta ALLEN PARK, Mich. \| The Detroit Lions, who didn’t win a game last year, will have the element of surprise going for them this season. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz has four words for why opponents have reason to fear the Lions this season: Gunther Cunningham/Scott Linehan. Schwartz said Thursday that the Lions’ new coordinators have created an advantage because opponents can’t be sure what schemes they’re going to use this season. Schwartz insisted defensive coordinator Cunningham and offensive coordinator Linehan, both of whom have been NFL head coaches, will continue to use basic formations in the final two preseason games in part to keep the New Orleans Saints guessing. “I don’t see a big rush to ruin that dynamic,” Schwartz said Thursday. The Lions open the regular season at New Orleans, where they will try to win their first game since Dec. 23, 2007. Schwartz predicts Detroit’s early opponents will have a hard time planning to counter what Cunningham and Linehan will do because both have had success with different systems and various teams. “When you look at Scott Linehan, do you go back and look at the Rams last year? Do you look at Minnesota? Do you look at Miami? What is it?” Schwartz asked. “When you look at our defense, do you go to Tennessee last year? Do you go to Kansas City last year? Do you go back farther to Tennessee when Gunther and I were together? “All those things work to our advantage — the fact that there’s not 100 percent certainty of what they’re going to see on the field.” One thing is certain: Cunningham, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator for eight seasons, including 2004-08, and head coach during 1999-2000, will let his emotions be seen and heard. Cunningham said he “exploded” at a meeting earlier this week when he planned to simply review the film from last week’s preseason loss at Cleveland with his unit. But he got upset by a lot of missed tackles and some lackluster effort. “They’re not going to play here if they can’t tackle,” Cunningham said. “Our coaching staff’s not going to tolerate it.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lying prick!
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