32 LIONS AUGUST 28, 2003 Mooch brings hope to Lions

Detroit still reeling LIONS AT A after 5-27 mark GLANCE COACH: Steve Mariucci, 7th over past two years season overall, 1st at Detroit (60- 32 overall, 3-4 playoffs) BY LARRY LAGE 2002 RECORD: 3-13 AP Sports Writer LAST PLAYOFF: 1999, lost to DETROIT — Coach Steve Washington 27-13. Mariucci is the Detroit Lions’ STADIUM: Ford Field (65,000) KEY PLAYERS: messiah. QB Joey His blazing blue eyes, Harrington; WR Charles Rogers; RB James Stewart; TE Mikhael resume and homegrown roots Ricks; OT Jeff Backus; DE have persuaded many fans to Robert Porcher; LB Earl Holmes; believe in a team that has LB Barrett Green; CB Dre Bly; S failed for decades. Corey Harris. The long-suffering franchise KEY DEPARTURES: LB Chris has one playoff victory since Claiborne; CB Todd Lyght. winning the 1957 NFL title. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Under team president Matt “The holes bother me, but we Millen and fired coach Marty have some strengths too. It’s Mornhinweg, Detroit was 5-27 such a weird game. One week, I over the past two seasons, the say, ‘We’re going to be OK.” The worst two-year mark in team next week, I say, ‘We stink.’ history. That’s what’s tough.” — team Without making major president Matt Millen. changes on the field, Mariucci’s charisma and track “The first time he walked in record in San Francisco — to meet with us, he hadn’t said where he was 60-43, with three a word and everybody was playoff wins — has converted silent,” Backus said. “He’s The Associated Press many doubters. Steve Mariucci and that just New Lions coach Steve Mariucci has brought hope to the downtrodden franchise. “It’s been flattering,” said about says it all. Everybody Mariucci, who was born and knew who he was, and what he Minnesota, but made up for raised in Iron Mountain in the was about, without meeting 2003 SCHEDULE 2002 RESULTS his departure with free agents Upper Peninsula. him. Everybody is just buying Earl Holmes and Wali Rainer, “There’s so much excitement into his plan because they Sept. 7 ARIZONA 1 p.m. Miami 49, Detroit 21 and second-round pick Boss in Michigan because there’s know it works because it did Sept. 14 at Green Bay 1 p.m. Carolina 31, Detroit 7 Bailey. Standout defensive only one NFL team here. In with the 49ers.” Sept. 21 MINNESOTA 1 p.m. Green Bay 37, Detroit 31 end Robert Porcher should California, you had the 49ers Before a recent practice, Sept. 28 at Denver 4:15 p.m. Detroit 26, New Orleans 21 have help with the addition of and practically across the Mariucci ran down the field Oct. 5 at San Francisco4:15 p.m. Minnesota 31, Detroit 24 Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson. street, you had the Oakland and back with his players. Oct. 19 DALLAS 1 p.m. Detroit 23, Chicago 20 Oct. 26 at Chicago 1 p.m. Buffalo 24, Detroit 17 “We could be pretty good up Raiders and that’s not count- When Mariucci noticed that Nov. 2 OAKLAND 1 p.m. Detroit 9, Dallas 7 ing San Diego. So, there was a front,” said Millen, in his third his staff didn’t join in the jog, Nov. 9 CHICAGO 1 p.m. Green Bay 40, Detroit 14 lot of divided loyalties, but not year as team president. he made everybody run again. Nov. 16 at Seattle 4:15 p.m. N.Y. Jets 31, Detroit 14 here. Everybody is a fan of the “We’re all in this together,” But the Lions could be pretty Nov. 23 at Minnesota 1 p.m. Chicago 20, Detroit 17 bad in the back. Lions.” Mariucci said. “If one guy is Nov. 27 GREEN BAY 12:30 p.m. New England 20, Detroit 12 They lost cornerback Chris Except in his hometown, going to run, we’re all running Dec. 7 SAN DIEGO 1 p.m. Arizona 23, Detroit 20 which is nearly 400 miles clos- because we’ve got a lot of Dec. 14 at Kansas City 1 p.m. Tampa Bay 23, Detroit 20 Cash, who was coming off a er to Green Bay than Detroit. work to do.” Dec. 21 at Carolina 1 p.m. Atlanta 36, Detroit 15 promising rookie season, to a “I’m working on that and I’ll The Lions are excited about Dec. 28 ST. LOUIS 1 p.m. Minnesota 38, Detroit 36 knee injury during the presea- admit, we still have some work their future with second-year son. Cornerback Dre’ Bly, to do,” he said. “I can’t tell quarterback Joey Harrington threw 14 touchdowns and 16 lot of help. their major offseason acquisi- you how many times people and rookie receiver Charles interceptions in 14 games last Running back James Stewart tion, missed the preseason told me, ‘I hope you go 14-2’ Rogers, and Harrington is year. “He knows that winning is solid, but far from spectacu- with a sprained ankle. when I was home.” enthused about playing for teams just react on the field, lar. Also of concern are “The holes bother me, but Detroit offensive tackle Jeff Mariucci. instead of thinking, because of receiver Az-Zahir Hakim’s we have some strengths too,” Backus said Mariucci made an “He doesn’t leave any detail practicing things over and injured knee and hip and Millen said. “It’s such a weird impact months ago, and his uncovered, so when you play a over and over.” receiver Bill Schroeder’s lack game. One week, I say, ‘We’re actions since have only vali- game, you feel confident and Harrington and Rogers may of consistency. going to be OK.” The next dated the faith the players comfortable with any situa- struggle because they’re On defense, Detroit lost line- week, I say, ‘We stink.’ That’s gave him instantly. tion,” said Harrington, who young, and they don’t have a backer Chris Claiborne to what’s tough.”