I know Jim Rome is happy.

It's good that Mr. Ford has faith in his management team. And there's this:Monday, December 22, 2008
Rob Parker

There's more to Marinelli


DETROIT -- Rod Marinelli and I have a different relationship.

On the surface, you might think it's adversarial. He hates me and I hate him. In reality, it's one built on mutual respect.

I respect what Marinelli is trying to accomplish as Lions coach, and he respects what I do as a sports columnist -- ask questions, tough ones, to get at the root of his team's woes.

During Sunday's postgame news conference -- the Lions lost game No. 15, this one a 42-7 loss to the Saints -- I attempted to lighten the moment in a tense situation and asked Marinelli if he wished his daughter had married a better defensive coordinator.

Joe Barry, the Lions defensive coordinator, is Marinelli's son-in-law.

Marinelli didn't flinch, he just ignored my attempt at humor and moved on.

Mutual respect

What might have seemed like a personal attack wasn't.

Locally, people know I have questioned Marinelli about the job Barry has done all season. In fact, I have asked Marinelli on numerous occasions if he's going to fire his son-in-law.

Every week, Marinelli says the same thing.

"No."

It's almost a running joke. A news conference isn't complete unless I ask it.

Sunday, with my attempt at humor, I was trying to get Marinelli to lighten up, have some fun after a rough day.

Who knows, Marinelli, a straight shooter who never goes off script, might actually have given us a funny quote.

He didn't. My attempt failed.

And because of that, my attempt at humor may have seemed slighted, cruel, and even insensitive.

For that, I apologize.

Apparently, those watching replays of the news conference on TV didn't see it as humor.

There's no way they could have known the relationship Marinelli and I have built, especially this trying season.

In fact, after the news conference, I approached Marinelli at the podium. He tapped me on the side of my leg and said he'll see me (at today's presser).

Encouraging words

Often, after some of the most intense line of questioning from me, Marinelli and I have walked off to the side and chatted.

Just last Monday, after the presser to talk about the Lions' 31-21 loss to the Colts, Marinelli asked me if I was sick.

I told him no, "Why?"

Marinelli wondered why I didn't ask my normal tough questions about his team.

The Lions hung in against the Colts, and I wasn't just going to make a scene with hard questions just to make a scene. I'm not that kind of reporter. I want Marinelli to open up and share his thoughts.

But there's more to our relationship.

Marinelli has gone out of his way several times to offer words of encouragement. A month or so ago, he called me on my cell phone and told me I was one of the best at asking questions and that I shouldn't change because I hit a bump in the road.

It told me about the respect he has for me. I believe he knows I respect him as well.

Had Marinelli been upset Sunday, I would have been hurt because it would have meant he didn't see where I was coming from and what I was trying to accomplish -- humor.

Instead, Marinelli acted like he always does.

He took it and moved on.

For that, how can't you like that guy? I do. I really do.

You can reach Rob Parker at rob.parker@detnews.com.





Find this article at:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/OPINION03/812220369

Should have at least won one game. They got hosed by a shitty excessive celebration call against BYU.

-- Edited by YardSlug at 05:06, 2008-12-29

Cy Valley wrote:

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Did you say the Washington Generals?

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