How Not to Fix the Lions: Hire Brian Billick

A decade ago, Brian Billick was one of those up-and-coming offensive coordinators we hear about ever few seasons -- last year it was Jason Garrett and Josh McDaniels -- and he parlayed the high-powered Vikings offense into a full-time gig with the Ravens.

To his credit, Billick managed to win a Super Bowl, something that still must sit well with the fine citizens of Cleveland, but the offensive genius label never followed him to Baltimore. And that, along with losing the locker room three or four times a season, ultimately led to his dismissal.

Billick now works for FOX Sports and the NFL Network, but you'd have to think he wants to return to coaching. He's only 54 (18 years younger than John McCain!), has an enormous ego, and probably prefers the company of anybody but Tony Siragusa on the weekends.

So how about the Detroit Lions? If not as the next Matt Millen, the next, less bald Rod Marinelli? Great idea, right, Lions fans? Right?!

Before you blow your brains out, know this: Billick ain't talking. Which is to say: there's hope he won't take the gig (via MDS at PFT):

"I have a day job that I'm focusing on," he said. "Out of respect for the situation, for me to comment on an interest or lack of interest in any job that currently has a coach is inappropriate. Those things will take care of itself after the season. Right now, I'm staying focused on my day job." ...

"There's no better man than Rod Marinelli. If you don't like Rod Marinelli, then it's you," Billick said "I promise you. He's a good man, he's a good coach."

And that last sentence pretty much tells you all you need to know: yes, Billick is being politically correct, but why would you EVER go on record a saying "I promise you" Marinelli's "a good coach"? I mean, if you ever wanted anybody in your chosen profession to take you seriously again?

Of course, this makes Billick perfectly suited for the Lions job, and maybe he knows that.