Lions

Offense

Detroit has a promising young nucleus on both sides of the ball, although they still need help on the O-line. It should be Millen and Mariucci for awhile in the motor city.

The Coast Guard is searching for the 21-foot fishing boat, which is thought to be about 50 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The players’ names have not been disclosed. There were originally four people aboard. They were supposed to return at 1:30AM last night, but never came in. The Coast Guard believes the boat is in distress and waters in the gulf are “extremely choppy.”

“I think he’s done a great job,” head coach Jim Schwartz said. “An offensive coordinator’s job is to put guys in position to make plays. I think that over the course of the season, we’ve been in a good position to make plays.” The Lions rank second overall in total offense, and the passing game is ranked No. 1. Detroit has been hit hard by the injury bug in 2012, while they also have turned the ball over too many times. Yes, Linehan has Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford’s big arm to lean on, but he is the least of the team’s problems.

According to DetroitLions.com, Xanders has been “charged with changing the way the Lions scout and grade players.” The Broncos’ GM from 2009-12, Xanders served in a puppet role after John Elway took over as executive vice president of football operations in 2011. Xanders was part of the Josh McDaniels flameout, but it was McDaniels who had final say over personnel.

He was a respected and accomplish coordinator that worked in Minnesota and Green Bay. With the talent Detroit has on O, it will be an attractive job.

As he’s done to every job offer since retiring after the 2008 season, Dungy said thanks, but no thanks. Instead, he went to bat for his former protégé Caldwell, having serious sway with Lions GM Martin Mayhew. A Hall-of-Fame finalist, the 58-year-old Dungy appears to have zero interest in returning to coaching.

Culley, 58, has never been an offensive coordinator at any level. He’s currently the assistant head coach and receivers coach with the Chiefs. Previously, he coached the Eagles’ receivers under Andy Reid from 1999-2012. In Detroit, Culley would likely be more of a caddy to Jim Caldwell. Another name mentioned by Rapoport for the Lions OC gig is Rutgers OC Ron Prince.

Caldwell is coming off a down year with the Ravens, overseeing an offense that ranked 29th in the league in total yards per game. He would satisfy the Rooney Rule if interviewed, however, and has experience coordinating a pass-first offense during his time in Indianapolis. The Lions have also expressed interest in Seahawks OL coach Tom Cable for their head-coaching vacancy.

Caldwell and Christensen worked together in Indianapolis from 2002-2011. When Caldwell was named the head coach of the Colts in 2009, he promoted Christensen to OC. Current Colts coach Chuck Pagano retained Christensen as QBs coach. Christensen was a major influence on Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. He’d be a terrific hire to work alongside Matthew Stafford.

ESPN’s Adam Caplan reported yesterday that the Lions might be interested in Zampese for their OC opening. Beat writer Dave Birkett confirmed the interview took place on Monday. Zampese has coached the Bengals QBs for the past 11 seasons. He also worked with Kurt Warner and the Rams in the early 2000s. Lions coach Jim Caldwell says there’s no timetable for Detroit to name an OC.