"It starts on both sides of the ball” – Rod Marinelli

With the naming of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli as the new Detroit Lions head coach, clues have already started to surface as to what the Lions might be thinking of doing with the ninth overall pick in the draft.

In his first press conference as head coach Marinelli laid out what he thinks is critical for success. “I want to have a great offensive line, physical. I want to have a great defensive line because that will last for 16 consecutive weeks when your start building up front. Obviously every position is important, but that’s where I’ll focus,” Marinelli stated.

His statements clearly indicate that the Lions will evaluate their personnel on both the offensive and defensive lines, free agency and the draft will both be focused on upgrading the trenches.

What mental aspects are most important to the Lions new head coach? “I want football character too. The measurable things, everybody understands that. But I understand football character.” Marinelli stated.

So expect Marinelli and the Lions to invest in physical linemen with football character. By football character, Marinelli is looking for prospects with a great passion for playing the game of football and with a strong desire to be a champion.

Potential Marinelli 2006 First Round Picks

TOP FIVE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:

D'Brickshaw Ferguson (OT) 6'5" 295 lbs - Virginia
Winston Justice (OT) 6'6" 300 lbs - USC
Marcus McNeill (OT) 6'9" 388 lbs - Auburn
Jonathon Scott (OT) 6'7" 310 lbs - Texas
Eric Winston (OT) 6'7" 312 lbs - Miami (FL)

TOP FIVE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Mario Williams (DE) 6'7" 290 lbs - North Carolina State
Haloti Ngata (DT) 6'5" 338 lbs - Oregon
Mathias Kiwanuka (DE) 6'7" 261 lbs - Boston College
Tamba Hall (DE) 6'3" 268 lbs - Penn State
Brodrick Bunkley (DT) 6'3" 284 lbs - Florida State

The three names on these lists who are likely gone by the ninth pick are Ferguson, Williams, and Ngata. Mathias Kiwanuka looks to be valued right around the ninth pick in the draft and could be the Lions choice if they decide to add a pass rushing specialist to the defensive line. If offensive tackle is the target, look for the Lions to make a decision between the talented but raw underclassman Winston Justice from USC or the mamoth Marcus McNeill of Auburn.