Terry Foster: Lions Should Not Bring Back Haloti Ngata
By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said over the weekend that he hopes to stay in Detroit and play for the Lions next season.
I hope that is not the case. Ngata is a great guy who enjoyed a great career in Baltimore. The hope here is the Lions move on and find somebody younger, faster and with more potential.
Besides, my people are telling me that Ngata is considering retirement and moving to Utah. However, he is keeping all his options on the table. If the Lions wow him with a decent contract he could return. Let's hope the Lions are cheap when and if General Manager Bob Quinn and Ngata's agent meet.
The NFL is a young man's game. Ngata showed some signs of life the second half of the season after battling nagging injuries the first half. But that is what happens when you get older. Injuries are a constant companion and at age 32, Ngata is likely to be limited for as long as he plays.
That is why I would not be upset if the Lions selected a defensive tackle with their first pick. Depending on how the draft shakes out they'd be smart to pick up Alabama defensive tackles A'Shawn Robinson or Jarran Reed. And there is also Mississippi State defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche if he is still there.
** Even the best coaches make mistakes. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick made one when he turned down a field goal attempt with six minutes remaining in the Patriots 20-18 loss to the Denver Broncos in Sunday's AFC Championship game. The Pats trailed by eight points facing a fourth and one deep in Denver territory. Belichick went for it and missed.
He should have cut the game to five with a chance to win on a touchdown. His defense was playing well enough to win that game. Quarterback Tom Brady was bombarded by the Denver defense but he still got the ball in Broncos territory three times in the final five minutes of the game. And Denver's offense was spent, gaining just 83 yards in the second half.
Belichick is a great coach. I know if Lions coach Jim Caldwell made the same move he would be getting grilled by Lions fans.
** Both Super Bowl coaches interviewed with the Detroit Lions. Denver's Gary Kubiak was passed over for current coach Caldwell and the Lions selected Jim Schwartz over Carolina coach Ron Rivera. It is easy to say "dumb Lions" how could they pass over these two wonderful coaches? Here is the problem. Would these coaches be able to overcome the stench of Matt Millen and Martin Mayhew if they were hired by the Lions. Yes, Millen was gone but his funk remained over the organization. Players I talk to say Steve Mariucci was a good coach that could not overcome the Lions.
Mooch was fired during his third season with the Lions after a 15-28 stint with the club.
** Many of you heard about the Royal Oak police officer that yelled at our staff for Jaywalking after enjoying a show dinner at Bistro 82. One of the officers was so upset and angry that it was almost comical. I am supposed to pick something up in Royal Oak but I am going to let it sit for a while. The incident was bothersome. I am certain nothing will happen but I am going to be cautious and take a chill from the community for a week or two.
(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)
