The Detroit Lions have announced that Gunther Cunningham has accepted the defensive coordinator position with the team. Cunningham has been in the same position with the Kansas City Chiefs since 2004. During that time the Chiefs have been close to the bottom in team defense. So it only makes sense that the Lions would tab him for the job with their defense.
Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz, and Cunningham worked together in the days they were both with the Tennessee Titans.
Cunningham gained noteriety during the 90′s when he also held the coordinator position in Kansas City. At that time the team had the likes of Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Dale Carter and many other standout defensive players. Unfortunately, without those stars he was unsuccessful.
In fact, K.C. held the distinction of being last among all NFL teams in several defensive categories this past season. The finished next to last in total team defense, only ahead of the even more pitiful Lions.
So how does this move by Detroit improve their team defense? The answer is…it doesn’t. Why you would want to bring in a new coordinator that is no better than the one you just had is a lateral move at best.
I feel for lifelong Lion fans. What you have been forced to endure all these years is well beyond frustration. As one of the remaining few teams to have never been in a Superbowl, it looks like continued moves such as this latest one will keep that streak intact.
How well Gunther does depends largely on who the head coach is, in my opinion. He was great under Marty Schottenheimer because Marty had a great eye for defensive talent, speed, and schemes, especially on the front-line and linebackers. The players he handed to Cunningham were players that Marty knew would work well under Cunningham’s philosophies. Unfortunately, Dick Vermiel wouldn’t know a good defensive player if he took an elephant-sized crap on his defensive game-plans, and Herm Edwards can’t spot defensive talent unless he’s watching a defensive back. Gunther’s return to KC was a lost cause without a head coach like Marty.
So, the question is: how good is this Schwartz guy when it comes to shoring up defensive talent? Will he be able to get the right men for a coach like Gunther? These two things will determine Gunther’s success.