Thank god for a win over the Cowgirls here's to a better '07 season

Allen Park, Mich.—Detroit Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli held his season-ending press conference today at the team's headquarters and training facility (transcripts below). During today's press conference he announced the retirement of Special Teams Coach Chuck Priefer and named Stan Kwan the team's new special teams coach. He also announced that Defensive Coordinator Donnie Henderson and Offensive Line Coach Larry Beightol would not be retained.

 

In other team news, the Lions announced they have singed the following players:  S Idrees Bashir (Memphis), WR Carl Ford (Toledo), LB James Hargrave (Connecticut), CB LaMarcus Hicks (Iowa State), G Ben Noll (Pennsylvania), S Etric Pruitt (Southern Mississippi), WR Edell Shepherd (San Jose State), RB Anthony Sherrell (Eastern Michigan) and WR Craphonso Thorpe (Florida State).

 

Ford, Hargrave, Pruitt and Sherrell have been allocated to NFL Europa.

 

The team also announced 2006 team awards as voted on by the players:

 

Bobby Layne Offensive MVP: (Co-MVP) WR Roy Williams and WR Mike Furrey

Lem Barney Defensive MVP: DT Cory Redding

Yale Lary Special Teams MVP: K Jason Hanson

Eric Andolsek Top Offensive Lineman Award: C Dominic Raiola

Mel Farr Rookie of the Year: LB Ernie Sims

Joe Schmidt Leadership Award: QB Jon Kitna

Mike Utley Spirit Award: LB Donté Curry

Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player: CB Stanley Wilson