Rod Marinelli On Tagging Redding

The very earnest coach of the Detroit Lions, Rod Marinelli is at the podium now.

He's trying to explain how much he loves defensive tackle Cory Redding and explaining why the team franchised him. It's kind of a disconnect because no player wants to be franchised but Marinelli is talking like it's the ultimate compliment.

(On Redding's Reaction to the Tag)
"Initially, it'snot something he wanted to do. I've become close to him and i've tried to not talk about the tag and what it means. I've tried to talk about what we want him to do going forward and make it a recruitment process. At the end of the line, there's no way (he's going anywhere else). I owe it to my team. This guy's got to be here. We made progress and I hope to get him signed. We need him. He's the focal point of our team."

(On Defensive End Kalimba Edwards)
"I'm just gonna smother him with coaching."

Projections have the Lions selecting Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas with the second pick. Marinelli sounded as if quarterback is going to get some thought, however.

"We love (current starter Jon Kitna). It's not a need for next year. But we might be able to find the quarterback of our future. If a young quarterback has a chance to be around Jon Kitna for a few years, that's special. We might be in a great position there.