Lake Leaves for Detroit

PewterReport.com is reporting that Tampa Bay assistant defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake was hired by Detroit on Saturday to serve as the Lions’ defensive backs coach.

Lake, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the month, interviewed with Detroit on Thursday. He spent the 2006 season working alongside former Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry, who was hired to be Rod Marinelli’s defensive coordinator in 2007. The Lions are hoping Lake can help Detroit’s defense, which ranked 32nd in the NFL in yards and points last season.

The 31-year-old Lake was offered a contract by the Bucs at the end of the 2007 season, but the promotion in Detroit proved to be more appealing.

Lake worked closely with Bucs defensive backs coach Raheem Morris in 2007. Both men played integral roles in helping Tampa Bay’s defense finish the season ranked No. 2 overall and No. 1 against the pass.

The blow of losing an up-and-coming coach like Lake appeared to be lightened a bit Friday when the Bucs re-signed defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

The Buccaneers currently have two unsigned coaches — quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett and senior assistant/offensive line Aaron Kromer. The Bucs must also fill the voids at the running backs coach and assistant defensive backs coach positions, which were created by the departure of Art Valero (St. Louis) and Lake, respectively.

Tampa Bay could find successors for both coaches while in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Practices start on Monday.

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