Lions coach building team in his image

To understand what Lions coach Rod Marinelli wants in a player, look no further than new starting nose tackle Chuck Darby.

Darby is 32 years old. He’s only 297 pounds. And he’s so vertically challenged at 6-feet that even Marinelli, his biggest fan, calls him “Shorty.”

But, as Marinelli said, “I saw something in him. I could feel it.”

Marinelli was Tampa Bay’s defensive line coach when he pushed the Buccaneers to keep the undrafted Darby in 2000. This offseason, Marinelli was entering his third year of remaking the Lions into his image when he pushed team president Matt Millen to sign Darby, a free agent from Seattle.

He also persuaded Millen to trade the team’s once-promising nose tackle, Shaun Rogers, to Cleveland. Rogers is bigger (6-4, 340) and younger (29) than Darby. But he’s also the one thing Marinelli hates most: an underachiever.

Darby, on the other hand, is a classic overachiever.

A long shot to make the Bucs’ roster out of South Carolina State eight years ago, Darby did everything Marinelli asked. He’d line up with the first team, second team and third team with no rest in between. He’d go one-on-one against each member of the first-team offensive line, one after the other, with no rest. He’d do everything Marinelli asked.

“Rod gave me my opportunity,” Darby said. “Everybody else just looked at me as just a short guy, not big enough to play this game.”

Darby made the Bucs’ practice squad in 2000. He made the roster in 2001. He started in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl XXXVII victory. He also played in Seattle’s Super Bowl XL appearance.

Eight years after discovering Darby, Marinelli is still looking for tough guys to transform a dismal franchise. Only 13 players remain from the roster Marinelli inherited in 2006. Several new faces have connections to Marinelli, including three defensive starters who played in Super Bowl XXXVII: cornerback Brian Kelly, former Viking safety Dwight Smith and an old guy nicknamed “Shorty.”

Chuck Darby must make big impact

I was all set to write a healthy defense of Dewayne White and how he was by far the most important ex-Buc. But then I looked at the question and realized that you meant the current crop of ex-Bucs. I still think White is a vital player. He was having a very good year last year before getting hurt against the Broncos and was never the same after that. He can be a good, consistent pass rusher this year if he stays healthy, so he’s important.

First, I’d say that the Lions should not be criticize simply for going after former Buccaneers. If they are all disasters, then fine, criticize away. But they might actually be good additions, right? I mean, the fact that they were part of a successful defense and know the system Rod Marinelli want to put in place. I mean, that’s not a bad thing, is it? It’s not as if the Lions are bringing in a bunch of ex-Cardinals or ex-Raiders right? Or even worse, ex-Lions. (They re-signed Teddy Lehman? Scratch that last thought.)

Look, I haven’t a clue who WILL have the biggest impact. Who needs to have the bigger impact is the more important question. And I think the answer to that is Chuck Darby. Say what you will about Shaun Rogers, but he had some very good games and he certainly made an impact. I thought it was time for him to go, so I’m not ripping the Leos for making that happen. But it does leave a gaping hole on the line. Darby needs to fill that along with some help from others I’m sure.

I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. Marinelli was a defensive line guru and the Lions line has stunk since he got here. Now he has more of “his guys” here to play the system. Let’s see some results.

Related: Chuck Darby reunited with Marinelli

Scouting Report: Chuck Darby

Another one of those former Tampa Bay/Tampa Two players who once played for Rod Marinelli, Darby should bring some consistency to the defensive tackle position. No, he’s not going to make the eye-popping plays that Shaun Rogers did, but Darby will bring two things that Rogers didn’t - a non-stop motor and mistake-free discipline in the system.

While Rogers could be a hugely disruptive force, there were also too many times when he’d freelance and leave his one-gap responsibility - leaving his teammates vulnerable.

Darby is very strong against the run and uses his knowledge of the system to get the most out of his ability. He’s not productive as a pass rusher, though, and will likely be replaced on passing downs. While Darby is light on his feet when it comes to executing stunts and twists, he simply hasn’t been able to master pass-rushing counter moves to improve his effectiveness.

Darby suffered a torn patella tendon last season and missed the last half of the year, but he was durable before that. Darby has been taking part in all of the off-season workouts so there’s no lingering issue with the knee injury.

Lions Land Darby

Lions Come To Terms with Free Agent DT Chuck Darby

The Lions certainly lost size with the loss of DT Shaun Rogers. They have addressed it. The Lions came to terms with the 5’11” 313 pound Darby to at the very least add depth to the position.

Darby when healthy can be a force and is by all accounts a good locker room guy and a nice add. He played in six games in 2007 for the Seahawks before he suffered a popped patella tendon, which required surgery and subsequently missed the remainder of the season.

Welcome to the Lions Chuck! He was an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 2001. He is entering his eighth NFL season. Terms are not available at this time.

Darby, Wyms on the Road

Defensive tackle Chuck Darby is visiting the Lions today. He has a couple of other free-agent visits lined up this week, but that’s only if he gets out of Detroit. Sounds like the Lions might not want him leaving the building without a contract.

Ellis Wyms will take a look at Minnesota and then Tennessee though not necessarily in that order.

The line of communication remains open between the Seahawks and both players so a return to the Seahawks has not been ruled out in either case.

Lions Insider Tom Kowalski said on a Michigan radio station that Chuck Darby is the most likely defensive lineman to sign with Detroit. He has a good relationship with Rod Marinelli, who he credits with developing him as a player. Here is the link.

If Darby left, that would be four of 11 unrestricted free agents who have left for other teams. Marcus Pollard, Jeff Robinson and Josh Scobey will not be back, leaving D.J. Hackett, Ben Joppru, Floyd Womack and Ellis Wyms unresolved

Darby Could be Next Addition

With four free agents in town today, Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Chuck Darby is the most likely to sign with Detroit says Lions Insider Tom Kowalski during an interview with Ryan Terpstra on WGHN, 1370-AM in Grand Haven.

Kowalski elaborates on the possiblity saying, “He (Darby) played for Marinelli before, he’s a big Marinelli guy and I think he’d help replace Shaun Rogers. No one is going to be as good as Shaun Rogers, but if Cory Redding plays well at the 3-technique, that’s the most important thing. In the Tampa 2, the nose tackle isn’t as important of a position as the 3-technique, which Redding is currently playing. So if they can bring in a guy like Darby and make him part of the rotation, I think that’s really going to help.”

Darby spent his first four NFL season (2001-2005) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Seahawks in 2005. During a 2006 press conference, Darby had this to say about Marinelli.

Full Story: Chuck Darby Coule be Next Addition - [Mlive.com]

Darby Suffers Season Ending Knee Injury

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Chuck Darby has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee during Sunday night’s 28-17 loss to New Orleans.Darby was hurt after being blocked on a running play in the second half of the game. He was replaced by rookie Brandon Mebane, who has played in all six games this season and will start in the team’s next game against St. Louis.

Related: Darby’s injury toll includes body blow to Seahawks’ morale - [Tacoma News Tribune]
Hawks already miss Darby - [Seattle PI]