Kitna: "Firing Martz would be a mistake''

Kitna: "Firing Martz would be a mistake''

Quarterback Jon Kitna, who has taken beating after beating because of the lack of a running game, believes the Detroit Lions should keep Mike Martz as offensive coordinator according to a report in the Detroit News.

Kitna, the starting quarterback under Martz for all 31 games the last two seasons, said it would be a mistake for the Lions to fire Martz after this season.

Martz has been an enigmatic and controversial figure since coach Rod Marinelli hired him in 2006 to run the offense. The passing game has improved greatly but the Lions have not achieved the success Martz had in St. Louis, where he was offensive coordinator in 1999 and coach from 2000-05. They have also failed to develop a running game.

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SMU considering Neuheisel

Larry Coker and Dennis Franchione are still in the running for the SMU job, but a source says that SMU is also considering Rick Neuheisel, despite his history, and that the school is no longer on edge about potential NCAA issues.

The Mustangs are waiting to see if Neuheisel goes to UCLA. Neuheisel is currently the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

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Dallas scouting guru Ireland a GM candidate in Miami?

Jeff Ireland, the Dallas Cowboys' vice president of college and pro scouting, has an excellent relationship with Bill Parcells and appears to be a candidate for the general manager job with the Miami Dolphins according to the Dallas Morning News.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday he isn't worried about losing Ireland, who is highly regarded across the league.

"In personnel, no one can leave until after the draft," Jones said. "The only thing I'm concerned about in personnel is that we get the benefit of all the work that's been done to run our draft. As far as sitting there with personnel, someone being given an opportunity to be a general manager or the opportunity to be over there, I'll help him.''

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Vikings will inquire about McNabb, Fitzgerald

The Minnesota Vikings say they will evaluate their quarterback status at the end of the season according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

But there seems little doubt that they will inquire about the availability of Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb this winter. The problem for Minnesota is that McNabb, 31, would cost at least two first-round draft picks.

If the Vikings decide to return with 24-year-old Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, they'll need to try to trade for the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald of Minneapolis, who might also cost a couple of first-round draft picks, or sign at least two other premier wide receivers.