Lions to interview Browns OC Maurice Carthon

**Jordan** · 01-01-2006, 04:19 PM

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/113610796579670.xml&coll=2

NFL INSIDER

Will Carthon become a Lions tamer?
Needing toughness, Detroit casts an eye toward Browns' offensive coordinator
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Detroit Lions are expected to interview Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon for their vacant head coach position. They may ask for permission as soon as Monday.

Carthon has received his share of criticism from media and fans in his first season of calling plays for the 5-10 Browns. But the fact it rolls easily off his back reflects a quality that endears him to Lions President Matt Millen.

Millen wants to restore discipline and toughness to a team allowed to spin out of control by former coach Steve Mariucci.

Millen saw those qualities in Carthon as Detroit's running backs coach in 2001 and offensive coordinator in 2002. Those teams were a pathetic 5-27 under coach Marty Mornhinweg, but the Lions had success running the ball. Mornhinweg called his own plays on offense.

When Mariucci was hired to replace Mornhinweg in 2003, Millen reportedly was fined $200,000 by the NFL for bypassing league guidelines requiring at least one minority candidate be interviewed for head coach and general manager positions.

Carthon is not viewed as a front-runner for the Lions' job, but is in the mix, according to a source close to the club.

The Lions are expected to also interview Russ Grimm, Pittsburgh offensive line coach; Tim Lewis, Giants defensive coordinator; and Jim Schwartz, Tennessee defensive coordinator.

Also, Dick Jauron, the Lions defensive coordinator who has restored some order as interim coach, will be formally considered for the permanent job.

If Carthon leaves the Browns for Detroit, insiders believe he would be replaced internally by offensive line coach Jeff Davidson.