The one about the in-laws...

Does anybody remember the mini-saga in Detroit involving Detroit News reporter Rob Parker and then-Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli? In a very small nutshell, during a press conference after the Lions' 14th or 15th loss of the season, Parker asked Marinelli if he wished his (Marinelli's) daughter had married a better defensive coordinator (ex-Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry is married to Marinelli's daughter). At the time Marinelli blew the remark off.

Some sports columnists and bloggers began vilifying Parker right away. And once a few people started it, everybody jumped on the hand-wringing bandwagon and the SS Rob Parker was taking water. The next day Marinelli was interviewed and he was pissed. I mean he was really pissed. "Anytime you bring my family into..." and blah blah blah. Thing is, I believe that he was pissed, but as the head coach of the worst football team in NFL history, I think he may have been channeling some other frustration at Parker.

I get that it was probably a stupid question, but let's not lose sight of something: it was funny. Rob Parker was right...if Marinelli's daughter was going to marry a defensive coordinator, she picked the worst available. Let's not sugar coat it—Joe Barry was a failure as a defensive coordinator in Detroit. Was it all his fault? No. Detroit is outmanned and outgunned in all aspects of professional football, with the possible exceptions of punter and kicker. But he was horrible. Detroit was at or near the bottom in almost every major defensive statistic.

And let's not forget something else...Rob Parker didn't bring Marinelli's family into it. Marinelli did by hiring his son-in-law in the first place. All he did was mention the daughter. He didn't call her a name or insult her. I suppose it is unprofessional to make a joke, but he didn't really make the joke about the daughter. It was a jab at Joe Barry who, as you may be aware, was horrible. The mere mention of Marinelli's daughter shouldn't have created so much drama. Many, many columnists have made a career out of being wise asses (check out Woody Paige with the Denver Post--he's one of the best).

In the end, the forces of political correctness won. Rob Parker resigned his position with the Detroit News after having been demoted to general reporter or something like that (a clear case of jumping before you are pushed). It's really too bad because all the guy did was make a joke. It wasn't even a bad joke—it was funny. Lighten up, Francis.

I really hate kowtowing to the politically correct police. Remember, if you outlaw jokes than only outlaws will have jokes. Hmmm...I guess that stupid statment only works with guns.

So Parker resigns, Marinelli and Barry are both fired, and the Lions are searching for the next puppet they can hire and the next wide receiver they can draft.

Parker, Marinelli and Barry are all unemployed, but they're probably all better off.

Wherever you end up, Rob Parker, I wish you well. You, too, Rod Marinelli. I think you overreacted to the joke, but I still liked the way you handled yourself under the worst set of circumstances any head coach has ever had to endure. And Joe Barry, please believe that when I say you were horrible, I only mean with the hand you were dealt. I am sure that you will find a new gig and you will excel.

So let's try to tie this into branding, just so you don't feel like you've wasted your time. Think about what the Detroit Lions brand is worth? This whole dog-and-pony show must have made William Clay Ford (Darth Fordius) gleeful because it pulled a little more attention away from the fact that the Lions are a Division-II team in the NFL. Can the Lions brand be tarnished any more? Or have we finally reached the limit?

You know what, this gives me an idea. I think I am going to do a little column about the Lions brand and what impact the winless season had. And what it could mean for the future of the franchise. Stay tuned...I'll try to get to it this week.