Posted: 20 May 2010 10:15 PM PDT

Tim Twentyman

Allen Park -- It seems there's an entirely different coaching philosophy between new Lions special teams coordinator Danny Crossman and his predecessor Stan Kwan, who was let go after last season.

Most notably it's the yelling ... a lot more yelling.

Crossman is an in-your-face, make-sure-you-know-you-screwed-up kind of coach. It's not unusual to hear an expletive or two during the special teams portion of practice.

But second-year returner Aaron Brown said it's not just the yelling that's been the biggest difference.

"I think with our new coaches a lot more emphasis will be put on some of the smaller things," Brown said. "Now, we don't even meet as a big group. (Special teams assistant) Brad (Banta) takes the returners and gunners and outside perimeter guys away from everyone else and just focuses on us. (Crossman) takes everyone else and focuses on them. It's a little bit more one-on-one treatment and a little bit easier to vibe and understand where players are coming from."

A considerably more talented roster doesn't hurt either.

Big hitters

What Lions new corner Jonathan Wade lacks in height -- he's listed a generous 5-foot-10 on the roster -- he makes up for in speed. The fourth-year player has run the 100-meter dash in 10.2-seconds and could be the fastest player on the team.

But he wants it known his smaller stature doesn't mean he shies away from contact. He said the entire Lions secondary is taking on a pit bull mentality.

"Besides the speed, we want to get a mind-set and get an understanding of being a physical group," he said. "You may look at us and see some people that aren't the biggest guys in the world, but like I've always said, you get a paper cut, it really hurts. We are going out there knowing that we have a lot of pit bulls out there that are willing to bite anything that moves."

Bulluck back to Titans?

Titans coach Jeff Fisher isn't closing the door on re-signing longtime linebacker Keith Bulluck , according to the Nashville Tennessean.

There's been speculation the Lions still are interested in signing Bulluck, who Schwartz coached while defensive coordinator with the Titans.

Bulluck, a free agent, continues to rehab from ACL surgery. The Titans have signed a couple linebackers this offseason, but Fisher told the Tennessean he hasn't ruled out the possibility of still signing Bulluck.

"We'd love to see if there is an opportunity where Keith would be able to finish his career here," Fisher told the Tennessean on Tuesday. "But it is very complicated, as you know. You have an unrestricted free agent and you have an ACL rehab. He is not ready to play now and he is not ready to pass a physical. When that time comes we'll deal with it. I am going to make an assumption that he is going to recover 100 percent and be able to play again at the same level he was playing when the injury occurred."

By the numbers

51 -- Players who have played in an NFL game at age 40 or older. Lions kicker Jason Hanson turns 40 on June 17.

48 -- Age of Raiders kicker/quarterback George Blanda when he played his last NFL game

$75,000 -- Raised for Lions charities at Tuesday's Tony Filippis Memorial Bocce Tournament

Losing ground

Teams who averaged the fewest yards rushing on third-and-short last season.

Bears -- 1.5 yards

Bills -- 1.7

Rams -- 1.7

Lions -- 1.7

Source: ESPN Stats & Information

Quotable

"I think what's important in the NFL now is that you can score. It allows you to play a little bit different defensively. You can play a little bit more aggressive knowing that if you do give up a touchdown that your offense can go get one back. You don't have to be as cautious, you can free-wheel a little bit more. But let's not get ahead of ourselves offensively, we still haven't scored a point this year."

-- Lions coach Jim Schwartz, on if he thinks a much improved offense is going to help his defense.

Great expectations

The first defensive tackles taken in the NFL draft since 2000 and how they performed in their rookie season.

ttwentyman@detnews.com

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I’ve Mour respect for Van Gaal’s philosophy: Robben

Posted: 20 May 2010 10:44 PM PDT

Friday, 21 May 2010

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has questioned Jose Mourinho's football philosophy ahead of tomorrow's Champions League final.

Robben worked under Inter Milan boss Mourinho during his time at Chelsea and believes the Portuguese is happy to sacrifice attractive football for results.

The Holland winger said: "He puts out a winning team, it doesn't matter if it's done with nice football or not.

"The philosophy at Bayern is the coach [Louis van Gaal] wants to win games by playing nice football."

The 26-year-old added: "As a player you want to play and enjoy the game, that's also an important part."

A change in tactics ultimately led to Robben's departure from Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid.

"I was working with him three years at Chelsea. It was a successful time, he's a big personality and as a coach of a top team you need to be," stated Robben.

"He knew how to work with big players and put them together and let them work together.

"He certainly knew what he was talking about and had the respect of every single player.

"But we started to play more in this diamond without wingers, which is not good for me. The system changed a bit so I made my decision and left."

Meanwhile, Bayern's players have written an open letter to all football fans in Germany inviting them to drop their own allegiances for a night and get behind them when they face Inter.

Should Bayern win it would earn the Bundesliga a fourth qualifying spot for the Champions League to contest from next season onwards.

"We know and feel that millions of football fans back home in Germany are with us in their thoughts," said the open letter signed by the entire Bayern squad.

"The Bayern fans and also the many fans of football who would usually see us neutrally should all become 'Bayern' on Saturday evening, that is what we would like. We will give everything in the Bernabeu for us, FC Bayern, and also for Germany."

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I’ve Mour respect for Van Gaal’s philosophy: Robben

Posted: 20 May 2010 11:09 PM PDT