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Marinelli Rips Detroit Columnist

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The Associated Press

Published: December 23, 2008

Updated: 12/23/2008 12:12 am

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Rod Marinelli was as angry publicly Monday as he's been in three seasons as coach of the Lions.

Leading the NFL's first 0-15 team didn't do it. A question from a columnist did.
Detroit News columnist Rob Parker asked Marinelli if he wished his daughter married a better defensive coordinator, taking a shot at his son-in-law Joe Barry, after Sunday's 42-7 loss to New Orleans.

Marinelli didn't answer the question during his news conference, saying it wasn't the right stage for a response, but lashed out later.

"Anytime you attack my daughter, I've got a problem with that ..." Marinelli said. "It was premeditated. I think there's something wrong with that."

Did it cross the line?

"Big time," Marinelli said.

Parker attempted to defuse the situation.

"I apologize to Rod and his family," Parker said. "It was never my intent to hurt anyone. It was just to lighten the moment."

Parker, who has regularly asked Marinelli about the possibility of firing Barry, tried to explain his relationship with Marinelli in a column published Monday.

It failed to change Marinelli's perspective or willingness to accept Parker's apology.

"I didn't read it. I was told a little bit about it," Marinelli said. "I don't accept anything."

Dolphins-Jets Moved To 4:15

NEW YORK - The Miami Dolphins will try to wrap up the AFC East title against the New York Jets at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.

The league already had announced that the Denver-San Diego game for the AFC West title will be played at 8:15 Sunday night.

Two other games also were switched to 4:15 p.m.: Dallas at Philadelphia and Jacksonville at Baltimore.

GIANTS: Add this to the growing list of Plaxico Burress' problems: getting in a car crash and not having insurance on his nearly $140,000 Mercedes-Benz.

The suspended New York Giants wide receiver was sued last week in Florida's Broward County Circuit Court for rear-ending a woman in May.

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