Lions Hire Joe Lombardi As Offensive Coordinator

ALLEN PARK (97.1 The Ticket/AP) - Joe Lombardi is officially the new offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. The team made the announcement Tuesday.

In an interview with Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports, Lombardi said he's not worried about quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"The good news is that he's not broken, that much is clear" Lombardi said. "There's an awful amount of talent there. His arm is something to behold. We used to sit in the Saints quarterback room and just marvel at his passes — all the depths, the whole field in play. He really can sling it. That's a great thing to have."

Lombardi, grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant for New Orleans since 2007. He was hired as quarterbacks coach in 2009, the season the Saints won their only Super Bowl over the Indianapolis Colts, who were then coached by current Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Saints quarterback Drew Brees has passed for more than 5,000 yards in a season three times with Lombardi as his position coach.

Lombardi's first NFL job was with the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive assistant in 2007. He also coached in the XFL for the New York-New Jersey Hitmen. Lombardi also worked at Dayton, Virginia Military Institute, Bucknell and Mercyhurst.

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