<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>ALLEN PARK -- Rod Marinelli is taking a firm stand on who he wants back in his second season as coach of the Lions.Four veterans have been told to seek trades -- defensive linemen James Hall and Marcus Bell, guard Ross Verba and cornerback Dre Bly.And, fullback Cory Schlesinger appears finished after 12 seasons with the Lions. There is no plan to re-sign Schlesinger before he becomes a free agent March 2.But, Marinelli is not about to lose defensive tackle Cory Redding, who can become an unrestricted free agent March 2.The Lions have until Thursday to designate Redding as a franchise player, a move that effectively takes a player off the market. There is no doubt the Lions will use the tag on Redding. It guarantees Redding a base salary of $6.775 million for 2007."You know the respect I have for Cory," Marinelli said Tuesday. "Right now, we're working very hard to get him to sign. I want to keep working at it. He's a special, special player."Teams are using the franchise tag more liberally than last year, when it was applied to only four players, including Lions offensive tackle Jeff Backus.Five teams already have said they will use the tag on defensive players -- Cincinnati's Justin Smith, New Orleans' Charles Grant, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, Chicago's Lance Briggs and New England's Asante Samuel.Marinelli was reluctant to discuss the tag because players don't like it. It limits their ability to get offers from other teams because of the compensation involved -- two first-round picks."I just want to do everything right," Marinelli said. "Right now, our staff, this whole building, has been in constant communication with him."It is a different story for others.Gone: Bly, Bell, Hall, Verba."We're going to seek some opportunities right now," Marinelli said. "They also will have that opportunity. It's in the best interest of our team."Bly was a team leader and voted a captain last season, but his cover skills did not fit the Tampa Two, which requires cornerbacks to be more disciplined and play the run.Stanley Wilson filled in for Fernando Bryant at left cornerback late in the season and showed improvement. Wilson could move to Bly's spot at right cornerback.Hall and Verba have bonuses due March 1. If they have not been traded by then, they'll be cut.In limbo: Schlesinger.His future depends on whether a front-line fullback is added during free agency.Asked if Schlesinger will return, Marinelli replied: "You hate to say no. You want to leave a little window open. We're going to let the thing play out with Cory. He's been a war-daddy here. That's one lead blocker there."Schlesinger's role was diminished last year.</div>
Cleaning House of those who don't fit the mold Marinelli wants, I like it. I doubt they get anything significant via trade for anyone other then Dre Bly. The rest I don't think have much in trade value.
