Lions: Notebook

Lions aspire to be nasty, too

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

Allen Park -- If there's one thing that's been lacking from Lions defenses over the past few seasons, it's been that nasty attitude all great defenses seem to have.

The Steelers have it. The Ravens have it. The Vikings have it.

"Those teams weren't even close to those 1990's Chiefs teams," said Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who helped built those Chiefs teams as their defensive coordinator, starting in 1995. "They had a real attitude -- a bad attitude."

Cunningham said the Lions defense needs a lot more of that attitude.

"I kind of hate being the nasty guy, I don't even play," he said. "We talk about that constantly and drive it in their heads. I think that's missing here. We lost two good players in Jared DeVries and Cody Spencer who were those kinds of guys. They were tough, mean guys."

But Cunningham said there's still hope for this defense. He was quick to point out rookie safety Louis Delmas and linebacker Ernie Sims as guys who "have it."

"Ernie Sims has that, his problem is he needs to let go of the past and play in the future," Cunningham said. "There is no doubt Delmas is that type of player. If we win that game (against the Saints Sunday), Delmas might be the player of the week. He really showed who he is. He tackled well, he hit people."

Delmas has made no qualms about showing his viciousness when he comes up and makes a hit on a ball carrier. He's shown malice when jawing with opponents and he's proven to have that attitude Cunningham is looking for.

"Gunther is an old-school coach and he demands the dog out of you. By the end of the day he wants 11 dogs out there that are all going to growl and get the job done," Delmas said. "That's the way I was brought up. I was brought up to be tough and not let anyone run over you and I'm going to continue to be that way."

Lions sign McBride

The Lions continue to make use of their top priority on the waiver wire, claiming defensive end Turk McBride , a 2007 second-round pick who was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.

McBride, a 6-foot-2, 278-pounder, started nine games for Cunningham in Kansas City last season.

"We are always going to look for help," Cunningham said. "I think Martin (Mayhew ) has done a great job. He speaks with me almost every day about different guys that may come loose."

The Lions released defensive lineman Orien Harris to make room on the 53-man roster.

Injury report

Defensive end Cliff Avril missed practice with a hamstring injury Wednesday, but he's expected to return today or Friday.

... Defensive tackles Andre Fluellen (knee) and Grady Jackson (knee) and cornerbacks Eric King (shoulder) and Will James (foot) were limited in practice.

tim.twentyman@detnews.com