Wake-up call: The Marinelli-Parker feud, Manny and Kobe

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The question that just won’t go away: Detroit Lions Coach Ron Marinelli refused to accept an apology from Detroit News columnist Rob Parker for his question Sunday about the team’s defensive coordinator, who happens to be Marinelli’s son-in-law.

Parker had asked, after the 15th Lions loss, whether Marinelli had wished his daughter had married a better defensive coordinator. Marinelli didn’t respond Sunday, but certainly did on Monday, calling the question inappropriate. Now Detroit News Managing Editor Don Nauss says the question was unprofessional.

T.J. Simers had a take on the issue in the second half of his column in The Times today.

On the real estate front, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has plunked down more than $11 million to buy a lot in Brentwood, according to the Boston Herald. Fine move to get away from those New England winters, but this certainly bucks the trend of big-time athletes locating in Florida, with no state income tax. Doesn’t he know that California leads the nation in sales tax?

Sportsperson of the year? Steve Dilbeck in the Daily News of L.A. has his choice: Manny Ramirez. There’s always room for argument, but as far as Los Angeles sports is concerned, you can certainly make the case for what Manny did in his short stay in the Southland.

So Brian McNamee has filed a summons preserving the right to sue Roger Clemens for defamation, though he has not filed the $10-million suit the New York Post reported he had.

The Kobe view from across the country: With the Lakers set to play at New Orleans tonight, there’s an expansive story in the Times-Picayune about his transformation in the last five years. Not a lot of new information for die-hard Bryant fans, but a look look from the outside at the evolution of one of the league’s mercurial superstars.

-- Mike James