UMAmaizinBlue

January 8th, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^

Anything that comes out of that program and coaching tree that isn't Tom Brady or Billy B. is destined to fail, especially in Detroit. Not progress. This is nothing until proven something.

Joined: 09/23/2009

MGoPoints: 36258

Armbuster

January 8th, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^

I give Caldwell a better than 50% shot of staying around. Especially if we lose Calvin's elite talent, more and more of our team's current worth revolves around the first functional offensive system we've had in a while, and keeping the players motivated. They all seem to love Caldwell; if this guy is as smart as they say, I think he gets another season or two.

Joined: 06/18/2015

MGoPoints: 731

LV Sports Bettor

January 9th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^

1) I thought whoever they'd hire for GM would win them over in the interview process by telling them in so many words what they wanted/needed to hear and that everything is in place or close to win now here in Detroit and that he could take them to the next level(s) that most teams don't get too. If that was the case the 91-year-old Ford and others probably ate that up much more so over hearing instead about needing to do a big teardown. That would have been my exact strategy if I were the one interviewing for the Lions GM job knowing their situation. Telling someone that we need to bring in new coaches, new schemes and basically to rebuild a lot of it would depress any owner IMO. Would sound negative I think to them and a much tougher task and longer plan to execute. Go in positive and leave them excited and feeling the need to hire you NOW is the way to go. Quinn probably stated he knew exactly what it takes to get this thing to the next level(s) of consistently winning and having post-season success as well. Tell them that he's been a part of that for 15 long years in New England and that he feels strongly that can do that same thing in Detroit.

2) Plus keeping Caldwell also allows him to basically sit back, slow things down and watch for a year without making these two rash decisions here all in the next week(s). That also means it won't probably won't be held against him either if they don't win next season, giving him essentially a mulligan next year. He won't say it that way exactly when he does announce his plan to fans and media but I'd expect that he gives Caldwell and his staff a "one year" shot. Plus it be a whole lot easier for Quinn to slide into this job right now and use all the knowledge that those 3 men (Caldwell, Cooter and Austin) have of the team's personnel and the overall situation there with knowing all that this team does and doesn't do well, player personalities, etc.... As with anything in life the more information one has to make a decision, the better the chance the decision will be right. Keeping those three I think could go a long way in helping him prepare for all the big and difficult decisions that he going to have make late on in this offseason.

Just my two cents. 

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 1301

Hotel Putingrad

January 9th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^

personnel wise, they're really only a center, left tackle and DT away from contending (assuming Johnson comes back for one more year and Levy is healthy again). They should be able to solve all three of those between FA and the draft. The only obstacle is Caldwell's in-game management. But you have to live with that deficiency for the sake of schematic consistency. That being said, if Cooter follows Gase to Miami, I think they should can Caldwell and promote Austin to HC.

Joined: 12/10/2014

MGoPoints: 212044

not TOM BRADY

January 8th, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^

Quote from Gil Brandt on Quinn. "There’s nobody close to this guy as far as knowledge and ability to evaluate. He understands analytics, he understands the salary cap, and this guy, to me, is a superior evaluator of people and players."

Joined: 06/02/2012

MGoPoints: 30455

LV Sports Bettor

January 9th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^

is very active in NFL dealings to this day. He works year round in the media for nfl sirius radio and also at nfl.com plus he's heavily involved in the NFL draft process and has been his entire life. I'm sure his connections are more so than 99% of the people in the NFL.

 

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 1301

umumum

January 9th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^

Brandt has been saying crazy shit for quite some time now.  He's alot like Dick Vitale (who by the end of any given season has called 20+ players 1st team All-Americans) in the everyone's a stud mode.

Joined: 01/06/2011

MGoPoints: 7882

93Grad

January 8th, 2016 at 7:46 PM ^

I respect Brandt's place in the history of the game, but after listening to him a lot on XM radio I'm not sure his recommendation means much.  He speaks highly of everyone and mostly just spouts meaningless platitudes.

Joined: 07/26/2011

MGoPoints: 13615

LV Sports Bettor

January 9th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^

speaks more glowingly about this past year than Quinn. Remember his comments were made long before the Lions hired him also.

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 1301