OT: Patricia’s status with the Lions

Submitted by NYC Fan3 on September 22nd, 2020 at 9:59 AM

I know it’s currently employed, but how much longer until he is let go?  The Lions have now lost 11 games in a row and have to play Arizona in week 3 and New Orleans in week 4.  13 losses in a row is likely.

Patricia is 9-24-1 in his first 34 games.  Caldwell was 19-15 in his.  I’d feel better if it looked like the Lions were building something with young players, but the talent isn’t there.

befuggled

September 22nd, 2020 at 4:40 PM ^

Fontes never had better than a journeyman quarterback, though. I mean, look at who their passing leaders under Fontes were:

  • Bob Gagliano
  • Rodney Peete
  • Erik Kramer
  • Rodney Peete
  • Rodney Peete
  • Dave Krieg
  • Scott Mitchell
  • Scott Mitchell

If you’re going to win a Super Bowl with one of these guys, you need to be absolutely loaded elsewhere and the Lions just weren’t. I mean, Dave Krieg had the best statistical season of any of these guys (in only half a season), and he couldn’t save their asses in that godawful wild card game in Lambeau where the Packers held the Lions to negative rushing yards.

If the Lions had even an above-average QB like Stafford I think I might agree.

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befuggled

September 22nd, 2020 at 4:20 PM ^

I thought they were going to make their traditional late season run last year to finish 6-9-1, but they couldn’t even manage that.

Although Stafford missing the end of last year probably prevented that. If Stafford stays reasonably heathy this year, I think they’re looking at 6-10 or 5-11. If he gets hurt again, 2-14.

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murderwolflives

September 22nd, 2020 at 10:56 AM ^

And with all the fear in my soul - they will make more excuses for Patricia (eh - Covid) and he and Quinn will be around for that first pick...and NOT take Lawrence.

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redwhiteandMGOBLUE

September 22nd, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^

That would probably be the public excuse if they're kept after this year but we all know the only reason they were brought back this year is because the Ford's didn't want to pay them to not coach/perform their duties. And if they're brought back next year that same cheapness will be the reason. The Ford's couldn't care any less about lions fans or the way the team performs.

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Perkis-Size Me

September 22nd, 2020 at 11:21 AM ^

Respectfully my friend what difference do you think its going to make if Trevor Lawrence comes here? How many top-5 picks have come through here and ended up having awful or meh careers? Detroit has had two players who are arguably the best to EVER play their position (Sanders and Megatron), and both retired early because they just couldn't do it with Detroit anymore. They didn't go to another team. They retired. In their prime. That is what the Detroit Lions do. They just break you. 

Honestly, as long as the Fords still own the team, they're going to ruin the career of anyone who comes through. They have been the one constant through all these years, and under their watch absolutely nothing has changed. The most Lawrence could hope for in Detroit is repeating Stafford's production and relative success. Decent to good stats, the occasional 5,000 yard season, but maybe only one wildcard away game to show for all of it. He'd better pray he ends up somewhere else. 

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ThisGuyFawkes

September 22nd, 2020 at 5:54 PM ^

A) That is my whole point -- you can't just look at playoff records and say QB 1 is better than 2. OP says Stafford is 0-3 in the playoffs and implies that he is not a successful QB because of it -- which I think is garbage. Stafford has not been the problem or the missing piece from Lions success in the last 10 years IMO (you and OP may feel free to disagree)

B) That's a myth. Of course, all things being equal players want success and championships, but careers are so short and the pressure to maximize earnings over that short time is so intense that I don't think your statement is true. Players who have already made big $, hold out every offseason and negotiate contracts that they know will negatively impact the overall team's competitiveness. Hell, even Brady just went to get his $ after being underpaid in NE for most of his career.

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Perkis-Size Me

September 22nd, 2020 at 2:38 PM ^

I'd strongly consider it. Yes, its a bad PR look but given that he is considered the best QB prospect to hit the league since probably Andrew Luck, he can afford to take the hit. Eli Manning refused to play for the Chargers after they drafted him, and by all accounts that worked out pretty well for him, because his legacy is toppling Brady and Belichek in the Super Bowl. Twice. No one cares anymore that he refused to play in San Diego. 

If I were Lawrence and the Lions drafted me, I'd probably gamble on myself, sit out the year and wait to see who's interested enough in making a trade to get me in 2022. There will be suitors. The Jets may decide they're done with Darnold, Brady will probably be retiring and TB might make a run at him, and New Orleans will probably be losing Brees by then so they'll be desperate to keep the good times going. In any case, Lawrence will have options.

Regardless, I know if I play for Detroit, my career is over the second Goodell announces that pick. 

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ThisGuyFawkes

September 22nd, 2020 at 12:54 PM ^

While the Lions overall draft record is pretty average to below average, they have actually done fairly well when they draft in the top 3 over the last 30+ years

1988: ++ Bennie Blades (3) - Very good player for the Lions / Pro-Bowler

1989: +++++ Barry Sanders (3) - BEST RB IN NFL HISTORY

2002: --- Joey Harrington (3) - Gigantic Bust (how much of it was caused by playing for the Lions TBD)

2003: -- Charles Rogers (2) - Undeniably talented, but disappointing career derailed by off-field issues; RIP

2007: ++++ Calvin Johnson (2) - Arguably MOST TALENTED WR IN NFL HISTORY; retired before prime due to being a Lion :(

2010: ++++ Ndamukong Suh (1) - Dominant, multi Pro-Bowl, future HOF; Best DL in Lions History

2011: +++ Matthew Stafford (1) - Best QB in Lions history (not saying all that much); very polarizing for Lions fans, but undeniable productivity and arm talent

2020: ~ Jeff Okudah (3) - TBD

 

So 2 misses, 5 all time greats in franchise history (3-4 probable HOFers) and 1 TBD. Not to say that the Lions might not screw everything up, but when drafting that high, the Lions have had fairly good success.

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ShadowStorm33

September 22nd, 2020 at 3:02 PM ^

Look, Megatron was great, don't get me wrong. Undoubtedly the best WR in the NFL for a few years, but I think it's a huge stretch to say he's maybe the best to ever play the position. When you say arguably the most talented, maybe the most physically talented, although guys like Randy Moss would like a word. But even then, that same logic makes probably a stronger case for Jerry Rice, who was otherworldly good and supremely talented at skills like route running and catching despite by most accounts being pretty mediocre athletically compared to some of the WRs out there.

Honestly, I thought I remember threads where a lot of people were wondering if Megatron would even make it into the HOF, i.e. whether his career of being generally solid with a couple years of absolute dominance would be enough. Look, he was a great player, and it's shitty how the Lions killed his will to play, but unlike Barry Sanders who legitimately probably was the best to ever play the position, I don't think Megatron can fairly be put in a similar conversation.

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LeCheezus

September 22nd, 2020 at 10:05 AM ^

I'm not much of an NFL fan so I'm probably not the most qualified commenter, but at the time I thought getting rid of Caldwell was a terrible idea.  I get that maybe he was only the guy that can get you to 8-8 +/- a couple games, but it struck me as an act of hubris by the ownership that his results were a.) not good enough and b.) easily replicable.  Of any team in the NFL, I find it hilarious the Lions can take .500 for granted.  The fact that they just hired another Patriots coordinator despite that fact that experiment has been tried and failed multiple times, to me at least, proves the problem with the Lions starts at the top of the organization.

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yoyo

September 22nd, 2020 at 10:28 AM ^

Caldwell was a solid coach but not the guy to take them to the next step so I understand moving on from him. Swinging on a Belicheck assistant with a low likelihood of success was the stupid move and you only remove Caldwell if you can get someone proven. I was really annoyed they didn't go after Andy Reid when he was available. 

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Njia

September 22nd, 2020 at 11:31 AM ^

Not the guy to take them to the next step...

The Lions have not needed to worry about "taking the next step" for more than half a century at this point. And Caldwell's issues were not necessarily related to his coaching abilities - it's fair to say that with the exception of the QB position, most of the Lions' "talent" is middle-of-the-pack at best.

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Peter Parker

September 22nd, 2020 at 12:05 PM ^

Caldwell's gameday coaching left a lot to be desired. If you aren't at least trying to "take the next step", then what are you even doing as an organization? I think it's a totally defensible move to have moved on from Caldwell. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean it was the right move to hire Patricia. The Lions organization acts like they want to take the next step, and then they botch almost every hire and player signing they make. It's one of the reasons this organization is absolutely infuriating.

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Njia

September 22nd, 2020 at 1:44 PM ^

The Lions organization acts like they want to take the next step, and then they botch almost every hire and player signing they make.

Part of the problem of firing Caldwell is that they did it without a plan. Sure, they'd already hired Quinn, and Caldwell wasn't "his guy," but it also seems clear that they couldn't define what it meant to take the next step beyond "we want to be New England 2.0." 

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Carpetbagger

September 22nd, 2020 at 2:21 PM ^

I may not have liked Caldwell's gameday coaching that much, but I also thought his roster was pretty thin. Now, I like the roster Quinn has put together, but the coaching, other than the initial gameplan (which is first-rate) is horrendous.

Honestly, I think Caldwell could do OK with what Quinn has put on the field. Or at least "win" in Detroit Lions speak. I'm not asking for Super Bowls here. 

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HateSparty

September 22nd, 2020 at 11:21 AM ^

It may seem inflammatory but the Ford and Firestone Families have a pretty recognized and pronounced history of racism.  You won't find a lot written about the current family members but it is hard to imagine being raised in that climate with the privilege they have been afforded and that does not create a lineage.  The Caldwell hire was a shock to some in the organization and he wasn't the preferred choice.  It was not a shock he had a quick hook.

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