Detroit Lions NFL Draft Countdown: 22 Days

Join us each day as we count down towards the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The countdown runs from 50 to zero and the number of days remaining will inspire the post for that day. Think of this as your NFL draft paper chain that loses one link each day!

We sit 22 days away from the start of the NFL draft. Today’s number has to do with one of the men that will play an important role in who will be the next college players to join the Lions and how they will ultimately fare in the NFL.

Jim Schwartz is a young man as far as NFL coaches go but I’m sure many fans will be surprised to learn that Jim Schwartz’s coaching career has included 22 seasons to date. He is seemingly the perfect combination of age, experience and temperament. It feels good believing that the Lions finally got a head coaching hire right.

Here is a look at all the stops and roles along the 22-year path: