Detroit Lions January Recap

The first month of the Detroit Lions offseason sure was a busy one. Here’s some of the highlights of January.

Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) takes the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Calvin Johnson Retiring?

One week after the season concluded, Calvin Johnson put out a statement saying that he was “evaluating options for his future.” Our own Jeff Risdon asked the question “Could Calvin Johnson really retire?” If Calvin does decided to walk away, our own Mike Payton checked in with what the Lions next move could be.

Photo by Carlos Monarrez, Freep.com /

Lions hire Bob Quinn as new GM

Lions fans finally got their answer on who would be calling the shots in Detroit when the Lions hired former New England Patriots Director of pro scouting Bob Quinn. We here at SideLion Report made sure to get every single take on this hire that we could.

Jeff Risdon gives his initial thoughts on the hire and Bob Quinn bringing the “Patriot way” to Detroit here.

Kent Platte gives a breakdown of the unique approach that Bob Quinn will bring here.

Mike Payton gave his first impressions of Quinn after his opening press conference here. Payton also got the lowdown on Quinn from Musket Fire and Pats Pulpit here.

Of course Twitter had a lot to say on the move here.

Oct 30, 2015; Chandler’s Cross, United Kingdom; Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell during press conference at The Grove in preparation of the NFL International Series game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Lions retain Jim Caldwell

Most weren’t surprised when new general manager Bob Quinn decided to retain Jim Caldwell as the Lions head coach. Mike Payton believed that the move may have been for the best. Kent Platte on the other hand believed the decision was simply the safe way to go. As always, Lions Twitter had a lot to say and wasn’t all nice.

Kyle O’Brien in his Jaguar days (photo from Jacksonville Jaguars) /

SideLion at the Shrine game

This year we here at SideLion Report were lucky to have two of our guys on location at the Shrine game in Mobile, Alabama. Scott Bischoff gave a player by player breakdown during the practice sessions and showed who the Lions should keep an eye on come draft time. Jeff Risdon got an in depth look at how Bob Quinn and Kyle O’Brien are changing the way the Lions handle scouting

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

NFL Draft

.If you want to know everything there is to know about the Lions and the NFL Draft, make sure you keep your eyes locked on SideLion Report. We have assembled some of the best draft analyst the internet has to offer for our all out draft coverage in 2016. Kent Platte got the ball rolling with years first mock draft. Jeff Risdon gave you some names to watch out for in the Shrine game. Both Risdon and Biscoff are on location at the Senior Bowl, be on the lookout for their reports in February.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Standout Reports

Here are few standout reports our guys put together in January that deserve a look.

Al Stahl asked the question of just how good Matthew Stafford really is here.

Mike Payton recalls the greatest game in Detroit Lions history here.

Randy Glisson takes a look at five Lions who could be gone in 2016 here.

Eric Ranes graded every Lions 2014 draft pick here.

Thank you to any and all that read our work here t SideLion Report. We are truly dedicated to bringing you the very best in Lions content all year long. Please feel free to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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