Nov 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) and special teams coordinator Danny Crossman during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Packers beat the Lions 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

It seemed that every Detroit Lions fan wanted Danny Crossman run out of town four weeks into the 2012 season. The Lions gave up kick and punt returns for touchdowns in back to back games against the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. Take those 14 points off the board in each game and the Lions may have headed into their bye week 3-1 instead of 1-3.

While the Lions never got on track as a team and finished just 4-12, the coverage units on special teams improved dramatically. Crossman certainly deserves some blame in their horrid start, but he also deserves a ton of credit for the ability to improve the unit mid-season. In fact, it was a good enough job that it seemed that he would be back with the Lions in 2013.

That was until today.

No, Crossman wasn’t fired, but he will be moving on, most likely to join the Buffalo Bills, who hired Crossman’s longtime friend and former teammate Doug Marrone.

One possible replacement is former Titans special teams coach Alan Lowry, who was fired after 17 seasons with the team. Schwartz will certainly be familiar with his work having worked on the Titans staff together. Of course, all football fans should be familiar with Lowry’s work:

While some fans might scowl at the news of Cunningham’s return considering the way the Lions defense closed out the year, it shouldn’t be forgotten that they also played well at times. The Christmas Even game in which they wrapped up a playoff berth, for example. While the Lions defense still suffers from a lack of talent at some key positions, the coaching staff doesn’t suffer from a lack of creativity. Consider me more than content to sit back and see what happens as the personnel is upgraded.

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