Jim Caldwell wins
Just when Detroit Lions fans reached the breaking point with Head Coach Jim Caldwell after the Chicago loss, the wily old coach turned his ship around.
It started with an understated yet strong coaching performance in Week 5. Caldwell had his Lions ready for the challenge, and they upended the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. For the first time since the season opener, the Lions came out prepared, motivated and focused.
Okay, the blind squirrel finds a nut every so often. Skepticism in Caldwell’s coaching acumen remained perfectly justifiable. The Eagles Doug Pederson is a rookie head coach, after all.
Sunday’s entertaining win over Los Angeles proves Jim Caldwell really can coach.
(No, I haven’t been day drinking…)
Once again Caldwell outcoached his rival counterpart. This time it was Jeff Fisher. Again, not a great accomplishment as Fisher is inexplicably employed, but an accomplishment nonetheless.
His Lions came out prepared with a cogent game plan and tangible energy. Maybe it was the home crowd or the presence of the 1991 team at Ford Field, but the coach gets the ultimate credit.
One of the bigger criticisms has been Caldwell’s reluctance to push the envelope. This is a coach who opted to punt on 4th and 2 from the opposing 40 when he’s got the NFL record holder for longest field goal at his disposal. Caldwell’s Lions have often been too passive and careful in the 2- and 4-minute offenses at the end of the first half.
Architecture of Aggression
Not so the last two weeks. The Lions went for it on fourth down twice against the Rams and converted both times. The first of those came on Detroit’s first drive. On 4th and 1 from the Detroit 49, Zach Zenner blasted forward with some help from extra tackle Corey Robinson. Three plays later Marvin Jones danced in the end zone.
Once again the offensive formations brought diversity. Robinson played a lot early on, showing the Rams a different look. With Laken Tomlinson out of his comfort zone at right guard and rookie Graham Glasgow getting his first start on the left side, the line calls appeared simplified. That’s smart coaching.
Even on the defensive side, where the team continues to struggle, there were signs of being better prepared. Teryl Austin had his unit in zone, facing the play help snuff out Todd Gurley and the Rams running game. While the Lions couldn’t stop Case Keenum and the passing game, Los Angeles sputtered on the ground to the tune of 76 yards and 3.5 yards per carry.
Caldwell still won’t discuss injuries, but that’s more of an organizational edict than a Jim Caldwell issue. Even so, the head coach has been more user-friendly and engaging in dealing with the media the last couple of weeks.
Winning washes away a lot of stink, and Jim Caldwell was nearing skunk status when the Lions lost at Chicago. Yet the last two weeks we have seen a strong, positive coaching impact from Caldwell and his staff.
To recycle a line I’ve often used in the past with Matthew Stafford, I’m not sure Jim Caldwell is the long-term solution. Yet I’m also reassured he isn’t one of the bigger short-term problems either. Stafford finally buried such talk with consistently strong performances. Can Caldwell?