Bob Quinn, Matt Patricia, and Harold Nash all undeniably link the Detroit Lions to New England. My question is, are those links leading to lazy analysis?
Speculation about how the Detroit Lions will implement ideas and concepts from the much touted New England Patriot “way” is valid.
The two biggest pieces of the Lions’ brain trust (general manager and head coach) both spent a decade plus rising within that organization’s ranks.
To think that Detroit wouldn’t adopt some aspects from the NFL’s best franchise since 2000 is asinine. But that’s not to say that the Lions are looking to become a Midwestern xerox of the Patriots though.
Lions’ head coach, Matt Patricia, made it abundantly clear during his team introduction that he is his own man. He is his own man, running his team, his way.
I am very much so looking forward to seeing just how Patricia differentiates himself from his former boss and mentor, Bill Belichick.
As I continue to read reports on what the Lions will do in free agency, I’ve grown a bit impatient with some of the analysis.
Every single free agent will coming over to Detroit from New England if you believe some outlets.
Names like Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis and (former Lions) Johnson Bademosi and Kyle Van Noy have all been linked to Detroit at some point.
Look, I’m not shortsighted enough to think that some of those names couldn’t help out as Coach Patricia brings his vision to life in Detroit.
I’m just asking for some due diligence to be done, is that too much to ask?!
Yes the Lions are in dire need of a running back, but is Dion Lewis a fit just because he’s coming in from New England? In the famous words of Lee Corso, “not so fast, my friend!”
Detroit would be best served to bring in another starting corner back to play opposite Darius Slay. Are they willing to pay Butler’s asking price, let’s wait and see.
Don’t just lean on those reports because the Lions now have some Patriot flavor! There are way more free agents that could help Detroit other than the ones coming from New England.
When I wrote predictions for what Detroit should do in free agency, I purposely excluded former Patriots.
Next: Who was the most versatile RB in Lions' history?
Sometimes the right answer is the most obvious one. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t fully research into other options though. Just because it’s obvious doesn’t automatically make it right, so dig in and really engage.
It’s not fun reading up on the offseason if everyone is saying the same thing about your team.