Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn has a clear objective this offseason

ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

After failing to address the position last year, Detroit Lions’ general manager Bob Quinn has a clear objective to find himself a workhorse running back.

During Bob Quinn’s two-year tenure as general manager of the Detroit Lions, there have been plenty of positives to take away. The Lions have finished both seasons with a winning record, going to the playoffs once. His draft classes are generally considered successes. He’s been able to land some quality free agents  like wide receiver Marvin Jones and Pro Bowl guard T.J. Lang.

And Quinn’s decision not to trade tight end Eric Ebron prior to the deadline last season was proven to be the right move after the former first rounder excelled in the latter half of the year.

But Quinn has also made his mistakes. Most notably, not drafting a running back last year, in a class chock-full of talented prospects. The young GM opted to pass on talented backs like Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara, instead taking chances on players like cornerback Teez Tabor in the second round.

This year, Quinn fired head coach Jim Caldwell, someone that brought a lot of success to Detroit during his four year tenure. And then he brought in his own guy, former New England Patroits’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The Lions then gave Quinn an extension that ties both Patricia and himself to the organization for the next five years. The fate of both men in the Motor City are now tied to one another.

And according to one Lions’ insider, the clock is ticking.

"“If Quinn thinks the last two years of mediocrity and drafting failure have been washed away with Caldwell’s firing, he’s wrong,” wrote Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “Take a good look at that stopwatch, Bob. Time’s running out faster than you think. The Underwear Olympics are about to start and you had better make sure you’re not the one caught with your pants down this year.”"

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Now, more than ever, Bob Quinn’s objective is clear. The long view, winning. The short term? Finding the Detroit Lions a dominate running back in free agency, the draft or both. Quinn must learn from his past mistakes. And spending resources on the running back position is priority number one this offseason.

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