What will the Detroit Lions identity be under Matt Patricia?

There are two things we all need to come to grips with. First, just because both Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia came from the Patriots doesn’t mean they will bring that winning tradition with them. These are two different organizations that have followed very different paths over the nearly two decades that Bill Belichick has pretty much turned New England into a dynasty.

Secondly, Matt Patricia has already proven that while he does incorporate some of the teachings of his former mentor, he is a different personality and coach than Belichick.

At this point, we all need to just forget about that fact that Quinn and Patricia have football roots in New England. What they accomplish here will be completely because of their own abilities. It will have very little to nothing to do with their former employers.

So having said that, let’s forget about the ‘Patriot way’ and concentrate on how this franchise is being assembled and coached.

Matt Patricia made it clear fairly early on that there is no ‘Patriot way’ here in Detroit. He said what they are doing is building their own culture and way. A way he did refer to as the ‘Lions way’, but not as a label or some kind of validation.

He was simply pointing out that this leadership here will follow a course they believe will make the Lions champions again.

Matt Patricia spent many years under Bill Belichick and it would be surprising if there were not things he picked up from his former mentor. But the fact that he has been emphatic that how things will be done here will be his way and not by following some sort of ‘do-it yourself Patriot dynasty blueprint’ is unquestionably in his favor.

All that being said; what will the Lions identity become?