The challenge isn’t just clearing out the players who don’t fit into the Lions system or plans but getting rid of those who aren’t buying into it as well. It’s also about finding coaches who can do a better job of getting the most out of their players.
Defensive coordinator Paul Pasquiloni is rightfully under fire, but it seems to be stretch that Matt Patricia will let his old mentor go. The hope will be that better players make him a better coach.
More from SideLion Report
- Top 5 revenge games on the Detroit Lions 2023 schedule
- Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury
- Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
- A new contract extension projection for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
- 4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason
Jim Bob Cooter, however, is clearly on the hot seat and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Patricia decided to make a change there. The offense has not lived up to it’s potential and one only needs to look as far as last Sunday to see what an offense can look like when designed by a coach with creativity that uses his offensive resources to their fullest.
I’m of course referring to the Chicago Bears, which I can’t even believe those words are escaping my lips.
We also shouldn’t be surprised if there is even greater roster turnover next season than there has been this year.
Between players that don’t fit and players that just don’t seem to be buying into this system, that could potentially be a big turnover.
Some fans may say that’s a good thing, which in a way it is, but it also means going through growing pains with so many new players trying to learn Patricia’s system once again. Which could be painful once again.
The truth of the matter in all of this is that neither Quinn nor Patricia proclaimed this was a playoff team or made any kind bold predictions for this season. They simply admitted they had work to do and left it to that. As they have discovered how much work they truly have, they’ve become more tight-lipped then before.
This season has basically become a week by week evaluation of players because the pressure is on to produce a winner. And do it quickly.
So while they proclaim the focus each week is to get the win. The real focus is on the roster and other offseason moves they will make. Next season is considered a make or break year for this regime. If they can’t be more consistent and find their way into the playoffs, then there will be anarchy in the streets.
The opportunity is clearly there for Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia to turn this franchise around, but they will need to make some hard decisions and shrewd moves this offseason to make it happen.
Because it’s clearly time to exorcise the ghosts of ‘Same old Lions’ past.