The Detroit Lions didn’t come close to postseason contention, but another team’s playoff success is a cruel reminder of Bob Quinn’s mistakes.
The Detroit Lions, like every other team in the NFL except the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, will be watching the Super Bowl from their living room. The two best are left standing while the rest are beginning to dream of next season.
The Lions, who truly earned the third pick in the draft by their horrible play, especially on defense, absolutely are dreaming of a better tomorrow. General manager Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia have been given a fairly cloudy mandate to be playoff contenders. Or at least play respectable enough to get Martha Firestone Ford’s seal of ‘close enough’ approval.
Considering how this season ended and the fact that both Quinn and Patricia still have their jobs, not to mention the vague mandate to basically be better, there seems to be plenty of leeway for them to work with.
I think almost all the Lions fans I’ve spoken with would have preferred a ‘playoffs or bust’ ultimatum but making clear and decisive decisions like that hasn’t exactly been a strength of the Ford’s stewardship over Detroit’s football franchise.
So next season is completely riding on the ability of Bob Quinn to find enough difference-makers to solidify the offensive line and turn the defense into a rampaging nightmare for other teams to face.
No pressure, nothing too big to accomplish over the next six months before training camp begins for the 2020 NFL season. Just a walk in the park.
Now in all fairness to Bob Quinn, he has acquired many solid players. The problem has been that he hasn’t found many difference-makers. Beyond young Kenny Golladay, who will deservedly play in the Pro Bowl this Sunday, the difference-maker list is a little shy. Like there isn’t anyone on it beyond Golladay. At least so far.
The other mistake he seems to have made was accentuated in the playoffs. The mistake of bypassing what seems to be one of the ascending coaches in the league to hire Matt Patricia.