Retooling the Lions would simply be the same old story
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions’ history of preferring to retool instead of rebuilding is part of why success has eluded them.
The Detroit Lions are coming off the latest of what seems to be an endless array of embarrassing losses they have suffered over the course of the last 60 years. This is a franchise that has trouble winning, but has perfected the perplexing pratfall.
Principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp is deeply engaged in the search for a new general manager and head coach that can change all of that. She is hoping that her search, aided by the advisors she has chosen to surround herself with, will be the start of a new age of Detroit Lions football.
Maybe it won’t produce three world championships like the dominant Lions of the 1950s, but if it were to produce a dynamic team that is consistently in the championship hunt that doesn’t view the world as a stage for more lowbrow humor at the worst possible times, then we would have to consider that a step forward. A big step that fans of the Honolulu Blue and Silver have been praying for.
So far, due to the season still being in progress, Sheila has only been able to interview candidates that are not actively employed by other franchises. It has limited what they have been able to do, but the direction they have gone with the names they have interviewed would appear to be a huge step forward from former general manager Bob Quinn.
Men who have experience and who have not only experienced NFL success but have shown an eye for talent. Something that will be of a premium with all the work that needs to be done here in the Motor City.
The interview process is expected to linger on after the end of the season so that some talented possibilities who are under contract with other teams can be interviewed as well. This is good since Sheila needs to make sure they meet with all the best candidates they can before making a decision.
Part of the decision-making process will be the vision for this franchise that each candidate shares with Sheila and her advisors. The hope is that Sheila will not feel any urge to fall victim to any ‘get well quick’ retooling plans that have never panned out with the Lions before.