With the Detroit Lions hiring Brad Holmes, here are some items he’ll likely tackle soon
The Detroit Lions have hired Brad Holmes, Los Angeles Rams’ College Scouting Director to be their next general manager.
With that complete, a head coaching hire shouldn’t be too far behind. Here are my two cents on the steps that should be taken before any team building gets underway.
Decide a direction
Once a staff is built and everything is in place, analyze the roster. Point out untouchable players, trade assets, those with potential, and/or are weighing the team down.
After a good understanding of the roster’s current state is built, decide the direction the Lions should take moving forward. Is a rebuild needed? Can they proceed with what is already there to contend? Are there any other directions that can be taken?
This decision will be the driving force towards all of the other questions we fans have about the team. Specifically the future of quarterback Matthew Stafford, wideout Kenny Golladay, and defensive end Romeo Okwara. In line with how they approach free agency and the draft.
When that direction is determined, move on to specifics. Is there a particular play-style/culture you want this team to have? Or opt to find the best talent and scheme around that? Establish philosophies, strategies, and beliefs with everyone involved.
It’s essential to have everyone on the same page. Subsequently, avoid falling into a physiological phenomenon called “groupthink.” Groupthink is where individuals put aside their own personal beliefs or ideas to stay with everyone’s consensus.
This is definitely the trickiest part for any organization. To develop a plan, abide by that plan, and make the correct adjustments to see it flourish. All the while trying to escape any tunnel vision that said plan could come with.
However, if all of this is done right, they have a strong chance of setting themselves up for success. Regimes of the past have always struggled with the team’s direction.