Jim Caldwell, the man of one expression and head coach of the Detroit Lions has apparently done enough to warrant another year as the organization announced today that they’ll opt to bring back their top play caller for next season.
According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein citing insider Adam Schefter, the Lions wanted ” continuity” on their staff after making the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, something that hasn’t been done in Detroit since 1997-1999.
Caldwell won’t have to worry about that anymore, as a team official told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Lions want continuity on their staff after making the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. The last time the Lions accomplished that was from 1997 to 1999.
In addition to the perceived three year’s of success for Caldwell, his .562 winning percentage and 27-21 record is the best of any Lions coach in the Super Bowl era and matchless since Buddy Parker went 50-24-2 from 1951 to 1956.
Again, perceived success considering where the Lions have come from with their head coaches throughout the years. Measuring that “success” of Caldwell is like talking about those vast improvements Martin Mayhew made after Matt Millen guided the team to a 0-16 record in 2008. It’s baseless and absurd to make any correlation between the bad and some twisted view of what’s good… all things considered.
Let’s also be honest with ourselves as fans, is what the Lions did this season under Caldwell really that impressive?
As much as some want to give accolades for making the playoffs, the only reason why they’re in the position they’re in is because of the New York Giants and Kirk Cousins inability to find his receiver in the final minutes this past weekend. For all intents and purposes the Lions DID choke away their two game lead in the division and they most certainly BACKED THEIR WAY IN to the playoffs. Not to mention you can make a hell of an argument that if it wasn’t for Caldwell’s ineptitude to make second half adjustments the Lions would be division winners and at the very least hosting a first round playoff game instead of prepping for a bloodbath in Seattle on Saturday.
But hey… this is the Lions, a team that’s managed to convey mediocrity as undoubted success for how many years now?