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Lions coach Jim Caldwell expects Matthew Stafford to improve in 2015

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell expects quarterback Matthew Stafford to further improve in 2015. 
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Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell believes quarterback Matthew Stafford will continue to improve, the Detroit Free Pressreports.

"He's improving steadily. Things in this league don't happen that way. No one makes a meteoric jump," Caldwell said, according to the Free Press. "It's gradual, it's too competitive. There are too many good players. And it's a tough league, and I do think he's making really good progress."

Caldwell said he typically sees major improvements from quarterbacks in years five through seven in the league, according to the Free Press. Stafford is entering his seventh year in the NFL. 

Stafford has led Detroit to playoff appearances in 2011 and 2014. Stafford has also thrown over 4,000 yards in each of the last four seasons, including a 5,038-yard passing total in 2011. 

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"I probably sound like a broken record to you for the most part, but I don't think there's a real secret to success," Caldwell told the Free Press. "I really don't. I think you have to have the talent, which he does, and I think you have to have work ethic, which he does. And I think you have to have a real commitment to it, which he does. He loves the game and he has passion for it, so those are the things I think are the most important qualities."

Stafford threw for 4,257 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014. The Lions earned a wild card spot and fell to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the postseason. 

- Erick Fernandez