3 Changes GM Bob Quinn Must Make
Detroit general manager Bob Quinn is set to address supporters of the Lions this week.
He must address the disastrous 2019 season, and begin to repair the growing rift between the fanbase and organization.
After a disappointing 6-10 season in 2018, Matt Patricia and Co. followed that up with a 3-12-1 campaign in 2019.
Quinn's tenure and recent decision-making have been heavily scrutinized.
The intention was to move forward when Jim Caldwell was not retained after having multiple winning seasons and playoff appearances.
Most would have assumed that the combination of Quinn and Patricia would hit the ground running since there was a long history between the two from their days with the Patriots.
That simply has not come to fruition, and there are serious doubts regarding the two being able to turn things around at this point.
Here are three changes that Quinn must make in order to preserve his job over the long term:
Overhaul the scouting department
Quite frankly, the scouting department has not targeted enough special talents.
The NFL Draft and free agency are where regimes either thrive or collapse.
In Quinn's four years, the roster has not gotten drastically better.
Even worse, the lack of depth was exposed when quarterback Matthew Stafford went down after eight games.
Detroit went 0-8 in the following eight games.
The draft selections in recent seasons have not delivered to the degree that breeds consistent success and a winning culture.
Too many players have been selected that have ended up not panning out or not fitting the style and ways of the current regime.
The scouting department needs fresh voices and perspectives, with an eye for high-end talent that can make plays at critical moments in the fourth quarter.
Sign a proven backup quarterback
Throughout the regular season, it was a carousel of run-of-the-mill quarterbacks attempting to earn a roster spot.
After Stafford went down, the Lions played Jeff Driskel and David Blough.
Laughable.
The Steelers lost Ben Roethlisberger, and were still able to compete for a playoff spot until the final week of the regular season. The same cannot be said for the woeful Lions.
Given Stafford's recent issues with back injuries, it is imperative that Detroit bring in a quarterback that can pick up the pieces should Stafford miss significant time again in 2020.
Roster decisions must improve
The two biggest decisions that Quinn will make this offseason will be deciding the fates of cornerback Darius Slay and guard Graham Glasgow.
The wrong choices could end up hurting the organization for years to come.
Glasgow has recently verbalized that he doesn't feel the organization really wants him based on the lack of dialogue between him and the Lions to extend his contract up to this point.
Slay, meanwhile, does not appear thrilled to be part of an organization that is attempting to stifle personality and control the voices inside the locker room.
Quinn has overpaid for players, and several of those types of acquisitions have underwhelmed and not lived up to their contracts.
For starters, Justin Coleman and Rick Wagner were overpaid for, and their play on the field has not been consistent enough to warrant their respective price tags.
Then, there's Damon "Snacks" Harrison, who was given a contract extension in the offseason although inherent risks were present.
Since being given the extension, Harrison has struggled to stay on the field, and now is mulling retirement.
Quinn should have been steadfast in the fact that Harrison was already under contract and that playing under the terms of his old deal was the financially responsible way to go.
If Quinn is to retain his job over the long term, these changes -- along with decisions regarding the coaching staff -- must be made swiftly.
Related
Damon Harrison: "I'm Really Just Tired of Hurting"
