Quote:Jim Caldwell is safe in Detroit.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...head-coach

 

 This was highly unlikely when the Lions were 1-7 and firings occurred in the organization before and after the debacle against the Chiefs in London.   At the time,  it was hard to envision the Lions winning any of the next 6 games.  

 

 Finishing with a 6-2 record,  getting Matthew Stafford's career back on track  (  19-2 TD-Interception ratio in the final 8 games,  with one of the Interceptions not being his fault )  through the coaching staff changes,  and getting the team focused through very difficult and uncertain times was a heck of an accomplishment by Coach Caldwell.    The Lions players are strongly in his corner and for the most part played that way in the 2nd half of the season.    The last play of the game against the Packers in Detroit was bad coaching and the team didn't respond well 10 days later in St. Louis.  Otherwise,  despite a less than stellar 2nd half schedule,  the results were very good.  

 

 Bob Quinn now has a season to evaluate Jim Caldwell.   If a change is necessary for 2017,  Josh McDaniels probably will enter as the favorite to get the job providing Tennessee doesn't hire him in 2016.    If Teryl Austin doesn't get the Tennessee job,   I think he will be back as Defensive Coordinator which would be great news on this end.

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