In Detroit, Bob Wojnowski wrote bringing Lions coach Jim Caldwell back for a third season is a "prudent first move by new GM Bob Quinn, and it also happens to be the right move." By giving Caldwell time, Quinn "buys a little time, and he immediately started using it." Wojnowski: "I don’t believe [team Owner] Martha Ford required Quinn to keep Caldwell, mainly because I don’t think it ever got to that point. She strongly voiced her appreciation of Caldwell as a coach and a man, so would a 39-year-old first-time GM really want to ignore that? And if Quinn did want to push it, push it for whom?" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/16).
IT'S NOW OR NEVER: In S.F., Scott Ostler wrote the 49ers, with new coach Chip Kelly, CEO Jed York, GM Trent Baalke and QB Colin Kaepernick, "have four classic Type A fellows." Ostler: "I don't know if this volatile mix will result in football wins, but it will provide riveting theater." For each guy, "it’s do or die, and they’re going to have to work together" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/17). Meanwhile, Ostler wrote it is possible 49ers co-Chair Denise DeBartolo York has put team CEO Jed York "on the clock." She does not "like watching her oldest son be subjected to public abuse and ridicule" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/17).
WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH: In Cleveland, Dan Labbe noted the Browns' promotion of Sashi Brown to Exec VP/Football Operations was "met with skepticism from some corners," and the team's pick of Paul DePodesta as Chief Strategy Officer "created equal amounts of cynicism." But both hires "also received praise, especially from those in the business." Owner Jimmy Haslam III's "failures cloud the ability to give the benefit of the doubt to Brown and Co.," but they "shouldn't prevent it." Labbe: "I'm feeling optimistic that maybe the Browns are finally getting it right. We should all be willing to at least wait and see" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/18).
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME: In N.Y., Paul Schwartz wrote Giants President & CEO John Mara "is taking a chance" with new coach Ben McAdoo, as he "never has been a head coach at any level." Mara hopes that this hiring "will put in motion more positive correspondences with the fan base." Mara: "It tears me up. It’s been three and a half awful years and the last Super Bowl is a distant memory at this point. ... It’s time to start on a new course" (N.Y. POST, 1/16).
