The Lions yesterday announced they will retain coach Jim Caldwell next season, marking another in a "series of solid, well-reasoned decisions" from first-year GM Bob Quinn that "have pointed the Lions in the right direction," according to Jeff Seidel of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The move to retain Caldwell makes "perfect sense," as it "wouldn't make sense to change coaches" after the team returned to the playoffs (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/5). In Michigan, David Mayo writes Caldwell "earned the chance to give it another try" in '17, and upper management "made the correct decision in giving it to him" (MLIVE.com, 1/5). In Detroit, Mitch Albom writes Quinn "believes in him enough," and if the Lions beat the Seahawks in Seattle on Saturday, the "majority of fans will, as well." Albom: "Of course, if they lose ..." (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/5). But the FREE PRESS' Carlos Monarrez writes, "Congratulations, Detroit Lions. You’ve just become the Cincinnati Bengals. Congratulations, [Lions Owner] Martha Ford. You’ve become [Bengals Owner] Mike Brown." Lions fans "should be worried about the direction in which this franchise seems comfortable heading." Monarrez: "The direction of mediocrity." Caldwell is a "competent coach," but "only that." Monarrez: "Competent. Average" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/5).
GAINING POPULARITY: In Detroit, Bill Shea noted the Lions "reached 1 million Twitter followers" yesterday afternoon, becoming the 16th NFL team to "reach the 1 million follower mark." Among local teams, the Lions "trail only the Tigers in Twitter followers." Shea noted seven of the top 10 "most-followed NFL teams are from the NFC" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 1/4).
