The Lions yesterday announced Matt Patricia as their new coach, and in Detroit, Carlos Monarrez writes the hiring is "really about" Lions’ GM Bob Quinn and "what it says about his strategy and his vision for the team." What it says is that Quinn's strategy is "unoriginal and uninspired." This was his "first chance to hire his own coach and he made the most obvious hire he could." Quinn and Patricia "worked together for 12 years" with the Patriots. Monarrez: "Makes sense. My problem with the hiring, and other big moves Quinn has made, is that it lacks originality." So maybe it is "not too surprising that when Quinn finally got to make the move that likely will define his tenure, he reached for the most familiar and lowest-hanging fruit" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/6).
GETTING TO WORK: In Detroit, Bill Shea notes less than 48 hours after Pistons F Blake Griffin arrived after being traded from the Clippers, his face "already appeared on the portion of the team's website" soliciting '18-19 season ticket renewals. Pistons VP/PR Kevin Grigg said that there also are "physical changes stemming" from the Griffin trade, as 50 signs inside the arena, locker room, and at the practice facility "have to be replaced." He added that another 300-400 digital images also "will be changed." In addition to using Griffin already to push season tickets, he was "immediately part of an in-game auction for 'The Blake Show' that provided four center floor seats to see him play his old team" on Feb. 9 (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 2/5 issue).
BIG BEN: NBA G League Grand Rapids Drive President Steve Jbara said that former NBAer Ben Wallace is “in discussions with SSJ Group … to join the franchise at an upper level.” Jbara recently spent "three days with Wallace discussing the operation of the franchise and defining his role within” the Pistons’ affiliate (MLIVE.com, 2/4).
