The 10 most pressing issues for Lions GM Quinn
New Lions general manager Bob Quinn impressed president Rod Wood and consultant Ernie Accorsi with his plan to build the franchise into a winner.
But when the team introduced Quinn, he shared little of that plan, noting that he’d just gotten off a plane a couple hours before the news conference.
Wood said he had no issue with Quinn being patient at first because he now has access to a lot of information about the team that he didn’t before being hired last Friday.
“He’s prepared, I think, quickly to evaluate things,” Wood said. “He’s a very smart guy. Once he has enough information that he didn’t have before, he’ll be able to make quick decisions.”
And Quinn has many decisions to make over the next few months before the NFL draft. Each one could play a role in the success or failure of the team next season.
Browse a gallery of Josh Katzenstein's Top 10 issues facing new Lions GM Bob Quinn above. Mobile users can click here.
Whether it’s the coaching staff, the personnel department or the roster, Quinn plans to evaluate everything thoroughly. He said he doesn’t make snap judgments, but things in the NFL move quickly.
Before anything happens, though, he wants to know exactly what he already has in Allen Park.
“I think the most important evaluation of a football team is knowing your own team,” he said. “You see these guys in practice every day, you see them in the meeting rooms, you see them in the weight room.
“If you can’t make proper decisions on your own football team, it’s going to be really difficult to go out and sign other players.
“So, I think if you have a really good grasp of who you have below those players and will they be able to step in, it will kind of help you form those decisions.”
Here are the 10 most important things Quinn has to do:
1. Decide on a head coach
Quinn said he wouldn’t rush a decision on coach Jim Caldwell’s future, but after settling on a head coach, be it Caldwell or someone else, the Lions will be able to move forward in their draft and free agency process.
If there is a change, the Lions ideally would have the new coaching staff in place before Senior Bowl practice begins on Jan. 26.
2. Talk to star wide receiver Calvin Johnson
Quinn wisely said he won’t push Johnson about a decision on his future, so when a conversation about Johnson’s future will take place remains unknown. But it would be good for the Lions to know which way Johnson is leaning with regards to returning or retiring before free agency begins on March 9.
3. Identify his second-in-command personnel boss
The Lions have a couple experienced personnel executives already in Sheldon White and Brian Xanders, both of whom are capable of being No. 2 in command, but Quinn might have someone in mind already to be his right-hand man. Bill Belichick acts as GM for the Patriots, but Nick Caserio assists as the director of player personnel. Identifying a lieutenant will help Quinn speed up his evaluation process of the team.
4. Scout the waiver wire for post-Super Bowl additions
The waiver system begins for 2016 on Feb. 8, and the Lions could have their eye on some of the players who were cut during the postseason. The Lions claimed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus in February 2014, and he’s been a key piece on special teams and defense the last two years.
5. Determine which players will be cap casualties
It happens every year on every team, and with Quinn coming from the Patriots, don’t be surprised if his approach to aging veterans is heartless. If the Lions look to cut marquee players to save money on the 2016 cap, linebacker Stephen Tulloch would free $6 million, tight end Brandon Pettigrew would open $2.65 million and running back Joique Bell would add another $2.5 million.
6. Decide which Lions players to pursue in free agency
Linebacker Tahir Whitehead and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus are young players who were productive last season. Defensive end Jason Jones is a key piece of the run defense. Offensive linemen Manny Ramirez and wide receiver Lance Moore are among the players who could be inexpensive. Whoever the Lions want, they could try to re-sign some guys before free agency begins.
7. Recognize which Lions players to pass on in free agency
One staple of the Patriots system is that they typically move on from players whose production won’t match their contract as they continue getting older. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and strong safety James Ihedigbo are among the free agents over age 30 whose performance slipped in 2015, so Quinn must decide if they and other free agents are worth the price tag.
8. Search for external free agents
According to Spotrac.com, the Lions have more than $23 million in cap space right now for 2016. Re-signing their own players will cut into that, but Quinn will have money to spend. Whether he looks for an offensive tackle, defensive tackle or another position, Quinn will need a plan and a backup plan when free agency starts.
9. Determine scouting assignments for the draft
The Lions promoted Lance Newmark to college scouting director last offseason with the plan of him setting the draft board. Now, Quinn gets to decide who sets the board. There’s a chance the Lions stick with many of their scouts for this draft, but either way, Quinn has to organize the group how he wants.
10. Evaluate current players for trade value
In the Patriots system, players and draft picks are considered assets. If Quinn thinks he can trade a player for more than he’s worth to the Lions, he could start making moves. Someone like linebacker Kyle Van Noy might have bigger fans elsewhere after two disappointing seasons. Quinn also said he values players who can play multiple position, so perhaps the Lions will now put less value on someone like fullback Michael Burton, though he did have a good rookie year.
jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com
twitter.com/jkatzenstein