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Top 10 issues facing Lions GM Bob Quinn

Scroll through a gallery of the top 10 issues facing new Lions general manager Bob Quinn, according to Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News.
Scroll through a gallery of the top 10 issues facing new Lions general manager Bob Quinn, according to Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News.
Duane Burleson, Associated Press
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.
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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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’d be good for the Lions to know which way Johnson is leaning with regards to returning or retiring before free agency begins March 9.
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’d be good for the Lions to know which way Johnson is leaning with regards to returning or retiring before free agency begins March 9.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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.
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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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 (42) in February 2014, and he’s been a key piece on special teams and defense the last two years.
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 (42) in February 2014, and he’s been a key piece on special teams and defense the last two years.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
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.
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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
6. Decide which Lions players to pursue in free agency. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (pictured) 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.
6. Decide which Lions players to pursue in free agency. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (pictured) 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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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 (92) 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.
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 (92) 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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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.
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.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
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.
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.
Duane Burleson, Associated Press
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 (53) 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.
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 (53) 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.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News