Off Season Musings #1

Off The Field

From the absolute depth of a 0-16 season the progression curve was supposed to be upward and up until last season it was. The 2011 roster had returned relatively unscathed and whilst some anticipated a slight regression in form most were predicting continued progression in 2012 with another tilt at the playoffs come January. If doubts had been expressed about Coach Schwartz or GM Martin Mayhew before the 2012 season they tended not to come from Lions fans or the local beat writers that make their living following the team. If there were any mutterings at all then they tended to be from fans not entirely convinced by the performance of Schwartz's Co-Ordinators. The regression to a 4-12 season though put everyone's performance under the microscope and for Schwartz and Mayhew, in particular, the scrutiny was intense.

Whilst there were probably questions raised at the highest level about whether to retain GM & HC I doubt that these questions prompted too much discussion. There is much to be said for continuity of personnel in key management positions and it's no coincidence that successful teams have this and unsuccessful ones don't. Both had done enough in the restoration of the Lions to earn the right to correct the mistakes they had made through 2012. It should also be remembered that both Schwartz and Mayhew have no previous experience as Head Coach or GM and so it would be unrealistic to expect them to be error free as they continue to develop in their roles. The key to both of their futures now is to prove they have learnt from last season and to demonstrate they are evolving into the kind of managers that lead winning organisations.

Personally I would have liked to have seen more of a shake up within the coaching staff than we did and think that both Linehan and Cunningham were candidates to be replaced. Schwartz must hope that the faith he has shown in his chief assistants is rewarded as I doubt he will have the option to replace them at the end of 2013 if the disappointment of 2012 is repeated. The negative characteristics of a number of players brought to the club prompted mutterings from within the organisation towards a difference of opinion between Schwartz and Mayhew on which of them was responsible for bringing such characters to the team. The rift was denied by both and from the outside we can only speculate should we choose to. There are countless examples of teams that take players with red flags against their character who never have to deal with the problems many anticipated just as there are the numerous players that more than justify those red flags. Much of this may come down to individual relationships between Coach and player but sometimes, as would seem to be the case with Titus Young Snr, the player is beyond coaching and does not have a personality suitable for the rigours of the NFL. Drafting players without character concerns is the best way of ensuring you have a roster of good characters but it does mean you are less likely to find a 'bargain' player.

The Free Agents and the Draft choices will possible provide indicators as to both how the management has reacted to last season and what we can look forward to next. It's unlikely that the coaches will change their schemes as in interview the impression they gave was that players were put in a position to succeed and it was individual error that stopped those plays from succeeding. I seem to remember similar sentiments being expressed during the Marinelli years so forgive me if I remain a little sceptical about sticking rigidly to the game plan. The loss of Kyle Vanden Bosch means that the team is even more desperate for leaders within the locker room. The teams star players are either unwilling or unable to take on the role so this is going to be an additional quality we will need to look for within incoming Free Agents and Draft choices. We await to see who the team will pursue in Free Agency but I hope that we look for positional value and don't over pay either the player for his position or the position for the player. In the Draft it'll be interesting to see how influential coaching at the Senior Bowl ended up being. It also has to be hoped that the scouting of players has improved and that when they select the 'Best Player Available' they prove to be the best player available. The premise of the policy is correct so it has been in the execution where we have gone wrong.

Having made the decision to bring back the senior coaching and front office personnel the jury is out on whether the decision was the correct one or not. Evidence in the form of player incomings and outgoings over the next couple of months will provide an early indication of which way the jury will be swaying.