Starting the first half of the 2015-16 NFL season 1-7 will make any organization take a good, hard look into how things are being run. It might even involve a few changes at the coaching level. But the Detroit Lions are straight-up pulling the pin on a frag grenade, tossing it into a room and closing the door.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Lions have fired GM Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand:
MAJOR changes in Detroit: Lions have fired GM Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand, league sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2015
The report comes about a week after Detroit fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and replaced him with Jim Bob Cooter, whose name might be the best thing the Lions have produced since Barry Sanders. Jokes aside, firing Lombardi was of the band-aid bullet wound variety. The Lions lost their following game against the Chiefs in London 45-10. Now, a complete “wipeout” is underway, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL media:
#Lions source on the firings today: “Total wipeout.” Apparently, bosses are going through the building deciding who stays and goes.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2015
Additionally, Sheila Ford Hamp will reportedly take on a prominent role with the Lions:
Martha Ford will appear at press conference today, according to source. Sheila Ford Hamp will take prominent role with Lions.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) November 5, 2015
Clearly, this is more than just a football problem. Even if Rapoport’s tweet is half true, the organization is being torn down to its proverbial studs because the foundation is so weak it, cannot possibly stand up on its own anymore. Not that such drastic moves are unwarranted. A number of recent personnel moves have fallen flat and what should be one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL is instead 24th.
Eric Ebron hasn't worked out. Letting Suh and Fairley leave hasn't worked out. Trading for Ngata hasn't worked out. Not much has in Detroit
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 5, 2015
While head coach Jim Caldwell’s name hasn’t been mentioned (yet), a complete housecleaning like this can’t possibly bode well for him. Which means how the local media reports on the team is probably the least of his concerns right now.
