Watch CBS News

Detroit Lions Hoping For Change To Dismal Season, Shake Up Front Office During Bye Week

By Danny Cox

A 1-7 start to a season after landing in the playoffs the year before is not something that anyone ever expected from the Detroit Lions. It's the reality of the situation though, and that's why it was time for some change. Lions owner Martha Ford decided to make those changes due to the disappointment this season has caused her family so far.

In the last week, the Lions got blown out by the score of 45-10 to the lowly Kansas City Chiefs in London, and then made no moves at the trade deadline at all. With that and the rest of the season behind them, Ford fired team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew.

"We are very disappointed with the results of the season so far," Ford said during a 1 minute, 53 second statement Thursday. "And believe a change in leadership was necessary."

It was already looking bad for the front office of the Lions and a number of others as well. Mayhew didn't make it any better on himself after he said last week that the Lions would be buyers at the trade deadline. Well, Tuesday afternoon came and went without a single move being made or new player coming in.

Sheldon White, the Lions vice president, has moved into the interim general manager role while Allison Maki, the teams's CFO, is now the team's acting chief operating officer. Both of them will report to and answer directly to Martha Ford.

"I want to assure our fans that we intend to identify and hire the very best leadership in order to produce a consistently winning football team," Ford said. "Our fans deserve a winning football team. And we will do everything possible to make it a reality.

"I also want to make it clear that we have no intention of giving up on the season. We expect our team to compete and improve and win."

After the loss to the Chiefs, many believed that head coach Jim Caldwell was in jeopardy of losing his job and that he was on the serious hot seat. That doesn't appear as if it will be happening, or at least not right now as Ford has said that there will be no changes to coaching personnel.

With the Lions already down three offensive staffers, the loss of Caldwell would be hurting even more. It means that a defensive coach would likely be moved up to interim head coach, and therefore leave both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs with a number of less people than needed.

Martha Ford has been extremely complimentary of Caldwell in the past and even called him "the most wonderful coach" back in the summer. It's obvious they have a good relationship, but she also wants the Lions to win. So do all of the fans, coaches, and players.

No matter how good their relationship may currently be, if there isn't some sign of improvement throughout the second half of the season, Caldwell may no longer be the Detroit Lions coach come next year. Heads have already started to roll, and it's probably far from over in the Motor City.

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.