Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit:Leon Halip/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit:Leon Halip/Getty Images /

Detroit Lions – “The Patriot Way” coming to the Motor City

After four seasons (albeit three with a winning record) with the patently uninteresting Jim Caldwell as head coach, Matt Patricia is coming in after serving as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator for six seasons. Overall, Patricia worked under Bill Belichick from 2004-2017. Now he’ll try to bring some version of “The Patriot Way” to Detroit.

The track record of Belichick’s coaching tree as NFL head coaches is not good. Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel stand out, and Josh McDaniels was such a failure with the Denver Broncos over less than two seasons he is hesitant to move on to another head coaching job. Bill O’Brien carries a bit of hope with the Texans, and former Patriots’ player Mike Vrabel (Tennessee Titans) is joining Patricia as a first-time head coach this year.

For what it’s worth, Patricia has essentially been hand-picked by Lions general manager Bob Quinn due to their mutual history with the Patriots’ organization. If Patricia can learn from his fellow members of the Belichick coaching tree, and have his own style to go with what he learned in New England, the Lions could have a lot of success. The decision to keep Jim Bob Cooter in place as offensive coordinator, stands out as the kind of “status quo” decision Mangini, for example, would not have made.

If nothing else, Patricia should bring a bit of personality to the table. As a refreshing opposite to Caldwell, but not all the way to the Jim Schwartz end of that spectrum, the Lions and their fans can be excited about Patricia this year.

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