Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn Subtly Sends Strong Message

Bob Quinn’s first draft as the Detroit Lions’ general manager should make returning players somewhat uncomfortable.

Conventional thinking about the Detroit Lions‘ selection of Taylor Decker in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft says that he will start at right tackle in 2016 before taking over at left tackle for 2017 when Riley Reiff‘s contract expires.

It wouldn’t have been a surprise for general manager Bob Quinn to suggests something like that when discussing the pick – at least the part about Decker starting at right tackle this season.

But he didn’t.

Quinn wouldn’t define Decker’s role; for now or for the future:

"We’re going to put him in the mix with the rest of the tackles on the roster and see who the best players are at the right positions. We’re not going to pinpoint him, now or until we’re ready to play a game, at what position, what side of the ball. He is a tackle, so he’ll either be right tackle or left tackle and that’s really to be determined."

On one hand it is a non-committal answer but it says volumes about his approach in his first year as general manager of the Lions. Returning starters aren’t guaranteed to start, and returning backups aren’t guaranteed a roster spot.

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Both Reiff and center Travis Swanson were starters last season and face battles to keep their jobs. Instead of penciling in Decker for the right tackle spot, he’ll clearly have the opportunity to unseat Reiff at left tackle. If the plan is for Decker to be the left tackle of the future, it only makes sense he’ll be given a shot to win the job right away. And if Reiff’s days as a Lion are numbered, it makes sense that he is the one to move if Decker proves at least his equal.

Does that sound crazy? Maybe, as it does defy what we usually see when a young tackle is introduced to a team with an established left tackle. Under the direction of Quinn, Lions fans should forget about what we usually see.

It is clear Quinn wants to create an environment where players are starting because they’ve earned the right to do so by proving themselves superior to others on the roster. The word competition was a conspicuous buzz word during a one-on-one interview video for the team website:

"I want to create competition at every level of the roster."

When asked to make an overall statement about his first draft class, Quinn offered the following:

"I wanted to improve the depth and improve the competition of the team."

That desire was taken to an extreme with the selection of long snapper Jimmy Landes in the sixth round. Don Muhlbach has been steady as the Lions’ long snapper for a dozen years and has gained cult hero status with a lot of Lions fans. There is no indication his skills are deteriorating but drafting Landes ensures even Muhlbach will have competition in training camp.

Next: 30 Best Draft Picks in Detroit Lions History

Before members of the 2016 Detroit Lions “defend the den”, they’ll have to defend their jobs first.

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Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn Subtly Sends Strong Message With 2016 Draft Class

By Zac Snyder | May 2, 2016

Bob Quinn’s first draft as the Detroit Lions’ general manager should make returning players somewhat uncomfortable.