Detroit Lions News: 3 main questions interviewing Louis Riddick
By Bob Heyrman
Three questions need to be answered as the Detroit Lions interview Louis Riddick for their vacant general manager position.
It appears Detroit Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp was not kidding when she said the organization was set to begin an extensive search for their next general manager. After completing three internal interviews, Detroit is set to interview their first ‘real’ candidate Friday, ESPN analyst and former player Louis Riddick.
Riddick’s name is one that has seemed to garner attention over the last couple of seasons throughout the league. He’s been often mentioned for these types of vacancies but has yet to secure a position. The Detroit Lions will have some competition if they’d like to hire Riddick, who recently interviewed with the Houston Texans earlier this week. The Atlanta Falcons or Jacksonville Jaguars may also be a feasibility landing spot for Riddick.
I have three main questions surrounding this Detroit Lions, Riddick interview.
First: How serious are the Detroit Lions about hiring Riddick?
We are just a couple of weeks removed from Sheila Ford Hamp, mentioning the organization would prefer to hire someone with previous general manager experience. Riddick does not check that box, although, after his playing days, Riddick had a scouting role that developed into becoming the director of personnel with the Washington Football Team from 2001 to 2007. In the final two years, Riddick carried the director title.
After being let-go by Washington, Riddick had been hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a scout and once again worked his way into the same director role he carried in Washington from 2010-2013.
Since then, Riddick has served as an analyst and played a predominant role in NFL Draft coverage.
So how much weight will go into Riddick’s scouting resume, draft coverage, and ability to identify talent? It sounds wretched to say, but just how serious are the Lions about hiring Riddick? Are the Lions simply completing their ‘Rooney Rule’ obligations that stem from interviewing ethnic-minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs?