Serious Changes Needed After Detroit Lions Dismantled By Kansas City Chiefs
By Danny Cox
Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in London has so many people around the NFL scratching their heads and wondering what has gone wrong with the Detroit Lions. There is obvious talent there and that was evident by last year's 11-5 record and playoff appearance, but this year's 1-7 start means changes need to be made.
Not only are they in last place in the NFC North, but the Lions are in the cellar of the entire league. Many are wondering if a number of trades could be made by the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, but one big one is what has everyone really talking.
Would the Detroit Lions really even consider trading All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson?
It's incredibly unlikely, but not totally out of the question. The biggest problem would be that of his salary and a team being able to take it on. Yes, any team would immediately get better by adding Megatron to their roster, but being able to come up with his salary of $15.95 million for next year is a huge task.
He's currently signed through 2019, and the trade wouldn't necessarily help the Lions 100 percent either. They would pick up around $11.1 million and be away from his huge salary for the next three seasons, but would still have $12.9 million in stalemate cap money in 2016.
If it's something that is going to happen, there are a few locations where Calvin Johnson has the best possibility of landing, and that's San Diego, Carolina, or Oakland. The Panthers are a real possible option as they are wide receiver-poor, yet still having a great season. Johnson would do nothing but make them true contenders.
There are other big questions surrounding the Lions right now and two most notably.
Where has the running game gone?
Yes, Joique Bell missed a number of games due to injury, but even when healthy, he's doing virtually nothing. Rookie Ameer Abdullah has racked up 225 yards on the ground but he can't hold onto the ball. Theo Riddick is great in the passing game out of the backfield, but not as a rusher.
Zach Zenner appeared to show the most potential, but an injury shelved him for the season with cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung. No, it doesn't help that the Lions fall behind all the time and have to abandon the running game so often, but it's not working anyway.
How much longer until Jim Caldwell is fired?
After starting the season at 1-7 and being absolutely destroyed by the Chiefs in London, many are curious as to how it hasn't happened already. Detroit has simply melted down this season and it all comes down on the head coach as he controls them and leads them. It's highly doubtful that he will be employed by the Lions after the 2015 campaign, but now it's just a wonder if he'll actually make it through the whole season.
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.