The Lions made a coaching change earlier this year, after two straight seasons of actual or at least perceived underachievement. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch likes what he has seen so far.
“Much respect to [former coach Jim] Schwartz,” Tulloch recently said, via WXYZ-TV. “But I think the change is at the right time.”
The change from Schwartz to Jim Caldwell has included the players being treated like the professionals that they are.
“He takes our input and treats us like men,” Tulloch said. “It started back when Coach Caldwell got here, taking each [position] group out to dinner and just talking to the players.”
The attitude has resulted in the creation of a new leadership committee among the players. Leadership arguably has been lacking in recent years, beginning with the team’s reluctant franchise quarterback. For whatever reason, Schwartz neither demanded nor wanted real leadership from the players. Coincidentally (or not), the team has consisted in recent years of a collection of talented individuals who have been unable to reach their collective potential.
Whatever their potential is under Caldwell, the new approach could give them a better chance of realizing it.