New Lions General Manager Bob Quinn spent his entire NFL career in the Patriots’ front office before Detroit hired him this year. But that doesn’t mean Quinn is doing things the “Patriot way.”
In an interview with ESPN, Quinn said he learned plenty in New England, but he can’t just do everything the same way in Detroit.
“I don’t think you can take the Patriot way to Detroit. I think it has to be my way. The things I learned from New England, obviously, I’m going to take with me and try to implement them. New England’s a special place. And I learned most if not everything I know about the NFL from the people at the Patriots, starting with coach Belichick and Mr. Kraft. I want to create my own legacy in Detroit and use the things I’ve learned in New England. It’s not the Patriot way.”
Quinn says his way of building a team focuses on depth, and a strong roster from the first player to the 90th. That’s consistent with the moves he’s made so far in free agency, signing mostly versatile, low-salary players. For the Lions, who have been hamstrung in the past by a few players making high salaries, Quinn’s way should be a welcome change.