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Detroit Lions: Expect Jim Caldwell, Matthew Stafford back in 2016

By Nate Williams

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Consensus in the Motor City is that change is on the horizon for the 0-5 Detroit Lions. The question is who and or what will be that change?

Shattered dreams. Possibly the best combination of two words available to describe the Detroit Lions 2015 season. For fellow fans of the WWE, you may be familiar with a certain finishing maneuver of one of the company’s most controversial superstars of the last decade. If you’re not, simply feel free to watch the video below.

I feel for Val Venis. But more importantly, I feel for the citizens of Detroit.

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If you’re a Lions fan and you didn’t feel as though you suffered a low-blow following Detroit’s week four loss in Seattle, then you definitely felt like you suffered a stiff kick to the groin after the 42-17 thrashing at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in week five.

In the aforementioned beat down, Lions fans witnessed the dismantling of their team, the benching of their quarterback, and even a shot from one of their superstar wide receivers following the game.

Afterwards, Tate wisely backtracked on his comments.

While the aftershock from the quake may have fizzled out, the effects are still being felt. In fact, the damage done already through just five games, has even warranted a complete rebuild by some. Emotions of Lions fans have been all over the map through out the week. Some feel as though head coach Jim Caldwell has lost this team, and should be relieved of duties a.s.a.p. Others on the other hand feel like if he’s not fired mid-season, then he should be no later than the end of the season.

Then there are also those who feel as though quarterback Matthew Stafford should take the axe. After all, his regression is apparent, right?

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Pretty much. However, I’m here to shatter all of your dreams once more. In all likelihood, neither of the above scenarios are probably going to happen, (pending a 2008 type campaign). To be honest, in my opinion, it’s highly probable that the Ford family keeps Jim Caldwell and Matthew Stafford around beyond 2015 — and let me tell you why.

It all boils down to one thing — running the football. It’s something the Lions have managed to become far beyond bad at despite spending a first round pick, (and making a trade) on an offensive lineman. In the second round, they took the highly regarded Ameer Abdullah. Yet, through five games, the team has struggled tremendously — not only at run blocking, but at pass protection as well.

Rookie left guard, Laken Tomlinson, has the all-too-familiar appearance of someone who is close to being ready, but isn’t quite there yet. An on the right side of the line, there is a major lack of athleticism. In return, Detroit has had major issues picking up various blitz packages put forth by different teams, which has in return, also crippled the screen game — one of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s biggest attributes.

And there you have it, your fall guy.

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In my honest opinion, I feel as though Joe Lombardi will be the only significant staff change in Detroit this offseason. And truthfully, he may not even deserve it. If you think about it, the Lombardi’s game plan revolves around the run game. Without it, there is little to no hope that success is even a remote possibility.

Let’s go back to his time in New Orleans.

What a lot of people do not realize is that Lombardi was NOT the OC in NO. However, he did work closely under head coach Sean Payton as the quarterbacks coach, which means his play book is STILL likely similar to that of Payton’s.

Therefore, that means his schemes revolve heavily around chip blocks, double teams, and solid offensive tackles to protect his signal caller, open run lanes, and in return — develop plays down the field.

The problem with that working in Detroit? The offensive line stinks. Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about the Detroit Lions offensive line:

"“There’s a real litany of problems with the Lions line this year. Rookie Laken Tomlinson has struggled when pressed into action, Larry Warford isn’t healthy, and the right tackle spot has proved nothing more than a turnstile to pass rushers looking to fill their pockets with sacks, hits, and hurries. They need to get better—quick.”"

On top of that, Football Outsiders ranks them 31st. Bottom line, the Lions rank last in every possible rushing statistic this season and the offensive line is solely to blame. Furthermore, they may also be largely to blame for Matthew Stafford’s apparent regression.

Still not quite sold? Maybe this will help paint a clearer picture.

The entire success of the offense under Lomabrdi relies on a solid running game and good pass protection. The Lions don’t have anything resembling either, and it’s because the offensive line is terrible.

I know what you’re thinking already — I’m barking up the wrong tree. And maybe you’re right. But in all likelihood, the Ford family is standing under that exact same tree. They’re going to notice the garbage play of the offensive line, and sure maybe Lombardi or Jim Washburn take the fall, but the fact of the matter is that it’s highly unlikely that Jim Caldwell, (fresh off an 11-5 debut season) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (the best QB this franchise has seen in five decades) end up out of Detroit in 2016.

I could get into Stafford’s enormous, back-loaded contract or Caldwell’s promises to develop the Lions QB, but the fact of the matter is that you’ve probably already read the breakdown’s elsewhere this week. What I will tell you, is that pending the Lions loosing more than 10 or 11 games, I’d fully expect to see both of these guys back in Detroit next season.

If you’re mad, I don’t blame you. But don’t be surprised. After all, is there anything more Lion-esque?

Nate Williams is a Detroit Lions columnist for NFLSpinZone.com of the FanSided Network. For more Detroit Lions news rumors and analysis, follow him on twitter at @NateWilliamsNFL.

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