Bob Quinn is settling in as the Lions new general manager. There are plenty of offseason decisions for him to tackle, and he's diving right in.
His first major decision was electing to keep Jim Caldwell on as head coach, a move he explained in a Sirius NFL Radio interview Wednesday evening.
"I came in with no preconceived notions," Quinn said. "I didn't know coach Caldwell personally. I didn't know him professionally. I did my research on him through my sources in the league and got great feedback from everyone that I spoke to.
"I went into (the interview process) with an open mind. We had a series of meetings. It wasn't just one day or one hour. It was over a couple of days and a dozen hours. Really, get to know you sessions. My philosophy and his philosophy meshed. So we could build this team."
With Caldwell in place as head coach, both offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are expected back for the 2016 season.
Quinn made a couple changes in the scouting department and recently moved on from the previous strength and conditioning staff.
"That part of the team is important," Quinn said. "It builds toughness. It builds strength. I've told it to many people in the last couple weeks that there are a few important rooms in the building, in any football building, and I think the strength and conditioning and the weight room is one of those important rooms.
"I think the leader of that room is a very, very important figure in the organization, because those guys spend more time with the players than really anyone else does, if you think about it. They are always down there. If they aren't doing the lifting session they might be in there stretching. They might be in there getting a shake from the nutrition center. So, to have strong leadership in that position is very important to me."
In addition to staffing changes, Quinn made his first roster move as general manager -- the signing of wide receiver Austin Willis to a futures deal.
With many more signings to come in his tenure here, it's fair to ask: Will the Lions be big players in free agency this year?
"As I'm sitting here talking to you guys I'm watching some unrestricted free agent film on a few positions here," Quinn said in his Sirius NFL interview. "I'm doing that this week and next week I will be down at the Senior Bowl practices for a few days."
POSITION BREAKDOWN
Every day on Detroitlions.com, Tim Twentyman is breaking down the performance of a position group.
He's giving the good, the bad, the MVP & more on each group's 2015 performance. Click each position below for the full breakdown:
Check back next week for the rest.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- See who Mike O'Hara has the Lions taking with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
- Read why running back Zach Zenner feels good about his plan to get himself ready for the 2016 season.
- View the best of Lions photographer Gavin Smith's pre and postgame photos from the Lions' locker room.
- Watch Lions rookies share their favorite away stadiums from their first NFL season.
- Ah, the age-old debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Find out what Lions players think.
- The Lions are hoping that consultant Ernie Accorsi can have an impact in Detroit similar to his work to help turn the Carolina Panthers around.
- Tori Petry, Tim Twentyman and Mike O'Hara wrap up their season review series with the special teams and rookie review segments.
