ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Every Saturday, we answer some questions in a Lions Mailbag. To ask a question for a future Lions Mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter or email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com.
Now, on to your questions.
#lionsmailbag, if Lions were to lose last 4, do you think Quinn would fire JC? Would McDaniels given NE connection be firsts choice? Maybe Harbaugh?
— Jamal Hayden (@jamalaboutsport) December 7, 2017
Jamal, this -- or variations of it -- has been one of the most popular questions I've received over the past seven days. Well, the last two weeks, really. It's tough to truly speculate, but if the Detroit Lions lost their last four games to drop to 6-10 -- including losses to a bunch of not-so-good teams, I have a really tough time seeing Jim Caldwell surviving that. The truth is we just don't know how Bob Quinn and the Lions ownership group is going to handle Caldwell after the season.
If the Lions end up in the playoffs (and that would likely require a sweep of the last four games and some help), I'd imagine Caldwell is safe. Win out and miss the playoffs on a tiebreaker? Again, I think he'd be safe. Less than that, not sure what the ownership group would do. The question Quinn, Rod Wood and the Fords will have to ask is do they believe Caldwell is the guy who can get them to the next level? I have my own opinions on that, but that has to be what they weigh when they make a decision on Caldwell's future.
As far as potential replacements, one would have to think the two New England Patriots coordinators -- Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia -- would get long looks if Caldwell is not brought back for 2018. Kris Richard, the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, is a guy I would look at if I were conducting a search. I would also look at Teryl Austin if I'm looking for a coach this offseason, but probably not for a Lions coaching search. Much like Austin, I think another coaching candidate, Jim Schwartz, would be a non-starter for obvious reasons.
As far as Harbaugh, I'm going to assume you mean Jim Harbaugh. Don't see that happening. Now John Harbaugh, if the Ravens don't make the playoffs, I would at least call the Ravens if I were Quinn and see if there was any interest considering the Baltimore Ravens would then be at four out of five seasons without a postseason appearance. But that would also seem unlikely.
All of that said, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion Caldwell is not back in 2018. I think the last four games has a lot to do with that decision.
#LionsMailbag Lang and Wagner are listed as NP on the injury report. If they rest but don't practice this week can they still play effectively in the game on Sunday?
— Mary Lamos (@lamos_mary) December 7, 2017
Mary, both are veterans, so in theory, yes. But if neither one practice all week it would be surprising to see them out there Sunday. The offensive line as a whole could be a major issue against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Besides T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner being banged up, Travis Swanson is coming off a knee injury (his knee was heavily wrapped in the locker room following practice Thursday) and reserve linemen Emmett Cleary (ankle) and Corey Robinson (foot) have been limited in practice this week, too. That leaves Brian Mihalik as the only tackle not named Taylor Decker not playing with something. Considering Matthew Stafford is banged up, too, that doesn't bode well for run blocking or pass protection this week. At all.
does JRM role contine to expand even farther with Davis and Whitehead struggling in coverage. #lionsmailbag
— Dustin Thomas (@chichi_vol931) December 7, 2017
Dustin, I think you'll see it, particularly if the Lions end up out of the playoff picture and playing for 2018. Jalen Reeves-Maybin has shown flashes of being a productive linebacker along with moments where he's clearly been a rookie. But the potential is there -- as is the speed the team just hasn't really had at the position since DeAndre Levy was a healthy Detroit Lions player. He's one of the guys I think that could have an expanded role in 2018 -- and potentially a larger role down the stretch. He played 31 snaps against Baltimore, a career-high. But he had just one snap against the Vikings the week before. So there's some inconsistency, but if I'm Detroit, I'm giving him some more opportunities.
