Lions notes: Does Detroit have a midseason replacement for Jim Caldwell?

• One potential hurdle for the Detroit Lions firing Jim Caldwell is their lack of a midseason replacement. The common belief is Teryl Austin would be the best candidate, but Justin Rogers of Mlive.com explains why he hasn't earned that distinction this year:

Here's a quick rundown of the numbers through eight games this season:

-- 27th in total defense

-- 32nd in scoring defense

-- 28th in opposing third-down conversion percentage

-- 31st in rushing yards allowed per game

-- 32nd in opposing QB completion percentage and 31st in opposing passer rating

-- 29th in big plays allowed (10-plus yard run or 25-plus yard pass play)

-- 32nd in scoring efficiency (percentage of drives resulting in a score)

• "Toxic differential" is a football stat that combines turnovers and big plays earned and allowed. Guess where the Lions rank?

  There's a stat called "Toxic Differential." As you might have guessed the Lions are dead last: https://t.co/zZuLOxV0As

  — Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) November 2, 2015

  
  
• Our own Jerry Mallory started his own Lions podcast called "Hindsight 20" and has a nice, fancy studio, to boot. Listen to the first episode here to hear Jerry go OFF on Jim Caldwell.
• Despite owning the team for just eight months, The Detroit News believes Martha Ford should sell the Detroit Lions immediately.
• Jarryd Hayne, the former rugby star who spurned the Lions in free agency by choosing to play with the San Francisco 49ers, was released on Saturday. Interestingly, he went unclaimed on Sunday and was signed back to the 49ers practice squad on Monday.
• In positive news, Darius Slay appears to be rebounding nicely:

  Highest graded CBs in Week 8: SEA R. Sherman +5.0 STL J. Jenkins +3.3 DET D. Slay +3.3 HOU K. Johnson +3.2 SD J. Verrett +3.2

  — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 2, 2015