Notes: Lions head coaching job 4th most appealing among potential openings

On a list of nine potential head coaching job openings after this season, one analyst says coaching the Detroit Lions is among the most attractive.

ESPN’S Bill Barnwell created what he calls a “cheat sheet” of nine potential openings from least attractive to most attractive, for any coaches who might be in line to take over a potential head coaching job. While he doesn’t expect all of these coaches to lose their jobs, nor is he rooting for anyone to lose their job, he believes nine coaches could potentially lose their position this year—and one is Matt Patricia.

Coaching the Lions came in at fourth-most attractive. Barnwell explains because the Ford family doesn’t typically let a coach go after two years, it’s likely Patricia will stay. But if it were ever to happen, he says this job is on the more appealing end of the scale.

For each team, Barnwell selected its biggest strength and biggest weakness — Detroit’s biggest strength is at quarterback.

“The draw for most coaches here will be Stafford, who provides a built-in floor as one of the league’s most consistently competent quarterbacks,” he writes.

It’s true, as we all know, that Stafford was playing at MVP-caliber level before his injury. The folks over at the Pat McAfee Show agree.

“He’s a very good football player that not enough people appreciate, I think. Because the only conversation about him is always like he puts up good numbers but they never win -- what else do you want from your quarterback, man? What else is he supposed to do?” McAfee said.

Barnwell determined the Lions’ biggest weakness is ownership. Though he did end his thoughts on one key detail: “If they could just fix that defense.”

Read his whole article here.

As for the rest of your notes:

• Can the Lions capitalize on the walking turnover machine that is Jameis Winston this Sunday? The Detroit Free Press’ David Birkett elaborates.

• My pal Jackson Vidaurri over at clickondetroit (WDIV) goes over reasons why they Lions might or why the Lions might not bring back Matthew Stafford or Kerryon Johnson this season.

• Meet Lions superfan Gary Macho Mane Campioni and The Blue Mane Group.

• The Freep’s Carlos Monarrez details how although they have a losing record, David Blough says the Lions haven’t lost their fight.

• Yikes - two former Lions players were among 10 incited for alleged benefit fraud. MLive’s Ben Raven explains.