Thursday open thread: What was Bob Quinn’s biggest blunder?

Yesterday we asked what was Bob Quinn’s greatest “Hit”? Today, I’m much more interested in the opposite. And, frankly, I think there’s more to rail against than to praise.

His free agent signings never really panned out. Even a guy like Trey Flowers, who is a good player, is overpaid for what he brings to the team.

Quinn’s drafts weren’t much better either. It always felt like he thought he was outsmarting the rest of the league. Whether it’s taking guys like Teez Tabor or Jahlani Tavai, the Lions ended up with many more head-scratchers than producers. And better players like Da’Shawn Hand, Tracy Walker, and Kerryon Johnson haven’t panned out either.

All that said, there’s got to be one thing that still drives you crazy. So today’s question is:

What was Bob Quinn’s biggest blunder?

My answer: A refusal to draft athletic players.

All NFL players are athletes, but the Bob Quinn left the Lions with the slowest defense in the NFL. It’s hard to get to the quarterback and create turnovers when your team looks like it’s running in mud.

On offense the Lions have constantly struggle to get open downfield. Some of that could be scheme, but a lot of it the limitations of the guys on the field.

When you see a receiver core of Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, and T.J. Hockenson you don’t exactly think of “speed“ or “quickness“.

Bob Quinn did a lot of damage in his tenure as Lions general manager. And the first move of whoever gets the job next should be to bring in more team speed.