Lions Lowdown

Jim Caldwell has signed a multiple year contract extension, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Caldwell, who is entering his fourth season with the Detroit Lions, will not talk about his contract. He’s been asked about it multiple times and said the only two things he is concerned with are his men and his mission. He repeated that again when asked Tuesday. During the Monday night win at the Giants, ESPN announcers suggested that the Lions ought to get Caldwell locked up for the long run.

Caldwell, 62, was hired in January 2014 after the firing of Jim Schwartz. When Bob Quinn was hired as the general manager in January 2016, his first big decision was to keep Caldwell on board.

Schefter reported that the extension was actually signed months ago.

Five reasons this was a good signing:

1. Since Caldwell was signed in January 2014,  the Lions have made the playoffs in two of the three seasons. Caldwell has changed the culture in three years. That cannot be underestimated.

2. The Lions — rookies and veterans alike — respect Caldwell and enjoy playing for him. They don’t have to say that. You can hear it when they talk about their approach to each game and each day of practice. Their words echo Caldwell’s.

3. Caldwell has hired a solid staff including defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. It doesn’t stop there either. He has quality position coaches throughout his staff.

4. Monday’s win over the Giants was Caldwell’s 50th game. He owns a 29-21 record. Those 29 wins are for most for a Lions’ coach in his first 50 games since Buddy Parker in the 1950s. This is the first time the Lions have started 2-0 under Caldwell and the first time overall since 2011.

5. Caldwell is the calming influence daily including Sundays on the sidelines. He is unjustly criticized for not showing more emotion. That is not who he is. Plenty of successful coaches through the years have been calm on the sidelines. Caldwell’s demeanor is contagious among the players. They remain poised which is key to making comebacks and winning games.

Caldwell and the Lions host the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

 

ALLEN PARK — With Tavon Wilson out with a shoulder injury, safety Miles Killebrew is expected to get his first NFL start when the Lions host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

It’s kind of a big deal.

To add to it, Killebrew was named special teams captain for the game.

“When (Jim Caldwell) said my name I was actually kind of surprised, I’m not going to let it distract me, it’s an exciting honor, can’t wait to get out there,’’ Killebrew said on Friday.

The second-year safety is off to a great start this season. In the opening game he intercepted Arizona’s Carson Palmer and returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown.

Usually Killebrew is used in certain defensive packages — he’s been compared to a Swiss Army knife. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin loves to have him on the field.

“Miles I think is just scratching the surface of being a really good football player no matter where you put him, so I don’t worry about that,’’ Austin said. “We just know we like to have him on the field and we’ll continue to use him the way we’ve used him.”

Killebrew is ready for whatever role he’ll have on Sunday.

“As far as being versatile that’s something I’ve always want to be. I’ve always wanted to be someone who can attack the game from all angles and be available for how the coaches need me,’’ Killebrew said.

He hasn’t changed up his preparation this week. It consists of the basics — practice and film work.

“My confidence is rooted in my preparation. I’m very prepared, the coaches prepare us very well here and I take a lot of preparation measures on my own,’’ Killebrew said. “As long as I’m  prepared I’m not worried about it.’’

He speaks the company line completely. It’s not fake, it seems very genuine. The whole team realizes the Atlanta Falcons are one of the best teams in the NFC but the only reason it’s a big game is because it’s the next game.

“After a win you are inclined to change up your approach but I’d have to say we’re taking it one game at a time,’’ Killebrew said. “This is another game that we’re going to have to perform at our best ability.”

Other captains for the game are Golden Tate for offense and Tahir Whitehead on defense.

Wilson, linebacker Jarrad Davis and running back Dwayne Washington have been declared out for Sunday.

ALLEN PARK — The Lions will be without three key players when they face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (concussion), safety Tavon Wilson (shoulder) and running back Dwayne Washington (quad) have officially been ruled out. They did not practice today (Friday) and it was the third straight practice each of them has missed.

Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (knee), center Travis Swanson (ankle) and Joe Dahl (lower leg) are questionable.  Swanson hasn’t practiced all week while Ansah and Dahl have been limited.

It’s likely that without Swanson, Graham Glasgow will move to center from left guard. Dahl could start at left guard if he’s healthy.

Without Wilson in the secondary, expect Miles Killebrew to get more snaps.

It’s possible Paul Worrilow will step in at middle linebacker for Davis. Or Whitehead could take the role that he had last year. All linebackers learn all three positions for situations like this. Also likely that rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin will see more action.

Running back Zach Zenner, who has been inactive for the first two games, will see his first action with Washington out. In the final five regular season games in 2016, he had 51 carries for 225 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.

ALSO, Jim Caldwell said today that captains on Sunday will be Tahir Whitehead, Golden Tate and Miles Killebrew on special teams.