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Jim Caldwell 'encouraged' by Detroit Lions' 2016 season

By The Sports Xchange
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell stands on the sidelines in the second half against the New York Giants in week 15 of the NFL at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 18, 2016. The Giants defeated the Lions 17-6. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell stands on the sidelines in the second half against the New York Giants in week 15 of the NFL at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 18, 2016. The Giants defeated the Lions 17-6. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

As disappointed as the Detroit Lions were to lose their final four games, Jim Caldwell said the program took a major step forward this year in his third season as coach.

"Overall I feel good about this team," Caldwell said. "I'm encouraged by this team (based on) the way they fight and scratch. Certainly we're disappointed in the way it ended, but overall this team came through some very, very difficult times and accomplished some things that I don't think anybody probably in this room thought that they would be able to accomplish. So I have to commend them for that."

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Expectations were low for the Lions after Calvin Johnson abruptly retired from the NFL in March and with new general manager Bob Quinn in Year 1 of his rebuild.

But Caldwell kept the Lions together after a 1-3 start, and the team rattled off eight wins in nine games in the middle of the year. While the Lions won in unprecedented fashion -- their eight come-from-behind victories were a modern NFL record -- they also squandered a two-game division lead with three games to play and didn't beat a fellow playoff team all year.

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Next season, much more will be expected of a team with a young nucleus and an ascending quarterback, even if there are questions to be answered. Matthew Stafford could get a new contract this offseason, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is once again a candidate for coaching jobs elsewhere.

"I think we're moving in the right direction," Stafford said. "We'll have to do it again next year."

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