Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw 11 interceptions and lost two fumbles in the final six games as Detroit collapsed and missed the playoffs, costing coach Jim Schwartz his job. New coach Jim Caldwell will be judged in large part on how Stafford performs the next couple years.
Tony Dungy, the Super Bowl-winning coach turned TV analyst, noted Caldwell was in his first year as quarterbacks coach in Indianapolis when Peyton Manning broke out in 2004 with 49 touchdowns and 10 picks.
"I know what we talked about when we got to Indianapolis is they had a very, very explosive offense and we talked about keeping that explosiveness but not being a high-risk team and taking care of the football and knowing how to manage the end of the game," Dungy told the Lions' website.
"Once Peyton (Manning) really understood what Jim was trying to do, he went from a very explosive player to a guy in 2004 who threw 49 touchdowns and (10 interceptions) and that's what I think you're going to see from Matthew.
"You're going to see him learn that you can be explosive and not be high risk and that there are times when you manage the game and win the game, by not only what you do, but by what you don't do. I just think for a young quarterback, he'll really blossom under Jim."