Someone had to take the fall for the Detroit Lions disastrous 1-6 start to the season. Understanding full well that he's on the hot seat, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell made a few dramatic changes to his coaching staff heading into Sunday's Week 8 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in London.
Detroit fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, replacing him with quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter. Offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan were also shown the door as the team prepares for its trip across the Atlantic.
Potentially a couple weeks too late, these moves seem to be out of desperation more than anything else.
Matthew Stafford has been sacked 16 times through seven games. He's also been pressured on 39 percent of his drop backs. This unit also allowed seven sacks on 13 hits in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. This despite the fact that Detroit's offensive line boasts three players selected in either the first or second round.
In making the announcement, Caldwell did indicate that Cooter will be calling the plays. He also made sure to note that Detroit's philosophy on offense will change with these new moves. It remains to be seen exactly what that means.
We will have more information on this news and what it might mean for the Lions fantasy football prospects moving forward this week.