DETROIT -- Jim Caldwell got a ringing endorsement from one of his mentors when Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew was doing his homework.
Wholesale Lakers Jerseys. The Lions hired Caldwell on Tuesday to replace fired coach Jim Schwartz, ending a search that included a phone conversation between Mayhew and Tony Dungy. "Martin called me and said were looking for a leader who can help turn our locker room into a winning one and to help us get the most out of our investment in Matthew Stafford," Dungy recalled in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I told Martin that Jim Caldwell is exactly what youre looking for. Hell lead by making people accountable and by being a role model on and off the field. And with his attention to detail and history of developing quarterbacks, Stafford is going to flourish just like Peyton Manning did with us in Indianapolis." Detroit wanted to replace Schwartz with someone with experience as a head coach, ideally with a track record of tutoring quarterbacks. Caldwell helped the Indianapolis Colts reach the Super Bowl after his debut season in 2009, but was fired two years later after a 2-14 season while Manning was injured, dropping his three-year mark to 26-22. Before Caldwell was hired by the Dungy-led Colts in 2002 to be their quarterbacks coach, he had the same job for Dungy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Caldwell was hired by Baltimore two years ago to be their quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive co-ordinator late in the 2012 season. The Ravens went on to win the last Super Bowl. The Lions will introduce Caldwell as their coach Wednesday during a news conference at Ford Field. "We believe Jim is the right man to lead our team and deliver a championship to our fans," Lions owner William Clay Ford said in a statement. The Ravens struggled on offence in 2013 and mightve replaced Caldwell if he didnt get another job. Baltimore ranked 29th on offence overall -- 30th rushing and 18th passing -- last season with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice. Still, Caldwells body of work was enough to also make him a candidate to lead the Washington Redskins and Titans. Former Tennessee coach Mike Munchak and ex-Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak were also considered by the Lions. "Im excited because he has worked with some good coaches and he did a good job with the Colts," Lions offensive guard Rob Sims said in a telephone interview. "Players seem to like him, so Im looking forward to being a part of the next chapter of Detroit Lions football with him leading us." Caldwell won his first 14 games with the Colts in 2009 before losing the final two games of the regular season while resting Manning and most of the other starters. The Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. Indy was 10-6 the following season and won another AFC South title, then lost to the New York Jets in a wild-card game. With Manning out for all of Caldwells third season, the Colts lost 14 games and Caldwell lost his job. In Baltimore, Caldwell replaced offensive co-ordinator Cam Cameron toward the end of the 2012 regular season and he seemed to give the offence a boost as it went on to win the Super Bowl against San Francisco. Helping the Lions win one playoff game would be a relative feat: Detroit has only one playoff victory -- more than two decades ago -- since winning the 1957 NFL title. Caldwell, who won two playoff games in his first season with the Colts, will be counted on to use his experience with quarterbacks to make Matthew Stafford better. Detroit drafted Stafford No. 1 overall in 2009 and after two injury-shortened seasons, he has been spectacular at times and shaky at others. When the Lions needed him most, he was at his worst last season. He had an NFL-high 14 turnovers from Week 11-16 as Detroit dropped five of six games, plummeting out of first place in the NFC North and wasting an opportunity to win a division title for the first time since 1993. Caldwells first job as a head coach was at Wake Forest, which fired him in 2000 with a 26-63 record over eight seasons. Caldwell, who is from Beloit, Wis., played defensive back for Iowa and began his coaching career in 1977 as a graduate assistant with the Hawkeyes. Caldwell later went on to coach quarterbacks, wide receivers and outside linebackers from 1982-84 for Bill McCartney at Colorado. "Hes one of the finest people Ive ever met," McCartney said in a telephone interview. "He has tremendous character. If he says something, you can take it to the bank and hang your hat on it. His players will trust them and theyll rally for him. Hes ready for this. "Every home, every business and every NFL team rises or falls because of leadership. And, the Lions have a leader now."
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Cheap Wilt Chamberlain Jersey . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an .GREATER NOIDA, India - Sebastian Vettel can afford to downplay the importance of winning Sundays Indian Grand Prix. He doesnt need to win the race to claim a bigger prize. With a massive 90-point lead over Ferraris Fernando Alonso in the drivers standings, the German needs only to finish fifth or better to claim a fourth successive world championship title and become the third man to achieve the feat, joining Formula One greats Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher. "Obviously its looking pretty good, but we focus on the job we have this weekend which is to get the maximum both for the race and for the championship," a relaxed Vettel said Thursday. Vettel dashed Alonsos hopes of challenging for the title when he won the previous GP at Suzuka, Japan — his fifth straight win and ninth of the season. He can now cap his season of dominance by sealing the drivers title in India with four races remaining. "For sure its nice to have the opportunity," Vettel said. "Im not trying to focus on that, Im trying to focus on the race and Ive said many times the most important thing for us and myself is to win the championship. It doesnt really matter where and when." Vettel and Red Bull have dominated the 5.125-kilometre (3.184-mile) Buddh International Circuit since the first Indian GP in 2011, winning both previous races from pole position and leading every lap. Despite his obvious affinity with the track, Vettel says he feels no pressure to win the title here. Its not one of the things you want to get out of the way. It should be a very positive thing," he said. "Obviouslly were in a great position with a good gap in the points table, but I dont come here thinking I have to do this or have to do that.
Cheap James Worthy Jersey. I didnt do that the last three years." A resigned Alonso said Vettels only problem was deciding where he wanted to claim the title. "If Sebastian wins here or in Abu Dhabi, its more a problem for him," he said. "Depends when he wants to celebrate, which is the best country to celebrate." The only other driver apart from Vettel to record podium finishes at both Indian GPs is Alonso, who was third in 2011 and second last year. A two-time world champion, Alsonso said he doesnt need to be driving for a title to be motivated to finish well. "Motivation is always 100 per cent and you want to do well," the Spaniard said. "So for the rest of the year we will try to help the team to get the goal of second place in the constructors championship, try to score as many points as possible and get some podiums if I can." Mark Webber, who won pole position at Japan, is hungry for another win over his Red Bull teammate before leaving F1 at the end of the season, while Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus teammate Romain Grosjean have been building a sustained charge throughout the second half of the season, despite some poor showing in qualifying. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, with two wins this season, is also a danger. "Im sure its going to be a tough weekend," Vettel said. "I think we have reason to believe the car will be competitive, so were in good shape, but Im sure the others will try and push us very hard."
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