Morning Lions Links for Thursday 12-31-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Jim Caldwell hints Calvin Johnson will play Sunday if healthy enough:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21380/jim-caldwell-hints-calvin-johnson-will-play-sunday-if-healthy-enough

The case to keep your coach:   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14463815/why-number-embattled-coaches-deserve-another-year-job-nfl

How Martha Ford won over critics, Lions fans:   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14431921/why-martha-ford-90-exactly-owner-detroit-lions-need

Lions QB Matthew Stafford would offer opinion on GM search, if asked:   http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/73504/lions-qb-matthew-stafford-would-offer-opinion-on-gm-search-if-asked

Which teams will ride the coaching carousel?:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000612446/article/2016-nfl-coaching-carousel-which-nonplayoff-teams-will-act

Ziggy Ansah asked Joe Staley to let him get sack while mic'd up:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-ziggy-ansah-san-francisco-49ers-joe-staley-sack-micd-up-122915

Caldwell: Lions RB Ameer Abdullah is 'going to be a special player':   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-jim-caldwell-going-to-be-special-player-123015

NFC North Notebook: Can Packers pull together in Week 17 to win title?:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/green-bay-packers-minnesota-vikings-aaron-rodgers-mike-mccarthy-nfc-north-notebook-122915

With 3 coaches already axed, plenty more on hot seats in NFL (LIONS: Detroit also couldn't wait to make changes. Coach Jim Caldwell is 5-2 since Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford fired both team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew. Ford might keep Caldwell or finish cleaning house. Remember, this was a playoff team last season.):   http://sports.yahoo.com/news/3-coaches-already-axed-plenty-more-hot-seats-182407672--nfl.html

Strong finish gives pause to notion of a rebuild in Detroit:   http://sports.yahoo.com/news/strong-finish-gives-pause-notion-rebuild-detroit-223431294--nfl.html

Local Media:

NOTEBOOK: Ameer Abdullah, run game improving:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Ameer-Abdullah-run-game-improving-/cf4685d2-3915-4032-99e4-3d4603979871

PRACTICE REPORT: Three starters sit out:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Three-starters-sit-out/2fedf1e5-c5c1-4077-86f9-1c517a24a47c

TIM AND MIKE: Last chance to make an impression:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-mike/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Last-chance-to-make-an-impression/83a569f6-1d2d-4f66-8585-d7631f92d15c

O'HARA: Record aside, signs of an upturn surround Bears:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Record-aside-signs-of-an-upturn-surround-Bears/aa615134-6d6e-439d-a355-09d03dfa81d7

Lions' pass catchers eyeing unique reception record:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-pass-catchers-eyeing-unique-reception-record/95b470bd-4611-40eb-b463-61ea76c3ad84

Ameer Abdullah blog: This is a prideful team:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-blog-This-is-a-prideful-team/cf461e92-7426-4247-b72b-0db8caa50af2

Lions notes: Matthew Stafford analyzes mixed bag season:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/31/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford/78119910/

Ernie Accorsi: Lions' Martha Ford is 'tired of losing':   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/detroit-lions-martha-ford/78068236/

Johnson loves Caldwell, wants him back as Lions coach:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-calvin-johnson/78077658/

Possible Lions coach? Bears' Gase aids Cutler, own profile:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/31/detroit-lions-coach-candidate-adam-gase/78118506/

Lions won’t rest players for season finale:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/lions-rest-players-season-finale/78073194/

Lions’ Caldwell, players face uncertain future:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/lions-caldwell-players-face-uncertain-future/78102890/

Ex-Spartans star Langford steps in for Bears:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/ex-spartans-star-langford-steps-bears/78108452/

4 Detroit Lions starters show up on practice report with shoulder injuries:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/4_detroit_lions_starters_show.html

Travis Swanson misses Lions practice; Braxton Cave promoted from practice squad:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/travis_swanson_misses_lions_pr.html

Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson not currently expecting to need offseason surgery:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_wr_calvin_johnso_41.html

Calvin Johnson headlines group of Lions players calling for Jim Caldwell's return in 2016:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/calvin_johnson_headlines_group.html

Detroit Lions won't rest Calvin Johnson, others in season finale:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_wont_rest_calvin.html

Detroit Lions wrap up season against a man who could be coaching them next season:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_wrap_up_season_a.html

Detroit Lions Twitter Talk: On whether roster is too nice and why Jim Caldwell could stick:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_twitter_talk_24.html

Detroit Lions' 2015 in review: Cleaning house and riled up about refs:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_2015_review.html

Detroit Lions notes: Calvin Johnson, Glover Quin want Jim Caldwell to return:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151230/detroit-lions-notes-calvin-johnson-glover-quin-want-jim-caldwell-to-return

Detroit Lions — Five reasons Matthew Stafford has become more efficient:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151230/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-matthew-stafford-has-become-more-efficient

Bears’ Jeffery to miss game vs. Lions with hamstring injury:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151230/bears-jeffery-to-miss-game-vs-lions-with-hamstring-injury

Notes: Tate, Orlovsky publicly support Caldwell:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/12/30/10687146/lions-notes-tate-orlovsky-show-public-support-for-caldwell

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Lions unlikely to part ways with Jim Caldwell on 'Black Monday':   http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/lions-unlikely-part-ways-jim-caldwell-black-monday

Opponent breakdown: Lions:   http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-opponentbreakdown/Opponent-breakdown-Lions/7ea32724-3e9c-4b60-ba82-4eb5c3874831

2016 NFL Draft::

Players that NFC North fans should watch in this weekend's bowl games:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bowl-games-green-bay-packers-minnesota-vikings-chicago-bears-detroit-lions-draft-prospects-123015

Video:

Local Media:

Caldwell on starting prep for the Bears:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-starting-prep-for-the-Bears/2e0782ce-2bd6-4c28-a754-8e38f301c847

Stafford on recent success:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Stafford-on-recent-success/d79b4b9f-e788-4b9b-a640-c3452a351a83

Johnson on the future:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Johnson-on-the-future/f0a6b617-6004-418f-9e05-cf94d6b76f1b

Ihedigbo on the last game of the season:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ihedigbo-on-the-last-game-of-the-season/de346273-e853-4632-aa55-5427cccfec22

Quin on 100th straight start:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Quin-on-100th-straight-start/5c6833e8-4a40-435c-95a6-9b89011ad4a4

Both Lions and Bears seeing surge in QB play:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Both-Lions-and-Bears-seeing-surge-in-QB-play/7f771f82-5139-439a-b4e7-1c0202b2da24

Do players think Lions' Caldwell can lead team into contention?:   http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/30/78087236/

Watch Lions reporters discuss whether they're surprised by the growing support for Jim Caldwell:   http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/12/watch_lions_reporters_discuss_2.html