Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 12-29-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

TJ Jones, Quandre Diggs could play their way into larger roles in 2016:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21334/emerging-tj-jones-quandre-diggs-could-play-their-way-into-larger-roles-in-2016

Calvin Johnson's importance to Lions franchise has been undeniable:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21326/calvin-johnsons-importance-to-lions-franchise-has-been-undeniable

Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford move up NFL all-time yardage lists:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21305/calvin-johnson-matthew-stafford-move-up-nfl-all-time-yardage-lists

Thirty-nine things we learned from Week 16:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000610847/article/thirtynine-things-we-learned-from-week-16

Calvin Johnson rebounds after back-to-back one-catch outings:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-san-francisco-49ers-rebound-big-day-122815

NFL morning after: The ’72 Dolphins deserve to celebrate (The Lions can no longer justify Calvin Johnson’s salary. Johnson had 77 yards for the Lions in yesterday’s win over the 49ers, which is one of his best recent games. But that’s just the problem: Johnson has reached a point in his career where 77 yards is one of his best games. And yet at $20.6 million, Johnson’s cap hit is by far the biggest for any wide receiver in the NFL. That cap hit rises to more than $24 million next year, and there’s simply no way to justify paying a declining player anything close to that kind of money. There’s no way any other team would trade for a contract like Johnson’s, so unless Johnson is willing to take a massive pay cut next year, the Lions are going to have to cut him in the offseason. It sounds crazy to say Detroit would cut the great Megatron, but that’s life in the NFL.):   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/28/nfl-morning-after-the-72-dolphins-deserve-to-celebrate/

SF-DET Grades: Theo Riddick breaks Lions’ franchise record:   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/12/28/pro-sf-det-grades-theo-riddick-breaks-lions-franchise-record/

Local Media:

KEY QUESTIONS: Caldwell not worrying about future with team:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/KEY-QUESTIONS-Caldwell-not-worrying-about-future-with-team/56b44789-2fa4-484a-a4f1-100b1c2ad554

O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: The case for Caldwell:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-The-case-for-Caldwell/9436eda2-c641-45d3-a783-6e6509c0ff41

Lions notes: Jones finally finds flow with first TD catch:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/29/detroit-lions-tj-jones-first-td-catch/78006378/

Is two seasons enough time for Lions' Caldwell?:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-future/77977522/

Lions' Caldwell: Players don't quit on coaches in NFL:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-no-quitting-nfl/77990664/

Lions extra points: Overheard, talking points, more:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/detroit-lions-extra-points/77963552/

Detroit 32, San Francisco 17: Why the Lions won:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/detroit-lions-san-francisco-ers/77963544/

Katzenstein: Bad teams boost Lions' resume:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/katzenstein-bad-teams-boost-lions-resume/77982802/

Lions' Copeland produces when called into action:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/lions-copeland-produces-when-called-into-action/77988014/

Lions' Stafford wants Cooter back, 'no question':   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/lions-matthew-stafford-wants-jim-bob-cooter-back-no-question/77968544/

Caldwell 'not worried' about evaluation by new Lions GM:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/28/caldwell-not-worried-about-evaluation-by-new-lions-gm/77977338/

Detroit Lions snap counts: In quick return from concussion, Glover Quin plays every snap:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_snap_counts_in_q.html

3 things we learned about the Lions: Matthew Stafford is having a better year than Aaron Rodgers:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/3_things_we_learned_about_the_44.html

Jim Caldwell bats away questions about job security with Lions:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/jim_caldwell_bats_away_questio.html

Jim Caldwell pushes the right buttons in Lions' win against 49ers:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/lions_jim_caldwell_pushes_the.html

2 young Detroit Lions players making cases for expanded roles in 2016:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_tj_jones_devin_t.html

Detroit Lions teammates 'desperate' to see Ezekiel Ansah become team's single-season sack king:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_lions_ezekiel_ansah_3.html

Column: Calvin Johnson could be done at Ford Field, but probably not:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/12/column_calvin_johnson_could_be.html

Detroit Lions notes: Matthew Stafford on a ‘fine run':   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151228/detroit-lions-notes-matthew-stafford-on-a-fine-run

Detroit Lions — Five reasons Jim Caldwell could keep his job:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20151228/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-jim-caldwell-could-keep-his-job

If Lions are serious about change, Johnson played last game at Ford Field:   http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/if-lions-serious-about-change-johnson-played-last-game-at-ford-field

Notes: Stafford among top ten in QB rating:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/12/28/10673044/lions-notes-matthew-stafford-top-ten-passer-rating-rating-theo-riddick-record

PFF Grades: Riddick cares not for your ankles:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/12/28/10674148/lions-49ers-pff-grades-theo-riddick-cares-not-for-your-ankles

Grades:

Detroit News Lions grades: Stafford dazzles in encore performance:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/12/27/lions-grade-stafford-dazzles-encore-performance/77952994/

Video:

Local Media:

Caldwell on takeaways from the 49ers' film:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-takeaways-from-the-49ers-film/96bb7298-6def-4664-ad5b-1e821728f0c5

3 and Out with Chris Spielman: Week 16:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/3--Out-with-Chris-Spielman-Week-16/0e2f6a2d-a5ea-48a8-aae8-d1111f761a56

Tori's Take: One more to compete, improve, win:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Toris-Take-One-more-to-compete-improve-win/d23fb6dd-af80-4ca4-91ae-54d71ea33a3f

Watch Detroit Lions reporters discuss whether Jim Caldwell deserves another season:   http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/12/watch_detroit_lions_reporters_64.html