Morning Lions Links for Monday 1-4-16

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Regular-season MVPs (Detroit Lions - Ezekiel Ansah. He had a breakout year and has been one of the most consistent players on a very inconsistent Detroit Lions team. He is also one player who announced his set goals before the season (double-digit sacks) and then reached it with a team-high 14.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles, recovered two and did most of his work while facing double-teams once reserved for Ndamukong Suh. Ansah, the team’s first-round pick in 2013, is a budding star in the NFL. He made his first Pro Bowl and should receive All-Pro honors. He, along with Darius Slay andDeAndre Levy, are the future of Detroit’s defense.):   http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/194234/nfl-nation-game-balls-every-teams-regular-season-mvp

Calvin Johnson faces some uncertainty in offseason with Detroit Lions:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21457/calvin-johnson-faces-some-uncertainty-in-offseason-with-detroit-lions

Jim Caldwell going about business as usual as he awaits fate with Lions:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21453/jim-caldwell-going-about-business-as-usual-as-he-awaits-fate-with-lions

Lions enjoying most dominant stretch over Bears since 1968-70:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-chicago-bears-dominant-stretch-six-straight-wins-1968-1970-010316

Calvin Johnson only had two 100-yard games this year -- both vs. Bears:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-chicago-bears-two-100-yard-games-010316

Local Media:

NOTEBOOK: GM search to intensify Monday:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook/article-1/NOTEBOOK-GM-search-to-intensify-Monday/9e8f11a1-73cf-49aa-8263-103d9c37fa2f

FOUR DOWNS: Stafford's second half:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Staffords-second-half/599cba3c-33da-4994-8f76-26c9fd5d6ece

Prater sets Lions record with 59-yard field goal:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-matt-prater/78232270/

Seidel: Megatron the face of Lions, but he may cost too much:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-jeff-seidel/78244572/

Seidel: Turnaround earns Caldwell one more year with Lions:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2016/01/04/detroit-lions-jeff-seidel-jim-caldwell/78247580/

Lions extra points: Overheard, talking points, etc.:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/04/detroit-lions-extra-points/78248686/

Lions 24, Bears 20: How Detroit won in Chicago:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-chicago-bears-box/78240334/

Stafford thrives in Cooter's offense through end of season:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-jim-bob-cooter/78247090/

3 Lions Q's: Good play does nothing for Stafford, Megatron:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-three-questions/78246448/

Four downs: Ansah-Taylor duo maturing into sack masters:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/four-downs-ansah-taylor-duo-maturing-into-sack-masters/78242920/

Niyo: We’ll wait to see if Lions finish saved Caldwell:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/john-niyo/2016/01/03/niyo-wait-see-lions-finish-saved-caldwell/78247186/

Lions' 2016 schedule is complete:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/lions-2016-schedule-nearly-set/78235804/

'NFL on Fox' falls flat with video, shot at Detroit:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/nfl-on-fox-falls-flat-with-video-shot-at-detroit/78231846/

Lions center Travis Swanson could be headed for surgery after disappointing season:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/lions_center_travis_swanson_co.html

Martha Firestone Ford: No decision yet on Jim Caldwell's future with Lions:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/martha_firestone_ford_no_decis.html

Rod Wood: Lions will begin reaching out to GM candidates Monday, conduct interviews this week:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/rod_wood_lions_will_begin_reac.html

Lions postgame: Detroit rattles Jay Cutler, wins sixth straight over Chicago:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/lions_postgame_detroit_rattles_1.html

Detroit Lions' slot in NFL draft order set following season-ending victory:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/detroit_lions_spot_in_nfl_draf.html

Pat Caputo - So Detroit Lions closed “strong.” Let the spin and fan abuse begin:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160103/pat-caputo-so-detroit-lions-closed-strong-let-the-spin-and-fan-abuse-begin

Detroit Lions — Five things learned from 24-20 win over Chicago Bears:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160103/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-learned-from-24-20-win-over-chicago-bears

Detroit Lions president: GM search intensifies, Jim Caldwell’s fate undetermined:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160103/detroit-lions-president-gm-search-intensifies-jim-caldwells-fate-undetermined

Grades:

Freep Lions grades: Passing game, D-line stand out vs. Bears:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/detroit-lions-chicago-bears-grades/78239376/

Detroit News Lions grades: Vintage Johnson was at captivating best:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/03/lions-grades-vintage-johnson-captivating-best/78238704/

MLive Detroit Lions report card: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ezekiel Ansah end on high notes:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/detroit_lions_report_card_chic_1.html

CBS Local Detroit Team Grades: Detroit Lions Play Impressively To Finish Season With Win Over Chicago Bears:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/01/03/team-grades-detroit-lions-play-impressively-to-finish-season-with-win-over-chicago-bears/

CBS NFL Grades (Lions get a B+: If this was Calvin Johnson's final game in Detroit -- and it could've been because he has a $24.1 million cap hit next season -- he went out with a bang. Megatron caught 10 passes for 137 yards, tying his season-high for receptions and marking only the second time this year he went over 100 yards receiving. The person with the biggest smile after the Lions win might've been offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Using Cooter's offense, the Lions closed the season on a three-game winning streak, which should help Cooter keep his job in Detroit.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25436176/nfl-grades-week-17-jets-choke-away-chance-at-afc-playoff-berth

Video:

Game 16:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2016/01/game-16-lions-vs-bears-video-highlights.html