Free Press sports writers Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez preview the Detroit Lions' game against the New England Patriots. Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press
Bill Belichick is arguably the best coach in the history of football. But he is more Vince Lombardi than Bill Walsh.
This is problematic for the Detroit Lions and their new head coach, Matt Patricia. Because certain kinds of coaches are easier to emulate than others.
Walsh nurtured the most fertile coaching tree in football. Lombardi did not.
Walsh, the 49ers legend, was a teacher.