When Gil Brandt talks about NFL football, wise people listen. When he talks about evaluating talent, only a fool wouldn’t listen. When Brandt compares a person to Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry, with whom Brandt worked hand-in-glove for many years, no one should doubt him.

That’s exactly what Brandt did when talking to Detroit Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, comparing general manager Bob Quinn to the legendary coach.

“Bob Quinn to me is like Tom Landry, except one’s a coach and one’s an administrator,” Brandt said, and there could hardly be any higher praise. As Twentyman noted, Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, with Brandt heading his personnel department. As Brandt was revolutionizing scouting, Landry was leading the Cowboys to 250 wins and two Super Bowl titles.

“One thing you’ve got to understand is,” Brandt explained, “this place was not very well put together when he got the job.” Lions fans know that all too well. After making the playoffs in 2011, the team mustered just one more one-and-done postseason appearance with many of the same well-paid stars holding key positions the entire time.

In two offseasons under Quinn, the entire offensive line has been rebuilt, many key pieces have been added and the franchise seems to have stability and continuity for the first time in ages.

“He’s a tremendously bright individual,” Brandt said. “He’s able to foresee the future. He has an understanding of coaching. He understands scouting. He understands people. The only people he brings in, in my estimation, are the top people.”

Quinn has drawn criticism for a few off-field issues, from his handling of Calvin Johnson’s retirement, to his refusal to write off draft prospect Joe Mixon despite his history of violence against women. But big decisions, like retaining head coach Jim Caldwell and his coordinators, are looking very smart.

So, too, are his draft and free-agency moves, with many of the 2016 rookie class making the most of their opportunities, and the 2017 offseason earning high marks from many NFL analysts.

“He’s trying to build from the top down and not make any rash decisions,” Brandt said, and that kind of patience is indeed a rare quality in today’s NFL. “To me, the guy is off the charts.”

Quinn has certainly earned his keep so far. Even if Detroit regresses significantly in 2017, as some suspect they will, Quinn has earned the chance to hand-pick his own head coach. Whether Quinn can find a Landry-like skipper with whom he can build a dynasty—or whether he already has—only time will tell.

But I doubt Quinn will ever look as good in a fedora.

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