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Peyton Manning's unsolicited call to Lions GM played a part in the Lions hiring Jim Caldwell

Associated Press
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New Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell stands on Ford Field in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. Caldwell previously was the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

New Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, center, stands with team president Tom Lewand, right, and General Manager Martin Mayhew at Ford Field in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. Caldwell previously was the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Jim Caldwell's body of work helped him get a second opportunity to be an NFL coach.

Of course, there was that call from Peyton Manning, too.

Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew says the Denver Broncos quarterback called him — unsolicited — during the team's search to throw support behind his former coach with the Indianapolis Colts.

Caldwell was introduced Wednesday as the Lions' new coach, saying the time to win is now.

Detroit is giving the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator a four-year contract in part to get the most out of Matthew Stafford. The QB led the league in turnovers during a late-season slide that knocked the Lions out of the playoff picture and cost Jim Schwartz his job after five years.

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