Jeff Saturday, the long-time Indianapolis Colts center, thinks Jim Caldwell is a great hire for the Detroit Lions. Saturday was interviewed on ESPN’s SportsCenter today shortly after word broke of Caldwell’s hire.

“This team is loaded with talent both offensively and defensively, like you said they do lack discipline. A number of games they cost them selves with silly penalties or silly mistakes. Jim Caldwell will bring discipline, he’ll bring consistency and a stability to this organization,’’ Saturday said.

“He’ll sit down with guys, he’ll put a plan in place that he knows can be effective and knows it will win games. Those three things with the accountability and the discipline that he brings to the table. This is a perfect fit for the DL and a good hire by those guys,’’ he added.

Caldwell was the Colts quarterbacks coach (2002-2008) working with Peyton Manning and then promoted to head coach (2009-2011) after Tony Dungy retired.

Saturday said Caldwell should get “a great deal” of credit for Manning’s success.

“Listen every player has to be coached and Peyton Manning wants to be coached and always wanted to be coached. He wants a guy who’s committed to the organization and the team as he is, that was Jim Caldwell for him. He’s not afraid to correct or to talk about here’s a mistake you made. That’s what Caldwell bought to us.

“He has a great offensive mind, he knows how to work with quarterbacks to get the most out of them. He did it with (Joe) Flacco, he did it with Manning and he’ll do it with (Matthew) Stafford in Detroit.’’

Saturday said that Caldwell isn’t afraid to criticize his players.

“He comes with such a calm demeanor you never feel attacked as a player you always feel like he’s trying to build you up as a player,’’ Saturday said.

Caldwell seems to have a quiet personality.

“He’s not known as the most charismatic guy, that’s not true when he’s in a team setting,’’ said Saturday who worked with Caldwell for 10 seasons.

Can Caldwell make the Lions a playoff team next season?

“Absolutely,’’ Saturday said. “I could not be more excited for Caldwell and the Detroit Lions, this is a fantastic fit.’’

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