Friday brought the surprise news that the Detroit Lions would not have permanent captains for the 2014 season. Instead, players will be selected on a game-by-game basis to serve as captains that week.

Jim Caldwell announced the names of three players who will be captains and expanded on the thought process behind the change when speaking with the media at practice today. Quotes provided by the Detroit Lions:

On if he has chosen his Captains for Monday night: “Yes, (Matthew) Stafford on offense, (Stephen) Tulloch on defense and Montell Owens on the special teams.”

On if he will be the person choosing captains every week: “With some input, yes sir.”

On why he decided to choose game captains rather than season captains: “I think I mentioned it yesterday. We have so many strong leaders, I believe, that to narrow it down to a couple guys would be first of all, depriving the rest of the team of their leadership. You look at every one of our rooms, we have veterans all over the place. Not only that, but they are quality, quality men that are fine players and have a positive impact on this team. You’re going to see quite a few of those guys at some time rolling into that position.”

While not naming captains for the season is a change, the fact that Stafford and Tulloch will open the season as captains for week one comes as no surprise. Both were captains a year ago.

Montell Owens may be a mild surprise but neither of the Lions’ special teams captains for the 2013 season (David Akers, John Wendling) are on the roster this season. Ashlee Palmer could have received solid consideration but Owen has also been known as a special teams ace.