Lions: Did They Really Improve Offensively?
By Joe Chapp
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) carries the ball past Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain (55) and Kyle Wilber (51) during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
The Lions Running game ranked near the bottom of the league. Partly because of the bad offensive line play, they completely struggled to get the run game going. It’s crucial the Lions get the run game going in 2015. They got rid of Reggie Bush, and as great of a person as Bush is, he couldn’t stay healthy and his cap hit wasn’t justified by his play.
To help replace Bush, the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah out of Nebraska. I wasn’t a fan of the pick, as I don’t see him as an every down runner. As I continued to look at the Abdullah’s tape he reminded me of a Detroit Lion who had a lot of promise before he got hurt: Jahvid Best.
Ameer is a good runner, fast and agile. I think he will benefit from an offense that likes to pass, Abdullah can make plays happen. Only thing to worry about is fumbles, but people close to Nebraska Football say “he (has) gotten better” so here’s to hoping he holds on to the ball.
As he has been the last two seasons, I see Joique as the number one guy. Behind a good offensive line, he could elevate his game to a higher level. Bell is a guy who can make things happen, very powerful runner and makes the necessary cuts you look for in an every down back. I like Theo Riddick a lot as well, he has a lot of promise. He made some clutch plays last year, against Atlanta and Miami. I think he’ll get some good playing time this year.
Zach Zenner, Rasheed Williams and George Winn will compete for spots on the 53 man roster, and if I was to put my money one in particular it’d be Zach Zenner. Zenner was compared to Danny Woodhead, and that’s a solid comparison for a guy who went undrafted. Zenner said at rookie OTAs, “It’s a drop in the ocean kind of deal, we’ll see what happens.”
Same, Worse or Better?
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