The five established Detroit Lions who need to impress in training camp
By Ash Thompson
Once the starting running back, now what?
Ameer Abdullah has lost the starting running back spot. The Lions brought in a more productive veteran, LeGarrette Blount, and drafted a second-round rookie. Their assessment of Abdullah’s performance clearly matches that of PFF. Abdullah earned the number 58 running back ranking in the NFL from them. The BR 1000 was slightly more generous. Abdullah placed number 38 there.
He may not have the third spot locked up either. If we accept BR’s assertion that Abdullah doesn’t offer any additional inside running acumen compared to Theo Riddick, what is Abdullah for the Lions? He is a special teams player if he doesn’t show more in the preseason than Riddick.
Abdullah has been the Lions best kick returner for his entire career, but kickoffs are a bad bet the majority of the time. Most teams just kick the ball into the end zone, and most kick returners smartly take the touchback to put their team at the 25-yard line.
New rules designed to lessen the violence of the play may open the field up for a player with elite acceleration and agility. Abdullah may lack the top speed to take a lot of touchdowns all the way, but his elite short area quickness and first step acceleration are perfect for getting the ball back to the 25 and beyond with the new rules.
This is a player that needs to pivot in order to salvage his career. He needs to attack Theo Riddick and Jamaal Agnew’s roles with the team. He needs to force the coaching staff to make room for him.