Detroit Lions: Bo Scarbrough provides a Spark Despite Another Loss
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions offense received a spark from an unlikely contributor Sunday despite another loss. Detroit has now lost 6 of their last 7 games.
If I’m completely honest here, I didn’t expect much from Bo Scarborough. The Detroit Lions signed the former Alabama stand-out to the practice squad, I never wrote about it. The Lions decided to elevate Scarborough from the practice squad in favor of Paul Perkins; I never wrote about it.
Truth be told, I didn’t think Scarborough would make much if any impact what so ever on the Lions offense. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was way off on this one. Shortly after Bo committed to the Crimson Tide, he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I can still see the copy in my head and thought there is no way this guy is a running back. He is built like a middle linebacker. He’s 6’2, 235-pound punishing runner; just what the doctor ordered in Detroit.
Recently I wrote an article mentioning a few running backs the Detroit Lions need to target this offseason. I stand by that, but after his first appearance in the NFL, it appears there is a place for the 23-year old Scarborough.
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Imagine having a group like Derrick Henry, Kerryon Johnson, Bo Scarborough, and perhaps the electric J.D. McKissic or Ty Johnson ready to be deployed by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. That’s a pretty dynamic backfield if you asked me.
The Lions haven’t had any success running the football in ’19 besides carving up the K.C Chiefs who can’t stop anyone. They are giving up 5.1 yards per carry this season. That’s video game type numbers for an NFL defense. If you were wondering, the Lions defense is yielding 4.5 YPC. Also not good.
Just last season, Kerryon Johnson averaged 5.4 yards per tote through the ten games he played. Johnson lasted a mere 6 games in ’19 and only averaged 3.3 yards a carry. Ty Johnson is just averaging 3.5 yards and McKissic a whopping 5.7 per carry on only 33 carries. McKissic has been an excellent addition to the Lions offense. He’s much more explosive than Theo Riddick and can catch the football just as well. He’s not a feature back type but can provide a spark with his elusiveness.
The Lions have been desperate to find a back that can run the football efficiently in between the tackles. They tired LeGarrette Blount last season, C.J Anderson this season both weren’t able to get it done.
Perhaps Bo is the answer? His violent running style was a breath of fresh air Sunday. He lowered his head and ran over Cowboys defenders, rushing for 55 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown in his first NFL appearance. I thought maybe his career would quickly fizzle out similar to Trent Richardson but now I certainly hope not.
Trending. The Lions should have Signed Colin Kaepernick in the Offseason. light
The Cowboys originally drafted him with the 236th pick overall in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL draft. He was lost in the shuffle, and it could be a blessing in disguise for Detroit. Bo totaled 1512 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 267 carries over the course of three seasons at Alabama. Unlike many backs coming out of Bama, he’s got fresh legs.